Claiming the Moon

~STORM

I stood frozen, my heart shattering into a million pieces as I watched Alpha Richard kiss Danielle. My wolf howled in anguish, a primal sound echoing in my mind. Richard had been my mate, the only person I had ever allowed to touch me, and now he was betraying me in the most public way possible. He was not just my mate; he was my husband, my life.

“I told you he had eyes for Danielle,” Avira whispered beside me, her voice laced with bitterness. “He’s a lying cheat, Luna.”

I gripped the railing tightly, trying to steady myself as their kiss deepened, tongues dancing in a way that made my stomach churn. Just hours earlier, we had hosted a soiree to celebrate the alliance between our pack and the Blood Moon pack. Richard had insisted it was necessary, especially with so many members struggling. I had believed him, trusting his persuasive nature.

I had taken care of everything—the invitations, the decorations, the food. Avira and I had worked tirelessly to make the event a success, and I had been proud of how beautiful everything turned out. But now, as I watched Richard with another woman, I felt lost and utterly betrayed.

In a moment of rage, I crushed a nearby vase, the sound of shattering glass snapping me back to reality. Blood trickled from my hands, but I barely registered the pain. Richard’s kiss broke abruptly as he turned to face me, jumping away from Danielle as if she were a dangerous creature. Danielle smirked at me, a look of triumph on her face, while Avira took my hand, trying to lead me back to the party.

I yanked my hand away, my gaze locked on Richard. I wanted answers, wanted him to explain, to slap me so I could wake from this nightmare. He licked his lips, tasting the remnants of Danielle, and my stomach twisted in disgust.

“Listen, Storm, it isn’t what you think,” he said, his voice smooth but unconvincing.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “What was I thinking?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I had expected this line; it was the classic defense of every cheater.

“It’s for our own good,” he replied, but I shook my head in disbelief. There was no way that cheating on me could be for the good of the pack.

“Did you even ask for her permission?” Avira interjected, but Richard ignored her, reaching out for me. I stepped back, holding my diamond-studded lehenga tightly as I turned away. He didn’t follow; he knew better.

As I made my way toward my room, tears threatening to spill, a voice called out from the Blood Moon pack. A woman approached me with a bright smile.

“I love your dress,” she said, and I managed a small smile in return.

“Thank you. I love yours too,” I lied.

“I heard you are the Luna,” the woman continued, and I nodded, avoiding eye contact. I felt as if looking at her would make me burst into tears. The last thing I wanted was attention.

“I also heard that you were the one who arranged the whole party, the décor and everything,” she said.

“I and my Beta did everything. I don’t deserve the credit,” I replied, my voice flat. Avira was nowhere in sight, and for once, I was grateful. She could enjoy her victory without my presence.

The woman nodded, looking around appreciatively. Anger surged within me; I wanted to smash everything and send everyone home. But this wasn’t just for me; it was for the entire pack. They adored me, and I wouldn’t let them down.

“My name is Desire, by the way,” the woman said, her smile widening.

“Storm. Storm Evire,” I replied, forcing a smile. If this alliance didn’t work out, I would only remember Desire as the woman who had annoyed me on the night I caught my husband cheating.

“I’m sorry, Desire,” I said, cutting the conversation short. “I need to attend to some things.”

“I totally understand,” Desire began, but I was already at the top of the stairs, shutting the door behind me.

Once in the bathroom, I let the tears flow freely. My wolf hissed in frustration; she had sensed Richard’s infidelity long before this moment. The way he had looked at other female wolves had been a warning sign, but I had refused to listen.

In a fit of rage, I tore the lehenga from my body, leaving myself in shreds of purple and diamonds. The cost of the dress was the last thing on my mind. I stood in front of the mirror, fists clenched, feeling the spot where Richard’s bite of ownership marked my skin. It throbbed painfully, and my fingers tingled with a burning sensation.

Just as I began to take deep breaths, I heard the door click open.

“Storm?” Richard’s voice cut through my turmoil.

The bastard.

I didn’t respond, but he found me anyway. He reached for me, but I stepped back, and he halted, knowing how volatile I could be when angry.

“It was a mistake,” he said, his tone attempting to soothe me.

“A mistake that didn’t end until the vase broke,” I snarled, anger bubbling to the surface.

His lips curled into a slight smile. “You know how I love seeing you angry. Your eyes get bigger, and you look prettier. You live up to your name.”

He stepped closer, and despite myself, I let him. He had a way of getting to me that infuriated me even more. He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt the warmth of his embrace.

“Nothing happened after the kiss, I promise,” he said softly.

“Then why didn’t you come after me? You stayed with her, didn’t you?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I did come after you. But I wanted you to calm down a bit. Everyone was asking after you. I had to explain that you were feeling sick.”

I pulled away from him, wiping my tears. “Thanks,” I managed to say, my voice shaky.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you,” Richard said, and I braced myself for the worst.

“Danielle is my mate,” he began, and my breath caught in my throat. “I know I went to reject her, but I just couldn’t.”

“You could just reject her now that I’ve found out,” I said, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “We can pretend nothing has happened. We can start afresh.”

He looked at me as if I were foolish. “That’s not happening,” he replied, his glare hardening as he let go of me.