Will Lumi Become the Luna?

Corinne POV

Three days passed like a dry desert. I did not say a single word to Glacier, and he did not try to break the wall of ice I built around myself. I moved like a ghost in his house, avoiding the ground floor, locking myself in my room whenever I heard his voice or Lumi’s irritating laughter that now filled every corner.

On the morning of the fourth day, I was getting ready to leave, pulling on my oversized coat that swallowed my small body, when he stopped me at the door. He stood there in his usual dominance, his gray eyes watching me with a look I could not read.

He held out a black bank card and said in his deep voice, the one that still shook something inside me despite my anger, “Take this. Buy everything you need for your coming of age ceremony. I want you to look like a true Alpha’s daughter. I will throw you a party worthy of the pack.”

I looked at the card, then at his hard face. Inside me, gratitude tasted bitter. He thought he was buying my loyalty. In truth, he was funding my escape without knowing it. I reached out slowly, careful not to let my fingers touch his skin. I took the card quickly and stepped back.

“Thank you, Alpha Glacier,” I said coldly, then walked past him and left.

He did not know I was living a double life. For weeks, I had been working in secret at three different jobs, from cleaning warehouses to working at a human library far beyond the pack borders.

My body ached with exhaustion. My thin limbs shook at the end of every day. But the thought of freedom was the fuel that kept me moving. Glacier noticed nothing. How could he, when he was too busy taking care of Lumi and her endless needs?

I got a call from Samer, the daughter of the pack’s Gamma. She was one of the few who never bullied me, even though we were not close friends.

“Corinne, my rotation order is out. I am going south. I want you to come to my farewell party tonight.”

The south. Where brutal fights and deadly rotations waited. My heart tightened. Many wolves went there and never came back. A cruel natural selection. I agreed. This might be the last familiar face I would see before I disappeared too.

As I left the palace for the party, Glacier’s black car stopped in front of me. Lumi stepped out of the passenger seat, glowing in a short red dress. He followed, dressed in black, his broad shoulders and the tattoos peeking from his sleeves impossible to miss.

“Where are you going, little one?” Lumi asked with mock sweetness.

“To Samer’s party,” I answered shortly.

“We are going there too,” Glacier said in a tone that allowed no argument.

“Get in. We will take you.”

The car ride was pure torture. Lumi talked without stopping.

“Glacier, do you think crimson would suit the curtains in the main wing? I want everyone to feel the change when I become Luna.”

He did not look at her, but replied calmly, “Do whatever you think is best.”

I stared out the window, trying to ignore Glacier’s scent filling the car, choking me, dragging me back to that night when he lost control and kissed me. A night he seemed to have erased from his memory.

When we arrived at Samer’s place, loud music and bright lights filled the area. Samer pulled me away from Glacier and Lumi the moment we walked in.

“Corinne. I am glad you came,” Samer whispered, glancing at Lumi, who clung proudly to Glacier’s arm.

“Are the rumors true? Will Lumi become the new Luna? The whole school is talking about it.”

I looked toward Glacier. He watched the crowd with cold focus, while Lumi smiled at everyone like a crowned queen. My throat tightened, but I kept my face calm.

“I do not know, Samer. And I do not care.”

Suddenly, a strange silence spread through part of the space. The crowd parted as a tall young man walked in, messy hair, golden eyes sharp with confidence.

“Mason?” Samer whispered in shock.

“I did not invite him. Mason Carter does not usually attend small pack parties. But he came on his own. No one can ask the son of the Brown Stone Alpha to leave.”

My eyes met Mason’s. A crooked, knowing smile curved his lips, like he had found valuable prey. He ignored everyone and walked straight toward me, ignoring Glacier’s presence. I felt Glacier’s aura boil behind me, like a storm about to explode.

Mason stopped in front of me. “I came to finish our conversation, interesting hybrid,” he said loudly, drawing all eyes to us.

Before I could speak, Glacier’s presence erupted behind me. He stepped closer until he stood right at my back.

“Carter,” Glacier said, his voice sharp with warning.

“What is the son of the Brown Stone Alpha doing at a farewell party for one of my pack members?”

Mason smiled coolly. “The world is small, Alpha Glacier. And beauty has no borders. I was talking to Corinne. Is there a problem?”

Glacier’s body went rigid. I felt his hand hover near my shoulder, but he did not touch me.

“Corinne is under my protection. Your words cross the line.”

Lumi laughed mockingly as she stepped closer. “Oh Mason, do not waste your time. She is just a wolf less hybrid. Maybe her weakness caught your interest, but she is not worth your status.”

Mason looked at me, completely ignoring Lumi. “Weakness can be a mask, Lumi. Corinne, will you stay hidden behind the Alpha, or will you come with me so we can talk away from this noise?”

I turned to Glacier. His eyes burned with anger and restrained jealousy, but he said coldly, “She is not going anywhere with you.”

I lifted my head, looking at Mason, then at Glacier.

“I am not anyone’s property for others to decide for me. I will stay here with Samer.”

Mason smiled in victory, pleased that he had embarrassed Glacier. “Brave. I like that.”

Glacier’s gaze burned through me like fire, while Lumi watched us with eyes full of suspicion and hatred.