4. A Replaceable Luna

It's been 4 days since my world shattered. Since I had been locked in this room, I had once called my safe haven. I had lost everything, and now I'm being kept like a prisoner in my own home. I glanced at the closed doors; no footsteps were moving, but I could see the faint shadows of boots standing just outside the door. When I sat up, the scrape of those boots shifted outside my door. Guards.

My chest tightened. I swung my legs off the bed and crossed the room, pulling the door open without calling for permission. This was what I'd been reduced to. A powerless title. Two men stood there in full-plated armor; they didn't even bow or acknowledge my presence.

“I need fresh clothes,” I said evenly. " And the morning council scrolls.” I'm still the Luna; I need to perform my duties as one.

One of them avoided my gaze. "Orders have changed, my Luna.”

That title… it filled me with a little bloom of light. “Whose orders?” I asked, but neither answered. They simply urged me inside before closing the doors again, firmly locking me inside. My mind reeled as hours crawled by. Whose orders, and what was going on? Why can't I perform my duties? I felt my heartbeat increasing with each passing thought.

When my servants finally arrived, they moved differently. Their eyes no longer lowered, voices clipped, and hands moved too quickly, not the usual quiet and calm way in order not to disturb me. It was as if they didn't care what I thought or did. They even brought food without asking what I wanted. When I requested a pen and paper, they exchanged glances and said they'd “check."

But they never returned. It was as though they had been waiting for this moment of ridicule. To shame me. By noon, I knew things had changed drastically; meetings I usually oversaw went on without me. Documents I once signed never came; they were reassigned. Decisions were made elsewhere, by someone else.

But who? Nolan? Vespera? My authority was not revoked loudly, though. It was done quietly to avoid suspicion, as if I had never mattered in the first place. Maybe I was truly living an illusion. The door opened again in the late afternoon, and Nolan stepped inside alone.

He looked…calm. As if the past days hadn't shattered anything at all, a huge difference from what I've been feeling.

“Althea,” he said softly, like we were still something. I didn't answer him, only watched as he glanced around the room, then back at me. "Hmm.. You know, this is temporary."

A short and humorless sound escaped my lips. “You've locked me in my own chambers."

“For your safety." He stepped closer. “You were emotionally unstable."

“There it is," I said in mockery. “That word again."

His expression tightened, just barely. “You lost a child."

“Our child, Nolan!" My voice threatened to crack, but I held still. “The one you took from me.”

Silence followed shortly after. Then, quietly, “I'm doing what I must."

I met his eyes. "You're doing what benefits you.” He didn't deny it, and I wasn't surprised by that. At this rate, nothing he does can surprise me more.

"I can't let you leave," he said simply. “No matter what." No matter what. The words rang in my ear.

“You don't love me," I clenched my fists.

“I never said I did." The cruelty of it was almost gentle. “This pack needs continuity," Nolan continued. “You represent stability, and people believe in symbols."

“And Vespera?" I asked. “Is that why you handed the pack matters to her?"

Something flickered, bothering possession. "She represents the future. I don't owe you any explanations, Althea. I'll see to the pack matters.” He turned toward the door. "Rest. This will pass.”

When he left, the lock went back into place, leaving my insides cold.

~

Vespera came that evening. I don't know why. Maybe to rub it all in. She wore a pale blue flowy dress, soft and shimmering under the light. The kind of dress meant to suggest innocence, but you know she was far from that. She paused, leaning on the doorway, eyes scanning the room.

“Oh, Althea," she murmured. “This must be so hard for you," I said nothing. Maybe ignoring her would make her leave. I have no strength in me for a conversation, and these past few days I've been feeling something's weird with my body.

“I asked Nolan to let me see you," she continued. “I thought maybe you shouldn't be alone."

"How kind,” I replied flatly.

She gave a small sad smile. "You always misunderstand me.” Then she stepped closer. “You sure you're okay? You don't look too good."

I didn't say anything, just watched as she sauntered inside, and continued, pretending to not know I was actively ignoring her. "You know stress isn't good for women like us.”

I scoffed. Women like us.

"I heard about the feast,” she added lightly, and that made my ears perk up. A feast?

She continued. "It's such a big moment for the pack. Nolan wants unity.”

"And you?” I asked.

Her eyes gleamed with pride. "I'll stand beside him.” She reached out as if to touch my arm, then stopped herself. "I hope one day you'll understand.”

She went on with her fake concern. I don't even know why she's still keeping up with the act. When she finally left, I sighed, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. I rubbed my chest, trying to ease the knotted feeling, inhaling deeply, and catching a whiff of her perfume that still lingered, like a lie.

That night, I couldn't sleep. Just laid on my bed listening to anything and everything. To the guards' rotation, the sound of servants talking as they passed by. And then I heard it.

“The future Luna wants the east wing decorated for the feasts."

“She's already favored by the Alpha."

“It's already a matter of time…"

The words slipped into the room like poison. No one cared about what happened. No one's coming for me, not even the council, the elders, or even the pack I held together for years. I had been useful, until I wasn't. The grief I was expecting to consume me didn't. It only sharpened into something more.

~

The next morning, a maid lingered after bringing me breakfast. I expected her to be as rude as the others and drop a snide comment, but she didn't. She was young and had a nervous look; her hands shook as she adjusted the tray.

“My Luna," she whispered, barely moving her lips for fear of the guards stationed outside. “They're planning a Grand Feast. Three nights from now."

I stilled. Why's she telling me this?

“All patrols will be reassigned,” she continued hurriedly. "The outer guards will rotate, and there'd be less security at the western gate.” My eyes widened at what she was hinting at.

She swallowed. "I shouldn't be telling you this but—" 

"Why are you?” I questioned quietly.

Her eyes filled with tears before looking directly at me. "Because you were kind to my family."

That alone made tears well up in my eyes, and I hadn't cried since I was locked up. She fled before I could respond, and I swallowed the huge lump in my throat. I sat there long after the door closed, going through what she just revealed to me.

Routes, rotations, and distractions. A perfect plan to escape. But how? I'm still locked up. The feast wouldn't be just a celebration; for them, it would be, but for me, a perfect opportunity.

That evening, Nolan announced the feast publicly. I heard the cheers from my chambers. My chest warmed with nostalgia. I used to love such occasions, but now, I imagined Vespera at his side, radiant and accepted. I stood by the floor-length mirror and studied my reflection filled with grief.

My once bright brown hair was now dim and lifeless, my jade green eyes dull but filled with something new. Resolve. When Nolan visited again, I lowered my eyes in surrender with sagging shoulders.

“I understand," I said softly. “You're right. I shouldn't have fought you."

He studied me closely.

“I just want peace," I continued. “For the pack."

His shoulders relaxed, giving him his signature smirk. "Good,” he said. "That's all I ever wanted.”

When he left, I smiled to myself. Nolan wasn't a fool, but I've lived with him for years and know what exactly he craves; he wants submission. Now, he's forgotten submission was the first step to freedom.

And I can already taste it on my tongue.