CHAPTER 2

HANNI POV

“What! You can’t be serious!”

Wanni’s shriek filled the hall, startling everyone for we had been incapacitated with shock and disbelief. “Lucas darling……you misspoke. You said Hanni instead of Wanni. My love, correct yourself.”

“No Wanni, I want your sister Hanni, to be my Luna” Lucas said unfazed with the ruckus he had created.

“But…we…five years!” She spluttered, her beautiful features twisting into something ugly and desperate. “I am your girlfriend! You can’t do this!”

“I am sorry, Wanni,” he said coldly. It was the tone of an Alpha passing judgement, not a boyfriend offering an apology. “The truth is, I have been in love with your sister all this while. And it is Alpha Lucas to you. Accept it and stop making a mockery of yourself.”

The cold finality in his voice broke her. “ARRRRGGHHH! You can’t do this to me! I am your mate!”

“If you were mate, I would have felt the bond when we turned eighteen. This drama is beneath you,” he spat, his composure cracking for the first time to reveal impatience and….guilt?

I have never seen Lucas this cold to anyone before - let alone at Wanni. He always exhumed grace and composure with the aura of royalty as the Alpha’s son. But this Lucas is different, very unrecognizable and not shaken in the slightest at the turn of event.

“Where is she? Where is that wolf less slut?” Wanni shouted, already at her breaking point.

All eyes turned towards me as I slipped deeper further into the shadows, not wanting to be part of this madness.

“YOU WICKED HUMAN SLUT!” She snarled, and launched herself across the room, with her fingers curved into claws aiming at my throat.

I froze with pure terror icing my veins.

“WANNI, ENOUGH!” Lucas thundered and a wave of pure Alpha power vibrated through the floorboards. It was enough to halt her as she flew towards me. The command held her, but it didn’t erase the murderous rage in her eyes, now fixed solely on me.

The minister jumped between us, with his arms outstretched. “Peace! We must have peace! This is a day of joy!” He looked desperately at Lucas, who gave a sharp, approving nod. “Now….where is Hanni? Please, child, come forward.”

At that moment, I wished the ground can swallow me whole. I gulped as I stood up shakily, not minding the fireworks anymore as I wobbled to the front of the hall, to where the minister was standing, avoiding Wanni’s gaze as she shot daggers at me. I kept my eyes on the floor, feeling the weight of a hundred stares—some curious, some hostile, all shocked.

I could see Josh and Micheal, both looking equally shocked and terrified as I am. Unable to say or do anything, Josh gave me a sad smile, with his fist clenched at his sides.

“You……..!” Wanni shrieked, but she was interrupted by the minister after giving her a warning glance.

“Hanni Severus, you have been chosen as Luna of the high mountains pack, do you accept?”

The words hit me like a physical blow. “What!” I spluttered, not looking at Lucas, “Ofcourse not!”

How can he do this to me?

**********

For two days, I paced. The four walls of my room were both a prison and my sanctuary.

I know I was doomed the minute Lucas proclaimed me as his Luna.

My mind worked extra hours, unable to rest. How could he? This is beyond selfish. This is cruel. Is this some twisted game he and Wanni concocted to finally break me? To give her a reason to end me? He is her boyfriend! He knows what she is like! He has signed my death sentence!

A fresh wave of nausea rolled through me, and I dry heaved over the sink, my body beaten down by stress.

A relentless pounding started all of a sudden at my door. “Hanni! Please! You have to eat something!” Josh called out worriedly.

“Just leave me alone, Josh,” I whispered, my voice cracked from fatigue and dehydration. I had no strength left.

“Hanni please open the door, you haven’t eaten or drank anything since the ceremony.”

That’s it! I have had enough! But as I moved to stand up, I was stopped abruptly on my tracks when I heard a voice…..a deeper one.

Lucas?

“What in the flipping hell is he doing here?” I snarled.

I opened the door to see him looking impeccable as always, with his fist up in the air like he was about to knock.

“Hello Hanni” he said with a smile playing on his lips, “I was informed you were still….processing. But your self imposed house arrest is over.”

“I……” I spluttered, weak in the knees, I didn’t know how refer him now he is Alpha. Before it was just Lucas, but now……I stared nervously at the two officials behind him, both looking at me with narrowed eyes and I felt like a rabbit surrounded by wolves.

My gaze flew to Josh, pleading, but he could only look down and bow his head . He was an Omega, he was powerless.

“Hanni please can you let me in?” Lucas asked calmly. He didn’t wait for an answer. He simply stepped forward, forcing me to move aside or be stepped on. He strolled into my room like he owned it….which, I supposed, he technically did. He ran a finger over the edge of my dresser, studying a framed picture of my parents before settling on my bed, making himself uncomfortable.

“What are you doing here?” I croaked, “where is Wanni?”

He ignored my questions and swept his gaze over my humble room before landing back on me.

“I asked you a question Alpha” I said with a sting in my voice, “What are you doing here?”

“Tsk tsk….careful there little one, I’m here to bring you to the palace, I’m sure you’ve had enough time to yourself. So now it’s time to begin your Luna duties sweetheart.”

His use of endearment was like a threat….possessive, but threatening.