DANCING WITH CLARA

MAYA

Aside from marrying me, Edward marked me. The deep, dark mark of the Alpha sat right on the side of my neck, covered by my collar, pulsing with his life force. Maria thought she could just toss me away like an old rag, forgetting that a mate mark bound my soul directly to the Alpha's bloodline. She really believed a simple announcement at a party could break a sacred bond.

Calmly, I went to my room, waiting for the day to arrive.

I sat on my bed, staring out the window at the rising sun. I didn't cry. I didn't panic. My 36 days of spiritual healing were officially complete today. My skin was smooth, radiant, and glowing with royal strength. The dark, wrinkled curse of the grave soil had completely vanished. Sure, the day must come, and so it came.

The hall was set. The grand ballroom downstairs was decorated with massive crystal chandeliers, sweeping silk banners, and tables overflowing with wine and roasted meats. Servants are at their best. Of course they have to be, or else Maria will have their neck on a platter for dinner. They scrubbed the marble floors until they shone like glass, polishing every silver cup with shaking hands.

I stood by the second-floor railing, quietly watching the madness below.

I saw designers trooping in that morning with different bags, carrying armfuls of silk, velvet, and gold-trimmed dresses. And I watched them out, walking back down the long driveway with heavy sighs and angry faces. She rejected them all. Nothing was good enough for her grand entrance. Then finally, one designer succeeded, bringing out a deep emerald dress covered in crushed pearls. Of course she must make a choice today, as today is the day.

Then I saw her.

She was standing near the grand staircase, wearing a plain cotton servant dress, clutching a small cloth bundle against her chest. She was a beautiful young lady, maybe my age or maybe younger, with soft brown hair and large, tear-filled eyes.

She was dull, or let me say scared. She looked like a trapped deer waiting for the arrow to strike. At the sound of footsteps, she shivers. Any footprint or rustle of fabric made her jump back against the cold stone wall. Anyone's footstep makes her shiver, be it the maids', or Alpha Edward's, or even mine. When a kitchen maid hurried past her carrying a heavy tray, the poor girl flinched so hard she almost dropped to her knees.

Then, a sharp scream echoed from the master bedchamber upstairs.

"Where is my pearl necklace?!" Maria's voice roared through the corridor.

At the sound of Maria's voice, the young girl closed her eyes out of fear, pulling her shoulders up to her ears and whispering silent prayers with trembling lips.

Watching her stand there, practically paralyzed with terror, a cold realization washed over me. Now I understand why she wants someone else, so she can play with her pussy. She needed a weak, fragile target she could control, abuse, and break. Maria loved the power of torturing helpless girls who had no voice in this pack. She did same to me, and I am sure it will not end with me if I don't stop her tonight.

The heavy double doors of the master suite swung open.

Maria stepped out into the hallway, fully dressed for the party. Her emerald dress hugged her frame, though she still looked pale and thin under her thick layers of makeup. She walked with her head held high, trying to put on the grand, arrogant demeanor of a true Luna.

She stopped right in front of the shaking girl, looking down at her with cold, dark eyes. Then, Maria turned her head and spotted me standing near the pillar.

"Maya, this is the new breeder for Edward," she said, her voice dripping with loud, venomous pride so every maid in the hallway could hear. "Her name is Clara. She comes from a poor low-pack family, and she knows how to obey orders."

The young girl, Clara, kept her eyes glued to the floor, her entire body shaking like a leaf in a storm.

"She will be replacing you in his bed starting tonight," Maria added with a wicked, triumphant sneer, stepping closer to me. "She will give him a pure child, while you go back to scrubbing the stone floors where you belong."

I didn't scream. I didn't get angry. I just stood tall, looking Maria straight in her bloodshot eyes, and nodded my head.

"If that is what you wish, Luna Maria," I said softly, my voice smooth as silk.

"It is not just what I wish, it is what will happen!" Maria spat, turning her back on me. "Clara, follow me downstairs. The elders have arrived."

The grand hall below was already packed with people. The territory elders, the noble family heads, the pack warriors, and high-ranking guests from neighboring lands filled the room. Silver goblets clinked, loud laughter echoed off the high ceilings, and music played softly from the balcony.

Edward was standing near the center of the hall, dressed in his regal black Alpha tunic, talking with three elderly pack council members. He looked imposing, broad, and powerful, but his face was tight with annoyance. He hated these fake displays, and everyone knew it.

Maria marched down the central marble staircase with Clara cowering behind her. I walked down a few steps behind them, keeping myself hidden in the shadows of the balcony pillar.

Maria clapped her hands loudly, calling the room to order. The music stopped. The chatter faded away into silence as every head turned toward the Luna standing on the stairs.

"Welcome, my esteemed elders and honorable guests," Maria announced, her voice echoing across the grand room. She raised her glass, putting on a sweet, fake smile. "Tonight, on my birthday, I have a great announcement to make for the future and strength of the Nightshade Pack!"

Edward turned around, his sharp amber eyes narrowing instantly as he looked up at his wife. "Maria, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Maria ignored him, reaching back and pulling the terrified Clara forward into the bright light of the chandeliers.

"As your Luna, I have realized that my health can no longer carry a child for our Alpha," Maria proclaimed loudly, her voice ringing clear across the entire hall. "Therefore, to ensure our bloodline remains strong, I am officially introducing Clara as Alpha Edward's new breeder and concubine! She will take over all duties from the second wife, Maya!"

A massive gasp erupted through the crowd. Elders looked at each other in shock, warriors whispered behind their hands, and the council members stood frozen.

Clara buried her face in her hands, sobbing quietly from sheer terror as hundreds of eyes stared at her.

Edward stood completely still at the base of the stairs. His jaw clenched so tight the muscles in his neck strained against his collar. The air in the room suddenly grew icy cold, heavy with the suffocating pressure of his Alpha aura.

Slowly, Edward took a step up the stairs, his dark eyes burning with an intense, terrifying rage. He didn't even look at Clara. His eyes locked straight onto Maria's smug face.

I stepped out from behind the pillar, letting the full moonlight pouring through the high stained-glass window hit my body. I walked down the stairs, standing right beside Edward. My smooth, radiant, flawless skin gleamed under the light, my long hair falling over my shoulders like black silk, completely free of any wrinkles or darkness.

I nodded my head, waiting to hear what Edward will say.

Edward turned his head to look at me first. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes swept over my restored face, my glowing skin, and the visible Alpha mark resting on my neck. The bond between us hummed violently, sending a wave of electric heat through the air.

Then, Edward turned back to Maria. His voice boomed across the silent hall, sharp enough to slice through solid stone.

"Have you completely lost your mind, Maria?" Edward growled, his Alpha voice vibrating through the floorboards, making every guest in the room flinch.

Maria's smug smile froze. "Edward... I am doing this for your bloodline—"

"Silence!" Edward roared, stepping up until he was inches from her face. "You do not bring a terrified child into my house and call her a breeder! You do not speak for my bed, and you certainly do not dictate who my wife is!"

He reached out, his large, warm hand reaching behind him and grabbing my hand, lacing his fingers tightly through mine in front of the entire pack council.

"Maya is my marked wife," Edward announced, his voice ringing with absolute authority, echoing to every corner of the room. "She carries my mark, she holds my soul, and no one, not even you, Maria—will ever toss her away!"

Maria backed up a step, her face turning as white as a sheet as she looked at our joined hands, then at my radiant, unblemished face.

"Her skin..." Maria gasped, her voice trembling in horror as she stared at me. "Your skin... it was dark! It was wrinkled! How are you glowing?!"

I stepped forward beside Edward, looking down at her with a calm, serene, yet deadly smile.

"The Goddess heals those who walk in the truth, Luna Maria," I said softly, my voice carrying clearly across the quiet hall. "My 36 days are over. And as you can see, I am not going anywhere."

The elders began to whisper urgently among themselves, realizing that the Luna had publicly humiliated herself while the Alpha stood firmly by his second wife.

Maria looked around at the judging eyes of the crowd, then at Edward's cold, unyielding glare, and finally at me. The realization that her grand trap had completely failed shattered her last bit of control. With a sharp, hysterical sob, she turned around, grabbed the skirts of her green dress, and ran back up the stairs toward her room, leaving her birthday party in utter ruin.

Edward let out a long, slow breath. He turned to look down at me, his eyes soft with a deep, fierce heat as he tightened his grip on my hand.

"Are you alright, Maya?" he asked gently, ignoring the crowd below.

"I am more than alright, My Lord," I whispered back, a real smile touching my lips.

My healing was complete, my skin was restored, my mate had claimed me before the entire pack, and Maria was officially running out of places to hide. My throne was right within my reach.

Then that same party, I saw Alpha Edward dancing with Clara