Chapter 1

BRIE’S POV

The clash of blades rang out across the training yard. The sounds blended with grunts, fists striking flesh, and boots scraping against the ground. To anyone else, it was chaos. To me, it was like a song. It wasn’t just a song to me, it was one I used to know by heart.

I froze. My breath hitched in my throat as I had a flashback.

Two years ago.

The air on the battlefield had been thick with iron and smoke. I remembered the way my enemies’ faces drained of color the instant I stepped into view

I was Brie, The Alpha’s daughter. The warrior no one wanted to face.

My movements had been fast and merciless. Before I even reached their commander, he was already trembling. Some warriors dropped their weapons before my blades touched them, not out of respect but out of fear. They knew my name. They knew my reputation.

I wasn’t cruel. I was unstoppable. That was enough.

And I had loved it. Every fight.. Every victory. Fighting was the rhythm of my soul.

Now…

The vision faded and reality closed in.

I stood still in the courtyard. I felt trapped inside the silk gown I wore. The dress was too tight. It was designed to hug curve of mine the way Alex preferred. I looked elegant, sweet and soft. This wasn’t me. It would never be me.

I hated it.

I needed my blades. I wanted to feel  the exhilaration of combat in my veins. But those days were gone. Now I was Luna Brie – Alex’s trophy. He molded me by his vision of what a Luna should be: graceful, submissive, weak. He had made it clear—if I wanted to be his mate, my warrior days had to end.

And I had given it all up for him. That was how much I loved him. I’d do anything for him.

“Your voice must be sweet. Your smile should be even sweeter,” he always reminded me. “A Luna doesn’t fight. She stands behind her Alpha. Her Alpha leads”

The words felt like chains.

On the grounds in front of me, two warriors sparred. I tracked their movements. As they fought, I saw the flaws instantly. The younger one’s grip kept shaking. His stance was too wide. Right now, his left was exposed.

Shift your weight. Drop lower. Sweep the leg. Now, I whispered silently.

But he didn’t. Instead, he lunged. Wrong decision. His opponent spun, knocking him flat on his back.

My jaw tightened. My palms trembled at my sides. I could have stopped that. I could have ended it in seconds.

Every muscle in me screamed to jump down, to fight, to be myself. Instead, I stood still. I stayed silent

Because I wasn’t Brie the warrior anymore. I was Alex’s Luna.

A soft hand touched mine, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was Zelda, my closest friend.

“Brie?” Her eyes searched mine with worry. “You okay?”

I forced my lips into smile “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“You’re sure?” she pressed, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

I nodded, even as the lie burned bitter in my mouth.

Turning away, I left the training yard, letting the sound of steel fade behind me. My reflection caught me in a hallway mirror. My reflection had the perfect posture, perfect poise. I was the ideal Luna. But all I saw staring back was a prisoner.

And then I saw her.

Mia. She was one of the kitchen maids. She was young, pretty, and shaped exactly the way Alex admired. She was hurrying up the east wing stairs with a tray balanced in her hands. She headed toward Alex’s chambers.

I stopped mid-step. Our eyes met for a brief moment. Hers widened before she quickly lowered her head and hurried faster, almost tripping in her haste.

I exhaled slowly. Don’t do this, Brie

It wasn’t the first time. I had noticed servants heading into Mario’s quarters at strange hours, sometimes dressed far too boldly for simple service, sometimes leaving with marks on their skin the next morning.

I had told myself they were rumors, tests of my loyalty. I told myself it was nothing and that he would never do this to me. Because I had once believed in us.

Now? Now I only felt… tired.

By the time I reached my room, my shoulders were heavy. My fingers shook slightly as I reached for the lock when the door burst open. Zelda burst into the room.

“Brie” she shouted

I blinked. “What on earth—?”

“You need to hear this!” she exclaimed, nearly bouncing with excitement.

I sighed. “Can it wait?”

“No! Absolutely not.” She slipped inside, shutting the door behind her, and revealed a bundle of clothes hidden under her cloak. Her eyes were wide with excitement. “The triplet Alphas of the Obsidian Fang pack are in town. Triplets, Brie And they’re, gods help me—too gorgeous for words. They’re all tall, gorgeous. They are carved like warriors out of stone. I nearly fainted just hearing about them.”

I managed a small laugh. “Good for you.”

Brie narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re not even paying attention.”

I sank onto the bed, feeling exhausted. “Sorry.”

Her grin returned slowly, wickedly. “Then we’ll fix that. You need a distraction.”

I frowned. “What are you plotting?”

“A night out,” she said simply, dropping the clothes in my lap. “Cloak, wig, glasses—you’ll be unrecognizable. No one will suspect a thing. The town’s festival is tonight. There will be music, dancing, drinks. You need this.”

“Zelda, I can’t—”

“Yes, you can. Alex’s occupied. He’s busy with… other matters. You’re not doing anything wrong.” Her voice softened “You’ve been suffocating here. Just one night. Breathe again.”

My heart pounded. I stared at the cloak then at her.

Maybe it was reckless. Maybe it was wrong.

But maybe it was the first true choice I’d made for myself in years.

“…Fine.”

Zelda squealed, hugging me. “I knew it!”

I dressed quickly, pulling on the cloak, the wig, the glasses. When I looked at the mirror, the woman staring back was a stranger. And for once, I didn’t mind.

Zelda pushed open the window with a mischievous smile. “After you, Luna.”

My pulse raced as I climbed out. I could feel the fear and exhilaration mixing like fire in my veins.

And for the first time in so long…

I felt alive.