Chapter 3

My words hung in the air, sucking the life out of the moment. Utter silence.

A vein pulsed on Silas’s forehead, his face a mask of fury.

He strode forward, blocking my path.

"What trash?" His voice was low and dangerous. "Caliana, say that again."

A wave of raw Alpha power crashed down, meant to force me to my knees. The weaker wolves around us buckled, some dropping to the ground, trembling.

But I just looked at him calmly.

"A rejected mate has no right to an opinion. Isn't that what you said back then?"

My voice was quiet, but every word was a knife in his heart.

Silas's breathing grew heavy. His eyes were a storm of emotions.

Anger. Resentment. And something else I couldn't read.

"You're just jealous," he suddenly snarled, a twisted smile on his lips. "Jealous of Jenna. Jealous of what I've become. You’re just trying to get a reaction out of me."

His smile turned triumphant. "I know your little games, Caliana. You've always loved throwing tantrums. Since you're so desperate to see the real center of power..."

He paused, a flicker of pride in his eyes.

"In three days, the Alliance is hosting a banquet for the Alpha Chairman. I'll take you," he said, puffing out his chest. "A chance for you to see how the real elite live."

The pack members around us buzzed with excitement.

"That's the highest-level banquet in the Alliance!"

"Only the most elite Alphas can go!"

"The Alpha is so merciful."

Jenna tightened her grip on Silas's arm, her eyes full of pride. "Of course. With our status now, a banquet like this is nothing."

"I'm going to wear that 500,000-credit evening gown."

Silas soaked in their worshipful gazes, then turned back to me.

"But Caliana, you'll have to dress appropriately."

He looked me up and down with disgust. "The way you look now... you'll embarrass me."

"I can have someone send you a few decent outfits."

"Remember, this is your only chance to be near true power."

I looked at his self-satisfied expression and wanted to laugh.

If only he knew the banquet was actually for me... If only he knew I was the legendary Supreme Luna...

"No, thank you," I said calmly. "I don't need it."

His smile froze.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I don't need you," I repeated, my voice like ice.

The air grew cold.

Disbelief flashed in Silas’s eyes, quickly replaced by rage.

"Do you have any idea what you're throwing away?" His voice shook with rage. "Wolves would kill for an invitation to that banquet! And you're refusing me?"

Jenna shrieked, "Are you insane? You're throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime chance? Do you still think you're the precious future Luna from three years ago? You're a nobody now! A rejected rogue!"

The other wolves started murmuring:

"She's really lost her mind."

"She doesn't even appreciate an opportunity like this."

"No wonder she's so pathetic now."

Silas took a deep breath, trying to control his fury.

"Caliana, I'm giving you one more chance."

His voice was quiet, but full of threat. "Come back to the pack with me. Accept my arrangements without a fight."

"Or else..."

"Or else what?" I cut him off.

This time, Silas was the one who was stunned.

He never expected me to challenge him so directly.

In his memory, I was always the meek, obedient little Omega.

"You..." He pointed at me, his finger trembling. "Where did this defiance come from?"

"A worthless Omega with a backbone she doesn't deserve!"

The words hung in the air, freezing everything.

Even Jenna looked at him in surprise.

She knew. Silas had just said what was truly in his heart.

In his eyes, I had always been "lowly."

Even during the seven years we were in love, even on the night he proposed, he had always believed that.

I let out a small laugh.

"Since you think I'm so lowly, don't force yourself. Take your Jenna to the banquet in three days. You two are a perfect match."

I turned to leave.

"You stop right there!" Silas roared behind me. "I'm not done!"

But I didn't look back.

"Caliana! Get back here!"

I heard his footsteps chasing after me, but I didn't stop.

"Where do you think you can go?" he shouted from behind. "Who else would want damaged goods like you?"

I finally stopped and turned to face him.

His face was red, his eyes filled with a madness and possessiveness I had never seen before.

In that moment, I saw this man for who he truly was.

"Let's see if you have any of that arrogance left in three days."

With that, I walked away.

I could hear Silas's furious roar behind me, but the sound was already fading.

My mind flashed back to the night my life truly began.

I was wandering the wilderness, broken by his betrayal.

I thought I was going to die there.

Until I met him.

Zane. The legendary Alpha of Alphas, rumored to be ruthless and cold.

The moment our eyes met, the world didn't just realign. It snapped into focus for the first time.

That powerful, lonely Alpha saw me. Not an Omega, not a healer. Just me.

He wasn't a fantasy. He was safety. He was home.

And now, three years had passed.

I was no longer the naive girl who would give up everything for love.

I am a Luna. The Supreme Luna.

The banquet in three days was going to be very interesting.