Chapter4

Kael looked at the expectant crowd and slowly raised his glass.

His wolf exuded a complex scent.

It held the confidence of an Alpha, but also a deeply hidden desire.

"Fellow Alphas," his voice was low and magnetic, "the Luna ceremony is indeed sacred. I trust that when the Moon Goddess guides me to my true mate, everything will fall into place."

He gave Selene a look so tender it was palpable, a silent vow that everyone in the room could feel.

"As for Selene..." he paused, "she is indeed a very special she-wolf. If only she weren't already mated to Alpha Ethan."

The room erupted in suggestive laughter and whistles.

Every wolf understood his implication.

I felt the mate mark on my chest burn, threatening to consume me.

"Then let us continue with tonight's festivities," an elder stood up. "It is now time to unveil this year's most important project—the new defensive rune matrix for the five-pack alliance."

A complex and exquisite rune pattern was projected onto the large screen.

I froze.

That was my design.

Three years ago, when I was still the heir of the Red Fang pack, I had designed this original rune matrix to protect our territory.

It had taken me six months of painstaking work, blending ancient Moon Goddess blessings with modern defensive concepts.

"This masterpiece was designed by the heir of our Red Fang pack, Alpha Selene," the elder's voice boomed. "Her talent and wisdom are astonishing."

Selene stood and bowed gracefully.

"A truly genius design!"

"As expected of the future of the Red Fang pack!"

"Alpha Selene is as brilliant as she is beautiful!"

Praises echoed throughout the hall.

My wolf roared within me. Even suppressed by Silver Dust, the rage made it struggle to break free.

That was my work!

My blood, sweat, and tears!

"No!" I shot to my feet, my voice ringing through the hall. "That's not her design!"

All eyes snapped to me.

I strode toward the stage.

"That rune matrix is mine! It was my original design for the Red Fang pack three years ago!"

I pointed at the screen. "Look here, this lunar phase transition rune, and this energy flow path—these are my unique creations!"

The hall erupted in an uproar.

Selene’s face turned pale, but she quickly composed herself, her eyes welling with crocodile tears.

"Clara, how could you say that… this really is my design…" her voice trembled. "I know you're upset about losing the inheritance, but…"

"Liar!" I cut her off angrily. "The core concept of this design is based on my research of ancient Moon Goddess runes. You couldn't possibly—"

"Enough!"

Kael’s furious voice thundered, carrying the full force of his Alpha command.

The entire hall fell silent. Every wolf was stunned into submission, instinctively bowing their heads.

And I, as his mate, bore the brunt of the impact.

My wolf instantly recoiled, my body trembling uncontrollably.

"Clara!" Kael strode toward me.

His eyes were completely gold, glowing with a dangerous light. "What are you doing?!"

"I'm telling the truth!" Even under his pressure, I held my ground. "That's my design!"

"You're out of control," Kael said coldly, then turned to the crowd. "My apologies, everyone. My Luna, due to the trauma to her wolf, sometimes suffers from... episodes. Delusions of persecution."

A wave of sympathetic murmurs went through the crowd.

"A wolfless mate is often mentally unstable..."

"Poor Luna..."

"Alpha Kael is so considerate, still protecting her like this..."

"Guards!" Kael commanded. "Take the Luna back to her room to rest. She needs to calm down."

Two guards immediately stepped forward, politely but firmly taking my arms.

"No! Let me finish! It really is my design!" I struggled, but it was useless.

Selene walked over and took my hand with false sympathy.

"Clara, you're tired. Get some rest. Everything will be alright."

Her voice was gentle, but her eyes gleamed with triumph.

I was escorted out of the hall.

By the time I got home, it was late.

I sat alone in the living room, a storm of anger and despair raging inside me.

At two in the morning, Kael returned.

He smelled of alcohol and Selene’s vanilla scent.

Clearly, they had spent more time together after the gala.

"Clara," he stood before me, his tone cold. "We need to talk."

"Talk about what? How you humiliated me in public? Or how you helped Selene steal my work?"

"That wasn't your design," he stated flatly. "Your wolf was damaged three years ago. You couldn't have completed such a complex rune project."

"You know that's not true!"

"What I know is that your behavior tonight embarrassed me in front of every Alpha!" His eyes began to glow gold again. "How could a Luna publicly question the heir of another pack? Do you have any idea how that affects our alliance?"

"So in your eyes, a political alliance is more important than the truth?"

"In my eyes, your health and safety are what matter most." He suddenly lunged forward, pinning me to the sofa. "Perhaps I've been too lenient with you. It's time to complete our final mating ritual."

His wolf radiated a powerful possessiveness and control.

His Alpha scent pressed down on me, suffocating.

This wasn't love. It was conquest.

"No," I pushed back. "Not now."

"Why not?" he kissed my neck forcefully, right over my mate mark. "You're my Luna. This is your duty."

Duty.

Not because of love, but duty.

I shoved him away with all my might, tears in my eyes.

"Kael, who do you really want to mark? Me, or Selene?"