Chapter 3

Little Ethan finally had his Alpha father's attention.

But only after death.

I choked back a sob and slowly answered him.

"It's little Ethan's—"

My words were cut off by Damien's phone ringing. I saw the caller ID displayed "Sera." He glanced at it and hurriedly rushed away.

I watched his retreating figure, not hesitating for even a second, and continued speaking to the empty room: "Ashes."

Damien had left too quickly to hear.

I didn't want to deal with more lies and pretense. I especially didn't want to watch him put on a fake performance in front of little Ethan's urn.

Though maybe that was just my imagination.

More likely, tomorrow he'd just frown coldly, say "useless," and forget completely.

I submitted my mate bond dissolution request to the Alpha Council. Taking only little Ethan's urn and my pathetically few personal belongings, I went to Stormfang Pack's core council hall to find the elder responsible for pack affairs.

"I want to return to Silvermane Pack. I'm here today to hand over my duties." I placed a simple written statement before the elder, my voice calm and emotionless.

The elder looked shocked and troubled: "Luna, this... this requires the Alpha's consent and a council decision... and about little Ethan..."

"Little Ethan is dead." I interrupted him, my gaze unwavering. "My statement is here. Handle the subsequent procedures according to pack law. From this moment, I am no longer Stormfang Pack's Luna."

I turned to leave, but my former deputy, a loyal Gamma warrior named Ryan, blocked my path. His face showed anger and confusion.

"Luna... no, Roxanne," he lowered his voice, full of indignation, "You're leaving because the Alpha gave 'Silver Moon Hunting Grounds' management to Sera, aren't you? That territory you spent three years fighting Shadow Claw Pack to secure for us! Why should that Omega who only follows the Alpha around take over? What does she know about hunting management?!"

I was slightly stunned. "What did you say? Sera took over Silver Moon Hunting Grounds?"

I was genuinely bewildered. Though I knew Damien favored Sera, handing over such important strategic resources and hunting territory—an area requiring rich experience and combat instincts to manage—to an Omega assistant with no fighting ability still exceeded my expectations.

Ryan grew more furious: "It happened this morning! The Alpha gave the order directly! That woman came in acting all high and mighty, giving random commands, completely disrupting the hunting team's original deployment! The brothers are furious! She's completely unqualified!"

Just as he finished speaking, Sera's voice came from the council hall's side door, deliberately pitched high: "Ryan! What are you doing here, slacking off and gossiping? Why hasn't the eastern patrol route of Silver Moon Hunting Grounds been modified according to my instructions? Can you handle the consequences if important matters are delayed?"

Ryan glared angrily: "Sera! Your patrol routes are completely unsuitable! Do you even understand—"

Sera scoffed, crossing her arms as she walked over. Her gaze swept contemptuously over Ryan before landing on me, her smugness barely contained though she tried to restrain it. She was a "manager" now.

"Silver Moon Hunting Grounds is now under my complete authority, personally appointed by the Alpha. If I say the routes need changing, they must be changed! If you don't follow my requirements, it proves the hunting team is negligent!"

She paused, turning her attack directly on me. "Of course, Ryan was trained by you personally. If he's incompetent, shouldn't you, as Luna, discipline him properly? After all, subordinate incompetence reflects poorly on the superior, don't you agree?"

Her words were barbed, directing the blame toward me.

The pack members gathering around murmured in displeasure, angry at Sera's arrogance and disrespect toward me.

Damien walked in just then, obviously having heard the commotion. His brow was furrowed, radiating Alpha authority.

Sera immediately changed her expression, putting on a wronged yet understanding look as she quickly moved to Damien's side: "Alpha, please don't be angry. I was just urging Ryan to complete his work on time, since Silver Moon Hunting Grounds is so important. But maybe... maybe my approach made Luna and Ryan misunderstand, thinking I was making things difficult... I really just want to do the job you gave me well..." She even lowered her head slightly.

Damien's sharp gaze swept over Ryan and me before obviously softening when it landed on Sera. Then he looked at me, his tone turning icy with reproach: "What are you causing trouble about here again? Didn't I tell you to reflect at home? Sera has taken over your work, so go back. Don't interfere with Sera managing her new responsibilities."

I quietly watched them, watching Sera's performance and Damien's undisguised favoritism.

Ryan couldn't help but speak up: "Alpha! It's Sera who's being unreasonable, insisting on changing—"

"Shut up!" Damien harshly interrupted Ryan, his powerful Alpha aura making Ryan's face go white instantly, the rest of his words stuck in his throat. Damien's gaze locked on me again. "Roxanne, control yourself! And control your former subordinates! Sera managing Silver Moon Hunting Grounds is my decision. She's careful, responsible, more suitable for coordinating resources than some people who only understand brute force! If you have objections, I'll have no choice but to strip your Luna authority over pack affairs!"

The surrounding pack members fell more silent, but dissatisfaction hung thick in the air.

Behind Damien, Sera gave me an extremely subtle but malicious smile.

Seeing my silence, Damien assumed I was admitting guilt and became even more forceful: "Since you're here, perfect timing. Ryan disrespected the new manager—according to pack rules, he should be punished. Considering his past service, he'll clean the western beast pens for one month!"

He paused, his gaze cutting into me like a blade. "And you, as his former direct superior, failed to teach properly and allowed your subordinate to be offensive! I order you—now, immediately, publicly apologize to Sera! For your and your people's rudeness!"