Marked By Midnight

Lunessa’s POV

I took a long shaky breath, staring at the stranger in the mirror.

My once-glossy black hair was pulled into a hasty twist, loose strands framing a face I barely recognized. My eyes, usually bright and alive, looked numb.

‘You’re still beautiful,’ Due, my wolf, whispered gently through the mindlink.

Before I could respond, the door creaked open.

“Hey. You look pretty,” my mother said softly.

I forced a faint smile, the corners of my lips trembling.

“Are you sure you have to attend the party?” she asked hesitantly, stepping further in.

“I’m the Beta of Duskwind Circle,” I said, my voice barely holding steady. “I have to attend the Alpha’s engagement party.”

“But…” she began, her eyes pleading.

“Mother, please,” I whispered.

I turned away as she sighed deeply, then quietly stepped out, closing the door behind her. Tears welled in my eyes, then spilled freely. I took my phone, and all I could see was Kellan’s engagement party.

Kellen, the name felt like a blade in my chest.

He wasn’t just the Alpha, I loved him. For years, we were more than lovers. He had whispered dreams into my soul, painted futures where I stood beside him. He made me his Beta, not just for duty, but to be close, or so I believed.

He even proposed a month ago. Slid a ring onto my finger and kissed me like I was his forever. And then, beneath the full moon and before the entire pack, he chose someone else last week.

Liora, my best friend. Or at least she was. She was now his Luna, my replacement. The betrayal was public, the shame, unbearable.

And now, I had to stand among those same wolves, and smile as they celebrated their love, because I was the Beta, and duty demanded it. I tossed the phone away, I don't even want to hold it and see more news. Everyone thinks I'm pathetic.

I quickly wiped the tears off my cheeks. “You can do this. Just in… and out,” I whispered to myself, forcing my shoulders to straighten.

I didn’t bother with accessories. There was no point in trying to look perfect for a celebration that shattered me. Just a simple, knee-length black flare dress. I didn’t want to shine tonight. I wanted to disappear.

The hotel was close by, so I walked. The air was cool, brushing against my skin like a silent companion. Due, ever present in my mind, whispered gently.

‘You’ll be fine.’

‘You’re stronger than this.’

She kept me grounded.

I reached the hotel. The reception buzzed with life, laughter echoed through the high ceilings, glasses clinked, and music played. Guests from inside and outside Duskwind Circle pack mingled.

And me? I felt like a ghost. I moved quietly along the edge of the crowd, avoiding eye contact, careful not to draw attention. A server appeared beside me, offering a glass of wine. I took it with a faint nod.

‘Should you drink that?’ Due asked through the mindlink.

‘It’s just a drink,’ I replied, trying not to overthink.

I’d barely finished responding when the air shifted, before I even heard her voice, her scent like poisoned roses, wrapped around me.

“Don’t you think you should’ve put in more effort to look good for your best friend’s party?”

Liora spoke.

Her voice was loud enough for a few heads to turn. She stood behind me. I turned slowly, the stem of my wine glass trembling in my fingers. I forced a smile, steadying the thundering in my chest. I wouldn’t let her break me, not here.

“As Beta, you should really invest in better clothes,” Liora said, her voice dripping venom. “Even the homeless look better than you tonight.”

Her words weren’t whispered. No, she wanted an audience. Around us, heads turned, curious eyes and whispers rising like smoke. She fed on the attention, always had.

“You know what? Let me lend you one of my dresses, like I used to,” she added with a smirk. “At least then, you might look like you belong.”

I let out a soft scoff, keeping my expression neutral.

“Liora…” I began, voice calm but firm.

“It’s Luna now. Address me properly,” she snapped, her lips curling with triumph.

A bitter laugh escaped me as I looked away, blinking back the sting in my eyes. Not from sadness, but from rage and disgust.

‘The audacity!’ Due snarled through the mindlink.

I looked at her. She stood there, an overdone white gown clinging tightly to her chest, a gold crown perched atop her head, her face caked with makeup and dripping with jewels, flashy and loud.

The announcement hadn’t surprised her that day. Of course not. She’d been planning this, dating him behind my back, deceiving me while playing the role of a best friend. I wanted to ask why, but I already knew. Evil doesn’t need a reason, it only needs opportunity.

She stepped closer, placing a perfectly manicured hand on my shoulder. Her voice dipped low.

“You refused to sleep with Kellan. Now look who got dumped.”

She leaned back, flashing a wicked grin.

I laughed. Not the kind she expected, but the kind that made her eyes flicker, her smile faltered. I raised my glass, took a slow sip, then looked her dead in the eyes.

“Oh, foolish best friend…” I whispered. “If Kellan could cheat on me with you…” I leaned forward, “...then believe me, he’ll cheat on you too.”

Her face twisted, the color draining from her cheeks as she took a step back.

“What?” she blurted, stunned.

I didn’t wait for her to recover. “Do you want me to do the math for you?” I asked, tilting my head. “Do you really think you’re so special, that you can change a cheater?”

The words struck harder than a slap. Liora’s face flushed a deep red. Her hands clenched into fists, her whole body trembling with rage.

“Guards!” she shrieked.

Before I could even blink, two guards appeared from the shadows like summoned hounds.

“Hold her down!” she barked.

Strong hands grabbed my arms, taking away the glass and yanking them behind my back. I struggled, gritting my teeth, but it was no use. Gasps rose from the crowd, all eyes turned to the spectacle, some brought out their phones to record the disgrace.

Liora stepped back, her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor. Then she charged toward me, arm raised, fingers curled to slap me across the face.

I closed my eyes, bracing for impact, but the strike never came. Instead I smelled an unfamiliar scent. A calming, masculine scent, cool, earthy, laced with something wild and utterly intoxicating, washed over me like a spell.

When I opened my eyes, a tall man stood between us, his back to me.

He wore a dark suit, tailored to perfection, stretching over wide shoulders and a powerful frame. His black hair was slicked back, and though I hadn’t seen his face, I felt the dominance radiating from him, cool, effortless, and commanding.

Who was he?