6

"Alpha Harris wouldn't let his future mate walk into danger unprotected."

"Then why didn't you save me?" I demanded. "I nearly died in that damn cave!"

"The orders were to observe, not interfere. The Alpha wanted to see your capabilities and your resolve." The man paused. "He was very pleased."

I snorted. "Pleased that I was humiliated? Framed?"

"Pleased with your courage and loyalty." The man came closer, handing me a small package. "This is a gift from the Alpha. Ointment for the poison."

I hesitated before taking it. "Tell your Alpha I don't need pity."

"This isn't pity. It's admiration." He turned and disappeared back into the darkness. "See you in two days, Luna."

Back in my den, I opened the package. Inside was a jar of cool, green ointment. When I applied it to my wounds, the pain immediately eased.

Elara slipped in quietly. Seeing the ointment, she asked in surprise, "Where did you get that?"

"Shadow-fang Pack," I answered briefly. "They're paying more attention to this marriage than I thought."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

I thought for a moment, then shook my head. "I don't know. But one thing I'm sure of: Cassidy stole the Moonstone. She, Rhys, and Finn planned all of this."

"Can we prove it?"

"There's no time." I looked at the moon outside my window. "Before the full moon, Harris will come for me. And then…"

"Then what?"

My eyes hardened with determination. "Then I will find strength from the Shadow-fang Pack. I will come back, and I will take back everything that's mine."

The day of the full moon arrived. My wounds had healed surprisingly fast thanks to the Shadow-fang ointment, but the scars on my heart were still raw.

"You don't have to go to the farewell ceremony, Rachel," Elara choked out.

"On the contrary, I have to go."

The entire pack had gathered in the square. Traditionally, this should have been a grand send-off. Pack members would cheer for me, bless me. The Alpha and Elders would give me blessings and gifts.

But now, all I faced were cold stares and whispers.

"Look, the traitor who stole the Moonstone."

"Marrying that monster from the Shadow-fang Pack."

"Her father must be spinning in his grave."

I held my head high and walked steadily. If they were going to slander me, at least let them see I wouldn't be broken.

In the center of the square, the Elder council was already in place. Elder Thorne held the ceremonial scroll, his expression solemn.

Suddenly, the crowd parted, and Rhys strode forward.

My heart clenched.

He wore the dark blue ceremonial robes of a future Alpha, silver patterns gleaming in the sunlight. Noble and imposing, as if he were already the new leader of the Silver Moon Pack.

And following behind him was Cassidy.

Today, she'd ditched her usual "frail" act. The most glaring thing was the moonflower circlet on her head – woven from silver vines and studded with precious moonflowers.

That should have been mine. It was the symbol of a Silver Moon Luna.

"Looks like your wounds have healed pretty well," Rhys said coldly. "Ready for your 'new life'?"

"More ready than you can imagine," I replied calmly.

Cassidy fiddled with her circlet, feigning concern. "I hope the Shadow-fang Pack won't mind. After all… you don't have the Moonstone anymore."

"Enough with the act," I looked her straight in the eye. "You and I both know the truth."

Her smile froze for a second, then became even brighter. "I only know the facts. You're no longer a member of the Silver Moon Pack. And Rhys and I will lead the pack to new glory."

The words had barely left her lips when a huge roar echoed from afar.

The dark ranks were closing in, and a voice, heavy with an Alpha’s authority, thundered across the square.

"Is that so? "

"My Luna, my destined mate, is certainly not for two clueless mongrels to disrespect!"