Chapter five

The great hall was bright and loud as night came.

I stood in front of my mirror, dressed in the formal gown Kieran had sent to my room an hour ago—deep blue silk that matched my eyes, with light blue and silver embroidery along the bottom. Luna's dress for Luna's humiliation.

My hands shook as I put on the silver necklace Kieran gave me on our mating night. It felt like it was choking me.

"You don't have to wear that," Dariaus said from where he leaned against the doorframe, watching me with worried eyes. He'd stayed with me all afternoon, a silent guard against the coming storm.

“Yes, I do,” I replied. "I'm still Luna. I still have my dignity, even if that's all I have left."

The words tasted like poison, but I forced them out anyway. Dignity. What a worthless thing to hold on to when your world was falling apart.

Through the mate bond, I could feel Kieran's impatience growing. He wanted me downstairs. Wanted me to play my part in this fake show he'd created. The dutiful first Luna, graciously accepting her replacement.

"Elara." Dariaus crossed the room and placed his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him. "You don't have to be strong right now. Not with me."

That almost broke me. I blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears fall. If I started crying now, I'd never stop.

"I have to be strong for everyone," I whispered. "It's what Lunas do, isn't it? We smile and endure and pretend everything is fine even when our hearts are breaking. Even when our mates—" My voice cracked. "Even when they choose someone else."

Dariaus hugged me tightly, and for a moment, I let myself be small again. Let myself be the little girl who'd held her brother at their parents' funeral, who'd believed that as long as they had each other, everything would be alright.

But we weren't children anymore, and some things couldn't be fixed with a hug.

"I should have stopped this," Dariaus said against my hair, his voice rough with emotion. "I'm his beta. I should have talked him out of it, should have made him see—"

"It wouldn't have mattered." I pulled back, wiping at my eyes carefully to avoid ruining the makeup I'd applied with trembling hands.

"He doesn't want me anymore. He hasn't wanted me since..." Since I lost our baby. Since my body failed him.

The mate bond pulled again, more demanding this time. Kieran was getting angry at my delay.

"We should go," I said, straightening my shoulders. "The Alpha is waiting."

The walk down to the great hall felt like walking to my death. Pack members stood along the hallway, all dressed in their best clothes, their eyes following me with looks ranging from pity to curiosity to barely hiding pleasure at my pain. The weak Luna, finally being replaced by someone stronger. Someone who could give the Alpha what he needed.

The doors to the great hall stood open, warm light and laughter spilling out into the corridor.

I paused at the entrance. Darius stood behind me.

The hall was packed with nearly every member of the Silvercrest pack. They stood in groups, drinks in hand, voices raised in celebration. At the far end, on the raised platform where the Alpha and his inner circle usually sat, Kieran stood talking with several elders.

And beside him, glowing in a gown of pale gold, stood Selene.

My heart skipped

She looked beautiful—more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. Her dark hair fell in shining waves down her back, and her hand rested protectively over her still-flat stomach. The gesture was so deliberately motherly it made me want to scream.

As if sensing my gaze, she looked up. Our eyes met across the crowded hall, and for just a moment, her mask dropped. I saw the triumph there, the cruel satisfaction of someone who'd gotten everything she'd ever wanted.

Then she smiled, soft and sympathetic, like the friend I once trusted.

"Elara!" She left Kieran's side and walked toward me, arms open as if for a hug. "I was so worried you wouldn't come. Are you feeling alright? I know this must be difficult for you."

Difficult. Such a small word for the complete destruction of everything I'd built my life around.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice flat. I stepped back before she could touch me, some instinct warning me away. "Congratulations on your... news."

Her hand moved to her stomach again, the gesture already becoming familiar. Possessive. "Thank you. I know it's complicated, but I hope you can be happy for us. For the pack. An heir is what we all need right now."

Us. As if she and Kieran were a unit now, and I was the outsider looking in.

"Elara." Kieran's voice cut through the noise of the celebration, drawing every eye in the hall to us. He stood at the edge of the platform now, his silver eyes fixed on me with an intensity that might have thrilled me once. Now it just made me feel empty.

I moved forward on numb legs, Dariaus falling back to join the other pack members. Kieran watched me approach, his expression unreadable. When I reached him, he took my hand—a gesture of unity that felt like a mockery.

Through the bond, I felt nothing but cool distance.

"Thank you for coming," he said formally, as if I were a guest at my own execution. "I know this hasn't been easy."

Easy. Another word that meant nothing in the face of betrayal.

He led me to the platform, and I took my place in the Luna's chair—a position I'd held for four years, now ruined by the knowledge that I was only here on borrowed time.

Selene followed, standing just below the platform, her eyes bright with excitement.

Kieran raised his hand, and the hall fell silent. All eyes turned to their Alpha, waiting for the announcement everyone already knew was coming.

"My pack," Kieran began, his voice carrying easily through the space. "Tonight, we celebrate a new beginning for Silvercrest. A promise of the future we've all been hoping for."

My nails dug into the arms of my chair, but I kept my expression neutral. Proud. The perfect Luna.

"As you know, the strength of a pack lies not just in its warriors, but in its bloodline. In the heir who will one day lead us." His gaze swept across the gathered wolves. "I am pleased to announce that Selene Greyson carries my child. The future Alpha of Silvercrest."

The hall exploded with cheers and applause.

And my world finally broke.