Chapter 2

The next day, I went to Serena's clinic.

A few she-wolves waiting for medicine in the hallway saw me and lowered their voices.

"The Blackcliff heiress didn't even get the Luna's moonstone necklace."

"And White Moon's border is only safe because of the Blackcliff reinforcements."

"I really don't get it. Would he even have become Alpha without the Luna?"

I had my guards wait outside and went in alone.

Serena was standing by the medicine cabinet, her fingertips resting on the moonstone at her throat.

I pointed at her neck. "Take it off."

"What?"

I glanced at her. "The necklace. Take it off."

Serena clutched the pendant tight.

"The Alpha gave this to me himself."

I pulled out a chair and sat down. "And now your Luna is ordering you to return the pack's heirloom."

She looked at me for a moment, then suddenly gave a soft laugh.

"Of course. You have every right to take it back."

She undid the clasp, and the moonstone necklace dropped into my palm, still warm from her skin.

"But tonight is Kellan's treatment."

She let her hand fall. "If he asks, I'll have to tell him the truth. You should talk to him first, before he gets upset."

I lifted my chin. "From now on, you won't be treating the Alpha."

Serena blinked, then gave a scornful laugh.

"But I'm the only one who can settle the Alpha's wolf."

"You're not as important as you think."

My voice was cold. "Other healers can handle his treatment. As of today, you have to leave."

Serena went pale. "I can't leave the White Moon Pack."

I narrowed my eyes and waited for her to explain.

"Leon is already used to life in the White Moon Pack. How can you bring yourself to send us away?"

"You've only been here three months. I'm sure your son is more familiar with his old home."

I looked her in the eye. "Don't worry. I'll give you more money than you could ever spend. Another healer will take over this clinic."

Serena's gaze dropped to the moonstone in my palm, and her jaw slowly tightened.

After a moment, she forced a smile. "Of course. I wouldn't dare disobey my Luna."

Then she walked past me, but she didn't look rattled at all.

The healer who was supposed to take over the clinic hadn't even arrived when the courtyard gate swung open.

Kellan strode in with Serena right behind him.

His voice was ice-cold. "Take back your order."

Serena stood behind Kellan with red-rimmed eyes, like she'd been horribly wronged.

"Alpha, I already explained to the Luna that holding each other in the Moon Spring is only part of the treatment.

"But she insists I'm seducing you, and she's trying to force me to leave..."

Kellan cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand.

He stared at me, each word clipped and cold. "You have no right to drive out the woman who saved my life."

The she-wolves in the hallway scattered.

Serena stepped back behind Kellan and gave me a smug look.

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm the Luna of the White Moon Pack. Don't I get to decide which healers stay?"

"Anyone else, yes. Not Serena."

Kellan didn't hesitate for a second.

I slowly stood up and looked Kellan straight in the eye.

"And if I say she has to leave today?"

I pointed at Serena. "It's her or me. Choose."

A flicker of conflict crossed Kellan's face, and he lowered his head.

Serena stepped forward and hooked a fingertip around his sleeve.

Kellan swayed almost imperceptibly. When he looked up again, there was no hesitation left in his eyes.

The next second, the crushing weight of his Alpha aura slammed down on me.

I braced myself against the edge of the table, but it felt as if a boulder were crushing the backs of my knees.

Eventually, I was forced down onto one knee.

Outside the door, the crowd that had gathered gasped.

Kellan's cold voice came from above me. "I'm the Alpha of the White Moon Pack. I'm not choosing. I'm keeping both."

Suddenly, Serena clutched her chest and staggered to the floor.

"Kellan... I can't breathe."

Her voice was a trembling whisper, but her fingers clung tightly to his sleeve.

The Alpha aura lifted instantly.

Kellan scooped her into his arms and walked out without looking back.

Serena rested her head on his shoulder and looked down at me.

There was a small smile on her lips.

She mouthed something at me.

I understood her perfectly.

"Sorry, Luna. Looks like tonight's treatment is going to happen after all."

I used the edge of the table to pull myself up. Blood from my knee soaked into my dress.

Clearly, pulling out the Blackcliff reinforcements wasn't going to be enough.

Maybe it was time for me to leave too.