Chapter 1

My Alpha brother's Omega assistant had always wanted to be Luna. She didn’t know my identity and she mistook me as a rival trying to steal her place.

She framed me for theft and tortured me without mercy. As I lay dying, my dog Rex, the Siberian war dog who had fought beside my brother and earned the highest military honors—who sacrificed his life to protect me.

Today was supposed to be the day my brother returned from the battlefield to meet with the Alpha King and the Council elders. But all I could think about was my childhood companion—Rex, a Siberian war dog who had been our most loyal friend when my brother and I were children.

Two years ago, war broke out with the rogue wolves. My brother answered the Alpha Council's call and joined the army. Rex couldn't bear to be separated from him, so he secretly stowed away in the supply wagons and followed my brother to that brutal battlefield.

I was heartbroken to see them leave, but the pack's interests always came first. I could only weep as I said goodbye, worrying about my brother but even more about our beloved Rex.

Rex wasn't just a dog to me—he was my best friend, my childhood companion.

He would comfort me when I was sad and always put himself between me and danger. In my heart, Rex wasn't just a dog; he was family.

The war dragged on for years. Every day I lived in fear for both my brother and Rex. By the Moon Goddess's grace, they both returned home alive and victorious.

My brother often told me how extraordinary Rex had been on the battlefield. He had warned of danger countless times, searched for survivors among piles of corpses, and even secured decisive victories in crucial battles. The Alpha Council awarded him the highest honor—"First Class War Dog." The Alpha King himself said that without Rex's timely warnings, he would have been surrounded by enemies and killed.

But glory came at a price. Rex's body was broken by the war, leaving him with injuries that would never fully heal. When my brother brought Rex back to the pack, my brother had also successfully inherited the Alpha position due to his battlefield achievements.

I had only heard my brother describe Rex's heroic deeds—I didn't know the details—but every year, wolves from the Alpha Council came to visit Rex. Even the Alpha King came in person.

My brother said most of them were wolves Rex had saved on the battlefield.

They would bring expensive supplements to aid Rex's recovery.

I didn't know the specifics, but seeing how respected Rex was throughout the Alpha Council filled me with pride.

When Rex so much as caught a cold, the Alpha King would send the best healers to treat him. These were all battle wounds, and he commanded the respect of the entire werewolf world.

Today, I had returned to the pack.

Those distinguished elders from thousands of miles away had flown here on private jets once again—just to visit Rex.

The banquet wouldn't start for another three hours.

Rex was aging now, and I was eager to see him. Let my brother handle those important visitors. After all, I hadn't seen Rex in years, and I had no idea how he was faring. I missed him terribly.

Rex was old now, no longer the spirited dog of his youth.

He lay weakly on an expensive carpet. When he saw me, like a gentle elder, he extended his tongue and tenderly licked my palm.

I crouched down, pressing my cheek against his forehead and stroking his coat, which was no longer as smooth as it once was.

Just then, the door burst open!

My brother's assistant, that Omega named Celeste, stormed in with two scarred Delta bodyguards. Her face showed undisguised jealousy and malice. Before I could ask what was happening, Celeste struck me hard across the face, sending me crashing to the floor.

The sharp pain made my head spin and my nose bleed.

Celeste crossed her arms and sneered down at me coldly: "So, I heard the Alpha got himself a new assistant. That's you, isn't it? How dare you try to compete with me?"

"How dare you compete for his attention?"

"The position of the Alpha's assistant belongs to me alone!"

"I'll beat you to death today!"

The Deltas she had brought looked equally vicious.

She grabbed my hair and slapped me again and again.

"Let me tell you something—I've worked so hard helping the Alpha all these years. The Alpha values me above all others. Sooner or later, he'll choose me as his mate!"

"I'm warning you, I'm going to be the future Luna of this pack. You're nothing compared to me! Get out of here!"

My mind went blank.

I tried to explain, but as soon as I opened my mouth, a bottle of pungent, burning liquid was forced down my throat! Wolfsbane! It instantly seared my throat and internal organs! I curled up in agony, feeling like my insides were being dissolved.

"Cough, cough... I didn't..." I struggled to speak in my defense, but was interrupted by violent coughing and the taste of blood.

"Still lying!" Celeste noticed an expensive crystal necklace around my neck. "You even dare to steal the Alpha's belongings?"

Her expression turned murderous as she yanked the necklace from my neck.

I writhed in pain, explaining weakly: "I... I didn't steal it, that's my..."

Celeste held up the necklace, looking down at me with contempt.

"Shut up!" She sneered coldly and said viciously: "This necklace has been in the Alpha's display case for years. He said it belonged to the wolf he treasures most. Isn't that something he prepared for his future mate? It belongs to me, and you dare steal it and wear it?"

"Don't delude yourself. I will be his mate. This necklace was meant for me."

"If you didn't steal it, why are you wearing it? The evidence is right here in front of everyone! Still trying to deny it?"