The Whispering Pack

[Araya's POV]

Araya stands outside the dining hall, her hand resting on the heavy wooden door. The sound of voices drifts through the wood, laughter and conversation blending together in a low hum. The pack is gathering for breakfast, as they do every morning.

Araya does not want to go inside.

She spent the rest of yesterday in her chamber, hiding. Millie brought her food, but Araya could not eat. She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Jasper's words over and over.

Weak. Unworthy. Grateful.

If you cause trouble, I will reject you.

Araya closes her eyes, taking a slow breath. She cannot hide forever. She is Luna now, whether Jasper acknowledges it or not. The pack expects her presence.

She pushes the door open and steps inside.

The dining hall is long and wide, with rough wooden tables stretching from end to end. Wolves sit in clusters, eating and talking, their voices filling the space. The scent of cooked meat and fresh bread hangs in the air, thick and warm.

Conversations slow as Araya enters. Heads turn. Eyes follow her movement.

Araya lifts her chin and walks toward the head table where Jasper sits. He does not look up as she approaches. His storm-gray eyes remain fixed on the plate in front of him, his jaw tight.

Serenya sits beside him, leaning close, her hand resting on his arm. She smiles when Araya stops at the table.

"Good morning, sister," Serenya says sweetly.

Araya does not respond. She moves to the empty chair on Jasper's other side and sits.

The silence stretches.

Jasper cuts into his meat, his movements precise and controlled. He does not acknowledge Araya. Does not speak to her. Does not look at her.

Araya folds her hands in her lap, her nails digging into her palms.

A servant places a plate in front of her. Araya stares at the food but does not touch it.

Around the hall, whispers begin.

Low at first. Quiet. But they grow louder, spreading from table to table like wildfire.

"Did you hear?"

"She was alone all night."

"He didn't even touch her."

Araya's chest tightens. She keeps her gaze fixed on her plate, refusing to look up.

"Poor thing."

"What kind of Luna can't even keep her Alpha interested on her wedding night?"

Laughter ripples through the hall, sharp and cruel.

Araya's hands tremble. She grips the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white.

A she-wolf at the nearest table leans toward her companion, her voice loud enough to carry. "Maybe she really is wolf-less. No wonder he didn't want her."

More laughter.

Another voice chimes in. "I heard he went straight to Serenya after the ceremony."

"Well, can you blame him? Look at her. She's nothing compared to Serenya."

Araya's vision blurs. She blinks hard, forcing the tears back.

Serenya's voice cuts through the noise, light and amused. "Oh, don't be cruel. Araya did her best. It's not her fault she's... lacking."

The hall erupts in muffled laughter.

Jasper says nothing. He continues eating, his expression unreadable.

Araya's throat tightens. She wants to stand. To leave. To run.

But she cannot.

If she leaves now, it will only confirm what they are saying. That she is weak. That she does not belong.

So she stays.

She picks up her fork and forces herself to take a bite of bread. It tastes like ash.

The whispers continue, circling around her like vultures.

"The barren Luna."

"She'll never give him an heir."

"How long before he casts her out?"

Araya's hand shakes as she sets down the fork. She presses her palms flat against the table, trying to steady herself.

A young she-wolf at the far table stands, her voice carrying across the hall. "I heard she begged him to stay with her. Pathetic."

The laughter grows louder.

Araya's chest burns. She wants to scream. To tell them they are wrong. To defend herself.

But the words stick in her throat.

Serenya leans closer to Jasper, her voice a soft purr. "You should say something, darling. They're being so mean to poor Araya."

Jasper does not respond.

Serenya's smile widens. She turns to Araya, her green eyes glittering with malice. "Don't worry, sister. I'm sure they'll lose interest eventually. Once there's something more interesting to gossip about."

Araya's nails dig into the wood of the table, leaving faint marks.

The breakfast drags on, every minute stretching into eternity. The whispers do not stop. The laughter does not fade.

Araya sits in silence, her body rigid, her chest hollow.

Finally, Jasper stands. The hall quiets immediately, all eyes turning to him.

"I have business to attend to," Jasper says, his voice cold and clipped. He glances at Serenya. "Come."

Serenya rises gracefully, her hand slipping into Jasper's. She smiles at Araya as they pass, the expression sharp and triumphant.

Jasper walks toward the door, Serenya at his side. The pack watches them go, their whispers resuming the moment the door closes behind them.

Araya remains seated, staring at her untouched plate.

The wolves around her begin to rise, their conversations turning to other matters. They move past her table, some glancing at her with pity, others with disdain.

One she-wolf pauses beside Araya, her voice low and mocking. "Better get used to it, Luna. This is your life now."

Araya does not respond.

The she-wolf laughs and walks away.

The hall slowly empties. Araya sits alone at the head table, the weight of their words pressing down on her like stones.

She hears footsteps approaching.

Araya looks up.

Serenya stands at the edge of the table, her arms crossed, her green eyes cold and calculating.

"Still here?" Serenya asks.

Araya says nothing.

Serenya steps closer, leaning down until her lips are near Araya's ear. Her voice drops to a whisper, soft and venomous.

"You'll be gone before the next full moon."