Chapter 1

Humming a gentle tone under my lips, I flip the last slice of toast before placing it on the plate. The eggs are golden yellow, the bacon is red and crispy, and the glass of orange juice is chilled. Just the way Jonathan likes it.

“Breakfast is ready.” I plant a warm smile on my face as I move towards the dining room with the two plates on each hand.

“Hmmm, smells amazing.” Jonathan, my husband of years now, nods his head appreciatively. Rubbing his hands with anticipation, he takes the first bite and moans.

The exact reaction I was praying for. 

“How does it taste?” I settle down across from him on the dining table. I already know he’s in love with the food, I just want to hear it from him.

“As it looks and smells, love. Splendid.” He rushes for the second bite.

I pick up my utensils, cutting a piece of toast and swallowing hard. Hunger is far from me but I need something to distract me before I let out what I want to say. 

Hesitating, I wonder if I should still mention this to Jonathan. I don’t want it to cause an argument between us, especially when he’s in a good mood this morning. But this is the right opportunity!

When men are feeling good, they are easily agreeable. I have to grab this chance before it slips through my fingers or before Jayden comes down for breakfast after brushing his teeth.

“Honey.” I called casually, my eyes on the food.

“Hm?” He answers, still lost in gobbling down the remnants of the plate.

“"About that elite werewolf school you mentioned yesterday… I think Jayden's current school is good enough. I don’t really see the need to transfer him to a place like that." My voice is calm and not commanding.

Jonathan smiles indulgently and looks up at me as he cleans his lips with the napkin. “Luna said it’s the best option from Jay. Let’s just go with her recommendation.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

Clenching my fists, I try to suppress the anger rising up inside me. There he goes again with the Luna. Luna Samira had just taken over the position a month ago but she was already meddling with our private affairs. 

Even though my husband and I are both Betas in the Alpha’s Palace, there was no explanation as to why Luna Samira was interested in our son’s education. First, it was about promoting Jayden to two classes higher than his previous class because she noted how brilliant he was.

I agreed to that reluctantly, only because Jayden was fine with it. But now, the Luna wanted to transfer our son to another school–an elite school where only heirs to Alphas were trained. 

“But we’re his parents. We have the right to decide what school our son attends and there’s nothing wrong with Jayden’s current school.” I insist.

Call it maternal instincts or whatever but I wasn’t pleased with Jonathan’s deference to Luna Samira. 

Jonathan sighs under his breath. “The Luna already made it clear when she took office a month ago that she’d be overhauling the pack’s support systems—education, healthcare, everything. This isn’t about us personally. She’s just genuinely focused on every child’s future. You’re overthinking this.” He shakes his head as he gets up from the table.

I follow suit, not willing to dismiss the conversation yet. This is about my son’s future and no outsider should decide what runs in our family.

“Jon, you know that elite school is designed to raise future leaders of the pack—it’s full of Alpha children. We're just two Beta parents. Is it fair to put that kind of pressure on our son? What if his grades fall or he gets excluded by the others because of his parents?” I express my discomfort, hoping he will see that I’m not overthinking this.

A look of impatience passed over Jonathan’s face. “Luna Samira’s recommendation is a privilege  the fact that she offered one to our son proves how exceptional he is? The decision has already been made.” 

“You mean you already agreed to it?” I stare back at him with disbelief but what he says next shocks me even more. 

“I just don’t want him to end up like us—ordinary Betas with no real future.” Jonathan mutters under his breath as if mentioning it puts a sour taste in his mouth.

I freeze, finding it hard to comprehend his words. I have never heard him talk like that to me. Betas with no real future? Why would he say something like that?

I don’t think of myself or my husband as a failure. In fact, a Beta is the highest position a werewolf can reach after the position of an Alpha. A peaceful and happy life with my family was far more important to me than chasing blindly after wealth and prestige.

Before I can recover from my shock, Jayden’s footsteps get closer and he enters the kitchen.

“Good morning.” Jayden yawns as he moves to get his food from the counter.

“Morning, honey.” I smile widely and place a kiss on his head before he sits on the table.

“Morning, Jay Jay.” Jonathan ruffles Jayden’s hair playfully. He kisses me on the cheek before he walks out of the kitchen to head to work.

“Eat quickly, Jayden. You don’t want to be late for school.” Knowing my appetite has been flushed down the drain, I take my plate and place it in the microwave for later.

*****

“And he just stood there staring at me!” Jayden laughed out loud and I chuckled at his silly story.

I’m dropping him off at school before I head to work. Even though Jonathan and I are both Betas, we work in different jurisdictions so my workplace is closer to Jayden’s school. I drop him off at school in the mornings while Jonathan picks him up on his way back home because he closes earlier than me.

I round the corner to the street of his school and in the corner of my eye, I see a blue marble necklace on his neck. He twirls it with his hand as he bops his head to the song playing from the radio.

“Did your Dad get you that? I haven’t seen it before.” I gesture to the necklace.

“No. The Luna gave it to me when she came to school yesterday.” Jayden says and I grip the steering wheel tighter.

I don’t want to overreact over someone gifting my child so I decide to speak about the transfer. Jonathan had mentioned it to Jayden but I haven’t heard what he wanted to do.

“Speaking of the Luna, Dad told me of the transfer recommendation. What do you think about it? It’s okay if you don’t want to leave your friends at your current school.” 

“I’m excited to go to a new school!” Jayden jumps with a wide smile.

“Really?” I ask. I had been half-expecting him to throw tantrums, not wanting to be separated from his friends and classroom teacher.

With his response, the earlier concerns I had have been eased. Maybe transferring to another school wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Yes, Mom! The Luna told me the elite school is so much cooler. Please let me go there, Mom!” Jayden pleads with a pout.

“Of course, darling. If that’s what you want then that’s it. Jayden Edwinson is getting transferred.” I place my open palm towards him for a high five.

“Yes!” He hits my hand eagerly.

A few minutes later, we arrive at the school and I step out of the car, holding Jayden’s lunch bag.

“Luna!” Jayden squeals before running past me to hug a lady dressed in affluent attire. 

I have never met Luna Samira face to face apart from the coronation where Jonathan and I had to be there for the ceremony. She was just as I remembered her.

Tall and slim with the figure of a supermodel. Her long straight blonde hair flows down her back elegantly. The chiffon blue dress she wears looks effortlessly gorgeous on her. Her sharp green eyes stare at me, almost like she could peer into my soul.

“Your Majesty,” I bow my head as I stop a few steps away from her. “Pardon my son’s manners. Jayden, you must pay respect to the Luna.” I reach forward to grab Jayden who’s hugging the Luna tightly.

“Well, I’m not complaining, Beta Maya.” the Luna hugs Jayden even tighter and smiles down at him.

Frowning, I notice how unusually close Jayden is to Luna Samira. From my knowledge, they haven’t had many interactions apart from the few times the Luna dropped by Jayden’s school for inspection.

“We finally get to meet, Beta Maya.” She smiles warmly at me like seeing me has been all she ever wished for. “I am the new chairlady of the Education Committee of the pack so you’ll be seeing my face a lot more often around here.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.” I bow once again, reciprocating her smile. She has given me no reason to hold malice against her. Even though her interference in my son’s life has been odd, I know she’s doing it with good intentions.

“Thank you. How’s your husband doing? I am so glad you both decided what’s best for little J.” The Luna grins softly at Jayden who’s still holding onto her.

“We are honoured for your recommendation, Luna.” 

“Oh, it’s nothing.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Are you okay, though? You look a bit…ill.” She places a hand on her chest with concern streaking her face.

Self-consciously, I pat my hair, pushing it to cover my face. “I am fine. Just a little bit stressed from work and all but I’m good.” I responded. 

With the new system Luna Samira has introduced into the Pack, things have been a little tight at work. I close two hours later than I normally do and that has been taking a toll on me, considering the fact that I had to cook dinner then wake up early for breakfast.

“Oh, poor thing.” She pouts. “You should get some rest and try to make more time for Jayden. His bright future is so much more important than that minor work of yours.” 

I raise my eyebrows at her degrading words sweetly wrapped with a gentle tone. “I hardly believe working for the betterment of the Pack is any ‘minor’ work, Your Majesty.”  I reply and notice her expression stiffening.

“Let’s go, Luna.” Jayden tugs on her arm. “Bye, Mom, I have to head to class now.” He waves at me before turning to leave with the Luna.

Just then, Luna Samira turns to look at me with a smile. “Then go take care of your important work. Don’t worry about his education—he’s in good hands with me.” 

With that, she walks towards the school building with Jayden. A few other parents step forward to greet her, each flattering her for the hard work she’s putting into the children’s education.

Momentarily, I stand there in a daze, wondering if I am the crazy one for overthinking her words and actions.