The Alpha Who Let Everyone Hurt His Luna

The royal dining hall glittered beneath hundreds of candles. Music played softly in the background while nobles filled the long tables, drinking wine and discussing the latest matters concerning the kingdom.

Ross sat beside Knox at the head table. She had learned not to expect conversation from him. Since their confrontation the previous night, Knox had barely looked at her. Perhaps that was better. At least she knew where she stood.

Ross reached for her glass. Before her fingers touched it, a voice came from across the table.

"Luna Ross."

She looked up. Lady Celeste smiled sweetly. The daughter of one of the kingdom's wealthiest noblemen, Celeste had never hidden her dislike for Ross. "Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask you something." Ross waited. Celeste lifted her wineglass. "Have you felt anything yet?" Ross frowned. "Anything?"

"A wolf." The table went quiet.

Celeste laughed. "I mean, you've been waiting for two years."

Few nobles exchanged amused glances while Ross calmly picked up her fork. "Some things take longer than others."

Celeste smiled. "Apparently yours isn't coming."

Before Ross could answer, Celeste suddenly knocked her wineglass over. Red wine spilled across Ross's silver dress and a collective gasp went through the room.

Celeste covered her mouth. "Oh my goodness."

Ross looked down at the stain. Celeste began laughing. "I'm so sorry."

Ross slowly looked at her. "You did that deliberately."

Celeste's smile disappeared. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

A few people looked toward Knox. He remained seated. His expression was still unreadable.

Ross waited as usual. He said nothing. Not even an apology. She stood. "Enjoy your dinner."

Celeste laughed again. "Where are you going?"

"To change."

"Perhaps you should change your husband too."

The room went silent. Ross looked toward Knox. His jaw tightened but he still said nothing. She turned and walked out but the moment she entered the corridor, she heard footsteps behind her.

Ross didn't turn around. She already knew who they were. Two female warriors caught up with her. "Running away again?"

Ross stopped. "What do you want?"

One of them laughed. "We're curious."

"About?"

"How does it feel knowing your husband doesn't even care enough to defend you?"

Ross looked at her. "You should ask him."

The second warrior stepped closer. "You really think you're important because you're Luna?"

Ross's eyes hardened. "No."

"Good."

The warrior shoved her. Ross stumbled backward. Her shoulder slammed against the stone wall. Pain shot through her. The two women laughed.

"Look at her."

"No wolf. No strength."

Ross slowly straightened. "Move."

One warrior stepped closer. "Or what?"

Ross stared at her. "I said move."

The woman raised her hand. Before she could touch Ross again, a voice came from behind them. "Enough."

They all froze.

Knox stood at the end of the corridor. His black eyes moved from the warriors to Ross.

The two women immediately bowed. "Your Majesty."

Knox ignored them. His gaze settled on Ross. "Why are you always finding yourself in situations like this?"

Ross stared at him. "They attacked me."

Knox looked at the warriors. "Leave."

They bowed quickly and disappeared while Ross waited for him to say something. He didn't. Instead, he looked at her coldly. "If you can't defend yourself, don't expect everyone else to defend you."

Ross felt something inside her break. She looked at him for several seconds. "Understood."

She walked past him.

"Ross!"

She suddenly heard her name and it made her turn. Beta Nash hurried toward her. He stopped when he saw her dress. Then her shoulder. Then Knox. His expression changed. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

Nash looked at Knox. "Nothing?"

Knox said nothing. Nash looked back at Ross. "Did the palace declare war on manners while I was eating?"

Ross almost smiled. "Apparently."

"Terrible timing. I was hoping to attend the war."

She laughed softly. Nash smiled. "Good. At least I got a laugh."

He offered his arm. "Come on."

Ross hesitated. Then she accepted it as Nash helped her toward the guest chambers.

Knox watched them as the strange feeling moved through his chest. Yet, he ignored it. "Nash."

The Beta stopped. "Yes?"

"She can walk."

Nash looked at Ross. "Can you?"

"Yes."

He touched his face. "Then I'm apparently useless." Ross smiled while Nash grinned. "Excellent. My job here is complete."

He turned back to Knox. But his expression became serious. "Alpha." Knox looked at him. "You shouldn't allow people to treat your wife like that." Knox's face hardened. "She is strong enough to handle herself." Nash glanced at Ross. She simply smiled. But something about that smile made him uncomfortable. It wasn't sadness. It wasn't anger. It was almost... acceptance. As though Ross had finally stopped expecting anything from Knox. Nash looked back at his Alpha. "Strength doesn't mean someone deserves to be mistreated." Knox said nothing as Nash shook his head. "One day, you're going to realize that." Then he walked away with Ross.

Knox remained in the hallway. For reasons he couldn't explain, his eyes stayed fixed on the direction they both had disappeared crumbling with words within him.

—-

Later that night, Ross couldn't sleep. She left her room to get some air. As she passed the King's study, she heard voices. Knox. And his father. Ross stopped to listen. Then she heard her name.

"You've been married to that girl for two years," the older man said. "How long do you intend to continue this?"

Knox's voice was cold. "I only need this marriage until her father's alliance is secured."

Ross froze. Her heart stopped. She closed her eyes. Every insult suddenly made sense. The coldness. The humiliation. The way he looked at her. She had been nothing more than an agreement. A political bridge. A temporary wife.

Ross quietly stepped away from the door. She returned to her room without making a sound. Once inside, she stood before the mirror.

For years, she had hoped Knox would eventually love her. Tonight, she finally understood. He never would. Ross wiped the single tear that escaped her eye. Then she looked at her reflection. "No more." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I will never beg this man for love." She turned toward the window. “Alpha Knox knows nothing about what he had just lost.”