C5

“Zaria, don't let Irene’s scent of desperation fool you. She’s spent fifteen years trying to occupy the seat my mother left vacant, but a scavenger never truly becomes a Luna.”

“I’m aware, Kael. She looks like she’s wearing a crown made of stolen glass.”

“Just keep your eyes on her hands. She doesn't fight with claws; she fights with rumours and spreadsheets. Irene, you were saying something about my wife’s life expectancy?”

“I was merely noting the digital storm, Kael. The Adebayo Dominion’s reputation is bleeding. The pack followers are howling for Amara, and they’re tearing Zaria apart on the secure channels. As the new Luna, surely you agree that cleaning up this bloodbath is your priority, Zaria?”

“I wasn’t aware the Dominion’s honour was so fragile it could be bruised by a few rogue omegas with a keyboard, Irene.”

“It’s not just gossip! The market for our silver exports is fluctuating. Amara had a following; she was the face of the modern she-wolf. You? You’re a ghost in cheap face paint. If you can’t manage a PR crisis, how will you manage a war council?”

“She’s right, you know. Why is this stray sitting at our table? She probably doesn't even know how to shift without crying. She’s useless. A complete waste of Alpha space.”

“Jeff, be quiet. Zaria is family now. Even if she is… academically challenged. We must show her the grace she clearly lacks.”

“Grace? Trinity, your perfume smells like a lie, but your words are even worse. You think because you’re the ward of the estate that you have a vote at this table?”

“I’m only trying to help, Zaria. Since you never finished your basic pack schooling, I’d be happy to tutor you. The SATs are coming up—though, for someone of your… background, perhaps we should start with basic literacy?”

“I don't need your charity, Trinity. I’ve been studying the anatomy of my enemies for fifteen years. I think I can handle a standardised test.”

“The girl has spirit, Jabari, I’ll give her that. But spirit doesn't pass the SATs. A Luna who can’t enter a University is a liability to our political standing.”

“Jarrett is right. A leader must be sharpened. Zaria, I will give you a year. I’ll hire the best tutors in Valoria Ridge. By next summer, you will take the exams and secure a place at the Academy. If you fail, you forfeit the Okoye claim.”

“A year? That’s too long. The moon cycles wait for no one.”

“I don't need a year, Elder Jabari. I’ll take the exams next week. With Trinity.”

“Next week? Zaria, you can’t be serious. You haven't been in a classroom since you were a pup!”

“The registration is still open for the Kant High sitting. Put my name on the list, Kael. I’m tired of being talked about like I’m a blunt instrument.”

“You heard her, Grandfather. Register her. I want to see if the Okoye brilliance is as legendary as the scrolls say.”

“Fine. If you wish to fail publicly, that is your choice. But after breakfast, you have other duties. A bride must return to her hearth. Take Kael and go to the Mensah Moon Estate. Smooth over the cracks in the alliance.”

“I’d rather walk through a silver-trapped forest, but if it pleases the Elder, we will go.”

“You can let go of my hand now, Kael. We’re past the sentries.”

“And back into the line of fire. You think Tade is going to welcome us with open arms after we stole his dowry?”

“I think he’s going to try to poison my tea. Which is why I’m going alone. You can wait in the car.”

“Not a chance. We’re a pack now, remember? Besides, I want to see the look on Selene’s face when I walk in with the woman who ‘spanked’ me last night.”

“If you mention that video one more time, I will jump out of this moving vehicle.”

“You’re blushing again, Zaria. For a cold-blooded heiress, you sure do have a high resting heart rate when I’m around.”

“It’s the cologne. It’s oppressive.”

“It’s the attraction. You can’t fight the pull of the moon, and you certainly can’t fight the pull of an Alpha who saw you sleepwalking.”

“I wasn't sleepwalking! I was… intoxicated. There’s a difference.”

“The difference is that in the video, you told me I had a ‘very kissable jawline.’ Want to verify that now that you’re awake?”

“I’d rather lick a silver blade. Stop the car, we’re here.”

“Wait. Look at me.”

“What now?”

“Your mask is slipping. Not the makeup—the attitude. If we’re going into the Mensah Moon Estate, you need to be the Zaria who owns my bed, not the one who hides in the Shadow Den. Can you do that?”

“Watch me. And Kael?”

“Yeah?”

“Don't touch the tea. I mean it.”

“I’ll stick to the bourbon. Let’s go give your father a nightmare he won't forget.”