The Alpha's Seventh Luna

Eve

"Be careful, Eve!"

Kann yelled as I ducked one last time.

I had been at it since dawn, perfecting my archery and hand-to-hand combat while the rest of the pack was barely waking up.

It was late in the day now and I was only just about to take a break.

"You are pushing yourself hard today, Eve," Instructor Kann said, stepping up beside me as we headed toward the pack house. He wiped sweat from his forehead with a rag.

"Though I expect nothing less from the Alpha's eldest."

"A Luna who cannot defend her territory isn't fit to wear the title, Kann," I replied, slinging my bow over my shoulder.

Kann chuckled, shaking his head with a proud smile.

"You have got the heart of a true leader, Eve. The Winter Pack will be safe in your hands, especially once you take the throne beside Jon. The Beta’s son is a fine warrior, but with your strength, the two of you will be unstoppable."

At the mention of Jon’s name, my cheeks flushed warm. I looked down, hiding the silly smile that instantly tugged at my lips.

I had loved Jon Kissinger since we were teenagers.

When my parents had refused to throw me an elaborate eighteenth birthday party because I had spent my entire day in the training grounds rather than breakfasting with them, it was Jon who had showed up at my door with flowers.

That was the day I was officially old enough to be his betrothed.

And since then, he had remained the only man in my fantasies.

He was handsome, capable, and as the Beta’s son, tradition demanded he marry from the Alpha’s bloodline to rule by her side.

In just two weeks, he was going to be my husband. I had dreamed about our wedding day for years.

"Thank you, Kann," I murmured quietly, my voice betraying my excitement. "I just want to do right by everyone."

As we crossed the main courtyard, an elder omega stumbled under the weight of a heavy wooden crate. Before she could drop it, I rushed forward, catching the base of the crate and taking the full load into my arms.

"Lady Eve!" the old woman gasped, clutching her chest. "Oh, you didn't have to—"

"It is alright, Rose," I said with a light smile, easily carrying the crate over to the armories for her. "You shouldn't be lifting these heavy boxes alone. Go rest."

"You are a blessing to this pack," Rose called out, bowing her head.

I waved her off and continued toward the pack house, my heart light. I loved my people, and I worked tirelessly every single day to ensure I would be a leader they could rely on.

I stepped into the grand hall and walked up the carpeted stairs toward the bedroom quarters. As I approached the upper hallway, low voices echoed from down the corridor. They were coming from my younger sister Leora’s bedroom.

I recognized the deep timber of Jon’s voice immediately. He was here, as usual. Jon was Leora’s best friend, and he spent almost all his free time in her room whenever he visited the pack house.

It used to sting a little that he spent more time with my sister than with me, but I always brushed it off. They were close, and I didn't want to be the jealous, overbearing bride-to-be.

I decided to stop by and say a quick hello before heading to my own room to wash off the dirt. I walked up to her door, a warm smile on my face, and raised my hand to knock.

Before my knuckles could touch the wood, a soft, pathetic sob came from inside the room.

"It just hurts so much, Jon," Leora snuffled, her voice trembling with sorrow.

"She gets everything. She gets the training, the praise, the pack's respect... and now she gets you.”

She wiped her cheeks.

“I have spent my whole life living in Eve's shadow. Everyone loves her and wants her to be Luna, while I'm just the weak, useless younger sister no one cares about."

I froze, my hand hovering an inch from the door. My throat went dry. Leora was lying. She was our parents' absolute favorite, showered with affection and excused from every single responsibility while I took the fall for her mistakes.

"Don't say that, Leora. Please, stop crying," Jon’s voice was softer than I had ever heard it, dripping with deep, tender worry.

"You are not useless. You are the gentlest, sweetest woman in this pack."

"It doesn't matter," Leora sniffled softly. "In two weeks, you will belong to her. You will be in her bed, giving her the love that should be mine."

"I am only marrying her because tradition demands it," Jon snapped, his tone laced with sudden annoyance.

"Eve is just a political arrangement, Leora. A duty I have to fulfill for the pack."

My heart stopped. The blood roared in my ears, making me feel lightheaded.

"You don't love her?" Leora asked, her voice small and trembling.

"I don't love Eve. I never have, and I never will," Jon said plainly, without an ounce of hesitation.

"My heart belongs to you, Leora. It always has. Even after I put that ring on Eve's finger, you will be the only woman in my bed. You are the only one I will ever truly hold."

I felt like I had been punched in the chest. I couldn't breathe. My knees buckled slightly, and I had to reach out to steady myself against the doorframe.

That was when I noticed the door was not fully latched. It rested open by a tiny fraction of an inch.

Driven by a desperate urge, I leaned in slightly and peered through the crack.

Jon was kneeling in front of Leora, holding her hands tightly in his, gazing up at her like she was the center of his universe. Leora was sitting on the edge of her bed, wiping fake tears from her face, looking small and helpless.

"You promise?" Leora whimpered softly. "You promise you won't love her?"

"I swear it to you," Jon whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles.

Jon leaned his head down, kissing her hand again, his eyes probably closed. But as he did, Leora’s eyes slowly shifted toward the doorway.

Through the narrow crack in the door, her eyes locked directly onto mine.

There were no tears in her eyes. The helpless, fragile expression vanished instantly. Slowly, the corners of Leora’s lips curled up into a triumphant smile.

She stared right at me, mocking my heartbreak, knowing I had heard every single word.