Chapter 2. Came Back Home

Sunna's POV

The warmth in Lycan Viserys's voice thawed something deep within me something that had been frozen for far too long.

For a fleeting moment, I thought - if only Simon could care for me like this.

The thought startled me. When was the last time Simon had spoken to me with real affection?

Weeks? Months?

I couldn't even remember.

I drew a steadying breath and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. But I can handle this myself."

Viserys's golden eyes studied me, ancient and unreadable. "Still that stubborn soldier from the Empire's Blade, aren't you?" he said with a faint smile.

"Not some fragile Luna."

His words pulled a reluctant smile from me. "Old habits die hard."

"Come," he said, gently taking my hand. "Your parents are waiting."

Outside, the flags of the Helian Empire billowed in the wind, the scent of iron and smoke thick in the air. A thousand soldiers stood at attention in the square, their uniforms neat, their eyes solemn.

Beneath the towering flagpole stood a tall man in black armor Commander Picsis, my former instructor in the Wolf Fang Special Forces, now the leader of the Black Flame Legion.

In his hands rested a carved ebony urn my parents' ashes.

Viserys took the urn reverently and placed it in my arms. "The heroes of the Empire have finally returned home," he said softly.

Then he bowed and thousands of soldiers followed.

"Salute to the heroes of the Helian Empire!"

The thunder of synchronized movement rolled across the courtyard.

My throat tightened. Tears blurred my vision as I cradled the urn close.

Dad. Mom. I'm bringing you home.

When the ceremony ended, Viserys personally escorted me to the gates of the military district. His tone softened, yet carried the weight of command.

"If you ever need help, come to me. The Empire never abandons the family of its heroes."

He turned slightly toward Picsis, his lips curving into a knowing smile.

"Or... you can go to Commander Picsis. You two share history perhaps it would be easier to ask him."

I dipped my head respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll remember that."

Then, clutching the urn tightly, I drove back toward Sky Pack territory.

The moment I stepped into the pack house, raised voices hit me like a slap.

"Simon, you must end things with that woman soon!"

Luna Hoyle - Simon's mother was speaking sharply, her voice dripping disdain.

"Sunna is not worthy of being the Luna of the Sky Pack.

She's nothing but a decoration. Only someone like Caroline - powerful, graceful, useful - deserves that position."

"Mother is right!" came a younger, shriller voice. Simon's sister, Elis.

"She's a disgrace to us! Caroline comes from a strong Beta bloodline, she's beautiful, and she brings influence to the pack. And Sunna?" Elis scoffed. "She's a poor orphan from a fallen family. She's only here because Simon pitied her. A woman like that is better suited to serve than to lead!"

"Let me out," Diana snarled in my mind, claws raking at the walls of my control. "Let me rip their tongues out!" I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay silent.

My wolf's fury mirrored my own.

I had treated these two as family - always respectful, always eager to please. I thought patience and kindness could change their hearts.

But no matter how much I gave, they only saw me as dirt under their boots.

Then I heard Simon's voice - calm, even gentle.

"Sunna hasn't done anything wrong. We can't just strip her of her Luna status."

For a moment, my heart fluttered with fragile hope. But it shattered with his next breath.

Hoyle snorted. "Don't defend her! Didn't she go to collect her parents' ashes? She's not putting them in my house! Unless she throws them away where they belong!"

"That's a wonderful idea," Elis said, clapping her hands.

"If she loves her parents so much, she'll never do it then she can take her precious ashes and leave! Do this enough, and she'll finally know her place."

"These heartless bitches!" Diana roared, her rage pulsing through me. "They dare to insult your parents-our bloodline!"

I bit down hard on my lower lip until I tasted iron.

They had no idea what it took to keep this pack running what I had sacrificed. 

I held their finances together, managed their trade alliances, and led the Sky Group's most advanced drone project - the same project that kept the Sky Pack at the top of the Empire's military hierarchy.

And yet... I was still "useless" in their eyes.

But Simon's next words were the real blade to my chest.

"No," he said quietly. "That would be too cruel. Without a pack, Sunna would barely survive. But... she truly can't compare to Caroline."

He hesitated before continuing, his tone almost casual as if he were discussing a business merger.

"I've already spoken with Caroline. I plan to make her my Mate as well. The Sky Pack will have two Lunas. Caroline will handle the important affairs, and Sunna can take care of the minor ones. I'll talk to her about it myself."

The world tilted.

Two Lunas.

Two.

My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, all I could hear was the blood roaring in my ears.

He had truly betrayed me body, heart, and soul.

While I had clung to loyalty, he had already divided his love, his promises, his future.

Caroline's smirk flashed in my memory, the ruby ring gleaming on her finger - my ring - and my vision went red.

The air around me trembled as my wolf stirred. rage clawing to the surface. My claws began to form, my fangs pricking through my gums.

I burst through the door, my voice hoarse with fury and heartbreak.

"Two Lunas!?" I snarled, my eyes glowing amber.

"Never!"

The pack house fell silent. I could feel every gaze on me shock, fear, disdain.

"Simon!" I shouted, my chest heaving, my wolf half-awake beneath my skin. "You'll make me the laughingstock of every pack in the Empire! Do you think

I'll stand by and accept this humiliation?"

My voice broke, but my pride didn't.

Diana's growl rumbled low and dangerous.

"He has no idea what happens when a Luna is betrayed," she whispered. "He'll learn soon."