Chapter 3 – Greed and Betrayal

Natalie angrily drove her old car, her frustration boiling over. She had expected Emily to come by today, given it was the anniversary of Jerome and Emily's relationship.

She had planned everything meticulously, ensuring she spent the night with Jerome so he would forget to call or text Emily back. Her plan had worked perfectly, making sure Emily saw them in bed together and driving a wedge between them.

What she hadn't expected was Jerome's guilt and his desire to talk to Emily to explain. She had thought Jerome would tell Emily that he had chosen Natalie over her. But instead, Jerome had made her leave, and now Natalie was seething with anger.

As she drove back to her family's small home, her thoughts were consumed with bitterness. Unlike Emily, whose parents, Delta Patrick and Gloria, came from wealthy families, Natalie's parents were omegas.

Her father, Miguel, was just a plain pack guard, and her mother, Cielo, was a former servant in the mansion. Natalie was their only child, and they had pinned all their hopes on her climbing to the top.

When she entered the house, Miguel and Cielo were waiting eagerly in the small, cluttered living room. "Natalie, are you now the official mate of Jerome?" Miguel asked excitedly, his eyes filled with hope.

Cielo's face lit up with anticipation. "Did everything go as planned?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Natalie forced a smile, trying to mask her anger. "Not yet," she said, her voice tight. "But don't worry. Jerome feels guilty and wants to talk to Emily. It won't be long before he realizes I'm the one for him."

Miguel frowned slightly, sensing his daughter's frustration. "What happened, Natalie?"

Natalie sighed, her anger simmering just below the surface. "Jerome made me leave today. He feels guilty about Emily and wants to explain things to her. I thought he would be ready to choose me, but he’s still hung up on her."

Cielo's face fell, and she reached out to touch Natalie's arm. "It will be alright, Natalie. You've come this far. Jerome will see that you are the better choice."

Natalie nodded, though her mind was already racing with new plans. She wasn't about to let Emily win. She would find a way to secure her place by Jerome's side and ensure her family’s rise in the pack.

Miguel angrily yelled, "Natalie, use your head and do something! You can't let this slip away."

Natalie, frustration etched on her face, replied, "I've already slept with Jerome many times, but it seems he only likes me when we're having sex. After that, his mind goes back to Emily."

Cielo frowned, deep in thought. "What if you tell Jerome you're pregnant?"

Natalie shook her head. "There are too many pack doctors at the mansion. They would easily find out I’m lying."

Miguel's face turned red with anger. "Then just tell Jerome he needs to be responsible for you because he already slept with you."

Cielo's eyes suddenly lit up with a grin. "Natalie, you could make a public announcement that you and Jerome have been together for a few months."

Natalie hesitated. "But if I do that, some pack members might ridicule me, especially since they know Emily is Jerome's official mate."

Miguel sighed, trying to think of a solution. "Then talk to Alpha Jason. Tell him that his son, Jerome, slept with you many times and demand that he take responsibility."

Natalie nodded, a determined look on her face. "That's a better plan. I'll talk to Alpha Jason. He won't ignore a claim like that."

Cielo patted Natalie's hand. "Good girl. This is your chance to secure our family's future."

Miguel, slightly calmer now, added, "Make sure you present yourself well. Alpha Jason respects strength and integrity. If you show him you’re serious, he might force Jerome to take responsibility."

Natalie paced back and forth, her mind racing. "What if Emily and her Delta father have already talked to Alpha Jason, and they plan the wedding sooner?"

Cielo's eyes gleamed with greed. "You said Jerome was easily lured by your seduction because Emily refused to be touched by him. Emily's pride and ego are too high. She won't go back to Jerome."

Miguel nodded in agreement. "Yes, and for sure, Emily's entire family hates Jerome now."

Cielo smiled slyly. "This is your chance, Natalie. Use this opportunity to make Jerome dependent on you."

Miguel added, "If you become Jerome's new mate, you'll be the future Luna. We'll become rich and part of the upper level."

Cielo's eyes sparkled with ambition. "No one will be able to bring us down again."

Natalie sighed, feeling the weight of their expectations. "Alright, tomorrow I'll go back and make sure Alpha Jason believes my story. He’ll have no choice but to ask Jerome to marry me."

Cielo hugged Natalie tightly. "That's the spirit. Show them your determination and strength."

Miguel placed a firm hand on Natalie's shoulder. "Remember, Natalie, this is for our family's future. Don't let anything or anyone stand in your way."

Natalie nodded, a fierce determination settling in her eyes. She would make sure Alpha Jason believed her, and she would secure her place as Jerome's mate and the future Luna. Nothing would stop her from achieving her goal.

Natalie entered her small room and sat on the bed, looking around. The room looked nice, furnished with many things Emily had given her: a soft bed, a vanity mirror, branded clothes, shoes, bags, expensive makeup, and perfume.

Emily had been a good friend, always generous and kind. But it was precisely because of this generosity that Natalie's envy had grown. Emily had everything anyone could dream of—beauty, wealth, and a bright future. She was destined to be the future Luna of the pack, while Natalie felt doomed to remain a shadow, a poor omega.

Her parents had encouraged her to betray Emily and seduce Jerome, igniting a glimmer of hope in Natalie's heart. She longed to have what Emily had. When Jerome agreed to a secret affair, Natalie began to dream of becoming the next Luna.

She was tired of being ridiculed, bullied, and looked down upon by the pack. Her determination to rise above her status as an omega grew stronger with each passing day.

Sitting in the room filled with Emily's gifts, Natalie felt a mix of guilt and resolve. Emily had treated her well, but Natalie couldn't let that stand in the way of her ambitions.

Natalie was determined to become the Luna, even if it meant betraying the only friend who had ever been truly kind to her. Her future depended on it, and she would do whatever it took to secure her place by Jerome's side and ascend to a position of power and respect within the pack.

She took a deep breath, clenching her fists as she spoke aloud to herself.

"I will become the Luna of the Moon Crest Pack," she declared, "No one can stop me."