4. The Humiliated Luna’s Claim

The event building looked magnificent, crystal chandeliers glittering as the marble floors reflected sharp beams of light. The Alphas and Lunas who arrived were preparing to enter the ballroom, yet their attention was drawn to a figure standing by a car—Darius Blackthorn. His hand was tightly held by Laura Kiel, Laura’s smile relaxed and confident, as if the world belonged to her.

“Dear, isn’t that Alpha Darius? Who is he with? Why isn’t he with the woman we saw before?”

“I don’t know either. Maybe the woman beside Alpha Darius is his true Luna.”

The glamorous woman nodded, and the two of them walked deeper into the building toward the ballroom.

Meanwhile, Rayna held her breath. Her chest felt tight, but she forced herself to stay strong.

“Laura … how dare she seek attention from my husband, right in front of everyone!” Rayna seethed.

Not long after, Rayna stepped forward. Each step felt heavy against the marble floor, her heart trembling, yet her resolve was stronger. Even though her body had not fully recovered, she showed her strength.

Without hesitation, Rayna grabbed Darius’s hand and pulled it away from Laura’s grasp—her own twin sister.

“Alpha Darius, I am your Luna! I am the one who should be by your side, not her!” she cried out, her voice trembling yet firm.

Laura looked at Rayna, her eyes widening before a thin smile curved her lips—a manipulative smile of a woman who knew how to play emotions.

“Rayna … dear, you misunderstand. I only wanted to accompany Darius. I thought you weren’t coming,” she said. “Truly, I never meant to offend you. I only—” her lips trembled as she pretended to cry.

“Don’t lie to me, Laura! I know who you are and your filthy intentions. I know everything. The one who should be Luna is me—Alpha Darius is mine alone!” Rayna snapped angrily.

Darius looked at Laura gently, warmly, a faint reassuring smile as if affirming that he stood on her side. Then he turned to Rayna—his gaze turning sharp, cold, piercing her soul, asserting his dominance and fury.

“Rayna … don’t be so bold. You know your place, don’t you?” his voice was low, full of power. “You are weak. Keep opposing me, and it only disgusts me.”

Rayna held her breath. “I won’t stay silent. I am weak for a reason! I am your true Luna, Darius—remember that! Don’t let her take my place!”

Laura looked on with feigned bravery.

Meanwhile, Laura appeared pitiful. “Rayna … I don’t want to fight. I only want you to stay calm. Maybe what you see, Darius … he seems comfortable with me. You understand, right?”

Darius exhaled harshly, staring at both women. His gaze was warm toward Laura, sharp toward Rayna—like a sword ready to strike.

“Enough, Rayna! I have already chosen my Luna. You are embarrassing and pathetic! You are weak, unworthy of being my Luna!” Darius shouted as he shoved Rayna roughly, sending her crashing onto the cold lobby floor.

Thud!

“Laura is different. She is graceful. Beautiful. And she suits me perfectly. So she is my Luna now!” Darius declared firmly.

Rayna turned her head, trying to defend herself. “I am your wife, your Luna! Don’t let her—”

Before Rayna could finish, Darius bent down and pressed his lips to Laura’s. The kiss was brief but clearly a claim of ownership.

“This is my Luna. Don’t be ashamed, because now I belong to you,” Darius whispered gently to Laura, confirming her position at his side.

Rayna’s heart shattered. Tears streamed down her face, her chest unbearably tight. The Alphas and Lunas who witnessed the scene—some pitied her, others believed Rayna was merely claiming something that wasn’t hers.

Rayna slowly rose to her feet, her face flushed but filled with determination. “I will not stay silent! I am your true Luna, Darius!”

Laura narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin, sharp smile. Jealousy and anger wrapped around her heart.

“Enough, Rayna. Alpha Darius has chosen me as his true Luna now. So you—step aside!” Laura pushed Rayna as she tried to approach Darius again.

Darius watched them, his body tensing. His gaze swept over Rayna, who looked back at him with a mix of pain and courage. A strange feeling flickered in his heart.

“Why does she feel different … not like the Rayna I used to know?” Darius thought.

Before Darius could fully process the change in Rayna, Laura pulled him inside.

“Come on, darling. The party is about to begin. Let’s go inside,” Laura coaxed sweetly, her smile enchanting.

“Let’s go,” Darius replied, glancing briefly at Laura’s face before the two of them entered without looking back at Rayna, who stood frozen.

Realizing her husband was drifting further away, Rayna tried to follow. But her steps halted when an event staff member stopped her.

“Excuse me, Luna. May I see your invitation card, and where is the Alpha who is your partner?” the staff member asked.

Rayna opened her bag, searching frantically. But she couldn’t find the invitation. “Where is the invitation card?” she muttered in panic.

“Oh no, I forgot to put it in my bag,” she cried dramatically, her gaze returning to the corridor—her husband and Laura were already gone.

“So, have you found the invitation?”

“The invitation was left at home. My husband has already gone inside. May I enter without it?” Rayna pleaded.

“I’m sorry, that’s not possible. The invitation is one of the requirements to enter the party,” the staff member said regretfully. “Please leave.”

Rayna’s shoulders slumped. She lowered her head, intending to leave the building.

“You’re truly pathetic, Rayna. Humiliated, abandoned by your husband, and now you’re being thrown out,” Rayna muttered, dramatizing her own misery.

Rayna did not notice the dark figure approaching from the corner of the lobby.

A dominant aura radiated—powerful and dangerous—forcing everyone to turn. The man stepped forward: pale skin, a sharp jawline, dressed entirely in black, his charismatic authority terrifying yet irresistible.

Before Rayna could react, the man grabbed her waist and pulled her into a solid embrace. “This is the invitation, and she came with me. She is my partner,” he said coldly.

The staff member read the name, then looked up at the man in shock and fear.

“A-Alpha Reagan Valerius Blackthorn!”

“Yes. That is me.”

Reagan’s gaze shifted to Rayna’s eyes, which now looked back at him with awe, relief, and curiosity.

“S-sorry … who are you?” Rayna asked.

“I am someone who will be your partner. Now, let’s go inside,” Reagan said as he held her hand. Rayna could only comply.

The Alphas and Lunas stepped aside, giving way. Reagan looked possessive, ensuring no one could disturb Rayna.

“Th-thank you for helping me,” Rayna said sincerely, glancing at Reagan.

“Hm. Relax. But I didn’t do it for free.”

“What do you mean?” Rayna asked, curious.

“You’ll find out when I ask for it,” Reagan said with a meaningful smile.

Rayna looked at Reagan. “Who is he really? Why does he want to protect me? And why do I feel safe beside him?” Rayna’s thoughts raced.

Rayna almost lost her balance, but Reagan’s hand always steadied her. Every time she looked at Darius and Laura, pain and jealousy struck her, yet courage slowly grew in her heart.

Inside the ballroom, the party had begun a few minutes earlier. Some Alphas and Lunas danced, while others enjoyed the prepared dishes.

In another corner, Darius accidentally caught sight of his wife, walking intimately with someone else.

“Rayna … who is she with?” Darius clenched his jaw, gripping the glass in his hand.

“Damn it, how dare she betray me!” Darius growled, intending to approach Rayna.

Thud!

“Reagan!”

“How can Rayna be with Reagan? What relationship do they have?” Darius thought.

“Darling … what’s wrong? I’ve been talking to you, but you’ve been quiet,” Laura asked, following Darius’s gaze. “What are you looking at—”

Laura looked at Rayna. Her expression twisted with anger and jealousy, her lips pressing into a thin line.

“No way … how can Rayna be with that man?” Laura fumed. "Reagan? The man who has always been cold and untouchable ... how could Rayna be with him? This isn't fair!"

The ballroom, which should have been filled with joy, turned tense under the suffocating aura radiating from Darius and Laura as they stared at the couple who had just entered.