Luna's death

Ivanna

Strolling through the brightly lit hallways of the pack house, I headed toward the Luna’s quarters with a bright smile on my face.

 “Good evening, Miss Ivanna,” one of the house servants greeted, bowing her head slightly.

“Good evening to you, too,” I replied with a warm wave.

“I love your hair, Miss Ivanna,” another servant giggled to her friend as I passed by.

 “Thank you!” I ran a hand over my straight black hair with a soft laugh.

“You look beautiful, as always, Miss Ivanna,” a guard called out.

And just like every other day, sweet compliments flooded my ears from every corner of the hallway. The constant smiles, the requests to be friends, the small gifts left outside my door, and, of course, the endless wooing from the pack’s young unmated wolves.

My name is Ivanna Devi. I’m the Beta’s only daughter, but for as long as I can remember, I’d been treated like the Alpha’s daughter—like a princess.

I grew up surrounded by unconditional love from my parents and the entire pack. Everyone seemed to admire me, and if I was being completely honest, I loved the attention. It made life feel warm, safe, and effortless.

 It didn’t make me arrogant or snobbish like some people might expect. If anything, it made me softer, more accessible, and always ready to lend a hand. How could I not be generous when everyone around me gave me so much affection?

“Ivanna, you’re finally here!” Luna Eleanor beamed the moment I stepped into her cozy master suite. She immediately wrapped me in a tight, scented hug and pulled me down to sit beside her on the bed.

 Aside from my parents, Luna Eleanor was the one who adored me most. Ever since I turned six years old, she had insisted I visit her private quarters to play games, sip tea, and gossip.

“Good evening, Luna,” I smiled softly. “How are you feeling today?”

“Much better now that my favorite girl is here.” She squeezed my hands, looking at me with pure affection. June, her main handmaiden, stood near the vanity arranging jewelry. I offered June a warm greeting, but she only gave me a quiet nod before returning to her work.

I blushed at the Luna’s sweet words. “You know I’ll always make time for you.”

“I know, Ivanna. That’s why you’ll always be my baby.” She pinched my cheek playfully. “And you know what? I can hardly contain myself—Rocco is coming home tomorrow!” 

 My eyes widened in surprise. “Rocco is returning to the pack?”

“Yes, my dear! Can you believe it?” Her eyes sparkled with joy. “After six long years away at the warrior academy, he’s finally coming back. When he called to break the news, I nearly fainted. I get to see my boy again!”

Rocco was Luna Eleanor’s only child—and my childhood playmate. He had left the pack at ten years old to train, and he hadn’t set foot back home since. Until now.

“You’ve missed him terribly, haven’t you?” I laughed softly at her childish burst of excitement.

“Of course I have! Haven’t you?”

“Well... more or less,” I shrugged playfully.

Luna Eleanor gave me a pout, crossing her arms. “It breaks my heart when you pretend to be so indifferent.”

“Why?”

“Because...” She paused, a dreamy, shy smile spreading across her face. “You know I’ve always fantasized about you becoming my son’s mate. Ever since the day you were born, you’ve held a special place in my heart. I’ve prayed to the Moon Goddess every single night to bind your souls together.”

Heat flushed my cheeks. I quickly stood up and pretended to inspect her closet just to hide my burning face. Conversations like this always made me flustered—especially with June standing right there.

And especially because... down deep, I had always held a silent, secret crush on Rocco.

“I’m serious, Ivan,” Luna Eleanor called out behind me. “You were inseparable as children. It would be like a real-life fairy tale!”

She pressed her hands over her heart, shutting her eyes blissfully. Behind closed doors, the powerful Luna of our pack was nothing more than a romantic child at heart.

“Enough with the fairy tales, Luna,” I teased, trying to quiet the wild fluttering of butterflies in my stomach. “Let me go down to the kitchen and fetch you a fresh drink.”

“Alright, dear. But we’re continuing this conversation when you get back! And you’re letting me dress you up for his arrival tomorrow!”

I let out a soft sigh. “Oh, Luna...”

“Promise me, Ivanna! Promise me!”

“Fine, I promise,” I laughed. “I’ll let you dress me up however you want tomorrow.”

“Yes!” She squealed, tossing a throw pillow into the air.

I chuckled, leaving the room to head down to the kitchens. I poured a glass of fresh, chilled fruit juice and walked back up the grand staircase, my heart light and giddy.

When I re-entered the room, June was setting down a jewelry box while Luna Eleanor was rummaging through a rack of silk gowns.

“There you are, Ivan!” Luna Eleanor turned to me, beaming. “Come tell me which of these dresses you like best. I’ll have the seamstress craft an exact replica for you before tomorrow morning.”

I placed the glass of juice onto her nightstand and walked over to inspect the gowns. “They’re all so beautiful, Luna. I can’t even choose.”

“Don’t just skim through them! Pick one, Ivan, so the tailors can start right away.”

She walked over to the nightstand, picked up the glass I had just brought her, and took several large gulps.

I turned back to the rack, taking a deep breath to pick a dress—

A violent, sickening retching sound cut through the quiet room.

I whipped around in absolute horror.

Luna Eleanor was collapsing onto the Persian rug, clutching her throat as dark, crimson blood burst from her mouth.

“Luna!” I shrieked, sprinting across the room and dropping to my knees. I pulled her trembling body into my lap. “June! Go get help! Now!”

The maid stood frozen for a split second before screaming hysterically and fleeing out the door.

Tears blinded my vision as Luna Eleanor convulsed in my arms. She coughed up another dark surge of blood, her chest heaving violently before suddenly coming to a dead halt. Her body went limp in my grip, a faint, lingering smile frozen on her pale face.

She was gone.

“No... No! Luna, please!” I sobbed uncontrollably, shaking her shoulders. “Wake up! Please!” 

 Heavy, thunderous footsteps echoed down the hallway. Seconds later, June burst back into the room, flanked by an entire squad of armed pack enforcers. They skidded to a halt at the threshold, their weapons drawn, staring wide-eyed at the scene before them.

Panicking, I quickly let go of the Luna’s body and scrambled backward on my hands and knees. Blood coated my palms, my clothes, and my hands.

“I—I don’t know what happened!” I choked out, my voice trembling as I raised my bloody hands in self-defense. “She just collapsed—”

Before I could finish, June raised a shaking finger, pointing directly at me as her voice shattered the silence:

“Arrest her! She poisoned the glass! Ivanna just murdered our Luna!”