Chapter 5

The next day was the Alliance General Assembly, where the election would be held.

Morning sunlight streamed through the windows. Lucius was full of energy, adjusting his tie.

He seemed to be in an excellent mood, as if last night's unpleasantness had never happened.

He wanted to play the part of the loving, devoted couple in front of the entire pack, just like we always did.

"Darling, you'll be there with me today, won't you?" He moved to hug me. "Today, they will witness our victory once again."

I sidestepped him just before he could touch me.

I pressed a hand to my forehead, feigning exhaustion.

"I'm sorry, Lucius. I don't feel well today," I said softly, my voice weak. "I didn't sleep well."

A flash of annoyance crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by confidence.

"Alright, then. You rest here. Wait for my good news."

He turned to leave, but I stopped him.

"Wait."

He looked back.

"Even though I can't be there, as Chairman, you need a capable assistant to handle things."

I lifted my teacup, blowing on the steam, and made a casual suggestion. "That assistant, Clara, seems promising. Let's give the new girl a chance to shine. Why don't you let her accompany you today? Consider it… my way of supporting your work."

Lucius stared at me, his eyes filled with shock and suspicion, trying to figure out my motive.

But in the end, he interpreted it as a gesture of peace. An olive branch.

A truly magnanimous Luna wouldn't fuss over a minor assistant.

A brilliant smile spread across his face. He walked over and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Thank you, Anya. You are always so thoughtful and generous," he praised. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon with news of our victory."

I smiled as I watched him leave, practically floating on air.

Thoughtful? Generous?

No. I was just hand-picking the perfect audience for your downfall.

An hour later, the Alliance election began.

I sat at home, watching the live broadcast on a massive screen.

Lucius stood on the main stage, impeccable in his suit, his face glowing with confidence.

Clara stood a short distance behind him in a tasteful uniform, one hand resting on her slightly rounded belly.

Her face was a mask of poorly concealed triumph and anticipation.

She believed she was about to become the future first lady of the Alliance.

Lucius gave a rousing speech, and the hall erupted in applause.

Everything was going exactly according to his plan.

After the speech, it was time for the most critical part: the vote.

"And now, will the pack leaders who support Chairman Lucius Blackwood's re-election please raise your hands," the announcer declared.

Lucius smiled, sweeping his confident gaze across the room, ready to receive their unanimous support.

One second passed.

Ten seconds.

A full minute.

The entire crystal hall was shrouded in a dead, suffocating silence.

Not a single hand was raised.

Hundreds of pack leaders sat motionless, their expressions a mixture of pity, contempt, and cold indifference.

The smile on Lucius's face froze, then cracked.

"What's going on?" The muscles in his face began to twitch, his voice strained. "Vote! Why isn't anyone voting?!"

His panic spread to Clara. The smugness on her face warped into terror.

"Mr. Blackwood," Marcus, leader of the Northern packs, rose slowly to his feet. His voice was ice. "I believe you should see this before we vote."

He simply angled a data slate toward Lucius.

The massive screen in the hall mirrored its display.

On screen, the sacred, moon-drenched waters of the Moon Spring came into view.

And in the center of the spring, two naked bodies were tangled together.