Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Elijah:

The moment Tatiana turned her back and walked away, the pack erupted in whispers and snickers. A few warriors chuckled under their breath, some Omegas exchanged glances of pity, and the high-ranking wolves looked on with indifference.

I should have been satisfied. I should have felt relief watching her leave. But something inside me twisted as I saw them mock her.

But whatever it was, I did my best to hide the feeling that I was having. I wasn't going to allow anyone to see it, nor was I going to allow anyone to see through me.

“She actually thought she had a chance?” one of the warriors muttered. “It really amuses me that you actually took a moment to think that you could stand in front of the alpha.”

“Pathetic,” another scoffed.

“She should have known better. It would have spared her a chance. She would have left with the little speck of dignity that she would have had. Then again, a person like her wouldn't have any dignity, would she? She is nothing more than a low rank.”

Tatiana didn’t react. She kept walking, her posture stiff but determined. I expected her shoulders to shake, for her to crumble beneath their cruelty, but she didn’t.

It was as if she couldn't feel anything. It was as if she was shutting everything and everyone out.

She didn’t run. She didn’t plead. She just walked away.

My jaw clenched as I shifted my gaze to her parents. I expected them to go after her, to show even a sliver of concern. Instead, they stood still, their heads bowed in quiet submission. Neither one of them bothered to find their daughter. I found myself growing curious about them, but I knew not to interfere.

It was as if they were relieved.

They had distanced themselves from her the moment I made my decision. They knew what was coming. And instead of protecting their daughter, they let her be thrown away like she was nothing. I would be dealing with them later, however for now I still needed their presence. It was somewhat more important for me for them to stay than to leave.

“You’re dismissed,” I said to the gathered pack members, my voice cold and sharp. “Leave.”

The hall quickly emptied, the murmurs fading into the distance. Everyone was eager to get back to their lives, to gossip about how their Alpha had rejected the Omega-born mate he never wanted.

Except for her parents.

They remained standing in front of me, their hands clasped together, as if they were waiting for something.

“You’re free of her now,” her father finally said, his tone devoid of emotion.

“She was never going to be fit to be Luna,” her mother added. “You did the right thing.”

My wolf snarled. A sharp, irritated growl nearly rumbled from my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Something about them irritated me, how quickly they discarded their own blood.

“I hope you don’t expect a reward for this,” I muttered, my voice laced with warning. “Because if that is your intention, then trust me, you are going to be following her sooner than you believe.”

They stiffened, exchanging a glance, before nodding.

“We only wish to serve the pack, Alpha,” her father said.

I waved my hand, dismissing them. “Then do as you’ve always done. Get out of my sight.”

They left without another word.

I didn’t know why, but watching them walk away left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I rejected Tatiana because she was weak, because she was beneath me, yet something about the way they abandoned her so easily didn’t sit right with me.

Before I could dwell on it, a sultry voice broke through my thoughts.

“Elijah.”

Jade.

I turned to see my lover sauntering toward me, her lips curled into a smirk, confidence radiating from her every step. Unlike Tatiana, she was everything a Luna should be, strong, fierce, and of noble blood.

She traced a finger down my arm, tilting her head. “It’s time, don’t you think? You know, with everyone gathered around and with everyone listening, waiting for your announcements right now, even if they have scrambled to rest of it, I believe that this would be something that is worth announcing.”

I didn’t hesitate.

Tatiana was still within earshot, and I wanted her to hear this. It was better for her to understand her worth than to think, to dream bigger than necessary.

I stepped forward, raising my voice so there was no mistaking my words.

“From this day forward, Jade will be the new Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack.”

A few lingering pack members gasped. Others nodded approvingly.

I didn’t look at them.

I only looked at her.

Tatiana had stopped mid-step. Her body went rigid as she slowly turned, her face pale, her eyes locking onto mine.

For the briefest moment, something flickered in her gaze, not just pain, but something darker, colder.

Good. Let her feel it. Let her understand that I had made my choice.

Jade stepped closer, lacing her fingers with mine, a victorious smirk playing on her lips.

“She is the Luna that this pack deserves,” I added, my voice steady, unwavering. “Not a weakling Omega.”

Tatiana’s breath hitched. But then, before I could see anything more, before I could catch a glimpse of whatever storm was brewing inside her, she turned around and kept walking.

This time, she never looked back.

She did not stop her tracks, nor did she bother slowing down. It was as if she was determined to leave, determined to get as far away from me as possible.

But a heavy feeling told me this wasn’t the last time I’d see Tatiana Ivanov.

And the next time we met, she wouldn’t be the weakling Omega I once knew.

The next time I saw her there was a promise that I could tell she would be serving and I wasn't sure how good it was going to be for me to be dealing with it…