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Chapter 2

Author: Redleaves
Selena walked in carrying a bundle of parchment scrolls. She curtsied only to Kane, then handed over the documents with just the right amount of shyness in her expression.

"Alpha, this is my letter of gratitude to you."

Kane took the scrolls, his smile deepening. "You wrote this yourself?"

"You granted me the Laurel Medal and entrusted me with pack affairs. I only wanted to put my appreciation into words."

Her gaze flicked briefly in my direction.

"Now that Luna is finally willing to follow protocol, I believe we'll get along much better from now on."

Kane was clearly pleased.

He came to my side, unrolled the parchment, and read through it line by line.

It was filled with Selena's praises. Thanking him for trusting her. Thanking him for letting her assist the Luna in learning pack customs. At the very end, she had added:

"Luna has recently shown willingness to comply with pack procedures. May the Moon Goddess guide her away from pride. May the Moon Goddess guide her to honor pack law."

Kane rolled the scroll back up and let out a low chuckle.

"Well written. You've worked hard all these years."

He turned to me, his tone casual. "Evelyn, you write one too."

I looked up. "Write what?"

"A public commendation for Selena."

Kane frowned slightly, as if confused why I needed clarification.

"She's handled so much pack business for you, and yet people in the pack say she's overstepping. Some even say she's the real Luna. As my mate, you should be the one to clear that up."

I stared at the gratitude letter in his hands. Seven years came flooding back.

Selena's brother had died saving Kane at the border. Kane had sworn to take care of her for life. So he brought her to his side. And from that day on, she took over everything that should have been mine. I was the Luna of Blackwood Pack, but I had less authority than any Omega.

I'd asked him once, why he gave away what belonged to me.

His answer: "Selena knows pack affairs better than you."

And now he wanted me to write the praise for that very theft with my own hand.

I looked away and said softly, "Fine."

Kane seemed satisfied at last. He pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"There's my good Luna."

He stood and said to Selena, "Come on, I'll walk you out myself."

Selena hurriedly declined. "You don't have to trouble yourself, Alpha. The guards outside are—"

"I'm walking you back. Enough with the protests."

He'd already lifted the curtain for her.

Selena paused deliberately as she passed me. Kane's hand settled on her lower back, holding the hanging fabric aside for her. She leaned into his chest and smiled up at him.

"Alpha, you're so good to me."

Kane waved it off with an easy grin. "I swore to take care of you for life. This is nothing."

Their voices faded down the hallway.

Once, I would have chased after them. Would have demanded to know why he was so close to her. Would have spent hours hurting over his words about what she deserved.

Now, there was nothing left in me.

The loss of my pup had taken the last of my strength. No more heartache. No more anger.

I just wanted to leave. Quietly. In two hours.

I spread a blank scroll flat and bit my fingertip until it bled. Using my own blood as ink, I wrote out my public commendation.

By the time I finished, the blood on my fingertip had dried.

The curtain rustled again. Kane strode back in with a spring in his step, acting like nothing had happened.

"All done?"

He came to my side, his voice bright with rare enthusiasm. "Since we've got time, let's go pick out your gown together."

I glanced at the scroll I'd rolled up and answered flatly, "Sure."

Kane beamed. He took my hand and walked briskly toward the dressing room.

Then, suddenly, the hand holding mine went stiff.
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