Chapter 6

VIOLET’S POV

“Luna, please calm down.”

I spin to face my maid. Her hands are folded tightly in front of her, and fear flickers across her face. My room is chaos with chairs overturned and vases shattered but my chest still burns with anger.

Concubine? Lucius sat there and demanded a concubine? And not just that, he wanted me to care for her because she’s pregnant. Pregnant.

Fuck. This. Is. Driving. Me. Crazy.

I chose him as Alpha. I gave him my loyalty, my trust, myself. How could he do this to me? Even after yesterday… why would he deliberately humiliate and hurt me like this?

I don’t remember him ever dating anyone in my past life or getting her pregnant. But I know there are ways to care for a girlfriend without making her a concubine and dragging her here. This isn’t about her, it’s about me. It’s about humiliating me, showing that he can wield the title I gave him against me. That I won’t win his heart in a year, and I’ll lose my title.

I run a hand through my hair, tugging at a strand. My maid can’t meet my eyes, but I know she’s judging me. Honestly, I don’t care.

With the way Lucius is acting, Adrian now has more reasons to convince the elders to dethrone him. We’re supposed to be a team but it’s clear Lucius is playing his own game. And I? I look like a foolish woman who picked him as Alpha.

I can’t let him do this. I won’t let him bring his girlfriend here to humiliate me.

I lift my dress and storm out of my room, my maid trailing behind.

Lucius won’t bring her here to humiliate me. I refuse to let him.

Rounding the corner, I almost collide with someone, staggering back and my eyes widen.

A woman in her early twenties like me, with golden-brown hair and, I hate to admit it, striking features is clinging to Lucius’ arms. My gaze flicks from their linked arms to Lucius’ cold eyes, locked on me and my heart sinks.

The woman makes no effort to bow and just smiles at me. “Luna Violet.”

I feel a tingle of anger rushing through my chest and my lips press together.

An older woman steps forward from behind them. “Luna Violet, this is my daughter, Celeste.”

I scoff. So this is the girlfriend and her mother. Both of them, apparently, planning to move in.

“I need to speak with you, Lucius,” I say, turning to him. “It’s important.”

“Before that,” he replies, his tone casual, “why don’t you get acquainted with Celeste? After all, she’ll need your help navigating this place.”

“That’s exactly what I want to talk to you about.” I gesture for him to follow me.

Reluctantly, he does and we step into a shadowed corner of the hallway.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demand. “Why is she here?”

He lifts a brow, unbothered. “She’s here to stay. In three days, I’ll officially make her my concubine, and—”

“That’s not going to happen,” I snap. “You will not bring that woman into this estate while I’m still Luna.”

His jaw ticks as he steps closer, towering over me. “You’re forgetting your place,” he says. “You no longer make the most important decisions in this pack. I do.”

“And who put you there?” I jab a finger into his chest. “Aren’t you ashamed? You earn a title and the first thing you do is drag your bitch here during our honeymoon week?”

He scoffs, amusement crossing his face like he finds me crazy and absurd. Like I’m not spitting nonsense out of my mouth.

“Honeymoons are for couples who like each other.” His words twist in my gut. “You and I both know our union has nothing to do with love. It’s about your schemes.”

“Schemes?” I tilt my head, meeting his gaze. “If this is about schemes, why wouldn’t I have picked Adrian? You know what? I don’t care what you think, I’m sending that woman away.”

“Her name is Celeste,” he growls, his eyes dark with hatred. “And you will do no such thing.”

He reaches for my chin, but I step back, refusing the touch.

“A year goes by fast,” he warns. “Be careful, Violet. That woman… she might end up as the next Luna when you step down.”

My jaw clenches, fingers curling at my sides as he smirks coldly and walks away. I watch his retreating back, anger burning in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Damn you, Lucius. Damn you.

I’m about to turn, to escape the suffocating tension, when a loud voice cuts through the hallway.

“Celeste should be given the largest wing in the estate,” she announces loudly. “After all, she’s carrying the heir of the pack.”

I bite down on my lip, drawing in a slow breath. Whatever they think is about to happen, I won’t allow it. And as for Lucius, I will make him fall for me. One way or another.

****************

“How many more of these do I have to sign?” I fling the pen in my hand to the floor. “This was supposed to be my honeymoon and I’m signing petitions.”

Macy sighs, giving me that pitiful look that only makes my blood boil.

“You messed up by not choosing Adrian,” she mutters, shaking her head. “What did you expect? Lucius is a bastard.”

I want to snap at her, to tell her Adrian is no better but she wouldn’t believe me. She’d think I’ve lost my mind. Besides, how do I explain that I died and the moon goddess gave me a second chance?

Honeymoons are for couples who like each other.

The words loop in my head, a constant sting. Even if he doesn’t care for me… does he have to spend time with another woman? Does he have to ridicule me like this?

I exhale, leaning back in my chair. At this rate, I’m already losing the fight if I don’t act. With Celeste here, I have no chance at all and I’ve just wagered my title for nothing.

Rising to my feet, I glare at Macy. “Pack up these petitions. I’ll sign them later.”

“Where are you going?” Macy calls after me.

“Somewhere,” I reply, not stopping as I leave the room.

If Lucius won’t come to me, I’ll go to him. He thinks I can’t win his heart? That I can’t seduce him? He’s gravely underestimating me. My father used to call me charming and he’s about to see it for himself.

I find Lucius with his Beta, a man who also has no right to be here, not being nobility. It’s almost as if Lucius is intentionally pushing every boundary, giving the elders more reasons to turn against him.

“Luna.” His Beta bows as I approach. “Good evening.”

“Good evening,” I mutter, my gaze snapping to Lucius. He turns slightly, expression unreadable. “What are you doing?”

“Talking,” he answers flatly.

Before he can respond further, I loop my hand around his arm and he jerks back in shock, but I hold firm. “Spend some time with me.”

I catch Seth’s parted lips, the flicker of surprise on his face, but I ignore it. Nothing worth having comes without effort, shame, struggle, or hard work and I intend to see results.

Lucius tries to shove my hand away, but I grip him tighter, flashing the sweetest, most innocent smile I can manage. “Please.”

He stares down at my pout, disgust clear in his eyes, as if I’ve sprouted a second head. “What’s wrong with you? Let go.”

I start tugging him forward. “Just an hour. Have fun with me. You promised to treat me nicely.”

I blink, watching him struggle to hide the discomfort and something else, something unease creeping into his posture. “Uh… fine. But let me go.”

I step back slowly, adjusting my dress. “Come with me.”