Husbands Swapped, But I Am Still the Superior Luna

CHAPTER TWO

DAPHNE

I swirl the olives in my glass and watch the room.

People from all three packs fill the hall, dressed in their finest, voices overlapping in a warm hum of conversation. Some talk about politics, alliances, and territorial lines. Things I care about. Others gossip about nothing worth remembering. I tune those out easily.

I feel eyes on me before I see them.

I glance up. A cluster of women across the room are watching me, heads bent together, lips moving behind raised glasses. Their gazes drag slowly over my midnight blue dinner dress, deliberate and measuring. But I know it isn't the dress they're really looking at.

The party started an hour ago. Sophia had already completed her engagement rites with Crux, and now every curious eye in the room kept drifting back to me—the bride-to-be whose grooms hadn't shown up yet.

I wish I could tell them something. But I already know why they aren't here. In my past life, they gave the same excuse—urgent pack business. I suppose some things don't change, even when everything else does.

I drain the rest of my drink and set the empty glass on a passing tray, turning toward the bar for a refill.

I don't make it two steps before someone steps directly into my path.

Sophia.

She's smiling that wide, practiced smile of hers, the kind that never quite touches her eyes. And she hasn't come alone. Crux stands at her side, her hand looped through his arm like she's showing off a prize.

Of course.

"Sister!" Sophia's voice hits that familiar high pitch, sharp enough to cut glass. "How are you doing tonight?"

"I'm not in the mood," I say flatly, and move to step around her.

She shifts, blocking me. The smile doesn't waver.

"Not even a little glad to see me, or say hello to your new brother-in-law?" She tilts her head.

I keep my expression blank. Bored. I want her to think I'm not worth the effort and leave me alone.

But Sophia has never known when to stop.

Her eyes widen suddenly, like she's just had a revelation. She brings one hand to her chest, arranging her face into something that almost looks like concern.

"Oh, I understand now. You're worried about me, aren't you?"

I stare at her. What?

"Sister, you really don't have to be. Crux is a wonderful man. He's going to take such good care of me." Her voice dips, warm and pitying. "You don't need to worry about me being lonely the way you are right now. I promise, I'm in very good hands."

I almost laugh. I almost feel sorry for her.

Instead, my gaze shifts to Crux.

He stands quietly at Sophia's side, dressed in a black tuxedo that fits him perfectly. Blue eyes, calm and bright. Every feature exactly as I remembered—handsome, composed, every inch the respectable Alpha.

The monster wears it so well.

I hadn't looked at him directly until now. I hadn't wanted to. But now that I have, I can't stop the memories from clawing their way up.

My face snaps to the side from the force of the blow. Blood filling my mouth.

"Please, you can't do this to me. I'm your mate, please—"

My hands grab at his trousers, my knees on the floor.

His eyes softened for just a moment. Then going dark.

The c***k of my ribs as the sole of his shoe connected. The blood spreads across the floor. His laughter. The sound of his footsteps walking away.

I drag in a slow breath and press it all back down. My fists are clenched at my sides. My whole body is trembling with the effort of keeping still.

That's the past, Daphne. He doesn't get to touch you anymore.

I force my shoulders to relax and turn back to Sophia.

"What makes you think I'm lonely?"

She gestures around the room with a light, almost pitying wave of her hand. "I don't see either of your future mates here taking care of you. Do you?"

I smile. It's tight and doesn't reach my eyes, but it's a smile.

"That's because they're handling urgent pack business," I say. "Which, for any Alpha worth the title, would come first. Wouldn't you agree, Alpha Crux?" I let my gaze cut briefly to him. "Or do you think showing up to hold my sister's hand should take priority over leading your people?"

"Excuse me?" Sophia snaps before Crux can even process the words.

I don't look at her. I keep my voice light and pleasant, like I'm talking about the weather.

"My mates putting their pack first doesn't make me lonely, Sophia. It makes them responsible. And a responsible mate is exactly what I wanted." I finally glance at her. "That's why I'm happy to be marrying them. Truly happy."

The color rising in her cheeks is deeply satisfying.

"Shut up," she says tightly.

"I mean it kindly," I continue, tilting my head. "I think there's a real difference between men with genuine hearts and men who've simply learned how to act like they do." I let my eyes drift to Crux again— just for a second. Just long enough. "But maybe that's just me."

Crux's expression shifts. Something flickers behind those blue eyes—a sharpness, a c***k in the polished surface. Good. I want him unsettled.

"Do we have some kind of history?" he asks carefully. "Have we met before?"

The urge to laugh is so strong I have to swallow it down. Have we met? If only he knew. My tongue itches with the truth, desperate to spill every ugly detail of what he did to me, what he is. But I hold it. This isn't the time.

Before I can answer, Sophia steps in front of him, physically putting herself between us. Even now, even with Crux looking at me with nothing but cold suspicion, she can't stand it.

"Don't take your issues with me out on Alpha Crux," she says, her voice sharp and thin. "He's done absolutely nothing to deserve that from you. Why are you always so cruel?"

I close my eyes briefly. Breathe.

I open my mouth to respond.

Then a new scent reaches me—unfamiliar, warm, and distinctly male. A pair of hands settles firmly around my waist from behind.

I go rigid.

I turn my head slowly, and my breath catches.

Arden Vancourt. The younger twin. He stands close at my side, relaxed as anything, like he's been here all evening. He catches my eye and gives me a slow, easy wink.

Then he looks across at Sophia and Crux, and the warmth in his expression disappears entirely.

"I'll say this once," he says, his voice quiet and absolutely certain. "No one touches my woman. No one corners her, talks down to her, or makes her feel like she's standing alone." His gaze holds steady on both of them. "Consider this your only warning."