Bounded By Revenge; The Betrayed Luna’s Rise

ARIA I stared at the dining table one last time, making sure everything was perfect. The candles shone, casting a soft golden glow across the room, while white roses filled crystal vases, their sweet fragrance mixing with the aroma of the dinner I had spent the entire afternoon preparing creamy mushroom soup, honey-glazed vegetables, and blackberry pie. Every dish was Darius’s favorite. A smile tugged at my lips. Today marked seven years since Darius had chosen me as his mate. Not his fated mate. His chosen mate. Seven years ago, when the Moon Goddess failed to bless him with his destined Luna, the elders urged him to wait. But the Monroe Pack needed a Luna, and political alliances could not be delayed forever. Out of every unmated she-wolf in the pack, he chose me. I still remembered the day he proposed the bond. I had been foolish enough to believe would eventually grow into love. A For seven years I had poured everything into being the perfect Luna—managing the estate, caring for injured warriors, organizing pack gatherings, making certain no child in our territory ever went to bed hungry. I loved this pack because it belonged to him, and I loved him enough to accept the little pieces of affection he offered. A knock on the dining hall door pulled me from my thoughts. One of the servants bowed. “Luna, Alpha Darius has returned.” My heart fluttered. I quickly smoothed my dress and hurried toward the entrance, barely reaching the foyer when the grand doors opened. “Darius.” The smile on my face faded almost immediately. He was not alone. Standing beside him was a beautiful young woman dressed in an elegant cream-colored gown, carrying a little boy in her arms. The child could not have been older than five, his tiny arms wrapped around Darius’s neck as though he had fallen asleep there. For a moment none of us spoke. Darius broke the silence. “This is Selena.” The woman lowered her head politely. “It’s an honor to meet you, Luna.” I forced myself to smile. “The honor is mine.” “This is Noah.” He gently adjusted the blanket covering the sleeping child. “My nephew. Caspian’s son.” My chest tightened. Caspian had been Darius’s younger brother. Six months ago the pack received news that he had died during a rogue attack. We mourned him, held a funeral; I even spent weeks helping prepare everything for the memorial. “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said quietly. Selena smiled sadly. “Thank you.” Just then Noah stirred awake. His sleepy blue eyes blinked open. He looked at Darius and smiled. “Daddy…” Everything around me seemed to stop. Selena immediately reached for him, but Darius shook his head. “It’s alright.” He smiled—actually smiled. I could not remember the last time I had seen that expression on his face. The little boy hugged him tighter. “I missed you.” “I missed you too.” His voice was warm. I lowered my eyes. Seven years of marriage, and I had never heard him speak to me like that. Maybe it was because Noah had just lost his father. Maybe Darius simply pitied him. That had to be it. I refused to think otherwise. “Dinner is ready,” I said softly. “I made your favorites.” Darius looked at me for only a second. “I’ve already eaten.” The words caught me off guard. “You… have?” “We stopped on the way home,” Selena explained apologetically. “Noah was hungry.” “Oh.” That was all I managed to say. Darius glanced around the beautifully decorated dining hall. “What is all this?” I stared at him. He did not remember our anniversary.. My throat tightened, but I smiled anyway. “Nothing important.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke again. “Have the east wing prepared.” I frowned slightly. “The guest wing has already been cleaned.” “They won’t stay there.” His answer was immediate. “They’ll live in the east wing.” The words stole my breath. The east wing was not for guests. It was reserved for the Alpha’s immediate family, connected to the private gardens and to the nursery I had never stepped inside again after losing my baby. I looked at him, waiting for him to explain. He never did. “They’ll be staying here permanently.” The servants exchanged nervous glances. I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “If that’s what you want…” “It is.” There was no discussion. No asking for my opinion. The decision had already been made. I stepped aside so they could pass. As Darius walked by me, Noah reached up and kissed his cheek. Selena laughed softly. The sound echoed through the quiet hallway. I remained where I was until they disappeared from sight. Only then did I return to the dining hall. The candles were still burning. The food was still warm. The anniversary cake sat untouched in the center of the table. I looked at the servant standing nearby. “Clear everything.” “Luna…” “It’s alright.” I smiled, though my heart ached. “They’ve already eaten.” The servants silently began removing the dishes one after another. I stood there, watching the candles burn lower. Seven years ago I accepted becoming Darius’s chosen mate knowing I might never receive the love reserved for a fated one. I told myself I could live with that. Tonight, for the first time, I was no longer sure I could. I did not sleep that night. Long after the servants had cleared the dining table, I remained seated in the empty hall, staring at the space where my anniversary cake had been. Seven years. Not once had Darius remembered our anniversary on his own. Every year I reminded myself that he was busy, that being Alpha came with responsibilities no ordinary wolf could understand. Tonight I had run out of excuses for him. A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Luna?” It was Martha, the head maid. “The rooms in the east wing have been prepared.” I looked up. “So soon?” She hesitated before nodding. “Alpha Darius gave the order yesterday morning.” Yesterday. That meant he had planned Selena’s arrival before leaving the estate. He had not mentioned a word to me. Not even once. “I understand,” I murmured. “You may all retire.” After Martha left I remained alone until the candles burned out one by one.