I REFUSE TO BE YOUR LUNA

The entire council rose to their feet as Alpha Lucien Varkos entered the grand council chamber with his Luna, Aurora Dain, by his side. Conversations fell silent, and every pair of eyes followed them as they made their way toward the raised dais. Aurora swallowed hard. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, and a gentle, innocent smile softened her features despite the weight of the crown she carried. Beside her, Lucien walked with the confidence expected of an Alpha King. His expression remained composed and unreadable, though his commanding presence alone was enough to silence the room. Reaching the dais, Lucien turned toward Aurora and offered her his hand. She looked at it for a brief moment before placing her fingers in his. His grip was firm yet surprisingly gentle as he helped her onto the elevated platform and guided her to the Luna's chair beside his throne. As Aurora settled into her seat, she looked across the chamber at the gathered elders, nobles, and human delegates. Their expressions varied from admiration to suspicion, but one thing was certain, every eye in the room was fixed on the young Luna. “Welcome, everyone,” Lord Magnus Blackwood began, rising from his seat. “Today, we gather to celebrate two years of peaceful coexistence between humans and werewolves. May this alliance continue to strengthen our kingdom for generations to come.” Polite applause echoed through the council chamber. Most of the werewolf nobles smiled in agreement, but Luna Aurora's attention drifted toward the human representatives seated across the hall. Their smiles never reached their eyes, they looked uncomfortable but she could read what exactly it was. For months, Aurora had requested private meetings with the human council, yet every request had been denied or postponed by the elders. They always had an excuse which made her worried. She was beginning to suspect it wasn't a coincidence. “Now,” Blackwood continued, “let us hear the reports from each territory before discussing any concerns that may require the council's attention.” He sat, gesturing for the first elder to speak. A tall man rose from his chair. “I am Lord Cedric Holloway, representative of the Western Territory.” He bowed respectfully toward Lucien before continuing. “I am pleased to report that the western region remains prosperous. Relations between humans and werewolves are stable, and there are no significant issues requiring this council's attention.” Several elders nodded approvingly. Then a calm female voice broke the silence. “Lord Holloway...” Every eye turned toward Lady Morwen Vale. She remained seated, her expression unreadable as she fixed Cedric with a steady gaze. “Are you stating before this council that no human under your jurisdiction has been cheated, abused, or unlawfully stripped of their rights?” Cedric smiled politely. “I am. I ensure that every citizen under my authority is treated fairly.” “Is that so?” Morwen folded her hands neatly on the table. “Then perhaps you can explain why I received a petition from a human couple claiming their farmland was seized without compensation. And when they attempted to appeal your decision, they were imprisoned.” A murmur spread through the chamber, Cedric's smile faltered for only a second. “Lady Vale,” Lord Victor Ashbourne interrupted, “this gathering is not a courtroom.” Morwen turned to him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I am merely verifying the accuracy of Lord Holloway's report.” “There is nothing to verify,” Cedric replied sharply. “The accusations are baseless.” “Interesting.” Morwen reached for a leather folder resting beside her. “Because I brought evidence, to prove my claim” The room fell silent, but before anyone else could speak, Aurora's clear voice cut through the tension. “I would like Lord Holloway to answer Lady Vale's question.” Every head turned toward the Luna. Lucien glanced sideways at Aurora, surprise flickering across his face, but she didn't return his look; instead, she held Cedric's gaze. “Please,” Aurora said calmly. “Go on.” Silence settled over the chamber. For the first time since becoming Luna, Aurora had openly challenged one of the Shadow Crest elders before the entire council. And several of them did not look pleased. “I assure this council that all these accusations are nothing more than unfounded rumors” Cedric’s voice remained calm and confident. “Then there would be no issue if Lady Morwen present the evidence?” Aurora’s delicate voice spoke again. The chamber fell in silence, several elders exchanged uneasy glances. “There would be no need for that” Alpha Lucien voiced, Aurora finally turned to him. “Lady Morwen any evidence you have should be presented in the courtroom not at a council meeting” he spoke Lady Morwen nodded. “I wan..” Aurora’s statement was cut as Alpha Lucien held her hand. “We’ll deal with this tomorrow” Aurora withdrew her hand from his, the rest of the meeting continued but Aurora didn’t want to be part of it anymore, after a long hour of waiting the meeting came to an end. As nobles and council members filtered from the chamber, Aurora noticed Lady Morwen standing quietly beside the doorway. The older woman gave her a subtle nod. Aurora excused herself and followed. They walked through several empty corridors before entering a small meeting room hidden from the celebration. Waiting inside were several members of the human council. The moment the door closed behind them, Lady Morwen spoke. “My Queen... why have you stopped meeting with us?” Aurora blinked. “I haven’t” silence filled the room. Morwen frowned “What, that’s not true, I was in your court a few days ago and I was told you were out on official matters” she explained “What?” Aurora’s eyes widened. Morwen frowned “I was also here three days ago but was told you were too ill to hold a council” “That’s impossible” Another council member stepped forward. “I came last month, I was told you were on official business” Aurora stared at them in disbelief “I sent out for three council meeting and none of you graced it.” Aurora spoke The room fell into silence once more, “They have already begun” Lady Morwen spoke, her face slowly hardened Aurora’s stomach tightened, “Begun what” “The dismantling of the peace treaty.” “That’s impossible” Aurora spoke not wanting to think of it been real. “I’m sorry to tell you but it is already happening” Morwen replied “We got information that the werewolf council is planning on destroying the peace treaty and once they do” “Humans will once again become subjects of the pack, that can’t be” Aurora spoke, she could feel fear wash over her. “I am one who is known for honestly, I won’t lie my Queen,” “My husband would never allow that.” Morwen’s expression softened “I pray you’re right, your majesty. But if we are right… whatever you need to do should be fast because we are running out of time” she advised bowing down before leaving the room, leading the others. Aurora remained alone, her thought spun endlessly. Someone had been lying and deliberately kept her isolated from the very people she had sworn to protect. Aurora walked back into the grand hall just as Lucien reached for her hand. Without a word, he intertwined their fingers and led her toward the anniversary celebration. She let him. But every step felt heavier than the last, she couldn't believe what she had just heard. The man who had vowed before the Moon Goddess to protect her and her people... could he truly allow something so cruel to happen? Had their marriage been nothing more than another piece in the elders political game? Music filled the air while nobles laughed, danced, and raised their glasses in celebration. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a warm golden glow, making the evening appear perfect. A perfect lie. Aurora forced a smile as she greeted guests one after another, thanking them for attending. Yet behind every polite greeting, she could feel countless eyes following her. Then the whispers began. “She'll never be a true Luna.” “A human has no place beside our Alpha.” “She's too weak.” “Lady Elara would have made a far better Luna.” Aurora lowered her gaze, pretending not to hear them, she had spent two years enduring the same insults. Tonight, however, they cut deeper than ever, without thinking, she reached for a passing servant's tray and picked up a glass of wine. She emptied it in one swallow. Then another and another. The warmth of the alcohol spread through her body, dulling the ache in her chest but doing nothing to quiet her thoughts, her eyes wandered across the ballroom. Lucien was gone, Aurora frowned, he had been beside her only moments ago. Scanning the room again, she still couldn't find him. She needed answers, and she refused to let another day pass without confronting him. Steadying herself against the lingering effects of the wine, Aurora slipped away from the celebration and made her way through the quiet corridors of the manor. The laughter and music faded behind her with every step. Then... she heard voices. A woman's soft laugh echoed from the end of the hallway. Aurora's footsteps slowed, something inside her tightened. She recognized that laugh. Elara! Aurora swallowed hard and continued toward the slightly open door, unaware that what she was about to witness would become one of the memories that haunted her until the day she died.