Valerie’s POV:
“All hail the Luna!”
My father’s voice boomed through the ceremonial hall, igniting the crowd.
“All hail the Luna! All hail the Luna!”
The pack’s unified chant thundered around us, their devotion ringing in my ears. Alaric’s grip on my hand tightened—possessive, demanding—before he turned me toward him and crushed his lips against mine. I kissed him back with practiced fervor, pouring just enough false passion into it.
*Let them believe I adore him. Let them never suspect what’s coming.*
When he finally pulled away, his hands cradled my face, his dark eyes burning—not with love, but with hunger. I knew that look. It wasn’t devotion he felt; it was ownership.
Little did he know, I was ten steps ahead of him. He was nothing but a pawn in my game.
We turned to fa
