THE LUNA'S SECRET AFFAIR

Chapter 2 Alpha Stefano

The carriage finally came to a stop in front of the grand gates of the Golden Shadow Pack’s kingdom. I sat rigidly, my hands gripping the edge of my cloak as anxiety churned in my stomach. Our Alpha Dairon of the Dark Moon Pack was seated across from me with his wife, Carmina. Their sons, Lesther and Matthew, rode ahead on horseback alongside the Beta, who was escorting them.

I was feeling pressured with this journey. But I know, a mere human like me has no say about my own life on this other side of the world. Some people don’t even know that werewolves and other powerful co-exist with them in this world.

The Golden Shadow Pack’s estate loomed ahead, a fortress of cold gray stone adorned with complex figures of wolves and shadowy figures. The banners of the Golden Shadow Pack fluttered in the wind, their golden emblem gleaming in the sunlight. I swallowed hard as the gates groaned open, revealing an estate as intimidating as the man I was about to meet.

Stepping out of the carriage, I immediately felt exposed. Lesther dismounted first, extending a hand to help me down. I hesitated for a moment before accepting, my hand trembling slightly in his firm grasp.

His fingers lingered longer than necessary, his eyes dark and heavy with something I’d grown to dread – possession. I quickly pulled my hand away, stepping back to adjust my cloak, hoping to create even the smallest distance between us.

Inside the gates, the towering figure of Stefano Alandi emerged from the grand entrance of his estate, flanked by warriors clad in black and gold. Stefano was every bit as commanding as the stories had painted him – tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding an air of absolute authority. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, swept over the group, lingering on me for a moment before narrowing slightly. His expression betrayed nothing but disdain.

“So, this is her,” Stefano said, his voice low and gravelly, filled with quiet contempt. He wasn’t asking – it was a statement laced with disappointment.

“Yes, Alpha Stefano,” Dairon replied smoothly, stepping forward with a confident demeanor. “Leanna is the ward of the Dark Moon Pack. She has been raised with discipline and care. She will be a worthy bond for this alliance.”

Stefano’s eyes flicked back to me, cold and reckoning. He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. I resisted the urge to shrink back under his gaze, though every instinct in me screamed to look away.

“A human,” Stefano said, his tone dripping with disgust. “This is what you bring me? A fragile, mortal girl?”

Dairon didn’t flinch. “She is untouched,” he said, meaningfully. “And while she may lack supernatural strength, she is obedient, resourceful, and eager to serve the pack.”

My jaw tightened. Obedient. Eager to serve. The words stung, though I knew better than to speak out. My position was clear, I was nothing more than a bargaining tool, my thoughts and desires irrelevant to the leaders around me.

Stefano’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling slightly in a sneer. “We’ll see,” he replied, coldly. He turned abruptly, gesturing to his warriors. “Take her inside. The rest of you can join me in the council hall.”

Lesther moved to my side, placing a hand lightly on my lower back as if to guide me. His touch sent an icy shiver down my spine, and I stepped forward quickly, keeping my head down to avoid drawing attention. I didn’t miss the way Matthew’s gaze lingered on me as he followed.

The inside of the estate was just as intimidating as its exterior – high, vaulted ceilings and walls lined with ancient curtains depicting battles and victories of the Golden Shadow Pack. The cold stone floors echoed every step we took, and I felt as if the pressure of history and expectation was pressing down on me.

As we stopped in a smaller, faintly lit sitting room, Stefano’s voice cut through the tension. “You will remain here until I decide how to proceed.” His tone was final, leaving no room for argument.

I nodded silently though my heart was pounding in my chest. This was it – the beginning of a life I hadn’t chosen, a future that felt more like a sentence than a blessing. Yet, even as fear gripped me, a small, stubborn voice in my mind whispered that I wouldn’t let this be my end.

Somehow, I would find a way to survive. I might be a pawn in their game, but I wasn’t ready to accept defeat. Not yet.

As the hours passed, I found myself pacing the confines of the sitting room. Though it was grand and comfortably furnished, it felt like a gilded cage. Stefano’s words echoed in my mind, “I will decide what to do with you.” I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or insulted by his indifference.

The door creaked open, and a young woman entered, carrying a tray of food. She was petite, with kind hazel eyes and a shy smile.

“Alpha Stefano asked me to bring you this,” she said, placing the tray on a low table near the chaise. “He said you might be hungry after your journey.”

I blinked in surprise. “He… did?”

The woman nodded. “He also requested a room be prepared for you. The Alpha might seem cold, but he’s not cruel.”

I murmured thanks, unsure of how to process the gesture. It wasn’t what I’d expected, given his frosty reception.

Later that evening, a guard escorted me to my quarter. The room was modest by the standards of the estate but still luxurious compared to what I was used to. The bed was large and draped with soft furs, and a fire crackled in the hearth, generating a warm light over the stone walls.

Stefano was already there, standing by the window, his silhouette sharp against the night sky. His golden eyes shifted to me as I entered, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“This will be your space for now,” he said, his tone neutral. “If there’s anything you need, tell the servants.”

“Thank you, Alpha” I said softly, unsure of what else to say.

Stefano crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the windowsill. “I don’t expect this to be easy for you,” he admitted. “I didn’t ask for this alliance any more than you did. But I understand the necessity.”

I was taken aback by his honesty. I hadn’t expected him to address me as anything other than a pawn in a political game. “I… appreciate your understanding,” I uttered, cautiously.

“I’m not here to make your life miserable,” he continued. “But understand this, you are here for the sake of the packs. Your role is to be my Luna and serve that purpose, nothing more.”

His words stung, but his tone lacked the venom I’d feared. It was matter of fact, almost pragmatic. He wasn’t cruel, but he wasn’t warm either.

“I understand,” I responded, lowering my gaze.

Stefano studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he said finally. “Rest. Tomorrow, you’ll need to meet the council. They’ll expect to see the woman I’ve been bound to through this alliance.”

“Thanks again, Alpha…” I meekly whispered, but I’m sure it reached his ear.

“No need to thank me. I don’t look down at humans… I just felt that you must not be mixed with us because you’re different.” He paused a little, still gazing intently at me. “Know that because of this marriage, the woman I truly love is hurting…”

And with that, he left, the door closing softly behind him.

I sat on the edge of the bed as my mind was filled with many questions. Stefano’s behavior was not what I had anticipated. He wasn’t cruel or condescending, but he wasn’t welcoming either. It was as if he were walking a tightrope, trying to just fulfill his obligations while maintaining a semblance of respect for me.

Though I was grateful he wasn’t treating me poorly, his indifference still hurt in its own way. I was nothing more than a duty to him, a symbol of a union he hadn’t wanted. But perhaps that was better than outright hatred.

As I lay down that night, staring at the ceiling, I resolved to make the best of my situation. If Stefano was willing to treat me with a measure of respect, I would do my part to hold my head high, even if it meant masking my own pain and longing. For now, survival was all that mattered.

The next morning was dawned gray and cloudy with the cold air seeping into the stone walls of the Golden Shadow estate. I dressed carefully, choosing a modest gown in deep burgundy that Dairon’s wife had insisted I bring for the occasion. The rich fabric felt heavy against my skin, but it gave me a sense of composure I desperately needed.

A servant arrived to escort me to the dining hall, where Stefano’s family was waiting. My stomach churned as I followed him through the labyrinthine corridors, my footsteps softly rumbling against the cold stone. I had met powerful people before, but none with the burden of expectation this meeting carried.

The doors to the dining hall were pushed open, revealing a long table set with gleaming silverware and an array of food. At the head of the table sat Stefano’s father, Dominick Alandi, an older but no less imposing version of his son. His graying hair did nothing to soften the sharp angles of his face or the piercing golden eyes that swept over me with cool detachment.

Beside him sat Stefano’s mother, Lyra, her beauty was regal but unapproachable. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, were as cold as the emerald jewelry she wore. Stefano’s siblings were seated further down the table, his eldest brother, Tobias, was a warrior by the looks of his muscular build and stern expression. Beside him sat Claudia, the only sister, her elegant features marred by a faint smirk as her gaze flicked to me. The youngest of the siblings, Rael, lounged at the far end of the table, his boyish charm doing little to hide the scorn in his blue eyes.

Stefano was already seated on his father’s right, his face unreadable as he stood to address the room. “This is Leanna,” he said, his tone clipped but respectful. “My intended, as decreed by the alliance with the Dark Moon Pack.”

Dominick’s gaze lingered on me, and for a moment, the room felt oppressively silent. “A human,” he said at last, his voice modest and contemplative. It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact that carried with it an authority of disapproval.

“Yes,” Stefano replied with his steady tone. “But she is the ward of the Mirthons, and this alliance strengthens both our packs.”

Lyra’s lips pressed into a thin line as she studied Leanna. “She’s… delicate,” she commented, her words were dripping with skepticism. “Hardly what one would expect of a future Luna.”

I felt my cheeks burn, but I kept my head high, determined not to let their words crush me.

“Her strength lies elsewhere,” Stefano interjected, surprising me. His tone remained formal, but there was a thread of quiet authority in his words. “She is intelligent and capable. Qualities that will benefit the pack in ways beyond physical prowess.”

Lyra raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she said nothing further. Dominick nodded slowly, though his expression remained distant. “The alliance is what matters,” he spoke. “But she will need to prove herself. The role of Luna demands respect, and respect must be earned.”

“Of course, Father,” Stefano politely but firmly, responded.

Claudia leaned forward, her smirk widening. “It’ll be interesting to see how a human adapts to our ways. They’re… fragile, aren’t they?”

Rael snickered at that, earning a sharp glance from Stefano. “Enough,” Stefano retorted, his tone was laced with a stern warning. “Leanna is here to fulfill her role, just as we are to fulfill ours. I expect her to be treated with the respect due to a future Luna.”

Tobias, who had remained silent until now, gave a small nod of agreement, though his expression was unreadable. “Respect for the role, if not the individual,” he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

The conversation shifted to pack politics and preparations for the formal announcement of the alliance, giving me a moment to breathe. Stefano’s defense of me had been unexpected, and though his words were more about duty than genuine care, they had still offered me a small measure of reassurance.