THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED LUNA

CHAPTER TWO — DINNER WITH WOLVES

Aria

I changed outfits four times before settling on a simple black dress that Madison insisted made me look "less like prey." Her words, not mine."You're overthinking this," she said, perched on my bed while I wrestled with my hair. "It's just dinner.""With fifty werewolves who think I'm a liability." I gave up on the elegant updo and let my hair fall loose. "Your brother already hates me."Madison's expression turned thoughtful. "Dante doesn't hate you. Trust me, I know what my brother looks like when he hates someone." She paused. "He looked at you like... I don't know. Like you confused him."Great. I confused the terrifying Alpha. That would definitely help me survive dinner.A sharp knock echoed through the room before the door swung open. A massive man with silver-streaked hair and scars crisscrossing his arms filled the doorway. His eyes—one brown, one milky white—fixed on me with predatory focus."Alpha Dante sent me to escort you to dinner." His voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I'm Kieran, his Beta. You're late."I glanced at the clock. Six fifty-eight. "Dinner's at seven.""In this pack, early is on time, on time is late." He stepped aside. "Move."Madison shot me an apologetic look as I followed Kieran into the hallway. The walk to the dining hall felt eternal, each step echoing against stone floors while curious wolves emerged from doorways to watch the human girl being led to her execution."Dante's in a mood tonight," Kieran said without looking back. "Don't take anything personally.""Does he have moods that aren't terrifying?"A ghost of a smile crossed Kieran's scarred face. "Not in the five years I've known him."The dining hall doors loomed ahead, and my stomach twisted into knots. Kieran pushed them open, and conversation died instantly.Fifty pairs of eyes turned toward me.

The room was cavernous, dominated by a long wooden table where the pack's elite sat. Dante occupied the head of the table, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as they tracked my entrance. Selene sat to his right, her expression smug. Madison and Ethan were already seated near the middle, looking distinctly uncomfortable."The human finally graces us with her presence," Selene purred. "How generous.""Enough." Dante's voice cut through the room like a blade. His gaze fixed on me, unreadable. "Sit."Every chair was occupied except one, directly to Dante's left, the position traditionally reserved for a Luna or honored guest. My cheeks burned as I crossed the room, acutely aware of every hostile stare.I sank into the chair beside him, my arm brushing his. The contact sent electricity racing through my skin, and I jerked away like I'd been burned.Dante's jaw tightened. "Serve the food."Servers appeared with platters of meat, rare, bloody meat that made my stomach turn. I forced myself to take small portions, trying to ignore how everyone watched me struggle to cut the nearly raw steak."You don't like the food?" Dante's voice was low, meant only for me."I'm just not used to it this... fresh." I managed a small bite, swallowing with effort.His hand moved beneath the table, and suddenly his fingers wrapped around my wrist. The touch was possessive, burning hot against my skin. "You're shaking.""I'm fine.""You're terrified." His thumb stroked the inside of my wrist, finding my racing pulse. "Of the pack or of me?""Does it matter?""Yes."Before I could respond, a voice rang out from the far end of the table. "Alpha Dante, the pack has concerns about your... guest."A dark-haired man stood, his expression challenging."Speak, Marcus." Dante's tone went cold, but his hand remained on my wrist.

"A human in our territory is dangerous. A weakness enemies could exploit." Marcus's eyes slid to me with contempt. "She doesn't belong here. She makes us vulnerable."Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room."Are you questioning my judgment?" Dante asked softly.The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Marcus faltered but recovered quickly. "I'm questioning why you'd risk the pack for someone so... insignificant."Dante released my wrist and stood in one fluid motion. The air crackled with power, and every wolf in the room tensed. "She sits at my table, under my protection. Anyone who touches her answers to me." His eyes swept the room, daring anyone to challenge him. "Are we clear?""Yes, Alpha." The response came from everyone except Marcus, who stared at Dante with barely concealed anger.Dante sat back down, his thigh pressing against mine beneath the table. The possessive contact made my breath catch. "Eat," he commanded quietly.I couldn't. My hands trembled too badly to hold the fork. Under the table, Dante's hand found my knee, his grip firm and strangely comforting."Why are you defending me?" I whispered. "You said I was weak. A liability."His fingers tightened on my knee. "You are weak. Human. Fragile." His voice dropped even lower. "And somehow, that makes you the most dangerous thing in this room.""That doesn't make sense.""No," he agreed, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that stole my breath. "It doesn't."The rest of dinner passed in a blur of hostile stares and tense silence. When Dante finally stood, ending the meal, relief flooded through me. I started to rise, but his hand on my shoulder pushed me back down."Stay." He looked at Kieran. "Everyone out. Except you, Beta and Marcus."My heart hammered as the dining hall emptied. Madison threw me a worried glance before Ethan guided her out. Soon, only four of us remained, Dante, Kieran, Marcus, and me.Marcus's expression was triumphant. "Finally ready to admit the human is a mistake?""No." Dante moved to stand behind my chair, his presence overwhelming. "I'm giving you a choice, Marcus. Accept her presence and remain in my pack, or challenge me for Alpha and face the consequences."

"You'd risk everything for a human?" Marcus laughed bitterly. "You've gone soft, Dante.""Then challenge me." Dante's voice was deadly calm. "Right now."Marcus's eyes flicked to me, and something cruel twisted his features. "I don't need to challenge you, Alpha. I just need to eliminate the problem."He moved so fast I barely saw it, crossing the room in a blur, his hand reaching for my throat.But Dante was faster.