Luna's Contract

Chapter 1

~Freya~

The grand hall bustled with activity as the pack members moved around, decorating the space for the Moonlight celebration. The scent of freshly baked pastries and pine filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter.

I stood by the long table in the center, carefully arranging the floral centerpiece. I have spent weeks planning this event, ensuring every detail was perfect. After all, as Luna, my sole responsibility is to bring the pack together and remind them of their unity.

As I adjusted the last flower, a familiar voice cut through, “Move that vase over there,” Lyselle said, pointing to the corner of the room. “It would be better there.”

I stood still, my hands tightening around the edge of the table, trying to keep my anger in check. Lyselle is doing it again, trying to insert herself into the preparations all week, always finding small ways to undermine my decisions.

“That’s not where it's supposed to go,” I said, my tone sharp enough to quieten the nearby chatter.

Lyselle smiled sweetly at me, as if my words were mere suggestions. “Trust me, Freya, aesthetics are my specialty.” She turned to one of the younger pack members, “Can you help me move it, please?” she said sweetly.

The young wolf hesitated, glancing between the both of us before complying with Lyselle’s request.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain composed. “Not here, not now.”

“Freya,” Caius' voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see him approaching, his expression filled with approval as he looked at Lyselle.

“Lyselle’s suggestions are really good. You should have asked for her help sooner,” he stated as soon as he got closer to me, and I clenched my teeth. His eyes never leaving hers, which made my blood boil.

“I didn't ask for her help. She just decided to take over,” I muttered, my voice laced with annoyance.

Caius frowned, his expression softened as if he were placating a child. “She is only trying to help you. You've been so busy, and she has experience with events like this. It's for the good of the pack.”

I felt my composure c***k. “It’s not for the good of the pack. It's for her ego.”

“You are overreacting.” He said softly, “Let Lyselle handle this part. Take the night to relax.”

Relax?

He thinks I'm overreacting?

Caius has no idea how patient I have been. For the past ten days I've been acting like a sweet, calm Luna, always making sure my anger is in check.

He thinks it's easy for me to relax when his first love just came out of nowhere after dumping him three years ago for an Alpha I don't even give a f**k about. She just comes here to parade the pack like she is the Luna and keeps making sure she is noticed by all, making everybody sympathize with her, and at every single chance she gets, she makes sure she glues herself to my hubby.

He rarely comes home.

He is always there to attend to her needs, and each time I ask why she needs him to be there, he always gives excuses stating how fragile Lyselle is.

Everywhere I go, it's always Lyselle here and there. I am trying my best not to get out of my mind, but this pregnancy hormone isn't helping out.

I'm three weeks pregnant with Caius's pup; it was delightful news for the both of us. We threw a mini party, and he always catered to my needs, and now Lyselle is here with everything just going down the rail.

I know I sound like an entitled b***h, but he kissed her the third day after she came, making me groan in pain all night with my baby in danger. That night was such a terrific one with me trying to save my baby and also trying to ease the pain; I cried all night. All night pleading for him to stop, I used all the strength I had to mindlink him, and that's when he got back home, looking so hassled and guilty. Telling me it was a mistake and that it wasn't his fault to hurt me and the baby.

I was hurt. He has betrayed the bond; he knew the consequences of what harm kissing someone who isn't bonded to you with the mark would do to your marked mate.

He has marked me, and he has hurt me using that same mark. Caius cheated on me and told me it was a mistake, and I forgave him; after all, he cared enough to stop immediately and come to me, but now I have doubts.

Caius hadn't kissed her again or slept with her, and I know that because I would feel it. The moon goddess's punishment for not keeping your mate in check. If your partner cheats on the bond, the other would be affected, and that's why I was able to feel that agonizing pain, but seeing how he is always with her and letting her do things other females don't dare do to their Luna is quite questioning, and it hurts like hell.

I took a deep breath and tried to find a way to relax like Caius had asked me to do.

~~~

The evening came quickly, and the celebration began. I tried to make myself feel so happy and not feel bothered about the way Lyselle paraded herself with my mate, clinging to him like her life depended on it, smiling with the pack members.

“Lyselle really outdid herself.” One of the elders said loudly, his words cutting through me like a knife.

“She’s got a natural touch. It's like she was born to lead,” another said. I could feel heat rise from my cheeks due to anger.

“She fits perfectly as Luna; look at how delicate and sweet she is. She is tender, so beautiful, and not like the so-called Luna, who can't even act ladylike and only knows how to control the people like a slave,” I heard an elder say. I turned to face the person who spoke; it was none other than Julian the Elder, who loves to steal from the pack. He is always of his own interests, and because I had reprimanded him, I'd entered his black book.

I shouldn't feel bothered about their words; as far as I'm still Luna, then no problem, but the moment I saw Caius put his hands on her waist, murmuring something in her ear that made her laugh made my patience cut.

My wolf, Kiera, couldn't handle this; one of the traits about a mated wolf is jealousy. We are possessive when it comes to our mate.

‘I really want to break her bones in tiny pieces.’ Kiera growled.

“Caius,” I called out, my tone commanding as I walked in his direction.

“What is it, Freya?” he asked, his tone neutral as if I were interrupting something trivial.

“A word. In private,” I responded, my voice steady despite the fire burning inside of me.