The One True Luna

Disrespect

Ailsa POV

I was one of the top-ranking strategists at the Northern Military Academy, known for my sharp mind and strength.

But after my pack was ambushed and my parents were killed, I left it all behind to protect what was left of my home.

Commander Thorne of the academy gently put the moonstone into my hands.

“It's good to see you again after such a long time, Mrs Roger.” He smiled with his hand raised up to his head in respect.

“We hope one day, you will return to us,” he added. I smiled at his recognition despite the years of turning my back as a war strategist.

“Yes, Alisa! We are hoping you will change your mind someday and return. We can’t perform well without your big brains,” One of my colleagues, Marcus, who was still a strategist up to date, commented.

It had been years since I left. Since I found comfort in Damian, my aim was to build a different life and leave my past a secret.

As the secret strategists whose brain was behind every war.

“Thank you so much for your kind words. I will consider if one day I'll like to get back on this path again.”

“Please do. We need you back here, my friend!” Lyra hugged me, her voice thin as though she was about to cry.

“Ever since you bonded with that Alpha, you have forgotten all about your friend!” Lyra fumbled. Her eyes softened with tears.

She had been my friend since high school, and we had both attended the same academy along with Marcus, who also worked with the strategists.

“Don't be sad, Lyra. You know I can never abandon you.” I formed a smile. After seeing Riley and Damian kissing today, I could already expect the worst coming.

I had never told anyone about my relationship, but Lyra had been my best friend for years. I could probably share my burden and reconnect with her again.

She was right. I had totally abandoned all my friends since I got serious with Damian.

“Lyra, how about a hangout by tomorrow evening?”

“Really?" Her brown eyes lit up, jumping in my arms again.

“I will text you the location, but I have to leave now and honor my parents' moonstone.”

My parents, Luna Mirena and Alpha Ryan Michael. Their bodies had been found and cremated together.

Now they rested in a sacred moonstone, silver-veined and luminous, warm to the touch, pulsing faintly with their presence.

They were finally home after two years.

I returned to the pack with my parent’s moonstone. The moment I stepped into the house, dead stares met me.

The kind of coldness that had nothing to do with the weather.

I held the moonstone protectively to my chest.

“I heard you're going to bring your dead parents back,” came a voice, sharp as ever. “When Damian told me you would go out, I was hoping it was for a good cause. But no, to bring ashes.”

Helen, Damian’s mother, stood at the top of the stairs, her violet gown dragging behind her like a queen descending her personal throne.

Her tone had my body stiffened.

“Good evening to you too,” I said, ignoring the bitterness, stepping further inside the house.

She looked down at the glowing crystal in my hands and sneered. “You brought that into my house?”

“My family’s home! My parents lived here before your son and then brought you over.”

“Well, technically,” she smiled casually, "This isn’t your home." It’s the Blackridge estate, and now that Damian is Alpha, it belongs to him.”

“You married into it, sweetheart. You don’t claim it.”

It seemed Damian didn’t tell his entire family how he earned the position of Alpha in this pack and who was the real heiress.

They claim my estate to be theirs now? My father’s estate?

I stiffened. “I’ve lived here for two years with Damian, and it has always been my home, Mother. It has always been my parents' home long before they died.”

“And yet, it still doesn’t smell like you belong,” she said with a thin smile.

She turned and walked into the living room, expecting me to follow her like a scolded pup, and like a fool, I did.

She sat on the couch like she truly owned it. “Now, I understand you’re grieving. I really do. But bringing ashes into the house? I just had the entire place purified. You can’t contaminate it with that thing.”

Thing. My heart crumbled.

“Again, this is my parents’ moonstone. They are not ashes,” I said, irritation creeping into my voice.

"It's the most sacred resting method for Alphas.”

She stood slowly, then raised a brow. “Moonstone or not, it’s still a grave in a rock, dear. You brought a grave into the sitting room.”

I clenched the stone tighter, my fingers aching.

“It’s tradition.”

“Perhaps only the heirs of the Alphas have the right to that tradition. If you had been crowned the Luna after your parents, then you have that right.” She rolled her eyes, stepping closer as like she might snatch it from me.

“You were never officially made one, were you? Next in line before they died, sure, but that’s not quite the same anymore.”

“They were confirmed dead by the elder circle,” I snapped. “That makes me the next Alpha. But I gave that title to your son. Don’t forget that he is what he is because of me.” I sneered, and her hand struck my face in a tight, unexpected slap.

“Don’t you ever say that again?" Damian is what he is now because of his hard work!”

Tears brimmed as I held my cheek.

“Everyone knows your family name fell into ruin the moment your parents died. Honestly, dear, if I were you, I’d stop clinging to what little is left of the name Blackridge.”

I stepped back, jaw clenched so tight it hurt.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“You never liked me, but this is too low, even for you.”

Helen’s eyes glittered. “I’m protecting my family. Damian is poised to inherit leadership of the Blackridge Alliance. I can’t have the stench of death lingering in this house when they arrive.”

I laughed bitterly. “And you think a sacred moonstone is worse than your personality?”

Her nostrils flared. “Don’t you dare act smart. You’re only making this harder on yourself. Just take the moonstone to the crypt below the eastern ridge. It’s quiet there and out of the way.”

“My parents' ashes don’t deserve to be hidden, ” I retorted, tears blurring my vision.

“They deserve a place of honor here, in my home.”

Again, that awful statement is made every time, “This is not your home.”

Someone walked into the house. Sitting as the door closed behind them, I turned towards the sound of it.

It was Damian.

“What's going on here?” His eyes glance at the tears rolling down my face.

I looked at him with a mix of emotions. A part of me was happy that he was here. Damian would never support his mother for what she was trying to do now.

“She brought her dead parents into the house,” His mother defended.

He walked closer, his eyes filled with apology. I had no words for him, not after seeing him kiss Riley, not after his lies, not after staying silent while others humiliated me.

Just how long will he keep breaking my heart?

“Alisa,” he said softly. “Let’s just talk about this—”

“I’m tired of talking,” I snapped, cutting him off. “Your mother wants me to remove my parents from this house.”

Damian sighed. “She’s… concerned. She thinks it could bring misfortune.”

“Misfortune? What about respect?” I turned on him. “My parents’ wealth built this pack. It boosted our trade and got us the East Front alliance. And I’ve never asked you for anything.”

Helen scoffed. “That’s because your name doesn’t belong on it.”

My hands shook.

Damian stepped forward. “Please. Don’t do this now. We’ll find a proper place. Somewhere they’ll be safe.”

“Are you seriously doing this, Damian? Defending your mother?” My voice broke. “These are my parents.”

Helen walked to the table and poured herself some water, as if she hadn’t just done her worst.

"I'm simply trying to keep the house in order,” she replied nastily.

“You’ve been too emotional lately and distracted. And frankly, I worry it’s affecting Damian’s ability to lead.”

Damian didn’t deny it.

I felt like I was standing in a room that kept shrinking, the walls pressing in with every breath I took.

“I’m not emotional,” I said coolly. “I’m grieving, something you clearly know nothing about.”

I turned to Damian, my voice barely holding. “Do you want me to take it away too?”

He swallowed. “I think it’ll be best for now. Just until things are settled.”

And there it was, his betrayal. I fell for the wrong man and gave him everything.

My laugh came out sharp and brittle.

“Right,” I said. “You want to lead a pack, but you can’t even stand beside your mate when she’s being humiliated by your friends and family.”

Tears slid down my cheeks as I turned away, not expecting any more words from him, not that he ever had them when it mattered.

I clutched the moonstone tightly against my chest as I headed for my car, driving to Lyra’s place because that might be the safest place to keep the moonstone for now.