Mated To My Bullies

Chapter 19: "The Perfect Luna"

Seraphina's POV

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the training hall as I adjusted my leather sparring gear, watching the pack warriors gather in a respectful circle around me. Today was perfect, another opportunity to show everyone exactly what a real Luna looked like.

"Are you certain about this, Miss Seraphina?" Beta Thomas asked, his weathered face creased with concern. "Gregory is one of our strongest fighters. Perhaps we should start with someone less experienced?"

I smiled sweetly, the expression I'd perfected over years of political maneuvering. "Oh, Thomas, you're so thoughtful. But how can I properly lead this pack if I can't hold my own against their best warriors?"

The truth was, I'd been planning this demonstration for weeks. Every detail calculated, every move rehearsed. The pack needed to see their future Luna in action, needed to understand that I wasn't just some delicate flower who'd stumbled into their lives. I was everything Maya could never be, strong, confident, worthy of the Blackwood name.

Gregory stepped forward, a mountain of a man with scars crisscrossing his arms and chest. He'd been hesitant when I'd first suggested this sparring match, but after some careful persuasion about pack hierarchy and respect, he'd agreed.

"I'll go easy on you," he rumbled, assuming a defensive stance.

"Please don't," I replied, letting my wolf surge closer to the surface. My eyes flashed gold, and I felt the familiar rush of power that came with my enhanced abilities. "I wouldn't want anyone to think I can't handle myself."

The fight began with Gregory throwing a cautious punch, testing my reflexes. I ducked smoothly, using my smaller size and speed to my advantage. The crowd murmured appreciatively as I landed a solid hit to his ribs, dancing away before he could retaliate.

"Impressive," someone whispered.

"She's faster than she looks."

I let the praise wash over me, feeding my confidence as I continued to outmaneuver Gregory. He was strong, but predictable. I'd studied his fighting style for weeks, knew exactly how he'd move before he did it. When I finally took him down with a perfectly executed throw, the training hall erupted in cheers.

"Outstanding!" Beta Thomas clapped, his earlier doubts clearly forgotten. "I haven't seen technique like that in years."

I helped Gregory to his feet, playing the gracious victor. "You're an excellent opponent. Thank you for not holding back."

He rubbed his jaw ruefully. "Holding back? Luna, you nearly broke my ribs."

The crowd laughed, but I caught the underlying tone of respect in their voices. Perfect. This was exactly the image I needed to project, strong enough to command respect, graceful enough to maintain dignity.

"Seraphina."

I turned at the sound of Elijah's voice, my heart doing a little skip as I saw all four brothers standing at the edge of the training circle. They'd been watching, their expressions ranging from impressed to surprised.

"That was incredible," Nathan said, stepping forward with that crooked smile that made half the pack's unmated females swoon. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"My father believed a leader should be able to protect their people," I replied, accepting the towel Stephen offered me. "I've been training since I was twelve."

"It shows," Karl added, his analytical gaze taking in my stance, my breathing, the way I held myself. "Your form is flawless."

The warmth in their voices, the approval in their eyes, it was everything I'd worked for. This was how mates were supposed to interact. Easy, natural, without the constant pain and conflict that plagued their connection to Maya.

"I was thinking," I said casually, dabbing sweat from my forehead, "perhaps it's time I started working with some of the other pack members. Help them reach their full potential."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Anyone in particular?"

I let a shadow of concern cross my face. "Well, I've been thinking about Maya. The poor thing has been through so much, and she's clearly struggling with her... condition. Maybe some guidance would help her adjust to pack life better."

The brothers exchanged glances, and I felt that familiar pulse of discomfort through the air. The mate bond was still causing them problems, still making their connection to Maya feel wrong and painful. Exactly as I'd planned.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Stephen said slowly. "She's been... difficult lately."

"All the more reason she needs proper guidance," I insisted, letting genuine concern color my voice. "I can't just stand by and watch her suffer when I might be able to help. It's what any good Luna would do."

The brothers' resistance crumbled in the face of my apparent selflessness, just as I'd known it would. Within an hour, I was walking down the stone steps to the dungeons, carrying a tray of food that definitely wasn't poisoned, I needed Maya alert for what came next.

She was curled up on her narrow bed when I arrived, looking even worse than I'd expected. The silver was doing its job beautifully, weakening her, making the mate bond feel toxic to the brothers. Her once-glossy hair hung in limp strands, and her skin had taken on a sickly pallor.

"Maya," I called softly, injecting just the right amount of sympathy into my voice. "I brought you some fresh food."

She looked up at me with suspicious eyes. "What do you want, Seraphina?"

"I want to help you," I said, setting the tray just inside her cell. "I know this situation has been difficult for everyone, but I think we can work together to make things better."

She laughed bitterly. "Work together? You mean work together to slowly poison me to death?"

My expression didn't change, though inside I felt a flicker of annoyance. She was more perceptive than I'd given her credit for. "I don't know what you mean. I'm just trying to help you adjust to your new role in the pack."

"My new role as your victim, you mean."

I sighed deeply, as if her hostility truly saddened me. "Maya, I understand you're angry. But this attitude isn't helping anyone. The brothers are in constant pain because of the mate bond, the pack is on edge, and you're making yourself miserable."

"The brothers are in pain because you're poisoning me with silver," she snapped. "It's making the bond feel wrong to them."

"Silver?" I widened my eyes in apparent shock. "Maya, that's a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof?"

Her silence was answer enough. Of course she had no proof, I'd been far too careful for that.

"I think," I said gently, "that you're letting paranoia cloud your judgment. But that's understandable given what you've been through. That's why I'm here, to help you learn how to be a proper pack member."

I pulled a small chair from the corner and sat down just outside her cell, as if settling in for a long conversation.

"First lesson," I continued, "is understanding hierarchy. You see, Maya, in a proper pack, everyone has their place. And your place, unfortunately, is not at the top."

"I'm their mate," she said weakly.

"Are you?" I tilted my head thoughtfully. "Because from what I've observed, the mate bond seems to be causing nothing but pain and problems. Whereas my relationship with the brothers has been... effortless."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, scrolling to a photo from just that morning. "Look at this."

I held the screen where she could see it, a picture of me laughing with all four brothers in the garden, their faces relaxed and happy. Nathan's arm was around my shoulders, Stephen was smiling genuinely, Karl looked more at peace than he had in months, and Elijah was actually laughing.

"This was taken an hour ago," I said softly. "Look how comfortable they are. How natural it all seems. No pain, no conflict, no struggle."

Maya's face crumpled slightly as she stared at the image.

"Now compare that to what happens when they try to connect with you," I continued. "The mate bond feels wrong, doesn't it? Like something broken that's trying to force itself to work."

"Because you're poisoning me," she whispered.

I put my phone away and leaned forward slightly. "Maya, even if that were true, which it isn't, would it change anything? Look at the facts. The brothers are happier with me than they've ever been with you. The pack respects me, follows me, trusts me. I've proven myself as a leader, a fighter, a true Luna."

I stood up, smoothing down my skirt. "Your second lesson will be tomorrow. We're going to work on accepting your place in this pack. Because fighting against the natural order is only making everyone miserable."

As I turned to leave, I heard her broken

whisper behind me. "They're my mates."

I paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked back with genuine pity in my eyes.

"Are they, Maya? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like they're mine.”