The Scorned Luna Lives Again!

Chapter Ten

After the party, things returned to business as usual with Lily running the pack house. The responsibility should have been Ashlyn's but Jacob gave the authority to Lily on her 16th birthday. Lily quickly squandered the pack finances, Jacobs response to this was to force Ashlyn to be a sort of cleaner for Ashlyn's mistakes. Shouldering the hardship and the work as an acting Luna without any real authority.

Before her rebirth Ashlyn devoted herself to the extra workload, handling the squabbles and the paperwork, dealing with repairs and supply lists and of course ensuring the pack could survive any disaster. It was a lot of work with no thanks or reward but she had once taken great pride in it, hoping it'd get her recognized by her brothers some day but even as she faced death her efforts reached no one.

Not her brothers. Not her mate. Not her marital pack. Her original pack may have missed her but they couldn't speak out from their alpha. She didn't blame them for their silence though, she had been the same once upon a time. Regardless, she wasn't going to wreck her health cleaning up for Lily while she flaunted her power irresponsibly. Ashlyn had her own plans and couldn't be bothered playing clean up for Lily who had always been coddled from any real responsibility.

After Ashlyn stopped fixing Lily's mistakes and handling the ledgers it seemed almost overnight that the pack house became chaotic. The scheduling of labor had fallen out of order, some things were being neglected and others were being done twice. The meals were late because the food delivery wasn't paid for on time. Equipment and supplies for the soldiers were delayed causing a stir among the Gammas. Jacob was frustrated because he didn't usually handle such menial things, Ashlyn used to but she was refusing and Lily was so absorbed in her own world she didn't realize the issue until it was too much to ignore.

Jacob slammed his fists on his desk. "What is going on?! Why is no one fixing this mess?!"

Beta Derick, was hesitant to speak. "Lily is the acting Luna...it's her responsibility but whenever I try to find her she's always...occupied."

"Occupied with what?!" Jacob was starting to have a migraine. He didn't have time to deal with these problems. He sighed softly, gathering his composure. "Being Lily here, now."

Lily came in hours later, shopping bags draped on her arms and a bright smile on her face. She was completely unaware that her negligence had been found out as she happily greeted Jacob. "Hello my dearest brother! Are you well?"

He sighed, trying to restrain his anger knowing how sensitive she could be. He breathed softly and addressed her calmly. "Lily. It has been brought to my attention that you've been neglecting your duties."

She looked at him sheepishly. "I..I'm sorry...big sister said she'd take care of it for me...it's difficult for me, no one listens to a simple omega..." she sniffled softly "I'm sorry I failed you big brother, it's because I'm so weak..." Lily began to get teary eyed, whimpering softly as she looked at Jacob like a scolded puppy.

His heart began to ache. "It's Ashlyn's fault. She obviously hasn't been helping you like a good sister should. Beta derrick, bring that brat here now!" He barked.

Beta Derrick hesitated but nodded, reluctantly complying. He was much more respectful as he approached Ashlyn who was sketching in the gardens idly.

"Yes Beta?" She said calmly, not even looking in his direction as she planned her upcoming spring collection.

He bowed to her respectfully. "The alpha wishes to see you."

"Tell him to come to me himself. I will not be fetched like some common dog." She said coldly.

Her alpha energy caused Derrick to keep his head low as he cowered away. When he relayed the message to Jacob he was furious.

"That insolent girl! Does she think because we are related I won't cast her out of this pack?!" His entire body trembled with fury, he felt challenged and it didn't sit well with him.

As he stormed out to the gardens he was ready for a fight but was stunned to see Ashlyn sitting calmly, sketching just like their mother used to. He hasn't really stopped to look at Ashlyn since they were kids. She'd grown so much. Not just in size but I'm her demeanor. She wasn't running to greet him anymore, begging for attention or annoying him with her endless fussing. Despite living in the same house it felt like she was a million miles away.

Unable to disturb her, he just walked away. He decided to handle this mess himself, employing someone in Lily's place. While she still had access to money she no longer held the authority, she was upset at first but easily placated with shopping.

Ashlyn noticed the change and was surprised, in the past Jacob would have blamed her and berated her until she obeyed. She didn't expect him to fix something himself.

After a few weeks and things had calmed down Ashlyn had finished her spring collection and requests from the socialites that flocked to her at the party. She was feeling proud when a trembling omega burst into the room.

"Alpha Ashlyn..." The teary eyed girl whimpered.

Ashlyn frowned, her eyes narrowing. She nearly forgot. It was around this time like had spent much of the pack's finances and the pack was having a financial crisis. In the past Ashlyn had donated her talents as a designer but Lily took the credit because she was more 'personable' which resulted in Ashlyn being used while Lily got the glory.

Gripping her fists tightly Ashlyn steeled herself. She followed the omega to Jacob's office, opening the doors that too familiar scene played out before her. Jacob looked at her coldly, his eyes tired and worn out, Mikhail looking uncomfortable to the side while Lily was putting on her most innocent tears and Beta Derrick looked concerned. Ashlyn grit her teeth, it was the same circus.

Jacob spoke first. His tone serious. "It seems poor management of the pack finances" he looked pointedly at Ashlyn, who showed no look of surprise, before continuing "have led us to the brink of financial crisis. We need a plan."

The usual ideas spilled out. Cut backs. Over time. Then came Lily.

"Why not start a new business!" She explained cheerfully, causing Ashlyn to tense up.

Jacob sighed. "What kind of business?"

She smiled widely as she looked at Ashlyn. "A jewelry business! Sister can create them and I'll be happy to sell them for her, I have quite the social media following!" She purred proudly.

Jacob seemed to contemplate it but looked to Ashlyn, "what do you think Ashlyn?"

Everyone was surprised. He never asked her opinion, ever. Ashlyn was stunned at the moment but became calm. "I think Mikhail's suggestion of cutting out indulgent spending for a while is a better idea. My designs are still young and I need time to develop them more."

It wasn't a lie, on the surface it was a sensible thought because Ashlyn wasn't telling them about her small accumulating profits and didn't plan to.

Jacob took her words into consideration and nodded. "Alright. We will go with Mikhail's idea, everyone's allowance will go towards the pack for the time being."

Lily was the only one affected and she made it known throughout the pack. Until the crisis had been cleared she had a strict allowance that she blew through fairly quickly. During the restructure Jacob also discovered that Ashlyn had no allowance, her portion had always gone to Lily. He tried to fix it but Ashlyn declined. Not wanting his sudden charity, especially since she had her own income from her small business.

Things were changing for the better for Ashlyn, she was being left alone and her business was beginning to grow. The only thorn besides Lily's tantrums was Marcus's relentless attempts to pursue her. Flowers. Expensive candy. Fancy jewelry. Dresses from high end boutiques.

He thought showering her with gifts would change her mind but she only found his peacocking to be pathetic. Unfortunately Lily took notice of the continuous gifts, the gears already turning in her twisted mind as she converted the trinkets she believed should be hers.