CHAPTER FOUR
1321 Words
💐 CHAPTER FOUR 💐
“I, Alpha Cian Blackwood, claim Zaya Chen as my Luna and true mate before this assembly.”
His voice carries across the packed hall, silencing every conversation. Two hundred supernatural beings turn to stare at us—pack members, allies, rivals, all witnessing the moment that changes everything.
Cian’s hand is warm and steady on my back as he guides me forward. I’m wearing a midnight blue dress he bought me this morning, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I belong somewhere.
“Let any who would challenge this claim step forward now.”
The silence stretches taut. I hold my breath, waiting for someone to object, to point out all the reasons this is wrong. But the seconds tick by, and no one moves.
“Then it is witnessed and sealed.” Cian’s eyes find mine, dark with promise. “Zaya Chen is Luna of the Blackwood pack, under my protection and authority.”
The formal declaration sends shivers down my spine. Around us, the assembly begins to murmur—some approving, others clearly shocked. But it doesn’t matter.
It’s done.
“Breathe,” Cian murmurs in my ear as applause begins to ripple through the crowd.
I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath.
The receiving line afterward feels endless. Pack members offering congratulations, allies expressing surprise, everyone trying to get a read on the woman who upended their Alpha’s carefully laid plans. I smile until my face hurts, shake hands until my fingers go numb.
“You did well,” Cian says as we finally escape to his car. “They respect strength and you my little mate showed them plenty.”
“I felt like I was going to throw up the entire time.”
His laugh is low and warm. “Leadership often feels that way. You’ll get used to it.”
Leadership. The word sits strangely in my mind. Three days ago I was nobody—an unwanted daughter being sold off. Now I’m Luna of one of the most powerful packs in the region.
“Come on.” He starts the engine. “Let’s get you properly outfitted for the role.”
“What do you mean ‘properly outfitted?’”
“I mean that I’m taking my Luna shopping. Come on…”
The shopping district is all gleaming storefronts and designer labels. Places I’ve never dreamed of entering, let alone buying anything from. But Cian guides me through it like he belongs here, which he obviously does.
“I don’t need all this,” I protest as he adds another dress to the growing pile in our arms.
“You’re Luna now. Appearance matters.” His fingers brush my wrist as he adjusts the sleeve of a jacket I’m trying on. “Besides, I like spoiling you.”
The simple admission makes heat pool in my stomach. This softer side of him still surprises me—the way he holds doors, touches the small of my back, watches me with those dark eyes like I’m something precious.
“This is too much,” I say anyway, gesturing at the mountain of clothes.
“Nothing is too much for my mate.”
My wolf purrs in satisfaction at the possessive tone in his voice.
I’m reaching for another dress when a familiar voice cuts through my contentment like a blade.
“Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”
I freeze, dress halfway off the hanger.
Through the boutique window, I can see Mira’s perfectly styled reflection, her lips curved in that cruel smile I know so well.
“Zaya, darling!” She pushes through the shop door, all fake warmth and designer clothes. “We’ve been so worried about you.”
Behind her, my stepmother Elena follows like a perfectly coiffed shadow. Her expression is ice-cold disapproval wrapped in expensive silk.
“Where have you been hiding?” Mira continues, her voice carrying just loud enough for other shoppers to hear. “Daddy has been beside himself with worry.”
The lie comes so easily I almost admire her skill.
Almost.
“I’m sure he has,” I say dryly.
“Running away like that was so selfish.” Elena steps closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “After everything we’ve done for you. Raised you, clothed you, gave you a home when your mother died.”
“You mean after you married my father for his money and spent twenty years making my life hell?”
Mira gasps dramatically. “How can you say such things? We’re family.”
“No, we’re not.” The words come out stronger than I expected. “Don’t get it twisted. You both are nothing but homeworkers and I am not your family.”
“Alpha Thorne is a respected leader,” Elena hisses. “You should be grateful we arranged such an advantageous match.”
“Grateful?” The laugh that escapes me is sharp and bitter. “You want me to be grateful that you traded me for territory rights?”
“You ungrateful little—” Mira’s mask slips for a moment, revealing the venom beneath. “Do you have any idea what you’ve cost us? Thorne is furious. The alliance is in jeopardy. All because you couldn’t do one simple thing for the family that raised you.”
“The family that raised me?” Something snaps inside me, years of suppressed anger finally finding its voice. “You both seem to be forgetting something but let me make it very clear to refresh your memory. The estate, the empire you you are enjoying belongs TO ME…left by my mother. You two are the parasites who should be grateful to me for allowing you steal from ME!”
Both women go very still.
“That’s right,” I continue, my voice gaining strength with each word. “I know about the company shares you’ve been hiding. The properties you transferred into your names. The trust fund you’ve been draining.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elena says, but I can hear the uncertainty creeping into her voice.
“Don’t I?” I step closer, feeling power flow through me for the first time in my life. “Chen Industries was my mother’s company. Her legacy. And you’ve been stealing it piece by piece, thinking no one would notice.”
“Even if that were true,” Mira sneers, “what could you possibly do about it? You’re nobody. You have nothing.”
“I have something.” I smile, and it feels dangerous. “I have the truth. And I have a promise.”
“What promise?” Elena demands.
“That I’m coming for everything you stole. Every share, every property, every penny. I’m going to take back what’s rightfully mine, and when I do, you’ll have nothing.”
They exchange glances, uncertainty flickering across their faces.
“You’re delusional,” Mira says, but the laugh that follows sounds forced. “You have no power, no connections, no way to—”
“She has me.”
The deep voice cuts through her words like a blade. Cian steps out from behind a clothing rack, his presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone in the shop.
He moves to stand beside me, one hand settling possessively on my waist.
The color drains from both women’s faces.
“Alpha Blackwood,” Elena breathes, her voice suddenly small.
“Mrs. Chen. Miss Chen.” His greeting is coldly polite, but there’s steel underneath. “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with my Luna.”
Luna. The word hits them like a physical blow. I watch Mira’s mouth fall open, see Elena stumble backward a step.
“Your… Luna?” Elena’s voice cracks on the word.
“My mate. My wife-to-be. The future of my pack.”
- Writer
