The Ruthless Alpha's Substitute Luna

Blackhowl Wolf Pack

Marianna,

I sat in the car while the servant sat in the passenger seat, fuming and trembling, trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was swollen and red after the slap.

Well, honestly, I had no intention of showing violence this soon. But I hated it when people acted like they were superior. And I loved crushing people who acted that way.

I looked outside. For the first time, I had left the pack without any further business reasons. An ever-yearning freedom that I had always desired.

The leash around my neck had finally gone. How could I not enjoy it?

Just as the car left the Alpha Packhouse and drove down the main road, my attention shifted to my phone.

A few notifications from my assistant and several employees appeared as usual. I had already sent the official email to everyone, yet they still could not help themselves.

After locking the phone, I closed my eyes. The quietness felt good. Leaving the family behind, I did not think I would feel better than this. The tension that had constantly wrapped around my shoulders finally seemed lighter, if only for a moment.

Just then, a thought crossed my mind. The wedding did not happen in the Lycan King's presence.

The Lycan King was the ruler of this entire region, and most royal marriages had to go through his permission. But my family never did it.

Well, I would meet him later. It had been a while since I had seen him.

The car left the pack, entering the clearings. A vast land full of dandelions and daffodils stretched endlessly beneath the fading sunlight, swaying gently beneath the evening breeze. One of my favourite places where I used to sneak out.

Life has its own course. The difference between the younger me and the current me was the mindset. I used to feel free from everything. Dancing around, swaying swords, climbing trees, none of it felt impossible or heavy back then. But now, I would trade anything to get that chance again.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes once more, letting myself enjoy another peaceful nap before we arrived there. The low hum of the engine and the distant chirping of insects outside slowly blended into the silence.

Blackhowl Wolf Pack. I went there when I was six with Dad. Dad would take me anywhere he went, not because he wanted to show me the world, but most likely to introduce his future heir, as though I were a trophy he carried around.

One wrong move and he would punish me for days.

I dreaded it.

However, the older I got, the less I expected. I learned how to take what was mine.

" We are here!" the chauffeur announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.

The car entered a massive gate surrounded by mountains and lakes. Tall iron bars towered over the entrance while silver wolf emblems gleamed beneath the dim lights. Guards stood watch near the walls, their sharp eyes immediately following the car as it entered the territory.

As the car slowly climbed the mountain road, the Packhouse finally emerged through the thick silver mist.

It stood high above the forest like an ancient fortress touched by luxury and darkness alike. Massive black stone walls towered beneath the moonlight while golden lights glowed warmly from the enormous arched windows.

The estate looked almost unreal against the endless pine forest surrounding it, powerful and breathtaking enough to silence anyone the moment they saw it. The cold mountain air carried the scent of pinewood, smoke, and rain, making the entire place feel hauntingly beautiful.

I leaned back into the chair. That woman glanced at me. The earlier redness on her face caused by rage was now replaced by a smug look.

" Just a few minutes. I will let you know who you just messed with."

A sharp chuckle escaped my lips. " Oh really? Seems like I need to pluck out that tongue first just to shut you up!"

She froze. Even the chauffeur glanced at the rearview mirror in surprise.

" You b***h-"

" Luna!" I said, my voice sharp. " Call me Luna if you do not want to eat your own-"

I did not finish the sentence. I was more into action than words, especially when it came to violence.

" Get out!" she snapped as the car pulled over.

I ignored her and looked at the driver. " Open the door."

He looked at her and then at me, clearly caught between fear and hesitation.

I did not say anything. I just sat there silently. After a few tense seconds, he took a deep breath, reluctantly stepped out of the car, and opened the door.

" Be careful, Luna."

I smirked. " Thank you. Good job."

I stepped out of the car, my pencil heels clicking sharply against the stone pathway as I straightened my back. The cold wind brushed past my hair while the enormous Packhouse loomed over the mountain like a beast waiting in silence.

The servants paused when they saw me. Their eyes widened as though they had seen something unrecognisable.

Julianna staying here for three months should have been enough for everyone to know who I was.

" Is this her?" a couple of servants muttered behind me. " Oh Lord. Did she change her outfit?"

" She is way more beautiful than I remembered."

I ignored them and walked toward the woman, the head butler. " Walk me to my chamber. My actual chamber."

" I am not doing anything. Do you think you can make me-"

I raised my hand, and it was enough to make her flinch. I gently stroked her face,

" Be a good girl. I do not like repeating myself."

However, she did not back down. That was one thing my grandmother used to say.

A dog barks at you when it is with its owner. A person shows arrogance when they stand within their own territory.

So never underestimate them.

And she was right. Because in the next second, she snapped her fingers,

" Tie her up. She has not learned her lesson."

Immediately, a few guards standing around the courtyard gathered around me. Their heavy boots echoed against the stone ground while several servants quickly stepped back to avoid getting involved.

" Someone bring my whip," she announced.

" Lady Barbara! Alpha is waiting for you. You should-"

" Bring it here! Now!" she snarled, cutting off the guard's words while trembling with fury. " And tie her up!"

I took a deep breath.

" They are idiots, aren't they?" my wolf laughed. " Would you like me to handle them?"

" No." I smirked. " I needed to know how much I have improved my boxing. Their noses will be fine, right?"

" Go ahead, My Girl. They should know who they are messing with!"

I grinned as I positioned myself. " I wonder how Julianna survived until now."

The guards approached without holding back. Some of them even looked at me with different gazes that carried both mockery and curiosity.

" She is resilient," she scoffed.

" Indeed she is."

" Please, do not make things hard. Let us tie you up and it will be over so-"

" Do not interrupt my conversation!" I punched his nose, my voice cold.

A sickening c***k echoed through the courtyard.

" f**k!" he groaned, stumbling backward while clutching his bleeding nose. The guards immediately froze, clearly not expecting me to fight back.

" C'mon, girl. Use more pressure. Breaking a skull would not be bad." My wolf, Dawn, smirked, clearly loving every second of it.

" Did she just punch him?"

" What are you doing? Tie her up. That b***h needs to be taught-"

" What's going on here?" a sharp, cold voice came from behind.

Everyone froze, including Barbara. The entire courtyard suddenly fell silent except for the distant sound of the mountain wind brushing through the trees.

I slowly turned, finding him stepping out of the car while holding a woman's hand.

The moment their fingers intertwined beneath the golden lights of the Packhouse entrance, several servants immediately lowered their heads.

" There you are... My beloved husband." I smirked, whispering to myself.