LUNA REBORN

The ballroom sparkled beneath thousands of crystal lights. Music drifted through the grand hall as nobles laughed, glasses clinked, and servants hurried between tables carrying silver trays filled with expensive wine. The celebration should have been the happiest night of my life. It was our fifth wedding anniversary. Five years since Alpha Kael Blackwood had chosen me over destiny. Five years since he rejected his fated mate and marked me instead. Five years since I became the Luna of the Shadowfang Pack. Everyone said we were the strongest couple in the werewolf kingdom. Everyone envied us. If only they knew. I stood on the balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens, forcing a smile as another noble congratulated me. "Congratulations, Luna. The Moon Goddess has truly blessed your union." I smiled politely. "Thank you." As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, the smile faded from my face. Kael hadn't spoken to me all evening. He had been surrounded by Alphas and elders since the celebration began, discussing territories, trade agreements, and military alliances. Nothing unusual. He had always carried the weight of leadership. Still... Something felt different tonight. A cold breeze brushed against my skin. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked toward the full moon hanging high above the castle. It was beautiful. Bright. Silent. Watching. Footsteps echoed behind me. I turned, expecting to see my husband. Instead, Elder Rowan bowed respectfully. "Luna." I smiled. "Elder Rowan." He hesitated. For a brief second, his eyes flickered toward the ballroom before returning to me. "Forgive an old wolf for speaking out of turn." I frowned. "What is it?" He lowered his voice. "Have you spoken to the Alpha tonight?" "Not yet." His expression tightened. "You should." "Why?" He looked around to make sure no one was listening. "There are whispers." My heartbeat quickened. "What whispers?" Before he could answer, another elder approached. "There you are, Rowan. The Alpha is asking for you." The old man straightened immediately. "I'll be there." He looked back at me one last time. "Whatever happens tonight..." His voice cracked. "...remember that appearances often hide the truth." Then he walked away. I stared after him, confusion settling heavily in my chest. What did he mean? Before I could think further, the ballroom erupted into applause. Kael had stepped onto the raised platform. Tall. Commanding. His black ceremonial suit fit him perfectly, the silver Alpha crest gleaming proudly across his chest. He looked every bit the ruler the kingdom admired. My heart betrayed me. Even after five years, one look at him still made it race. He searched the crowd until his eyes found mine. For just a moment... His expression softened. Then it disappeared. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his deep voice filling the hall. "Tonight marks five years of unity." Another round of applause followed. "Our marriage brought peace where there was once war." Cheers erupted. "Our allies have never been stronger." The room echoed with celebration. I smiled. Proud of him. Proud of us. When the speech ended, guests rushed toward him. I decided to give him a few moments before joining him. Instead, I wandered toward the quieter corridors of the castle. The halls were unusually empty. Most of the servants were busy with the celebration downstairs. As I passed Kael's private study, I heard voices. One belonged to him. The other... A woman. I stopped walking. The door wasn't completely closed. "I've waited long enough." The woman's voice was soft but carried a bitterness that made my skin crawl. "You promised." Kael sighed. "I know." "You said once the packs were united, everything would return to the way it was." Silence. Then she laughed. "I watched you kiss another woman for five years." My breath caught. Another woman? The voice continued. "I watched her wear the title that belonged to me." My fingers trembled. No. No... It couldn't be. Kael spoke quietly. "It was necessary." Necessary? The woman laughed again, colder this time. "I sacrificed my place beside you so you could marry the daughter of the Ashford Pack. Her father's alliances gave you everything you wanted." The world tilted beneath my feet. Ashford. My family. My name. My breathing became shallow. "No one questioned the marriage," Kael replied. "They believed I rejected my fated mate for love." "And they believed she was special." Another laugh. "Poor Luna." My knees nearly gave out. She knew my name. I pressed a shaking hand against the wall. Every word felt like another blade sinking into my chest. "I almost felt sorry for her," the woman whispered. "She loved you." Kael didn't answer. His silence hurt more than any confession could. "I kept my promise," he finally said. "The packs are united." "You are now the most powerful Alpha alive." "And now..." The woman stepped closer. "...you don't need her anymore." The room became unbearably quiet. Seconds passed. Then... "I know." Those two words shattered something inside me. I stumbled backward, knocking over a decorative vase. Crash! The sound echoed through the corridor. The study door flew open. Kael froze. His golden eyes locked onto mine. "Luna..." I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. Every memory of the last five years flashed before my eyes. His smiles. His promises. His mark on my neck. Our wedding. Every whispered "I love you." Every single one... A lie. A woman stepped out beside him. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes that glowed beneath the hallway lights. She looked at me with pity. "So..." she said softly. "You finally know." My vision blurred with tears. "Who... are you?" She smiled. "The woman he was always meant to choose." I looked at Kael. Desperate. Begging. "Tell me she's lying." His jaw tightened. His lips parted. But no words came. The silence answered for him. I took one shaky step backward. Then another. Everything inside me broke. "I loved you." My voice cracked. "I gave you everything." Still... He said nothing. The woman slowly reached into the folds of her cloak. A silver dagger glinted beneath the chandelier's light. I barely noticed it. My eyes never left Kael's face. Surely he would stop her. Surely... She rushed forward. I gasped. Pain exploded through my chest as the silver blade buried itself deep in my heart. My legs gave out instantly. Warm blood spread across my gown. I collapsed onto the cold marble floor. The woman knelt beside me. Her lips curved into a victorious smile. "You served your purpose." She leaned closer until only I could hear. "You were never his Luna." Tears streamed down my face. "I hate you..." She chuckled. "No." Her eyes flickered toward Kael. "You hate the wrong person." Darkness began creeping into my vision. My heartbeat slowed. I forced myself to look at Kael one last time. He hadn't moved. He stood frozen. His fists were clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palms. For the first time all night... His face wasn't expressionless. It was filled with something I couldn't understand. Pain. Regret. Or was it guilt? I would never know. The last thing I heard before darkness consumed me was his broken whisper. "...Luna." Then... Everything went black.