chapter1
Chapter 1: The Luna He Forgot
The Moon Goddess had blessed the night.
Silver light spilled across the grand hall of the Blackwood Pack, illuminating crystal chandeliers and elegant decorations. Music echoed through the room while pack members laughed, danced, and celebrated.
Tonight was supposed to be Selena Blackwood's happiest night.
Tonight, Alpha Damon Blackwood was meant to officially present her as his Luna before the entire pack.
For years, Selena had waited for this moment.
She had stood beside Damon through every battle, every hardship, and every victory. She had healed wounded warriors, comforted grieving families, and carried the burdens of the pack without complaint.
Everyone knew she was Damon's fated mate.
Everyone knew she would become Luna.
Or so she thought.
Standing near the staircase in a silver gown that shimmered beneath the moonlight, Selena searched the crowd for Damon.
A strange knot tightened in her stomach.
Something felt wrong.
Then the doors opened.
The entire hall fell silent.
Damon entered.
But he wasn't alone.
A beautiful woman walked beside him.
The woman wore a white dress and carried a little boy in her arms.
Gasps spread throughout the crowd.
Selena's smile disappeared.
No...
The woman was Vanessa.
The widow of Damon's older brother.
The little boy was her son.
Selena stared as Damon led Vanessa to the center of the room.
"What is happening?" she whispered.
Her wolf, Luna, whimpered painfully inside her.
Then Damon raised his hand.
"I have an announcement."
The room grew silent.
Selena's heart hammered against her ribs.
Damon looked toward Vanessa with a gentle smile Selena hadn't seen in months.
"From this day forward, Vanessa and her son will live in the Alpha House."
The crowd erupted in applause.
Selena froze.
The Alpha House?
Their home?
Her home?
Damon continued.
"My nephew deserves a father figure, and Vanessa deserves protection."
More applause followed.
Selena waited.
Surely he would explain.
Surely he would introduce her as Luna next.
Instead, Damon wrapped an arm around Vanessa's shoulders.
The gesture felt like a knife piercing Selena's chest.
The room spun around her.
"Alpha Damon and Lady Vanessa look perfect together."
"I always thought she would make a beautiful Luna."
"Maybe the Moon Goddess made a mistake."
The whispers sliced deeper than any blade.
Selena felt every word.
Every judgment.
Every cruel glance.
Her hands trembled.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
She was his mate.
She was supposed to stand beside him.
Not hide in the shadows while another woman occupied her place.
Damon's eyes briefly met hers.
For a second, she expected guilt.
Regret.
Anything.
Instead, she found indifference.
As though she were nothing more than a stranger.
A ghost.
The realization shattered something inside her.
Without another word, Selena turned and left the hall.
The cold night air hit her face.
Only then did she realize tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Why?" she whispered.
No answer came.
The moon hung silently above her.
For the first time in years, Selena felt completely alone.
Suddenly, footsteps approached behind her.
She didn't need to turn around.
She knew who it was.
"Damon."
The Alpha stopped a few feet away.
"You left."
His voice was calm.
Emotionless.
As if tonight hadn't destroyed her.
Selena laughed bitterly.
"You humiliated me before the entire pack."
"I did what was necessary."
Her heart clenched.
"Necessary?"
"Vanessa needs support."
"And what about me?"
Silence.
The answer hurt more than any insult.
Selena slowly turned to face him.
Moonlight illuminated the handsome face she had once loved with all her heart.
Now she barely recognized him.
"You promised I would never stand alone."
Damon's expression hardened.
"Things have changed."
The words struck like lightning.
Things have changed.
Not "I'm sorry."
Not "I love you."
Just that.
Things have changed.
Something inside Selena finally broke.
Years of loyalty.
Years of sacrifice.
Years of love.
All reduced to a meaningless sentence.
Before she could respond, a sharp pain exploded through her chest.
She gasped.
Her wolf cried out.
A strange silver mark appeared on her wrist.
Selena stared at it in shock.
"What is this?"
Damon frowned.
For the first time that night, genuine surprise appeared on his face.
The mark glowed brighter.
Silver light spread across her skin.
The wind howled.
Clouds parted.
And suddenly, a voice echoed inside her mind.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Terrifying.
"The forgotten Luna shall rise."
Selena's eyes widened.
The silver mark burned hotter.
Far away, beyond the borders of the Blackwood Pack, deep within the forbidden northern kingdom, a man sitting upon a black throne suddenly opened his crimson eyes.
The feared Lycan King.
The ruler whose name struck fear into every Alpha.
He rose from his throne.
His wolf roared.
A dangerous smile curved his lips.
After centuries of waiting...
He had finally found her.
"The Moon Blessed One," he whispered.
And for the first time in a thousand years, the Lycan King left his throne.
Heading straight toward the woman fate had chosen.
Toward Selena Blackwood.
The Luna the world had forgotten.
To be continued...
