Chapter 8 Not Luna, But Alpha
877 Words
Scarlett's POV
Six days later.
On the eve of Lucien's impending visit, Ruby had practically turned my entire wardrobe upside down.
"This is the one." She excitedly held up a deep red plunging V-neck gown, her eyes sparkling as if she were holding some priceless treasure. "Every man will be unable to stop staring at you, including your wavering Alpha husband."
"Ruby," I wearily pressed my temples, "I'm not going to seduce anyone."
"You're going to conduct important negotiations with a top-tier Alpha backed by the entire powerful Nightshade Pack," she insisted stubbornly. "This isn't called vulgar seduction—this is called brilliant strategic tactics. Women need to learn to use their advantages."
I didn't continue arguing with her, carefully scanning the other garments beside that deep red dress, finally stopping at a sapphire blue sleeveless high-neck business dress—clean, sharp tailoring, a collar that closed straight and serious, a waistline precisely cut to perfection. The overall impression was like elegant feminine armor.
"This one."
Ruby frowned in confusion: "That dress signals power and authority, not feminine beauty and charm."
"I need him to see me as the true owner and leader of this pack—that's my advantage," I firmly removed the business dress from its hanger. "Not as Alexander's pitiful abandoned Luna."
She thought silently for a moment, quietly returning the other clothes to their places, her expression becoming unusually grave and serious.
"Alright, then we'll choose this one."
Next came the perfume selection. Ruby brought over an exquisite velvet tray with five different perfumes neatly arranged.
I walked over and directly picked up the bottle with the purple label—Nocturne.
This was a unique fragrance I had personally designed, featuring wild iris and white pepper as the main notes, with a subtle hint of smokiness at the base.
It was during my nineteenth year, in the difficult period just after Mother's death, when I spent three entire months alone in the fragrance laboratory before successfully creating this composition.
It had no sweetness, no floral notes—only a deep, pure sense of strength.
"This one."
Ruby raised an eyebrow: "That perfume is dangerous—it will make people remember you deeply."
"I know," I said firmly. "I want him to remember me forever."
Ruby carefully hung the dress for me, tidying the items on the tray, then suddenly paused and lowered her voice:
"Whatever the final outcome, I will support you without reservation, Luna."
I quietly gazed at her sincere face, silent for several seconds before speaking:
"Go rest well. Tomorrow we have many important matters to handle."
After she respectfully left the room, I turned off the harsh overhead lights and lay in the darkness, staring intently at the ceiling.
That carefully selected outfit, that special perfume, those detailed account documents—every item corresponded to a clear strategic purpose.
I had arranged them meticulously, knowing exactly what I was doing with each step.
But regarding that precious memory from seven years ago, those slender fingers that gently adjusted my sword grip, that incident I had never mentioned to anyone—
It absolutely could not become a pawn in this chess game, not ever.
I forced myself to bury these personal emotions deep in a secret corner known only to me, then closed my eyes and tried to sleep.
---
The next morning, Coby's urgent message arrived first:
Alexander was already waiting at the main entrance with Faye, apparently planning to have her accompany him to welcome Lucien's visit.
I put down my phone and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window to look outside.
Lucien's black luxury convoy had entered the estate grounds, arranged in a neat line along the main road, as orderly as a formal military parade.
Car doors opened simultaneously, elite attendants in dark formal wear standing neatly beside their respective vehicles, their gazes calmly and carefully surveying the entire manor with professional scrutinizing eyes, as if precisely measuring a valuable territory about to become theirs.
Then I saw him—the man I had been anticipating.
A perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit, elegantly removing his sunglasses, his profile more mature and sharp than seven years ago, broad shoulders and straight spine.
His entire being radiated a powerful aura like solid rock without any cracks—deep and steady.
The moment he removed his sunglasses, I instinctively stepped back half a pace behind the curtain.
Realizing my reaction, I immediately stopped, mentally scorning myself for exactly one second.
I resolutely turned toward the wardrobe and took down that sapphire blue business dress that symbolized power and dignity.
Ruby cautiously peeked in from the doorway, carefully examining me from head to toe.
Her expression held no ordinary praise or flattery, only a kind of deep, solemn approval.
"You don't look like a traditional Luna today."
"I'm not one," I elegantly draped my jacket over my shoulders, my gaze firm as steel. "Let's go."
I knew today's meeting would determine my future fate.
Not just my fate as leader of this pack, but my fate as Scarlett Winter, an independent individual.
Whatever the outcome, I would never again let anyone trample my dignity.
This time, I would make everyone see clearly: true Alpha spirit has never been divided by gender.
- Writer
