She Wore My Luna Crown And Slept In His Bed

The night I was supposed to be crowned Luna, my Alpha, Ethan, led his childhood friend to the altar instead. The blood-oath parchment sat atop the altar. Lilia's name was written on it. To Lilia, on her coming of age. My hand froze in my bag, just as I was about to pull out my prenatal report. Wearing my wolf-bone necklace, Lilia nestled into Ethan's arms. "You're really giving me her coronation?" His cedar scent drifted around her, soothing and warm. "It's only a title. She already has me. You've just lost your mate. What's wrong with making you happy?" Lilia took the first sip of sacred water. The whole Blood Moon Pack howled a blessing for her. Only then did Ethan bring me a cup. Grit swirled in the muddy water. "Drink it. Don't ruin this for everyone." A sliver of moon shimmered on the surface. I remembered the White Wolf King's voice in my head that afternoon. "The northern packs are regrouping at the end of the month. We'll need a new queen. Interested?" I tore up the report. ***** "Why the look, Adele? So what if I gave Lilia your coronation?" Ethan had picked up a piece of cake. A crooked candle stuck out of the top, and wine stained the frosting. Beside him, Lilia's skirt brushed his legs. She was wearing the gown my mother had designed before she died. Lilia hooked a finger around his tie. "You're really letting me be Luna?" "Whatever makes you happy, baby. It's only a title." He slipped an arm around her waist, letting her settle into his lap. "You've lost your mate. You keep telling me how lonely you are at night. You deserve a little happiness." The executives around them laughed. One raised his glass. "Sounds like our Alpha will have his hands full comforting you tonight, Lilia." "Who else would I need when I have Ethan?" She leaned toward his ear, her voice low but still loud enough for me to hear. "Nothing makes me feel as good as an Alpha's scent. I could stay right here all night." Ethan stroked her hair. I stared at his hand on her waist. I'd waited in the bathroom for 2 hours, clutching my test results, trying to find a moment to tell him about our pup. The tiny life inside me had only just begun to take shape. He still had no idea. When the ceremony was over, he finally brought me the cake. "Make a wish." He might as well have been telling a maid to clear the table. "Whose coronation was this supposed to be?" For a moment, the room fell quiet. Lilia got up, pressing her breasts against his arm as her skirt slipped off his knees. Her glass tipped over. Red wine spilled down the gown. "Adele! I was only getting a napkin. Why did you shove me?" Wine dripped from the hem. My mother had left me that one-of-a-kind gown. There wasn't another like it in the entire South. I caught Lilia's wrist. "Touch my things again. See what happens." Ethan pulled her into his arms, checking the wine on her skin. "Have you lost your mind? We can have the dress cleaned. She needs an Alpha to soothe her, and you're scaring her." "Ethan, I'm frightened." Lilia tightened her arms around him. I looked him in the eye. "Walk out of here with her, and I'll sever our bond." He gave me a contemptuous look. "That threat again? Grow up, Adele." He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. "I'll get her changed. Then I'll come back and give you what you want." "Ethan!" The door shut behind them. The crooked candle had almost burned out. I watched its little flame, the torn report crumpled in my fist. ***** 30 minutes later, my phone lit up. Lilia had posted a photo from the presidential suite on the hotel's top floor. Ethan's shirt hung open at the neck, exposing red marks across his collarbone. Such a long night ahead. Good thing I have an Alpha to take care of me. God, it's hot in here. The executives flooded the comments. At the bottom was Ethan's reply. Ethan: [Good girl.]