1
"Alright, spill."
Luna Sylvia said, dragging a brush through Tasha’s dark locks, careful not to hurt her while keeping her eyes at the girl practically vibrating in her lap.
Tasha let out a breathy laugh, hugging her phone to her chest. “Ha! How do you even know I have something to spill?”
Sylvia playfully rolled her eyes. “Because, darling, I’ve raised you since you were a baby. I know everything about you. Every little twitch, every little tell.” She tugged lightly at a stubborn tangle, while ticking Tasha with the other. Tasha squealed in protest.
“You can’t keep still, your eyes keep darting to your phone, and you’ve been smiling to yourself like a fool since you walked in here.”
Tasha grinned. "Umm, fair point."
Sylvia arched a brow. “So? Don’t keep me waiting.”
Tasha barely contained her excitement as she turned, eyes gleaming. “You won’t believe this, mom! I can hardly believe it myself."
"Really? Then it must be huge. Try me." The older woman huffed.
"It is!" Tasha nodded, earning a tug from the Luna. "Guess who’s coming next week?”
Sylvia hummed, amusement dancing in her expression. “Let’s see… your father’s business associates? Some distant cousin we’ve all forgotten?”
Tasha swatted at the air. “No, Luna! Adam.” She lowered her voice, as if saying his name too loudly might break the magic of it. “Adam Jager.”
The brush paused mid-stroke.
Sylvia’s fingers hovered for a fraction too long before she continued as if nothing had happened. "Jager," she repeated slowly, as if rolling the name on her tongue. "Adam Jager. As in the Lycan King’s heir?"
"Yup." Tasha nodded eagerly, practically shoving her phone into Sylvia’s hands. "No way!" Sylvia exclaimed staring at Tasha’s phone screen.
“I know, right! Look here, we took these last month.”
On the screen was a picture of Tasha standing next to Adam, he had his arms wrapped around her shoulder intimately, the golden crest of his family glinting against his dark suit as he smiled at the screen. He looked the definition of regal—tall, broad-shouldered, and every bit the Lycan prince he was born to be.
Sylvia’s lips curled up slightly as she examined the photo. “Woah. He sure is handsome.”
Tasha beamed. “I know, right?” She swiped to the next screen, revealing a string of messages shared between them. “And look at this—he texted me after saying he missed me already.”
Sylvia looked through the messages, her expression unreadable. “Oh?”
Tasha nodded eagerly. “He’s amazing mom. So different in private. Not as serious or intimidating as he looks. He teases me, sends me jokes, and—” She let out a dreamy sigh. “I think he really likes me.”
Sylvia hummed, handing her the phone back. “Seems you've been together for a while. When exactly were you planning to tell me that you were dating the heir to the Lycan throne?”
Tasha hesitated, fingers curling around her phone. "...I didn’t want to get my hopes up."
Sylvia’s brow creased. “Oh?”
Tasha sighed, rolling onto her stomach and propping herself up on her elbows. “I mean, it’s Adam. He could have changed his mind at any second, or maybe his father wouldn’t approve, or—” She exhaled. “I just didn’t want to jinx it, you know?”
Sylvia nodded, tapping the brush lightly against her palm. “I do know.” She tilted her head, eyes softening. “And now? You’re sure?”
Tasha bit her lip before her smile broke through again. "Yes! Because guess what? He’s coming next week to propose! We’ll finally be official.”
This time, Sylvia’s fingers stilled completely.
Tasha blinked. “Mom?”
Sylvia snapped out of it, quickly smoothing her features into a warm smile. “That’s… wonderful, dear.” She resumed brushing, though a tad slower this time. “But listen to me.”
Tasha frowned, sensing the shift in her tone. “What?”
“You need to keep this quiet,” Sylvia said gently.
Tasha’s brows knit together. “Why?”
“Because there will be people who won’t want this for you.”
Tasha tilted her head. “Like who?”
Sylvia exhaled, her gaze flicking toward the door before returning to Tasha’s face. “Not everyone will be happy about a match between you and Adam.”
Tasha hesitated before nodding slowly. “I guess that makes sense…” She glanced down at her phone. “I haven’t told anyone but Hanna, Zoey, and Nina.”
Sylvia’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. “Good.” She tucked a loose strand behind Tasha’s ear, her voice softer now. “Not even your siblings or your mother yet. I’ll inform your father tonight when he returns.”
Tasha opened her mouth thank her stepmother when a knock at the door interrupted them.
A golden little yead poked in, and Sam grinned mischievously as he spoke.“Tasha, your friends are here.”
Tasha perked up instantly, excitement bubbling back to the surface. "I'll leave you alone then." She stood up brushing her dress.
But Sylvia caught her wrist just as she was about to bolt, her gaze met Tasha’s in a silent warning.
"Do not tell anyone."
Tasha hesitated, then gave a small, understanding nod before darting out the door.
Sylvia remained seated, her hands folding neatly in her lap. She squeezed the silver brush in her palm, the thin metal bedding slightly from sheer force, absentmindedly tracing the pattern on its handle.
The Lycan heir in love with Tasha?
No. This could not happen.
Her lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.
Not if she had anything to say about it.
Straightening her gown, she inhaled deeply, smoothing away any lingering expression that might betray her thoughts. With that, she sauntered out of her room, the door clicking shut behind her as she stepped into the hallway.
A maid was passing by, balancing a woven basket filled with fresh apples, berries, and golden pears.
“Who is that for?” Sylvia’s stopped, beckoning the maid who faltered mid-step, bowing. “Umm.. Its for mistress Marie, Luna.”
“Give it to me and get her another one.”
The maid only hesitated for a second before handing the basket over to the Luna. “Yes, Luna.” She hurried off without protest.
Sylvia continued toward the lounge where Tasha and her friends were hanging out. Their laughter rolling through the open doors.
“Oh, you should have seen it,” Hanna gushed animatedly, her bangs bobbing as she move. “The music, the drinks, the people. It was wild.”
“Tasha, you seriously missed out.” Zoey tickled her playfully with a black painted finger.
Tasha pouted, crossing her arms. “You know I don’t have the freedom you guys do. Being the Alpha’s daughter is basically a full-time sentence.”
Sylvia chose that moment to step inside. “Girls.” She sang, drawing the girls attention.
As if rehearsed, they sprang up, dipping their heads respectfully in a bow. “Luna.”
Sylvia waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, sit, sit. No need for such formality.”
Tasha sank back onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. “Mom, we were just talking.”
“And I’m just bringing refreshments.” Sylvia smiled, placing the fruit basket on the coffee table between them. “I figured you forgot to serve your guests.”
Tasha wrinkled her nose. “They’re not guests, they’re my friends.”
“And still,” Sylvia pinched her nose, earning a playful glare.“you should treat them well. They’re like daughters to me, after all.”
The girls beamed while Tasha rolled her eyes.
“Oh, by the way,” Sylvia added casually, “Tasha, your mother was looking for you.”
Tasha groaned, slumping into the cushions. “Can’t I go later?”
Sylvia arched a perfectly shaped brow. “No. Don’t keep her waiting, darling.”
Tasha muttered under her breath but pushed herself to her feet. “Fine, fine. I’m going.”
As she trudged off, Sylvia watched her leave before shifting her gaze back to the three remaining girls.
A flicker of distaste crossed her mind as she took in Zoey’s too much makeup, Hanna dressed too provocatively and Nina, stuffing her face with fruit.
“Pathetic,” she sneered internally. But outwardly, her expression remained pleasant.
"So," she started, plucking a grape from the basket and popping it into her mouth, "apparently, my daughter is dating the most powerful alpha in the realm yet none of you deem it fit to mention."
Zoey, the easiest to pry information from, blurted out almost immediately, "Oh, they just hung out together at first, we didn't think it was serious! Even I can't believe hoe Adam’s so smitten now!"
Hannah scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Please. She was the one who threw herself at him, calling him every chance she got. She probably bewitched him or seduced him into being head over heels for her."
Sylvia raised a brow in interest. "Is that so?" she mused. Zoey nudged Hanna but Sylvia simply laughed. “It's alright, you're all like daughters to me. Please, feel free.
I'm just surprised how a noble girl beat the omegas at their own game. I mean, back in our days, omegas are so famous for their seduction that they could have even the strongest alphas at their feet. Times must have changed. ”
The girls stiffened, their smiles faltering.
"What do you mean, Luna?" Zoey asked hesitantly.
Sylvia sighed, shaking her head as if deeply disappointed. "You know, you omegas are the lowest of the low in a pack. The had Goddess made that clear by creating you mateless. You're only good at temptation.
But instead of wallowing in their misfortune, omegas turned their weakness into a weapon. For centuries, omegas have used their allure to seduce wolves of higher rank. That is how they survive—by becoming mistresses, concubines, playthings for powerful Alphas."
The girls fell silent.
Zoey gulping hard, while Hannah’s eyes darkened, even Nina had stopped eating now. They were all omegas, with no standing in the pack, always treated like dirt. Only Tasha is kind to them, only because of her were they allowed into the Alpha’s home.
"But now," Sylvia sighed, snapping their attention back to herself, "it seems omegas aren't even capable of that much. Take Tasha for example, who is a noble-blood, managed to snag the biggest fish before any of you could."
They avoided her gaze.
"Shame. If I were in your position," she continued, "and I couldn’t have Adam… then no one should."
With that, Sylvia rose gracefully, dusting off the nonexistent wrinkles in her gown.
The girls remained silent, processing the poison she had just planted in their minds.
With that Sylvia walked away, knowing the damage was done.
Behind her, Nina blinked rapidly.
"Is it just me, or did the Luna just tell us to break up Tasha and Adam?" she whispered.
Zoey, wide-eyed, quickly smacked her arm. "Shut up!" she hissed.
Then, in a lower voice, she added, "How would we even start? Adam’s literally going to propose in a week!"
A slow smirk curled at the edge of Hannah’s lips.
She reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone.
"Oh, we start," she murmured, "with this."
She showed them a p**n playing on the screen.
Zoey gasped. Nina clamped a hand over her mouth as Hannah’s smirk widened.
"Let’s see how ‘smitten’ Adam really is.”