Marked By My Best Friend's Dad

043

~ Alice

The pack house smelled faintly of polished wood and leather, the faint musk of wolves lingering in the corners like a memory. Eunice was already at the head of the table, standing tall, radiating control as though she had been born to command. My father wasn’t here, and her confidence thrived in his absence like a predator sensing opportunity.

“Phones away,” she commanded, sharp and deliberate. Wolves quickly obeyed, shuffling to silence buzzing devices. Her gaze swept the room, sharp and measured, assessing every single face as though she already owned their loyalty.

“Thank you all for attending,” Eunice began smoothly, her voice rich and polished.

“Leadership is not just about presence. It is about vision, decisiveness, and the courage to make difficult choices. While the Alpha is away, it falls to me to ensure the pack remains secure and unified.”

I stayed silent at the back of the room, arms folded, watching. Her words sounded rehearsed. Every tilt of her chin, every pause, every faint curl of her lips was designed to impress, to intimidate, to prove she deserved this title. But the truth was clear,she was performing.

“And what exactly qualifies you as Luna, Eunice?”

I asked, stepping forward, my voice cutting through the hum of murmurs. “This isn’t a popularity contest or a dress rehearsal. It’s real leadership. Real responsibility.”

Of course I wanted to be Luna.

The room went quiet. Wolves shifted uneasily, some clearly impressed by her aura, others watching me like I had thrown a stone into calm water.

Eunice’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile remained. “Alice,” she said, her voice sweet but dangerous, “it’s fascinating to see the Alpha’s daughter speak with such… passion. I can respect that. Truly, I can.”

“Passion is not enough,” I countered. “It doesn’t make someone a leader. It doesn’t make someone deserving of a title they didn’t earn. And judging people who aren’t here to defend themselves… That isn’t leadership, Eunice. That’s manipulation.”

Her smile didn’t falter, but there was a flash in her eyes,an unspoken warning. “Manipulation?” she echoed softly, stepping closer. “You should be careful with your words, Alice. The pack is listening. And everyone… everyone has ears.”

I held her gaze. “And you should be careful.”

“Leadership isn’t about fear. It’s about trust.”

Her lips curved, slow and deliberate, almost teasing. Then she leaned slightly toward me, her voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear.

“You know,” she murmured, letting her words skim my ear like silk edged with steel, “I could make everyone here question you. I could tell them… everything about you. Every little secret they’ve never suspected.”

I froze, heart thudding. “Eunice…”

She didn’t look away, her amber eyes gleaming in the dim light. “Yes, Alice. Do you remember I still know about you and iris. And I promise, if you speak out of turn or try to undermine me, the pack will hear. And believe me, they’ll judge.”

I swallowed hard, the threat settling like ice in my veins. Not that she had to say everything,just the hint was enough. The whispers of rumor were more lethal than outright attacks in a pack like ours.

“You can’t..” I began, voice low.

“Oh, but I can,” she said smoothly, voice rising again for everyone else to hear. She pivoted slightly, scanning the room with a broad, confident gesture. “A Luna must always be aware of hidden threats. Emotional instability. Secrets that could compromise safety. That is why leadership requires careful evaluation.”

I clenched my fists under the table. She was weaving her manipulation carefully, publicly performing competence, privately holding leverage over me. I hated it. I hated her. And the worst part? She was frighteningly effective.

“You’re hiding behind threats,” I said quietly, again only for her ears. “That’s not power. That’s cowardice.”

Her smile sharpened. “Perhaps,” she whispered, “or perhaps that is strategy. And strategy wins battles before they even begin.”

I took a breath, steadying myself. My pulse thundered in my ears, and I could feel every eye

in the room,some curious, some indifferent,on us.

Eunice had no idea I knew how much she underestimated me. She thought fear could keep me silent.

“Strategy,” I said aloud, louder this time. “Does not include hurting the pack’s trust in one of their own. And it doesn’t include blackmail. Not in a true leader’s rulebook.”

She straightened, regal and composed again, speaking to the room. “Let this meeting serve as a reminder: the Alpha’s absence requires adaptability. We cannot afford distraction. Every member, every alliance, must be considered. A Luna sees all. A Luna acts decisively.”

A few wolves nodded, but I could see hesitation flickering in the eyes of some elders. Her command was smooth, convincing, but the cracks beneath the surface were there for anyone paying attention.

As the meeting progressed, Eunice went through the motions,agenda points, pack security updates, minor disputes.but every now and then, her gaze flicked to me, sharp and calculating. I felt her presence like a weight, a constant reminder that she held a secret weapon: my vulnerability.

And though she couldn’t say it outright in front of the room, I knew her next moves would be precise, intentional, designed to manipulate, to control, and to test the limits of her temporary authority.

When the meeting finally adjourned, Eunice gave a slow, calculated smile. “Thank you all for your attention,” she said. “Let us move forward with discipline, respect, and awareness of what is at stake. I trust you will follow through, knowing that leadership is not just a title,it is responsibility. And responsibility is earned, not demanded.”

The room emptied quickly, leaving me with a quiet tension gnawing at my nerves. I had survived the meeting, had held my ground, but the whispered threat lingered. Every word she didn’t say still haunted me. She knew my secret. She knew how far I would go to protect it.

And I knew,deep down,that she would use it at the first sign of weakness.

Outside, the cool night air hit my face as I stepped onto the steps. I drew a shaky breath. Eunice had won this battle, in the quietest, most insidious way possible. She had performed her authority, secured her image, and reminded me that any misstep could undo me in an instant.

But I was still standing.

And I will make sure she wont be Luna. Never.

I'm the Alpha daughter, I should be Luna.