Luna Helena

2

The idea of divorce seemed almost impossible, even for the Luna of the strongest pack in the kingdom—or perhaps that was precisely what made it harder. Because if she had been just another omega, any ordinary female submitting a petition to the court to divorce an abusive husband, her case would likely be heard with care, and her request granted. But when it involved going against the most powerful Alpha among the packs, things changed drastically. With the right touch of bad press, Helena could be portrayed to the public as nothing more than a wife chasing after her husband’s fortune—and her father’s pack.

And that was who Alpha Mason was.

Helena knew him far too well to believe he wouldn’t play that card in a potential divorce. A case that, besides, would be handled by some of Alpha Mason’s closest friends—Alphas who had sat at his table, attended his birthdays bearing lavish gifts, and owed him favors of all kinds.

Not only would the ruling go against Helena—it would drag her reputation down with it.

“But what other choice do I have, Claire?” Helena asked her Beta and friend, though she didn’t really expect an answer.

“You could turn to your brother, to Alpha Agus. Let him be the one to oppose the merger of the packs.”

Claire’s suggestion wasn’t entirely off. But Agus was a newly appointed Alpha, barely eighteen years old, and far from ready to stand up to the most powerful Alpha of them all. If only he had more time—maybe two or three years—he might stand a chance against his experienced brother-in-law. Even so, it was an option with just as many risks as Helena’s potential divorce.

Alpha Mason was a man of far too many resources and far too much influence.

“He’ll crush us in court,” Helena lamented. “It’ll be a bloodbath.” But despite her words, her eyes still held the spark of perseverance. “If only I had a powerful ally… someone decisive enough to neutralize Mason… things would be different.”

“You may not have that ally, Hel,” Claire said with conviction, determined to be the hope that shone in the darkness surrounding her Luna, “but you do have evidence—and witnesses. Many in the pack would be willing to speak on your behalf. Starting with me, and with some of the girls who live here and have seen the way he…”

Claire hesitated. She wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to mention it—but the situation demanded honesty.

“He abuses you, Hel. And I’m not just talking about physical abuse. It’s psychological, emotional. You could even talk about what he did to your wolf. Any judge, even the most biased, would have to take that seriously.”

Helena’s face tensed. Very few people knew about her wolf—the price she’d had to pay, beyond her virginity, to secure the marriage with the most powerful Alpha and save her father’s pack. And in hindsight, it hadn’t even worked. Mason still planned to absorb Moon’s Watch and destroy its independence.

“I’m afraid not even that would soften the judges of the Alpha Tribunal. So please… don’t bring it up again.”

Helena’s eyes drifted toward the spot where she imagined her wolf to be—trapped in a phylactery. After the marriage agreement, she had no way of sensing her mate, and was doomed to remain faithful to the one she had married. The one she hadn’t known was a monster.

The price had been too high—even then. And now, it felt like a complete betrayal.

“But Hel,” Claire pressed on, “if you combine that—the wolf’s confinement—with the countless rumors of his infidelity, which echo through every hall of this house and which you’ve been forced to ignore so many times… If you add to that the work you’ve done for both packs—for Moon’s Claw and Moon’s Watch—and the respect, love, and loyalty you’ve earned from the people… from the omegas whose lives you’ve made more dignified, to the gammas who’ve gained access to ranks and privileges once reserved only for betas…”

Claire reached for Helena’s hands, squeezing them.

“Hel… don’t throw away this chance when you do have options.”

Helena looked at her friend, unsure whether to pity her optimism or admire it. For all the evidence she could present, she knew very well that true justice would always favor the powerful. That’s how it had always been. And her case would be no exception.

No.

What she truly needed was a powerful ally. Someone who could tip the scales—so heavily weighted in her husband’s favor—at least a little toward her side.

“I’m afraid it’s still not enough, my friend,” she said softly. “I really do need someone powerful on my side—whether to support my divorce or to block the merger of the packs. Either outcome would help me. But who? No one in this pack, or in Moon’s Watch, is going to go against Alpha Mason. That ally… that person has to come from outside. Someone unconnected to either pack.”

Claire’s lips tightened. Her Alpha was asking for too much—maybe even the impossible.

“Then at the very least,” she said with a sigh, “you should warn your brother about what’s coming. We don’t know what Mason might do to him once he informs him of the merger.”

Helena jolted. Though her husband had shown time and time again that he was capable of cruelty when circumstances demanded it, she didn’t believe he’d hurt Agus—not unless provoked. Most likely, he would offer him a place in the pack house, assign him to some minor administrative role or post in the forces, like other Alphas without a pack. But if Mason had a reason to distrust him, if he felt threatened… then yes, he could hurt him. Even if Agus was her brother.

“It’s better not to try to contact him,” Helena said after thinking it through. “We both know the house phones are tapped—and so is my cell. A call to anyone in Moon’s Watch right now would immediately raise alarms for Mason’s spies. I’d only be putting my brother in danger.”

Claire sighed. Once again, her Luna was right.

“You know…” Helena said after a pause. “With things the way they are now… all I can do is pray to the Goddess for a miracle. I don’t see any other way out.”

Claire was about to suggest the same.

She leaned her head on Helena’s shoulder, as if she were the one most wronged. And in a way, she was. As Beta, her fate was also bound to Helena’s.

“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” Claire asked.

Helena smiled faintly. Her Beta’s presence might be enough to deter Mason from coming to her room later. If he found them both in bed, he might abandon the idea of punishing her—at least for the night.

It could work.

“All right, C. Stay with me tonight,” Helena whispered. “We’ll pray for that miracle together.”