I couldn't sleep. The moon hung heavy outside my window, its light casting long shadows across the floor of my private study. The border patrol incident kept replaying in my mind—the rogue's attack, my wolf's fury, the guards' newfound respect. And beneath it all, the nagging suspicion that something wasn't right with the pack's medical supplies.

I pulled out the audit reports Marcus had helped me compile. There it was—a discrepancy in the medical inventory that I'd noticed during our initial review but hadn't fully investigated.

"The Moonshade Antidote," I whispered, running my finger over the entry. "One dose received, zero doses administered."

My mother had died of silver poisoning. This antidote was her only hope—a rare cure my family had paid a fortune to procure from the Lycan King's personal reserves.

"Julius claimed it was administered," I remembered, my stomach tightening. "He said there wasn't enough time."

Luna stirred within me, her growl soft but insistent. *Something's wrong. Find out.*

I rose from my chair, decision made. The pack's medical archives were encrypted, accessible only to the Alpha and Luna. Julius had forgotten to revoke my override code—a careless mistake that would cost him dearly.

The corridors were silent as I made my way to the medical wing. My footsteps echoed against the polished floors, each sound amplifying my determination.

The Head Healer's office was locked, but the keypad accepted my code with a soft click. Inside, the air smelled of antiseptic and old paper.

I sat at the computer terminal, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I navigated through layers of encryption. The system recognized my Luna authority, granting access to the hidden archives.

"Search: Moonshade Antidote," I typed.

The results appeared instantly—a single entry, marked with a red deletion flag.

"Attempted deletion," I murmured, clicking on the file.

The log appeared on screen:

*Received: One dose Moonshade Antidote (silver poisoning treatment)

Destination: Elena Barnes (former Luna)

Status: ADMINISTERED*

But the log had been altered. Digital forensics wasn't my specialty, but I could see the inconsistencies in the code.

Someone had tried to cover their tracks.

---

I waited until midnight to confront the Healer. The infirmary was quiet, most staff gone for the night. Only the emergency lights cast a dim glow over the sterile rooms.

The Head Healer jumped when I entered their office, nearly dropping the clipboard they'd been holding.

"Luna Paige," they stammered, "I wasn't expecting—"

"Clearly," I interrupted, closing the door behind me. I placed the printed log on their desk, watching as their face drained of color.

"You accessed the encrypted archives," they whispered.

"Yes." I leaned forward, letting Luna's authority seep into my voice. "And I found this. Care to explain why my mother's antidote shows as administered when she died of silver poisoning?"

The Healer's hands trembled, their eyes darting toward the door as if calculating an escape.

"Don't even think about it," I warned. "You know what happens to those who lie to their Luna."

Something broke in them then—a dam of fear and guilt finally overflowing.

"I couldn't refuse," they choked out, tears streaming down their face. "The Alpha Command... it's impossible to resist."

"Julius ordered you to divert the antidote?" My voice was deadly quiet.

They nodded miserably. "Not just ordered. He used his Alpha voice—the supernatural command. I felt my will crumble as he spoke."

"Where did it go?"

"To Garrett Woods," they whispered. "Briella's cousin. He was injured in a border skirmish."

The room seemed to tilt around me. "My mother died so Briella's rogue cousin could live?"

"I kept records," the Healer continued, voice breaking. "Physical journals, hidden recordings of his commands. I knew... I knew someday someone might need proof."

---

We retrieved the evidence together—a small metal box hidden beneath a loose floorboard in the Healer's quarters.

Inside were leather-bound journals and a small voice recorder.

With shaking hands, I pressed play.

Julius's voice filled the room: "Let the old hag die. Briella needs her family. Give the antidote to the rogue."

The Healer flinched at each word, but I remained frozen, my grief crystallizing into something harder, colder.

"Did you hear me?" Julius's recorded voice demanded. "That's an Alpha Command."

The Healer's recorded response was barely audible: "Yes, Alpha."

I stopped the recording, my decision made.

"Copy these files to a secure cloud server," I instructed, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "And give the originals to Marcus Reed for safekeeping."

As the files transferred, I stared at Julius's photo on the wall—the man I'd once believed was my fated mate.

"You killed my mother," I whispered to his smiling image. "And now I'm going to destroy you."

I needed to hear it for myself.

The secret passage in the Pack House walls had been a secret of the founding families for generations. My mother had shown it to me when I was just a pup, making me swear never to reveal its existence.

"Only in the direst need," she'd whispered.

I'd say this qualified.

The narrow passage was dusty from disuse, but the wooden panels remained sturdy. I slid through the darkness, Luna guiding me with her enhanced senses until I reached the small viewing slit that opened into the Alpha's bedroom.

Voices drifted through—intimate, hushed.

"I'm so excited, Julius," Briella's voice, honeyed with false sweetness. "I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you."

"Tell me what?" My mate's voice was warm with anticipation.

"I'm pregnant."

The world tilted beneath me. Luna snarled, clawing at my insides.

"You're sure?" Julius sounded breathless.

"Eight weeks. The pack healer confirmed it this morning."

I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle any sound. My other hand gripped the wooden panel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

"This is it," Julius said, his voice dropping lower. "This is the sign I've been waiting for."

"What do you mean?" Briella asked.

"The Pack Union Ceremony is in three weeks. It's the perfect opportunity."

My heart pounded as I strained to hear every word.

"There's an ancient loophole in pack law," Julius continued. "If a Luna fails to provide an heir within five years, the Alpha can reject the bond for the good of the pack."

"But we've only been mated for three years," Briella said.

"The law doesn't specify consecutive years," Julius replied smugly. "And Paige's mother held the position for two years before me. Technically, the Barnes bloodline has had five years to produce an heir."

I bit down on my fist to keep from screaming.

"At the ceremony," Julius continued, "I'll announce your pregnancy and reject Paige for barrenness. The pack will support me—they always do what the Alpha commands."

"And then you'll mark me as Luna?" Briella's voice was eager.

"Immediately. Before anyone can challenge the transition."

---

I became the perfect Luna.

"Julius, I've been thinking," I said the next morning, keeping my voice soft and submissive. "I've been too uptight lately."

He looked up from his breakfast, surprise flickering across his face. "Oh?"

"I want to support you better. The pack needs a united front."

Suspicion clouded his eyes for just a moment before his ego won out. "That's... good, Paige. I'm glad you're being reasonable."

"I'd like to help with the Pack Union Ceremony," I suggested, lowering my eyes as if embarrassed. "I've always handled the diplomatic aspects well."

"Actually," he said, reaching for my hand across the table, "that would be perfect. The Lycan Prince will be attending. You've always been better with politics than Briella."

I forced a smile, ignoring Luna's rage. "I'm happy to serve however I can."

---

"This is the slideshow of pack achievements," the audio-visual technician explained, showing me the presentation scheduled for the ceremony. "It will play on the main screen during the Alpha's speech."

I nodded, examining the control booth with calculated interest. "And this is where everything is controlled?"

"Yes, Luna. We've prepared everything according to Alpha's instructions."

"I'd like to make some changes," I said, my voice friendly but firm. "The Alpha mentioned I should oversee the final preparations."

The technician—an Omega named Tess who I knew had been targeted by Briella in the past—hesitated. "I'm not sure..."

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "Between us, I think the slideshow needs more... impact. And I have something special to add."

I pulled out a small drive. "This will replace the current presentation at exactly the right moment."

Tess's eyes widened slightly. "Luna, I don't know if—"

"Briella had you cleaning the bathrooms last week," I said quietly. "After you'd been assigned to the communications team."

Her jaw tightened. "She said I wasn't good enough for important work."

"I think you're perfect for this task," I replied. "And I need someone who understands the value of... justice."

She took the drive, her decision visible in her eyes. "What do you need me to do?"

"Lock the control booth door during my speech," I instructed. "No matter what happens, no one enters or stops the feed."

As Tess nodded her agreement, I felt Luna's approval rumble through me.

The stage was set.

The rehearsal for the Pack Union Ceremony was a nightmare I had to endure with a smile. I stood in the grand hall, watching as pack members practiced their roles under Julius's direction. My role—the perfect, supportive Luna—required me to stand silently beside him, nodding at appropriate moments.

The doors swung open with dramatic force. The Campbell Elders swept in, their presence commanding immediate attention. Julius's parents hadn't visited in months, but their timing wasn't surprising. They'd always been calculating, appearing when power shifted.

"Mother, Father!" Julius exclaimed, stepping forward to embrace them. "I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow."

"We wanted to see our son's big moment up close," his mother replied, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me with thinly veiled disdain.

I stepped forward, extending my hand as protocol demanded. "Welcome to Silvercrest. It's been too long."

They walked past me as if I were invisible.

"Briella, darling!" Julius's mother called out, her voice warm with affection that had never been directed at me. "Come here, dear."

Briella emerged from the crowd, her face glowing with triumph. She wore a pale pink dress that highlighted her slightly rounded belly—a deliberate choice, no doubt.

The former Luna—my mother-in-law—embraced Briella tightly before pulling back to inhale deeply at her neck. Her eyes closed in rapture.

"Such a fertile scent," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "The true future of Silvercrest."

She turned to me then, her smile sharp as a blade. "Finally, someone who can do what you couldn't."

My wolf snarled, clawing at my insides. I felt my nails dig into my palms until warm blood trickled between my fingers.

"As you say," I managed, bowing my head in feigned submission.

---

The day before the ceremony, the Lycan Prince arrived with his entourage of royal guards and advisors. As is protocol, Julius and I had to greet him at the pack's border.

I wore the traditional Luna's greeting gown—silver-white to complement the pack's colors—and had spent hours rehearsing the proper welcome ceremony.

"Your Highness," I curtsied perfectly, my aura carefully controlled to project elegance and strength despite my inner turmoil. "Silvercrest Pack welcomes you and honors your presence at our Union Ceremony."

The Lycan Prince—tall with piercing amber eyes that seemed to see through pretense—studied me for a moment longer than necessary.

"Luna Paige," he replied, his voice deep and measured. "Your reputation for diplomacy precedes you."

Before Julius could speak, the Prince turned to me again. "I've heard interesting reports about Silvercrest's recent... changes. Tell me, how fares the pack's welfare?"

Julius stepped forward, interrupting. "Everything is progressing wonderfully, Your Highness. The pack has never been stronger."

The Prince silenced him with a mere glance—a reminder that his authority superseded even an Alpha's within pack borders.

"I asked the Luna," he said quietly.

I felt Julius tense beside me, his anger radiating through our deteriorating bond. Luna stirred within me, urging me to speak truth to power.

"The pack endures," I answered carefully. "But there are always challenges to overcome."

The Prince's eyes narrowed slightly. "Indeed. Challenges can reveal character."

---

Hours before the ceremony, I locked myself in my private chamber. The room was silent except for the distant sounds of final preparations echoing through the Pack House.

I sat before my mirror, holding my mother's empty jewelry box. The moonstone necklace should have been inside—my last connection to her, now stolen by the woman who would replace me.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don't ask for forgiveness for what I am about to do."

My wolf paced restlessly in my mind, her fury matching my own. She was no longer the submissive creature who had accepted our mate's betrayal. She was feral now, bloodthirsty for justice.

"I ask only for strength," I continued, tracing the carved lunar phases on the box's lid. "To see this through. To reclaim what was taken from us—not just a title or a mate, but dignity. Justice."

I rose and moved to my wardrobe, bypassing the white ceremonial gown Julius had selected—a symbol of purity and submission. Instead, I withdrew a midnight blue gown I'd hidden there days ago.

The color of judgment. Of retribution.

As I slipped it over my shoulders, Luna's approval rumbled through me. The fabric cascaded down my body like liquid night, the silver embroidery catching the light like stars in a dark sky.

"Tonight," I promised my reflection, "everything changes."

I fastened my mother's silver pendant around my neck—not the stolen moonstone, but the crescent-shaped family heirloom I'd kept hidden. Then I turned toward the door, my decision made.

The stage was set. The players were in position.

And I would direct their downfall.