My Alpha Humiliated Me in Public, Not Knowing I Controlled His Pack

My mate’s personal Beta had been using my moon-credit sigil like it was her own hunting allowance. She even sneered and called me a useless ornamental Luna right in the middle of a dining tavern.

I was livid. I sealed the sigil immediately, cutting off her access to a single coin of moon-credit. She was left stranded with a massive feast bill. Not only did she humiliate herself before nobles and alphas, but the dining tavern manager detained her in disgrace for a full night and day.

When my mate heard about it, he only flicked my nose with a teasing smile.

“You, getting territorial over a mere aide?” He chuckled. “Now she’s the joke of the whole territory.”

He didn’t scold me, didn’t argue, acted as if nothing had happened. Until my nameday arrived, and he took me to another deluxe dining tavern.

He ordered rare moon-wine, crystal-plated dishes, and enough delicacies to feed an entire hunting party. He said several allied packs would be joining to celebrate.

“Mate, I need to step away for a moment,” he said, brushing my hand. “I’ll be back before the toasts begin.”

I waited.

The moon climbed high. The dining tavern began closing its doors.

He never returned. His guests never arrived.

Then, the moment I took out the moon-credit sigil, the dining tavern manager stiffly bowed and shook his head.

“Luna Ridgefern … your moon-credit sigil has been sealed.”

——

“Sealed?”

Kryden Ridgefern, Alpha of the Ridgefern Clan, had given me that sigil himself. Before we left the den, he had even taken my own moon-credit sigil, saying that on my nameday, it was his duty as my mate to provide.

I had been touched, proud, even, that I had chosen such a considerate Alpha.

Now he was nowhere in the territory. I had sent mind-calls through the bond again and again.

Silence.

If this moon-credit sigil failed, I would be shamed.

The dining tavern manager’s polite mask slipped.

“Do you carry another moon-credit sigil, Luna Ridgefern?”

His tone hardened. “We don't permit unpaid feasts here, especially not after last moon’s incident, you’re aware of that.”

Of course, I was aware.

Last moon, Kryden’s aide had gone wild spending his mon-credit sigil — then spat in my face and called me a decorative Luna with no real authority.

A cold dread crept along my spine.

Was this Kryden’s revenge ... for her?

The sharp click of heels echoed across the marble floor.

I turned.

There stood Kryden — his arm wrapped possessively around his aide, Calista Wildbriar. Her lips curved with cruel satisfaction.

Behind them trailed several high-ranking wolves from his allied packs, all watching me as if I were tonight’s entertainment.

“Arielle,” Calista purred, venom thick in her voice. “You enjoy punishing wolves who can’t cover their debts, don’t you? Let’s see how you enjoy it.”

Laughter spread through the chamber.

“I heard she’s from a weak, low-ranking bloodline. Just got lucky when Alpha Ridgefern marked her.”

“And now look — the Alpha arrives with his new Luna to watch the old one fall apart.”

“Beauty fades. Status fades faster. Once a younger and prettier she-wolf appears, the old one is discarded.”

My claws bit into my palms. Heat and humiliation coiled inside me.

Just as I had feared.

Kryden had arranged this entire humiliation for her.

He led Calista to the most prominent table, pulled back her chair with care, and sat close beside her — as if she belonged there instead of me.

“Don’t worry,” he said loudly, making sure every wolf could hear. “However she shamed you before, I’ll return it to her twice over.”

Calista’s face brightened with triumph. She turned and pressed a bold kiss to his lips.

“Thank you, Kryden.”

Then her gaze sliced toward me.

“Arielle, you’re nothing but a pretty pelt with no power behind. What gave you the right to seal my moon-credit sigil?”

She snatched an expensive crystal bottle of moon-wine from the table and flung it at my feet.

It shattered.

Dark red moon-wine splattered across my face and hair. I stood frozen, drenched and humiliated, looking exactly as pitiful as they wanted.

Calista's laughter rang out. “Pathetic. I have Kryden cover the cost of anything I destroy. But you?” Her laughter turned more vicious. “You’re done.”