After the Murray Pack was disbanded, Kairi Murray’s position as Michael’s destined Luna fell to me.

The Lycan Prince couldn’t bear to see his childhood friend, Kairi, reduced to the status of a rogue, so he pulled some strings and brought her into the Garcia Pack as an Omega.

As the rightful Luna, I had no intention of making things difficult for her.

But on our mating night, just as Michael was about to mark me, a mournful howl echoed through the halls.

It was Kairi, her voice trembling with heartache as she let out a sorrowful cry, a lament of unrequited love.

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but the sorrowful sound made it feel more like a funeral.

It was a low blow, even for someone who had fallen from grace.

Michael’s hands, which had been warm and eager on my waist, froze. The desire in his eyes faded, replaced by a flicker of guilt.

Everyone in the pack knew he had saved Kairi from a life as a rogue and brought her into the pack.

His loyalty was admirable, but it didn’t change the fact that this was *our* night.

If we didn’t complete the marking ceremony, I’d be the laughingstock of the pack tomorrow.

The Lycan Queen wouldn’t blame her son for his indecision—she’d blame me for failing to hold his attention.

With that in mind, I wrapped my legs around Michael’s waist and pulled him closer.

I looked up at him, my eyes soft and pleading in the dim light.

“Your Highness,” I whispered, “tonight is our night. Please, give Holly the respect she deserves.”

My words snapped him out of his trance.

Kairi’s position as his mate had been his choice, but mine had been decreed by the Lycan King himself.

I came from the prestigious Garcia Pack, a family with a long history of loyalty and strength.

If he humiliated me tonight, it would be a slap in the face to my entire lineage.

Almost immediately, Michael made his decision.

He pressed me into the bed, his hands roaming over my body with renewed urgency.

I gasped, arching into his touch as he nipped at my neck, teasing the spot where his mark would soon reside.

Outside, Kairi’s howl continued, but Michael paid it no mind.

---

The next morning, I woke up an hour before Michael.

We were scheduled to meet with the Lycan King and Queen, and I needed to look my best.

I sat in front of the mirror as a team of Omegas worked on my hair and makeup.

Even though the Garcia Pack was wealthy, nothing compared to the opulence of the royal family.

Within an hour, I was adorned with jewels and dressed in a luxurious gown, a wolf pendant resting on my chest.

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

As we headed to the car, Michael took my hand in his.

“The Queen is very kind,” he said, his voice gentle. “You don’t need to be nervous.”

His eyes were warm, the picture of a doting mate.

I knew it was all for show, but I played along, smiling sweetly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The Lycan Queen was waiting for us in the grand hall.

This was the first time I’d seen her up close.

She was stunning, her ageless beauty a testament to her strength and grace.

The Queen’s story was the stuff of legends—she had been a commoner when she caught the Lycan King’s eye, and he had fought to make her his mate.

Their love story had inspired countless songs and tales.

With Michael by my side, the meeting went smoothly.

After a while, the Queen dismissed him, saying she wanted to speak with me privately.

“My dear,” she began, her voice warm, “I just wanted to have a little chat with you.”

I bowed my head respectfully. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“You were chosen by the Lycan King himself, so I know you’re exceptional. I trust you to handle the responsibilities that come with being Luna.”

She paused, her gaze thoughtful. “Now, about Kairi… What are your thoughts on her?”

I took a moment to consider my answer.

“Your Highness, it’s only natural for Michael to want to help an old friend. Besides, Kairi had no control over what happened to her pack. I’ve made it clear that I’ll put the pack’s interests first, and I’m willing to accept Kairi as a member of the pack.”

The Queen nodded, a satisfied smile on her lips.

“You have a remarkable sense of maturity for someone so young. It’s rare to see such understanding in a Luna.”

She changed the subject, asking about my age and family.

But I knew this was just a lead-up to her real agenda.

“I have a niece,” she said casually, “Alina. She’s quite spirited, and her father has been asking me to take her under my wing. I think she’d benefit from spending some time here in the pack.”

I smiled politely, though my mind was racing.

“Your Highness, I’d be honored to have Alina stay with us. I’m sure we’ll get along wonderfully.”

The Queen’s smile widened. “You’re such a thoughtful girl. I knew I could count on you.”

On the way back, Michael asked me what the Queen had wanted to discuss.

I told him about Alina, careful to keep my tone light.

He didn’t seem concerned, simply saying I could handle it.

When we returned to the pack house, Kairi was waiting at the door.

“Your Highness…” she began, but her voice faltered when she saw Michael holding my hand.

She looked fragile, her eyes red and swollen.

I stepped forward, my smile warm but calculated.

“You must be Kairi. Welcome to the pack. Let me know if you need anything.”

I turned to Michael. “Your Highness, don’t you have business to attend to? I’ll see you later.”

As soon as Michael left, Kairi followed after him, her eyes filled with longing.

I let them go, knowing I had bigger concerns.

Alina was the real threat, and I needed to prepare.

---

The next day, my trusted Delta, Zayla, brought me news.

Alina was on her way to the pack, and she’d be here in a month.

Zayla looked worried.

“Luna, I’ve heard Alina is beautiful and charming. She’s used to getting what she wants.”

I smiled faintly. “Sounds like quite the challenge.”

The Queen was playing a dangerous game, but I wasn’t about to let her use me as a pawn.

If Alina was as clever as she was beautiful, I’d have to stay one step ahead.

But first, I needed to deal with Kairi.

---

I decided to extend an olive branch.

I gave Kairi her own quarters and assigned her two Omegas to attend to her needs.

Michael seemed surprised but grateful.

One evening, I asked Zayla to send Kairi a plate of her favorite dessert.

Michael raised an eyebrow.

“You know her tastes?”

I smiled. “We were acquaintances once. It’s only natural I’d remember.”

Zayla chimed in. “Luna has been very kind to Kairi. She even let her pick out new fabrics for her clothes.”

I waved Zayla off. “Enough of that. Kairi’s been through enough. I just want to make her feel welcome.”

Michael looked touched.

“You’re truly remarkable, Holly. I’m glad you’re my Luna.”

I smiled, but my mind was already elsewhere.

I had a pack to lead, and I wasn’t about to let anyone—Queen, Alina, or Kairi—stand in my way.

Kairi Murray arrived the next day, summoned by Michael Garcia. Her eyes betrayed a flicker of reluctance, though she masked it quickly. It wasn’t hard to understand why. Once, she had been a high-ranking Delta in her pack, a respected warrior. Now, she stood before me, an Omega in the Garcia Pack, her status reduced to that of a servant. The imbalance must have burned her, but she kept her composure, her posture stiff but obedient.

After she finished her formal greeting, I gave Zayla a subtle nod. “Kairi, there’s no need to bow,” I said, my voice warm but firm. “We’ve discussed this before. You’re not here as a subordinate.”

The coffee and desserts I served were of the finest quality, a gesture meant to show her that I held no ill will. I spoke to her as I would have in our earlier days, treating her as an equal, not a pawn. The conversation was light, filled with topics I knew would interest her. By the time she left, the tension in her shoulders had eased, and her guard seemed slightly lowered.

The second and third visits followed the same pattern. I maintained the same demeanor, never letting her feel diminished. By the fifth visit, I judged the moment right. I handed her a set of ancient scrolls, carefully preserved and wrapped. She stared at them, her hands trembling as she took the box.

“These were my brother’s,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “He gave them to me on my Come of Age Ceremony. He said… he said I’d become a scholar, that I’d make him proud.” Her tears fell freely now, her grief raw and unfiltered. “He’s gone now. My parents, my brother—all of them. If only… if only our pack hadn’t been disbanded. If only they were still here.”

Her sobs grew louder, a torrent of pain and regret. I stepped forward, gently dabbing her tears with a tissue. “The past is gone, Kairi. Your family wouldn’t want you to drown in sorrow. You must keep living. There’s still hope.”

She clutched my hand, her grip tight and desperate. “I misjudged you, Luna,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought you were cold, calculating. But you’ve shown me nothing but kindness. I’m ashamed of the way I acted, the things I did.”

Before I could stop her, she dropped to her knees again. “Please, Luna, let me make amends. I swear, from this day forward, I’ll follow you without question. If I betray you, may my wolf never find peace.”

I pulled her up gently, shaking my head. “Kairi, if you call me sister, then we’re family. There’s no need for such oaths. What’s done is done. You made choices to survive, and I would’ve done the same. All I ask is that you let me protect you from now on.”

She wept openly, her guilt and gratitude spilling over. “I have nothing to offer you, Luna, but my loyalty. I’ll follow you, no matter what.”

I held her shoulders, my gaze steady. “I don’t need your loyalty, Kairi. I need you to find happiness. To live freely, without regret.”

“But Michael…” she began, her voice trembling.

I cut her off gently. “You and Michael were close once. If things had been different, you might have been his mate. I love him deeply, but he’s the Lycan Prince. He can’t belong to just one person. I’d rather see him happy with someone he truly cares for—someone like you.”

My words left her stunned, her face a mix of shame and admiration. I’d struck the right chord, and I knew it. To seal the moment, I shifted the conversation to lighter topics, coaxing a smile from her tear-streaked face.

After she left, I let out a long breath. Winning over a fallen Delta wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible. Treat her with respect, remind her of her worth, and offer her a piece of her past. Eventually, the walls crumbled. If she kept her promise to follow me, I’d keep mine to protect her.

As for my declaration of love for Michael? A necessary lie. To me, he was nothing more than my superior, my path to securing my position. Love and romance were fleeting. Power, however, was eternal.

On the fifteenth of the month, it was customary to pay respects to the Lycan Queen. As I approached the grand entrance of the palace, I spotted Gamma Rylee waiting at the door.

"Her Majesty has been expecting you and the Prince since early this morning. Please follow me," she said, her tone respectful but formal.

Before we even reached the main hall, I could hear a lively, chirping voice echoing through the corridors. Judging by the timing, it had to be Alina Stone.

"Auntie, when is Michael coming?" Her voice was playful, almost teasing.

"You little rascal," the Lycan Queen replied with a chuckle. "Just moments ago, you said you missed me the most, and now you’re already asking for someone else."

"Well, Michael isn’t just ‘someone.’ He’s your dearest son, isn’t he?"

I entered the hall just as the Queen tapped Alina’s forehead affectionately, calling her a "little troublemaker."

"Ah, this must be Alina. What a lovely young lady," I said, stepping forward with a warm smile after completing the formal greetings.

"Miss Alina, I hope your journey here wasn’t too tiring. Are you settling in well?" I asked, taking her hand in mine.

Alina glanced at me subtly, her eyes scanning me quickly before she laughed brightly. "You must be Luna Holly! I’ve heard so much about you—how you’re one of the most elegant women in the pack. Meeting you today, I can see why everyone admires you."

She looped her arm through mine, addressing me as "Sister Holly" with a familiarity that felt both genuine and calculated.

"Sister Holly, what’s fun to do around here? The palace is grand, but everyone seems so serious. It’s a bit stifling, don’t you think?"

Her boldness didn’t faze the Queen. If anything, it seemed to amuse her. "If you’re feeling bored, why not have Michael and Holly take you around? It’ll be a good way to relax."

I kept my expression calm, but inside, I seethed. To the Queen, Michael was still her precious son, while I was merely "Holly," the Luna. She didn’t even bother to use my title in front of Alina, as if subtly reminding everyone of her disapproval of me.

Oh, I wasn’t naive. In the Queen’s eyes, *I* was the outsider, the one who had taken what she believed should have been Alina’s place.

And now, she wanted Michael, the future Lycan King, to accompany Alina around the city? As if I were some minor inconvenience to be brushed aside. The Queen’s arrogance was staggering, her disdain for me thinly veiled.

Alina, as if suddenly noticing Michael, turned to him with a theatrical gasp. "Oh, Prince Michael! It’s been so long. Sister Holly and I were so caught up in chatting, I almost forgot you were here!"

Michael, ever the picture of composure, smiled warmly. "It’s good to see you again, Alina. I trust you’ve been well?"

Alina practically bounced over to him, her admiration for him written all over her face. "Prince Michael, are you busy today? Could you take me out to explore? Please?"

Michael’s smile softened. "I happen to have some free time today. Where would you like to go?"

"Main Street is always so lively! I’ve been craving the burgers from Wolf’s Bite, and I’d love to pick up some jewelry from Moonstone Boutique."

With Michael’s approval, Alina grabbed his sleeve, tugging him toward the door. Then, as if just remembering I was still there, she turned back to me with an exaggerated expression of guilt.

"Oh, Sister Holly, I’m so sorry! I completely forgot you were here," she said, bouncing back to link her arm with mine again. "Please don’t be upset. It’s just that Michael and I used to do this all the time before you came along. It’s still a bit strange to have someone else join us."

She pouted slightly, sticking out her tongue as if it were all just a harmless oversight.

"Of course, Miss Alina. You’ve been away from the city for so long. It’s only natural you’d want to explore," I replied, my tone smooth and polite.

You’re mocking me for taking your place, I thought. And I’m subtly reminding you of your provincial roots.

I came from the Garcia Pack, a lineage of power and prestige. The Queen might hold sway here, but I wouldn’t let some upstart Beta like Alina Stone step all over me. Did she really think I, Holly Garcia, was someone she could trample on so easily?