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?

Main Street was the largest and busiest avenue in the city, bustling with life. Cars and pedestrians filled the roads, the air thick with the calls of vendors and the hum of activity, a vibrant display of everyday life.

"Michael, the car feels stifling. Let’s take a walk and enjoy the fresh air," Alina suggested, then turned to me with a smile. "Holly, as the future Luna, you’re used to staying indoors, aren’t you? With so many people around, are you sure you’re comfortable being out in the open?"

I smiled, mimicking the Luna’s manner as I playfully tapped Alina’s forehead, a gesture of familiarity. "Unmated she-wolves are the ones who need to guard their reputations, Alina. If you’re not worried, why should I be?" I paused, my gaze shifting to Michael with a soft, knowing smile. "Besides, I have my mate with me."

It was the first time I’d called Michael my mate. The term seemed to please him. Males, after all, enjoy seeing females vie for their attention. No matter how close Alina was to him, could she ever compare to his destined mate?

Michael nodded in agreement. "Holly is right, Alina. If you want to walk, it’s best to wear a mask."

As we strolled, I began to understand Alina’s true nature. She pretended to be down-to-earth, ordering street food like hot dogs but only taking a single bite. She bought a stick of cotton candy, yet the sugar coating melted away untouched. Instead, she clung to a child’s toy, bouncing around with exaggerated enthusiasm, desperately acting out her version of youthful innocence.

Every time she tried to pull Michael along with her, I would subtly intervene, engaging her in conversation to disrupt her attempts to cling to him. Frustrated but unable to show it, she continued her act, which only made her seem more ridiculous in my eyes.

When it was time to return, Michael had urgent pack matters to attend to and left me to accompany Alina back. The moment he was gone, her demeanor shifted. She tossed the cotton candy and toy out of the car window, her expression filled with disdain, not bothering to hide her contempt in my presence.

The ride back was silent. Once we arrived, I made sure she was settled before excusing myself, citing fatigue. Alina rose slowly, stretching lazily. "Rest well, Holly. There’s plenty of time ahead. The game isn’t over yet."

Her words were laced with challenge. I didn’t respond, simply smiling as Zayla saw her out.

The Luna came from a modest background, and it showed in the way she raised her niece. Compared to the refined tactics of high-ranking she-wolves in the city, Alina’s direct approach almost amused me.

I turned to Bethany. "Send a message to my father. Have him investigate the Stone family thoroughly."

The information I had about the Stones came from my own connections, but after today’s events, it was clear the Luna and Alina no longer saw me as a threat. I couldn’t afford to wait idly. Knowledge was power, and the more I knew, the better prepared I’d be.

---

Alina’s presence in the Garcia Pack didn’t escape Kairi’s notice for long. Alina seized every opportunity to get closer to Michael.

When Kairi found Alina in Michael’s private study, Alina lashed out. "What’s a lowly Omega doing here? Don’t you know this is a restricted area? Get out!"

Kairi, who had been dusting the desk, flinched at the sharp tone. "I’m Kairi, the Delta assigned to maintain the study," she explained hurriedly.

Alina cut her off. "I don’t care who you are. Michael’s study is off-limits to she-wolves like you. The females in this pack have no shame, always trying to steal what’s mine."

Not satisfied, Alina slapped Kairi across the face. "You worthless mutt, why are you still here? Get out!"

Kairi, clutching her cheek, ran to me in tears, recounting Alina’s actions.

"Holly, Alina is trouble. You need to be careful," Kairi warned.

I had Zayla prepare a warm compress for Kairi’s face, my heart aching for her. "Alina is young and hasn’t learned proper manners. She even mocked me in front of the Luna not long ago."

"The Luna didn’t defend you?" Kairi asked.

I sighed. "Between her beloved niece and the future Luna she doesn’t care for, why would she take my side?"

"If someone like you, from such a prestigious family, is treated this way, I can’t imagine how I’d fare," Kairi said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Though Kairi had once resorted to underhanded tactics to win Michael’s favor, it had been out of desperation. But Alina, a high-ranking she-wolf, how could she be so spiteful?

"I know," I said with a sigh. "The Luna dotes on her, and Michael is kind to her. I have no choice but to endure it for now."

Kairi’s expression darkened at the mention of Michael’s attitude toward Alina. She refused further treatment from Zayla and left, her steps heavy with unease.