Seylah’s POV

Alpha Daemon had been mad at me ever since that incident. Lately, as I watch him, my fiancé, and the future Alpha of the Fireclaw Pack, my hope crumbles with every passing day.

Zaira was always there. Always smiling, always laughing, always… close. Closer than anyone should be to my supposed to be Alpha. I knew what people said—that I was destined for someone stronger, someone more prestigious. But Daemon was mine, and I was his. Or at least, I was supposed to be.

As I stare out the window of my room, I feel the weight of the impending wedding bearing down on me. In a week, I’d be Luna of this pack, but instead of excitement, all I feel is a gnawing dread.

Why isn’t he here with me?

Every night, he would disappear, spending hours with Zaira. Everyone in the pack seemed to have accepted her presence, like she belonged by his side, even though that was supposed to be my place. How did it come to this?

I heard the soft knock at my door, and I knew before opening it that it wasn’t Daemon. It was his Beta, Jace, sent to deliver some excuse, no doubt.

“Seylah,” Jace said as he entered, his eyes filled with pity. I hated that look. “Alpha Daemon… he’s busy tonight. He won’t be able to join you for dinner.”

Again. Busy with Zaira, no doubt. “Busy with what, Jace?” My voice was clipped, and I didn't bother hiding my frustration. “With pack matters or with her?”

Jace shifted awkwardly, not meeting my gaze. “He… it’s—”

“It’s always her,” I snapped, pushing past him and heading down the hallway toward Daemon’s study. “I’ve had enough.”

Jace followed me, his protests falling on deaf ears. “Seylah, don’t do this. He’s—”

“He’s what? My Alpha? My future husband? Or is he just Zaira’s plaything now?”

I pushed the door to the study open, and there they were. Daemon was sitting behind his desk, but Zaira was leaning over him, far too close for comfort, her hand resting on his arm like she had every right to touch him.

“Seylah,” Daemon’s voice was sharp, cold. He looked at me like I was the intruder. Like I was the one out of place.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, her hackles rising. The disrespect was too much. “Alpha, we need to talk. Alone.”

Zaira straightened up, giving me that same sweet smile that always grated at my nerves. “Oh, don’t worry, Seylah,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. “Alpha and I were just discussing pack business.”

“Pack business,” I echoed, my tone laced with sarcasm. “In my packhouse? Wearing my clothes? Using my things?” I glanced at Daemon, but he didn't even flinch.

He rose to his feet, his presence towering over me, but I refused to back down. “Zaira stays,” he declared, his voice final.

My heart sank, but I kept my chin up, refusing to show weakness. “I’m your fiancée. Your future Luna. She has no right to be here during our conversations.”

Daemon’s eyes narrow. “And I’m the Alpha, Seylah. I decide who has a right to be here.”

I could feel my wolf pacing, ready to lash out, but I bit down the snarl threatening to escape. “You’re the Alpha, and I’m supposed to be your Luna. But lately, it feels like Zaira’s been taking that role, not me.”

Zaira stepped closer, touching Daemon’s arm again. “Seylah, you’re misunderstanding everything. I would never try to replace you. I’m just here to support Alpha Daemon. We’ve known each other since we were kids. It’s all innocent.”

Innocent. The word burned in my throat. “Don’t you dare act like this is normal. You’re always around him, always taking what’s mine.”

Daemon’s growl echoed in the room, silencing me. “Enough, Seylah. Zaira’s family. You’re making a scene over nothing.”

Nothing? I felt my hands ball into fists. “You think this is nothing? You think watching my supposed Alpha spend all his time with another woman, letting her wear my clothes, and disrespect me is nothing?”

Zaira let out a soft, pitiful cry, her eyes wide and teary. “I’m sorry, Seylah. I didn’t mean to upset you. If you want, I can leave. I just didn’t want to be alone…”

Daemon pulled her close, shielding her from me. “You’ve done enough,” he snapped at me. “Zaira’s not going anywhere. If you can’t accept that, maybe you’re not cut out to be Luna.”

His words hit harder than any blow. I felt like I had been gutted. How did it come to this? How did I go from being the daughter of the Alpha King, respected and revered, to being cast aside for some she-wolf who was playing the victim?

I stepped back, my wolf howling inside me, but I swallowed the pain. I wouldn't cry. Not in front of him. Not in front of her. “Fine,” I whisper, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. “But remember this, Daemon—Luna or not, I am still the daughter of the Alpha King. And I will not be disrespected like this.”

Zaira’s tears vanished in an instant, replaced by a smug smirk. She knew she had won—for now.

I turned on my heel and left the room, Jace was waiting for me outside. His eyes flickered with concern, but I shook my head. “Don’t,” I warned him. “Not tonight.”

Seylah's POV

I stood outside Alpha Daemon’s office, my heart pounding in my chest. I had lost count of how many times I had tried to talk to him lately, but each attempt was met with the same cold indifference.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The Alpha was behind his desk, papers scattered around him. His dark eyes flicked up to me for the briefest moment, before returning to whatever pack matters held his attention.

"Alpha," I began softly, closing the door behind me, "we need to talk."

"Not now, Seylah." His voice was flat, dismissive. It was the same tone he had used for weeks now.

"I’m not leaving until you listen to me." My wolf stirred inside me, bristling at the way he barely acknowledged my presence. I was his Luna-to-be. I had every right to demand his attention.

He finally looked up, leaning back in his chair, eyes filled with impatience. "What is it?"

I hesitated, gathering my thoughts. How do I even start? "We’re drifting apart, Alpha," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I can feel it. Things haven’t been the same between us."

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Is it about Zaira again? Zaira has always been part of my life, Seylah. You knew that."

"Not like this." I stepped closer, feeling my frustration bubbling over. "You spend more time with her than you do with me. Every time I see you, she’s there, between us."

Daemon’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "Zaira and I are friends. You need to get used to that. You’re overreacting."

Overreacting? My wolf growled low in my chest, but I kept my voice steady. "Overreacting? Alpha, she’s wearing my clothes, she’s taking over moments that should belong to us. You haven’t been by my side in weeks!"

He stood up suddenly, towering over me, his Alpha presence commanding the space. "She’s family, Seylah. You’re going to have to learn to live with it. End of discussion."

The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. Learn to live with it? My breath caught in my throat as I fought to keep my emotions in check. I had come here hoping to fix things, but it felt like I was talking to a stranger.

"Alpha, I’m trying…" My voice wavered. "I’m trying to understand, but this isn’t how partners should be. We’re supposed to trust each other. But it feels like you’ve already replaced me with her."

"Don’t be ridiculous, Seylah." He waved his hand dismissively. "Zaira’s not replacing anyone. She’s just… helping."

Helping? I wanted to scream. "Helping with what? By undermining me? By taking over my place before I’ve even had a chance to be your Luna? How can you do this to me, royal?"

Daemon’s face darkened. "That’s enough. You’re being insecure, and it’s beneath you."

"Insecure?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Maybe if you acted like I mattered, I wouldn’t be insecure!"

The silence that followed was thick and tense. Daemon’s gaze was hard, unyielding, as if I was the problem here as if I was being unreasonable. But how could I not feel this way when Zaira was everywhere? When she was in every room, every conversation, every stolen glance?

"Go to bed, Seylah," Daemon finally said, his voice low and commanding. "I’m done talking about this."

Perhaps, I should have left him the moment I saw them hugging on the day he proposed to me.

***

Later, I sat in the dark of my room, staring at nothing, my mind numb. Elara’s words echoed in my head, warning me of Zaira’s true intentions. Elara was the only friend I made in Fireclaw Pack.

"Seylah, she’s not innocent," Elara had said to me just days ago. "Zaira knows exactly what she’s doing. She wants the Alpha, and she’s using every trick in the book to get him."

The knock on my door startled me. For a moment, hope flared in my chest—maybe it was Daemon, coming to apologize, to finally see reason.

But when I opened the door, it was Elara. She slipped inside, her expression serious.

"How did it go?" she asked, but the answer was written all over my face.

"Exactly how you’d expect," I muttered, sinking onto the edge of the bed. "He doesn’t see it, Elara. He doesn’t care. He thinks I’m being insecure."

Elara sighed, sitting beside me. "Daemon’s being blind, but you’re not powerless, Seylah. You don’t have to just sit back and let this happen."

I looked at her, feeling helpless. "What can I do? I’ve tried everything."

"You are his future Luna. You’re stronger than this. Don’t let Zaira push you out of what’s yours. I have a bad feeling about that woman. Or better yet, if you don't even love Alpha Daemon, leave him while you still can."

Elara was right. I wasn’t powerless.