CHAPTER THIRTY
+25 Bonus
CHAPTER THIRTY
Viki’s POV
The wedding gown shimmered like diamonds in the light. I twirled in front of the mirror; the hem of the gown fluttering around my ankles as the maids clapped softly behind me. One of them murmured something about how radiant I looked.
I smiled when the younger maid added, “You look gorgeous, Luna.”
Damn right I did.
My fingers brushed over the pearl-studded bodice. The fabric had been imported in, stitched by a seamstress known only to the elite. Every bead, every thread had been selected to make one thing clear – I was born for this.
“Miss Viki, does the waist need tightening?” the other maid asked cautiously.
I slapped the maid across the face. She stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.
“I told you to stop calling me that,” I hissed. “It’s Luna now. Don’t make me repeat myself again.”
The maid held her check, trembling. “I’m sorry, Luna,” she stammered as she stood up.
“Go get me something to drink,” I ordered. The maid bowed before scurrying out of the room without another word.
I turned back to the mirror, resting a hand on my stomach. There was no child growing there, not yet. No one had dared question me. No one would. I had played my part flawlessly. The morning sickness, the paid off healer visits
the idiots believed it all.
Iwon.
I tricked them all and got what I wanted. I was Luna now. I grinned at the memory of Jason turning on Talia. Jason fell for all my tricks and didn’t even think to question me. He was such an easy fool to manipulate.
Talia, that pathetic omega had her chance. She was Luna for three years, and never could do anything right. She never deserved the title in the first place. I was raised, molded for this since I was a little girl.
I remembered one winter when I was ten. I had stolen a necklace that I wanted. My father found me. He didn’t say a word. He just pulled off his belt and whipped me until my legs bled. “A Luna doesn’t steal like some lowly omega. A Luna is graceful, controlled,” his voice boomed.
Everything I had endured, every cruel lesson, every bruise was for this.
And now Jason’s father knew. He saw me, the daughter of the chief warrior, already carrying the heir, he’d have no choice but to accept me. He wouldn’t care that Jason has cast aside Talia. He never wanted Talia to be the Luna to begin with.
A maid peeked in from the hall and reported to me. “Luna, Alpha Jason has returned.”
I dismissed the maids with a flick of my hand. I made my way down the stairs, the heavy train dragging behind me. My heart beat faster with each step, but I masked the anticipation. I couldn’t appear desperate in front of him.
I ran into Jason as he entered the foyer. I smiled at him, stretching my arms slightly so the dress would catch the light. “Well, what do you think? Do you like it?”
“Why do you have this on?” he asked in frustration.
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CHAPTER THIRTY
+25 Bonus
I froze, but maintained my composure. “I thought with your father returning, and everything falling into place, it was time. The pack has started calling me Luna. Don’t you think it suits me?”
Jason looked me over, but he didn’t seem happy. He looked annoyed. I noticed the bruising on the side of his face. Something had happened between them and it wasn’t good.
Before I could ask what happened, Jason said, “Take it off now. You’ll wear it when the Luna ceremony is held.”
I forced a soft smile. “Of course. I just…couldn’t wait to see the look on your face.”
Jason walked past me and was on his way to our bedroom. I followed behind. “I thought we could look at the guests for the Luna ceremony. I think…”
“No.” Jason cut me off. “We’ll wait until Talia returns.”
I blinked. My smile dropped slightly. “I…what?”
“Your Luna ceremony will not happen until Talia returns,” Jason said firmly, turning around to face me. “You need to look at the big picture here. Shadowclaw’s reputation is in jeopardy. A proper Luna would understand this.”
His words felt like a slap to the face. My fists clenched at my sides. I forced a smile on my face. “Of course. That makes sense. I’ll support whatever you decide,” I finally said.
Jason nodded, then turned away like he was already bored. “Good. That’s the behavior I expect from you moving forward. You are carrying my heir and will be the future Luna. You need to start acting like it.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming. Who was he to tell me how to act? I kept the smile on my face.
“Understood, my Alpha,” I said politely, bowing to him as he walked past. My smile quickly turned into a frown as Jason left me standing there in the hallway.
I marched back to the dressing room, spooking the maids cleaning, as I kicked the door open.. “Take it off me. NOW!” I snarled. They rushed to me and began undoing the dress.
I couldn’t believe this. Bring Talia back? Was he out of his mind?
That would ruin everything! Talia was a mistake, a smear on Jason’s reputation, a smear on the reputation of Shadowclaw.
If Talia returned, the elders would complete her with me. Worse, make her Luna again and then everything would be for nothing. I couldn’t allow this.
Jason was impulsive, easy to sway when his pride was wounded. All I had to do was remind him of her betrayal, of her weakness, and how she didn’t respect him as Alpha. He would get rid of her again. And if that didn’t work, there were other ways.
Certain poison couldn’t be traced. Accidents happen all the time.
If Talia thought she could walk back into this pack and steal what belonged to me, she’d soon realize how wrong she was.
This was my pack now.
And if I had to kill to protect it?
So be it.
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