Chapter 1

~Ava~

The grand shining hall buzzed with activity as the pack members walked around, decorating the space for the Luna’s birthday and also the moonlight celebration, it was a double celebration, the scent of freshly baked cakes and wine filled the air,mingling with the sound of the pack members' laughter.

I stood by the long table placed behind the door, carefully arranging the flowers. I have spent months planning this event to make sure every detail was perfect today. After all, as the Luna and the celebrant, my sole responsibility is to let the pack be together and remind them of their unity.

As I placed the last big flower, a familiar voice cut through my ears, “Move that flower over there”, Emilia said, pointing to the corner where I was standing “I think it would be better there,”

I stood still,my hands tightening around the edge of the chair where I placed my hand trying to keep my anger cool. Emilia has started again, trying to insert herself into the preparations these days, always finding ways to change my decisions.

“That’s not where it’s supposed to be, I am the one doing it, let me continue I don’t want this hall scattered and messy” I said, my tone sharp enough to quieter the nearby chatter.

Emilia smirked gently at me, as if what I said were mere suggest. “Just believe in me Ava,these are my specialties” she turned to one of the youngest pack members who were helping me “Can you move it just like I said, please?” She said sweetly

The young wolf member hesitated, glancing between the both of us before doing what she requested.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain composed. “Not here and not now”.

“Hey, Ava” Ethan’s voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see him approaching, his expression filled with approval that she should go ahead and do what she wants to do. He looked at Emilia.

“Emilia’s suggestions are good. You should have asked her for help sooner maybe everything would have been okay by now” he said,his voice filled with that infuriatingly calm tone, as if I were being unreasonable.

My fists tightened at my sides. “I didn’t ask for her help. She has been taking over everything”.

Ethan looked at me with a frown face, his expression soft and placating,as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. “She’s just trying to help, Ava. You have been so busy. Let her handle this. Take the night off, relax.”

Relax? He wants me to relax? How can he tell me to keep my cool when such things is happening, making me feel so sad when today is supposed to be the most happiest day of my life and this is what is happenings 

He has no idea what if had taken for me to keep my cool, for the last ten days, I had been acting like the perfect Luna, my anger buried beneath a veneer of calm, all this while Emilia had been working her way deeper into our lives. She had her claws in every little corner of our pack, acting as if she were the Luna.

I was three weeks pregnant with Ethan’s pup, and the first time I would let myself be happy in ages. We celebrated with a small gathering and my birthday and for a time, he had been attentive, caring for me, and it felt like everything began to unravel.

He had kissed her just three days after she returned, I still remember the agony of that same night, my body wracked with pain, my baby in danger, while he pretended it was some kind of mistake. He came to me, looking guilty, but it didn’t change the hurt.

I wanted to believe he hadn’t done anything more with her after all, I would feel it. The moon goddess ensured that I do. The way he constantly put her needs before mine, the way he made excuses for her…. It made me question everything.

But I pushed those thoughts aside. I would deal with this later.

As the evening wore on, the celebration grew in energy. I tried my best to keep a smile on my face, to ignore the way Emilia clung to my mate, laughing and smiling with the pack. I did my best to be the gracious Luna, but every compliment they gave her, every admiring glance from the pack, felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

“Emilia really outdid herself,” one of the elders said, his voice carrying over the crowd.

“She is got such a natural touch”, another chimed in.

“She is perfect for Luna, don’t you think? So delicate, so sweet. Not like the current Luna, who can’t even act ladylike,” one elder Juliannsakd, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“If she could be the Luna, I am sure everyone would be happy and accept it, she is such a gentle soul” one of the pack members said again.

I felt my blood boil, my breath coming faster. I shouldn’t let their words affect me, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t some fragile little thing to be overlooked.

Then, I saw it, this time I wasn’t wrong, I actually saw it well. Ethan with his hands on Emilia’s waist, whispering in her ear, making her laugh. It felt like the last thread of my patience snapped. My wolf, Lunaria, was snarling, desperate to lash out. The jealousy burned like fire.

“I want to break her,” Lunaria growled through our bond.

“Ethan, I need you here right now,” I called, my voice tight with barely contained fury as I walked toward him.

He looked up, his expression neutral as if nothing was wrong. “What is it, Ava?”

I was done. “We need to talk. Now.” My tone left no room for argument, and I turned on my heel, heading for a quieter corner, determined to put an end to this once and for all.