Luna

The room was so still, that you could have heard a pin drop. Seriously, someone needed to cough or something before I lost it.

Daphney survived—thankfully—but she was in critical condition. At least her wolf was hanging in there. Aiden said he could still feel their bond, as strong as ever, so. We clung to that.

My mom, Daphney's parents, and a few relatives sat in what looked like a tiny, depressing conference room in the pack of Zia's.

"What are we to say to the council?" a woman named Elder Marbel finally asked after a few torturous moments of silence.

"Honestly, I suppose," the Luna replied. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.

"Luna, you know Aiden can't do that. We're barely holding him steady in the Alpha position as it is," she snapped, making Aiden's eyes flash with annoyance.

*Holding him steady?* What does that even mean? Isn't he already the Alpha?

My mother was thinking the same thing because she cleared her throat dramatically, making everyone look at us.

"If I may ask, what do you mean by 'holding him steady in the position'? Isn't he the Alpha?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"That's none of your business," Aiden snapped.

Oooh, temper tantrum. Nice.

"Who even are you?" Elder Marbel asked, side-eyeing us like we didn't belong here.

I just wanted to crawl under the table and die. I mentally screamed for my mom to get us out of here, but of course, she ignored me. Classic.

"I'm the godmother of Daphney Dame, so I'm practically her mother," she said, chest puffed out proudly.

Bull. Shit.

My mother didn't care about Daphney until she found out her mate was an Alpha. This was so embarrassing.

"We're here for solutions," Elder Marbel finally said, the patience well-worn.

"My daughter's in critical condition because of your pack's joke of security, and all that's running in your minds is a quick fix?" Daphney's father snapped, anger burning in his glare.

"We apprehended the perpetrators, and they have been dealt with accordingly, sir. We do care Dame it’s our Luna, after all," Elder Marbel returned coolly.

I blinked. She was freakishly calm for someone who was in the middle of a crisis. When our Luna got sick, our whole pack freaked out. The Alpha was a mess.

Dark times.

"I don't think you'll find a solution if you're only giving us half the story," my mother cut in, her voice oozing with feigned concern.

Daphney's mother just continued to sob quietly. Honestly, same.

Elder Marbel let out a sigh; her eyes darted to Aiden. "Aiden's the firstborn, so by right he's Alpha after the death of his father. But the council can temporarily shift the position of the Alpha to anyone else because Aiden's. Well, he's young."

"And his mate is lying half-dead in the hospital," my mother said, nodding like she'd just solved world hunger.

“They already think Alpha Aiden is incompetent because he hasn't been taught all of the traditions, and this news would only make it worse," Luna said, rubbing her temples.

Everyone from the Zia pack looked ill.

"Well, there's a solution," my mother chimed in.

Oh no. Here it comes.

"I heard of packs where, if the Alpha or Luna are sick or missing, they put out a twin double or stand-in to cover for them," she said, beaming as though she'd just suggested something brilliant.

"So. you want me to get a replacement, Luna?" Aiden asked, an eyebrow cocked.

My mother nodded vigorously, still smiling.

"No," Aiden said bluntly.

"Well, it's not an utterly awful idea," Elder Marbel said cautiously. "There's Elizabeth of Blood Moon, or maybe Diamond from Mandry—"

"Are you *out of your mind*? You'd just replace her with some other pack.?" My mom practically yelled. "The replacement would have to be one of *ours*."

"And why is that?" Aiden asked, folding his arms.

"Well, because. I'm pretty sure your council knows all these women from other packs," she said with less conviction now.

Well, she wasn't wrong but. Who was she thinking of specifically?

"Well," Elder Marbel began.

"We'll need someone from your pack," Luna sighed and rubbed her eyes. She looked really like she was about to pass out.

"And someone who knows Daphney very, very well," my mom added with a grin.

Aiden's eyes narrowed. "And who might that be?"

"Her best friend of course," my mom said, snickering.

And my stomach dropped. *Mia?!* poor thing.

"My daughter, Ariana," she said proudly.

My jaw just about hit the floor. *Me?!

Aiden stared at me like I had just insulted his whole family. "*Her*? You've got to be kidding me."

"B-but there's no one else!" my mom pushed.

I stared dead ahead at Aiden, half in shock. Did he just. Reject me that fast? Moreover, there's always Mia!

"She's the one that ran off with my mate in the first place, and she never leaves Daphney's side. Sometimes she gives off. You know, *vibes*," Aiden spat, like a total man-child.

Everyone stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"*That's* how best friendships work," my mother shot back.

"You should try it," I muttered under my breath, making everyone look at me.

"Ariana, do you accept this?" Luna asked softly, her voice gentle.

I turned to Aiden and gave him my sweetest, most sarcastic smile. "No."

My mother grasped my wrist under the table, and I almost yelped at how hard she squeezed.

"Of course, she'll need more time to think about it, won't you, Ari?" she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Y-yes, Mom," I choked, the sting of my eyes causing tears to prick. She finally let go and my hand throbbed.

"Well, Ariana did come with Daphney, and from what Aiden's saying, she was there when he imprinted on her. She could be the perfect cover until Daphney gets better," Elder Marbel said tiredly.

"Please. I just want my baby to get the care she needs," Daphney's mother sobbed.

"Of course," Aiden muttered, looking a little sad. I guess even this jerk had feelings.

"Then it's settled. We can all leave, " exhaled the exasperated Luna as she rose to her feet.

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