Caleb shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have tried to defend me.
I watched in horror as Luna Catherine slapped him across the face. Oh, he was too young. He was naive.
This wasn't like the city law where rights could executed. This was the pack—pack politics.
"Why did you hit me?!" He growled, about to channel his still dormant wolf when the guards intervened and they gripped his arms tightly.
"Let me go!" Caleb shouted, struggling against their hold. "I was just trying to defend my sister!"
I had no idea what to do. My eyes trailed to Alpha Kaene for help, but once again, he snubbed me by averting his gaze.
Bloody Jerk!
Luna Catherine's fingers spread like claws. "You dare to defy me, you insolent boy?"
"I didn't defy anyone!" Caleb yelled. "She's done nothing wrong and you just slapped her unjustly!"
I couldn't hold back any longer. "Please, he's just a kid and trying to help me. We are so sorry, Luna Catherine."
Instead of replying to me, she shot me a death stare and then, turned to Alpha Kaene with malice burning in her eyes.
"You see what your Moon's Chosen has brought into this pack? A rebellious brat who disrespects his elders."
Alpha Kaene's expression remained numb, but I could see the trace of annoyance in his eyes. "Mother, just calm down."
The woman ignored him. "She must be punished. But first, let's deal with her presumptuous brother. Guards, take him to the mansion's cell!"
What?!
"No, no!" I begged. "Please, forgive him. Caleb, plead for forgiveness!" My chest heaved up and down in horrification.
The guards were skeptical as their eyes darted between Luna Catherine and Alpha Kaene. For once there, I held my breath, putting all of my hope on him.
At least, I was his mate regardless. He wouldn't betray him by letting them take my brother away, would he?
If only he would meet my gaze. I pinched my fingers together as the room awaited his verdict. Finally, Alpha Kaene nodded, and they dragged Caleb away, his protests booming through the room.
No. No. No.
Someone tell me he didn't just do that. What sort of mate was he?! Oh, no… I would never be with someone as cruel as Alpha Kaene.
NEVER!
I screamed at the guards, begging them to release Caleb.
"Please, don't take him away!"
I was about to scamper after them when Luna Catherine moved toward me. On her face was a decade-old meanness.
"You've caused enough trouble, you wretched girl. You'll pay for this humiliation you have brought upon my family."
She raised her hand to slap me again and I shut my eyes, awaiting the impact. However, Alpha Kaene intervened this time. "Mother, that's enough."
She glared at him. "You defend this traitor?"
"She's not a traitor," Alpha Kaene said. "She was just chosen. It doesn't mean she is Luna."
Luna Catherine scoffed. "A Moon's Chosen who brings shame to our pack? I don't believe it. This must be a mistake."
Elder Gita joined the debate. "There is no mistake, Luna Catherine. I say this again: The Moon Goddess has spoken."
"Is there no way to rectify this situation, Elder Gita?" Alpha Kaene asked.
The older woman shook her head in disapproval. "There is none."
His eyes then narrowed. "If that's the case, then I, Kaene Maverick, reject this maid as my Moon's Chosen and mate."
Yes, reject me. I gritted my teeth, growling silently as I glared at him with hatred burning like lava within me.
The crowd gasped in unison. Alpha Kaene rejecting his Moon's Chosen was something that was unheard of. As long as the werewolf tradition connotes, the Alphas weren't allowed to reject their mates.
Elder Gita shook her head. "You cannot do that, Alpha Kaene. The Moon Goddess's will is absolute. Rejecting the Moon's Chosen will bring consequences, not only on you but the pack as a whole."
He ignored her. "I can do whatever I want. I am the Alpha and I will not allow my family's name to be stained by a maid. In what century has it been heard that a maid becomes the Luna of a prestigious pack?!"
He turned to me, eyeing me with contempt, and said, "You have brought shame upon this pack just by existing alone. You are no longer welcome here, maid."
With that, he turned and walked away. The room bursts into gossip and buzzes after his wake.
I had yet to process everything that had just happened. How did my life transition to that of a maid minding her business and staying out of trouble to this in such a short period?
I was still in my thoughts, struggling to grasp the reality of it all when Luna Catherine came upon me once again, and kicked me hard in the shin.
"You've ruined my son's life," she spat. "You'll regret this."
The pain hit me like a bee sting. I fell to the ground, tears streaming down my face. I was alone, abandoned, and accused of something I didn't do.
I could feel the judging gazes on me but I was in so much emotional pain to care.
.
.
The ceremony was concluded, but I was no longer paying attention. All I could think about was Caleb and the terrible fate that awaited him.
Elder Gita gestured to the Alpha Council, signaling for a brief meeting after everyone had dispersed. I attempted to slip away, my mind foggy and my ego slightly bruised by Alpha Kaene's rejection, but a hand grasped my arm from behind.
"Wait, child. The Alpha Council needs to address you." Elder Gita informed me.
What?!
Anxiety swarmed over me as the council members surrounded me. Alpha Kaene's rejection still stung, and I longed to escape.
"The ceremony may have ended in turmoil," Elder Gita began, "but the Moon Goddess's will remains clear. You are the chosen Luna."
I shook my head, my frustration boundless now. "No, I'm not. Alpha Kaene has already rejected me."
The Beta, Negan, stepped forward. Those hazel eyes of his were so calming.
"You are the chosen one, honey. Kaene's rejection is a shock, but it's normal. He'll come around."
My heart skipped a beat as Negan's words sparked an uproar in the butterflies in my stomach. Did he just call me 'honey'? I had secretly admired him but now wasn't the time.
"I don't want to be the Luna," I protested, my fists balled by my sides.
The Delta, Ryker, chuckled with condescension. "You're naive, young lady. You're no longer in control of your life. You belong to the pack now. You can't make such decisions. The Moon Chosen position is not bargainable."
I got goosebumps. Was I truly bound to the pack? Why was I asking like I didn't know the tradition?
"We'll arrange a suite for you in the mansion. Congratulations, dear, on becoming our Luna." Elder Gita, in a consolatory voice, beamed.
I opened my mouth to object, but the council members began discussing logistics. Negan escorted me to my suite, walking ahead and I followed like a little puppy.
The scent of his cologne was heavenly. If only we could have some character-swapping and Negan was Alpha while Kaene was… whatever he wished. I don't care.
"Thank you," I said, once we reached the door.
Negan's smile was courteous. "You'll learn to navigate our ways, Luna."
As he departed, my phone rang.
The sound of its buzz made my heart jump. It must be my Dad. How on earth could I break this terrifying news to them when they are currently at their lowest?
I reached for the phone with shuddering hands, but someone stepped into the room, their aura consuming me.
Before I could even see him, my wolf had sensed him and she had begun to howl in delight. Traitor.
It was Alpha Kaene and for some reason, he smelled like heaven.
"Do you know there's such a thing as locking the door?" he asked, smirking with sarcasm.
I glared at him. "Considering what's going on, locking the door is the last thing on my mind… Alpha."
Kaene's gaze roamed the room before settling on me. "I'm here to make you a deal."
I crossed my arms, wary. "I'm not interested in any deal of yours."
"Do you want to save your brother or not?"
My heart did the jitters. Caleb. Saving him was a priority, but trusting Kaene would be foolish.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Kaene's smile made me want to reach for him and plant the wettest kiss on his lips. "We'll discuss that. But first, let's establish one thing – you're not leaving this mansion until we come to an agreement."
What on earth did he just say?! Was I a prisoner or something?