Morning light streamed through the curtains, waking Aurelia from fitful dreams about Lyanna words. Her sister's words still echoed in her mind: "I'm not dead..." A knock surprised her.
Beta Thalia entered without waiting for permission, her silver-streaked hair pulled into a tight bun. "Luna, it's past eight. Alpha Cazriel expects you downstairs for breakfast in fifteen minutes." Aurelia sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I need clothes." Thalia pointed to a huge closet. "Everything has been provided." Inside hung skirts, pants, and tops all new, all expensive. Nothing like the worn clothes Aurelia had lived in for years. She picked simple black pants and a green sweater, then splashed cold water on her face. I am not their Luna, she thought, staring at her image. No matter what they call me. The dining hall buzzed with talk when she entered, but silence fell like a heavy blanket as heads turned. Cazriel sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by what must be his inner group. He didn't even look up. Aurelia spotted an empty chair beside him clearly meant for her and forced herself to walk toward it. Each step felt like moving through quicksand as judgmental eyes tracked her moves. "The rogue Luna finally joins us," whispered a woman with perfect blonde hair. Aurelia's cheeks burned, but she kept her chin high. Ten years of survival hadn't broken her; these rich pack dogs wouldn't either. She sat down next to Cazriel, who acknowledged her with only the slightest nod. "Pack, this is Luna Aurelia," he stated flatly, then returned to his food. Some pack members nodded politely. Most just stared or muttered behind their hands. A server put a plate before her – eggs, meat, and fruit arranged beautifully. Aurelia's stomach growled. After years of hunting her own food, this looked like a feast. "So, Luna," said the blonde woman across the table, "is it true you lived in the dirt like a common rogue?" Aurelia's grip tightened on her fork. "I lived free." The woman's smile sharpened. "I'm Selene, by the way. Cazriel and I were... close before you arrived." Cazriel didn't dispute her, and somehow that hurt more than the woman's words. "Selene," snapped an older guy with a military haircut, "remember your place." "Just welcoming our new Luna, Beta Darius," Selene replied sweetly. Aurelia forced herself to eat despite her knotted stomach. She'd learned long ago never to waste food. Throughout breakfast, Cazriel spoke to everyone except her. He discussed pack business, territory problems, and upcoming meetings – all while acting as if she weren't sitting right beside him. When he finally stood, the table fell silent. "Luna Aurelia will begin her duties today," he stated. "Beta Thalia has made a schedule. I expect everyone to help her transition." His eyes swept the table, cold and authoritative. "Any disrespect toward your Luna will be considered disrespect toward me." With that, he walked out, not once looking at Aurelia. A woman emerged at her side short, plump, with kind eyes and gray hair in a braid. "Luna, I'm Martha. I'll be helping you today." Relief washed over Aurelia at finally seeing a friendly face. Martha led her through the massive house, describing rooms and protocols with patient simplicity. Unlike Thalia's stiff formality or Selene's venom, Martha spoke with real warmth. "The pack has been without a Luna for too long," Martha said as they walked through a yard.
"Since Alpha Cazriel's mother died five years ago." "He doesn't want me here," Aurelia whispered. "He just wants a Luna – any Luna." Martha stopped beside a rosebush. "Alpha Cazriel carries heavy burdens," she said carefully. "Things not even the pack knows about." "Like what?" Martha shook her head. "Not my place to say. But I've known him since he was a pup. The chill... it wasn't always there." Aurelia wanted to ask more, but a group of women approached. Their eyes scanned her from head to toe, taking in her simple clothes and wild hair. "Luna," they met with stiff bows. "These are the pack females who handle the household duties," Martha explained. One woman stepped forward. "I'm Grace. We're preparing for the Full Moon Ceremony next week and need the Luna's approval on several issues." Martha squeezed Aurelia's arm encouragingly. "What matters?" Aurelia asked, trying to sound bold. Grace traded glances with the others. "You... don't know about the ceremony?" "I've been away from pack life." Snickers rippled through the group. Aurelia's face burned. "A Luna who knows nothing of pack traditions," whispered one woman. "Quiet," Martha snapped with surprising power. "Your Luna asked a question." Grace cleared her throat. "We need decisions on the feast menu, ceremonial decorations, and your outfit for the ritual." Aurelia swallowed hard. "Martha will help me review everything." The women left with barely hidden smirks. Once they were gone, Aurelia's shoulders slumped. "They hate me." "They fear change," Martha corrected, taking her to a small office. "Now, let me teach you what a Luna needs to know." For hours, Martha described pack hierarchy, traditions, and a Luna's responsibilities. Aurelia's head spun with knowledge, but Martha's patience never wavered. "Why are you being nice to me?" Aurelia finally asked. Martha's eyes softened. "Because I remember another lost girl. Cazriel's mother. She came from a small pack and struggled at first too."
When evening came, Martha escorted her to dinner. "Remember," she whispered, "you're their Luna whether they like it or not." The dinner hall was even more crowded than breakfast. Again, conversation died when Aurelia entered. She took her place beside Cazriel, who barely glanced at her. The entire meal passed with him speaking to everyone but her. Fury built inside Aurelia with each slight, each word, each look of disdain from the pack members. Finally, when Selene made another cutting remark about rogues, something snapped. Aurelia stood suddenly, her chair scraping loudly.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice carrying across the suddenly silent room. "I need air that isn't poisoned with judgment." She walked out, feeling Cazriel's ice-blue eyes finally – finally – looking at her. Outside, she gulped fresh air, fighting tears. The mate bond tugged painfully in her chest. "That was quite an exit." Aurelia spun around. A young man with dark hair leaned against a tree, watching her with curious eyes. Unlike the others, his look held no judgment. "Who are you?" she asked. "Kane," he answered. "We met yesterday. I was driving." "Right. One of Cazriel's loyal guards." Kane's mouth quirked. "Not exactly." He pushed off the tree. "You should know – there's more happening here than a reluctant Luna and a cold Alpha." Aurelia's heart accelerated. "What do you mean?"
"Cazriel didn't just find you by accident. He's been watching you for months." "Why?" Kane looked over his shoulder. "Because you're in trouble. We all are." He lowered his voice. "The packs are on the edge of war, and it has everything to do with your sister." "Lyanna? But she's dead." Kane's face turned grim. "That's what everyone was meant to believe." Before Aurelia could demand answers, the house door burst open. Cazriel strode out, his face dark with rage. "Kane," he growled. "What are you doing with my mate?" Kane stepped back, hands raised. "Just introducing myself to our Luna." Cazriel grabbed Aurelia's arm. "Inside. Now." As he pulled her away, Aurelia looked back at Kane, whose lips formed silent words that chilled her blood: "Your sister is alive