Chapter 3
I returned to the Shadowmoon keep with my mother's ashes clutched to my chest, a small silver urn that felt impossibly heavy. The funeral pyre had burned until dawn, and I'd stayed until the last ember died, watching my final family tie turn to ash. Now, the morning light seemed too harsh, too ordinary for a world without her.
My quarters were located in the east wing of the pack house, close to the infirmary where I'd spent most of my waking hours. As I approached, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Strange—I always locked it.
Inside, my healing supplies were gone. The shelves that had once held carefully labeled jars of herbs and tinctures stood empty. My books on werewolf anatomy and traditional healing practices had vanished from the desk.
A sealed envelope lay in their place, bearing the Shadowmoon Pack crest. My fingers trembled as I broke the wax seal.
*By decree of Alpha Gabriel Blackwood, the position of Pack Healer is hereby transferred to Seraphina Cross, effective immediately. All healing supplies, texts, and equipment are to be surrendered for her use. Aria Stone will report to Seraphina Cross for reassignment of duties.*
The paper crumpled in my fist. Seraphina Cross—Isabella's sister. Of course.
Luna growled, the sound vibrating through my chest. *They take everything. First your mate. Then your mother. Now your purpose.*
"They won't take my dignity," I whispered.
A bell rang through the pack house, signaling a mandatory assembly. I placed my mother's urn on my bedside table and straightened my shoulders. Whatever came next, I would face it with the little strength I had left.
The great hall was already filled when I arrived. I slipped in through the side entrance, keeping to the shadows at the back. Pack members stood in their designated positions—warriors at the front, followed by ranked members, with omegas at the rear. As Gabriel's fated mate, I should have stood beside him at the front, but that place had never been mine in practice.
Gabriel entered from the main doors, his powerful frame commanding immediate silence. Isabella followed two steps behind, her chin lifted in triumph. Behind her came a woman who could only be her sister—Seraphina had the same sharp features and calculating eyes, though her hair was darker.
"Members of the Shadowmoon Pack," Gabriel's voice boomed across the hall. "Today marks a new chapter in our history. I present to you Isabella Cross, my chosen Luna."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A chosen Luna over a fated mate was rare—a direct challenge to the Moon Goddess's will. Some elders exchanged concerned glances, but no one dared speak against their Alpha.
"Furthermore," Gabriel continued, "Seraphina Cross will now serve as our Pack Healer, bringing her considerable talents to strengthen our pack."
Seraphina stepped forward with a practiced smile. I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood. Considerable talents? She'd barely completed basic healing training, according to the whispers I'd heard.
"And finally," Gabriel's eyes found mine in the shadows, "Aria Stone will serve under Luna Isabella and Healer Seraphina, assisting with their duties as required."
The hall fell silent. Even the most loyal pack members seemed shocked by this proclamation. To demote a fated mate—especially one who had just lost her only family—was beyond cruel.
"Aria," Gabriel's voice hardened into the Alpha tone that compelled obedience, "come forward and pledge your loyalty to your Luna."
Every eye in the hall turned to me. I remained frozen, my feet suddenly heavy as stone.
"Aria Stone," Gabriel snarled, his Alpha command washing over the chamber like a physical force, "you will come forward NOW and kneel before your Luna!"
The command hit me like a blow to the chest. My body convulsed with pain as it fought between obedience to the Alpha command and something else—something rising from deep within me.
*NO!* Luna roared in my mind, her voice drowning out even Gabriel's command. *WE DO NOT KNEEL!*
My vision blurred as power surged through me, unfamiliar and wild. I felt my knees buckle, but not in submission—in resistance.
For the first time in the history of the Shadowmoon Pack, someone was defying an Alpha command.
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