Chapter 3
The Grand Pack Gala glittered with a thousand lights, crystals catching and scattering the illumination across the grand ballroom. I stood at the entrance, my silver Luna gown flowing around me like liquid moonlight. Nova stirred within me, her presence a steady anchor as I prepared to face what would undoubtedly be a night of subtle warfare.
"Luna Nia," Victoria Sterling greeted me with a warm smile, her Elder status evident in her ceremonial robes. "You look absolutely radiant tonight."
"Thank you, Elder," I replied, inclining my head slightly. "I trust you've been well?"
"Better than some," she murmured, her eyes drifting toward the center of the room where James stood with Liliana at his side.
My breath caught as I noticed what Victoria had already seen. James wore a silver insignia pinned to his formal Alpha jacket—an intricate design featuring intertwined wolves. It wasn't his official pack symbol.
"That's her work," Nova growled within me. "She made that for him."
I kept my expression neutral as we approached. "Alpha James," I greeted him formally. "The gala looks wonderful this year."
James's eyes met mine briefly before sliding away. "Yes. Liliana suggested some... improvements."
Liliana smiled, her hand possessively resting on James's arm. "I'm so glad you approve, Luna Nia."
The way she said my title made it sound like a temporary position.
As we moved toward the seating arrangement, I noticed with a tightening in my chest that Liliana was being directed to the traditional Luna's seat—at James's right hand. I was being guided to a secondary position, further down the table.
"Ah, but this won't do," Victoria interrupted the seating arrangements. "Luna Nia should be beside Alpha James. That's tradition."
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table.
"Actually," Elliot's voice came from behind me, smooth and confident, "I believe Luna Nia was meant to sit with the visiting pack leaders tonight. We have several ceremonial matters to discuss."
I turned to find him standing there, resplendent in his Alpha formal wear, his amber eyes warm with understanding.
"Of course," I agreed, accepting his outstretched hand. "The Moonrise Alliance preparations take precedence."
As we moved to the other end of the hall, I could feel James's glare burning into my back. But more importantly, I noticed the approving nods from the visiting pack leaders who had witnessed the exchange.
---
The ceremonial dance began after dinner, a tradition where pack members demonstrated their unity through synchronized movements. I took my place in the circle, aware of Liliana watching me from across the floor.
As the music began, she moved closer, her steps bringing her alongside me in the pattern.
"Such a beautiful ceremony," she commented, her voice sweet with false admiration. "Though I wonder how long you'll maintain your... temporary position."
I kept my movements fluid and graceful. "Temporary is a relative term, Miss Grant."
"Oh, but surely you know," she continued, her smile sharp as a blade, "that true mate bonds cannot be denied forever. James and I—"
"Are you familiar with Pack Law Article 17, Section 3?" I asked pleasantly, my voice carrying just enough for nearby dancers to hear.
She faltered slightly. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"It states quite clearly that any mate bond, whether secret or public, takes precedence over chosen mate arrangements," I explained, my tone diplomatic but firm. "Unless formally severed before the Inter-Pack Council."
The dancers around us slowed slightly, listening.
"Furthermore," I continued, "the Luna position is not determined by seating arrangements at galas, but by formal pack recognition and ceremonial investiture."
Liliana's smile tightened. "How... academic of you."
"Education is important when representing a pack," I replied smoothly. "Something you might consider before making further... improvements."
---
The next morning, I was reviewing Moonrise Ceremony preparations with my team when James stormed into the planning room.
"This stops now," he announced, slamming a folder onto the table. "I'm appointing myself overseer of the Moonrise Ceremony."
I looked up calmly. "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that I'm Alpha," he snapped. "And that you've overstepped your authority."
"The ceremony falls under Luna jurisdiction," I reminded him. "As stated in Pack Law."
James's eyes flashed dangerously. "I'm reallocating the eastern grounds for security training. They're no longer available for your... festivities."
"That would violate our agreement with the Crescent Moon Pack," I pointed out.
"Then unmake the agreement," he growled. "And while you're at it, reduce the resource allocation for decorations by half. We need to focus on more important matters."
As he turned to leave, I noticed him pause by one of my Delta wolves, whispering something that made the young wolf look uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
"No problem," James replied smoothly. "Just clarifying some duties."
After he left, I watched as several pack members exchanged glances.
"He's going to make this as difficult as possible," Nova warned.
"Yes," I agreed quietly. "But he's also showing everyone exactly what kind of Alpha he truly is."
What neither of us said aloud was the most dangerous truth of all: James wasn't just trying to undermine my ceremony—he was declaring war on my position as Luna.
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