Once His Luna

The crystal chandelier cast a thousand glittering reflections across the ballroom of the Silver Moon Corporation's annual gala. I smoothed down the front of my silver gown—the one I'd spent weeks selecting, the one Alexander had barely glanced at when I'd stepped out of our bedroom earlier this evening.

"You look appropriate," he'd said, already typing something on his phone.

Appropriate. Not beautiful. Not stunning. Appropriate—like I was a piece of furniture that matched the decor.

I took a deep breath and plastered on the smile I'd perfected over three years of marriage to the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack. The smile that said I belonged here among these powerful wolves, even though the whispers that followed me said otherwise.

"Beta blood."

"Still no heir."

"Poor Alexander."

I pretended not to hear them as I scanned the room for my husband. The crowd parted momentarily, giving me a clear view of the champagne fountain—and there he was.

My heart stopped.

Alexander stood with his secretary, Lilith, their bodies close enough that her midnight-blue dress brushed against his tailored suit. His head was bent toward hers, his smile more genuine than any he'd given me in months. As I watched, frozen in place, they exchanged small jewelry boxes, their fingers lingering during the transfer.

Even from across the room, my Beta senses could detect the unmistakable exchange of scent markers—intimate, personal, a declaration to any wolf with functioning senses.

My champagne glass nearly slipped from my suddenly numb fingers. I set it down on a passing waiter's tray and forced myself forward, each step requiring more effort than the last.

"Alexander," I said, my voice mercifully steady as I approached them. "I've been looking for you."

My husband straightened, his expression cooling as he turned to me. Lilith remained pressed against his side, her red lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Ava," Alexander acknowledged with a slight nod. "You remember Lilith, my special project manager."

Special project manager. Was that what they were calling it now?

"Of course," I replied, extending my hand. "How could I forget?"

Lilith took my hand briefly, her grip cold and firm. "Luna Ava, always a pleasure."

As she moved, I caught sight of the platinum cufflinks now adorning Alexander's wrists—cufflinks I'd never seen before, gleaming under the chandelier light, unmistakably marked with her scent. Lilith reached up and adjusted one, her fingers possessively lingering on my husband's wrist.

The message couldn't have been clearer if she'd marked him in front of the entire pack.

"Alexander," I said, my voice lower now. "May I speak with you for a moment? Privately?"

A flash of annoyance crossed his face, but he nodded curtly to Lilith. "Excuse us briefly."

I led him toward a quieter corner of the ballroom, my heart hammering against my ribs. When we were relatively alone, I turned to face him.

"What was that?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice down. "You're exchanging scent-marked gifts with your secretary