Luna Betrayed by Her Alpha

The afternoon sun glinted off the polished storefronts lining Silver Moon Pack's luxury district, but I barely noticed the sparkle. As Luna, I'd walked these streets a hundred times, smiling at merchants and nodding to pack members. Today felt different.

"The new boutique has excellent craftsmanship," Ava said beside me, her voice carrying that refined elegance that made everyone respect her. Even after stepping down as Luna, the Dowager Luna commanded more authority than most Alphas I'd met. "The jeweler mentioned they're preparing pieces for the Pack Run ceremony."

I touched my chest absently, where a dull ache had been growing for weeks. The mate bond with Adriel used to feel warm, like sunlight on my skin. Lately, it felt like touching cold metal.

"That's wonderful," I managed, forcing brightness into my tone. "Adriel said the Moonstone Pendant is being polished for the occasion. It'll be beautiful."

Ava's expression flickered—something I couldn't quite read—but she squeezed my hand. "You've been a gracious Luna, Alondra. The pack is fortunate."

Her words should have warmed me. Instead, they made the ache sharper.

We turned the corner toward the high-end jewelry store, and that's when I saw her.

Halle Perry stood directly in our path, flanked by two Beta guards I recognized—Marcus Stone's men. Her blonde hair caught the light like spun gold, and her smile was all teeth. The kind of smile that made my wolf retreat deeper into my consciousness.

"Well, well." Halle's voice dripped honey and venom in equal measure. "The Lunas are gracing us with their presence."

I straightened my spine. "Miss Perry. I wasn't aware you'd be touring the district today."

"Oh, I go wherever I please now." She stepped closer, and I caught her scent—jasmine and something darker, something that made my stomach turn. "Adriel's been very generous with his... permissions."

Ava's hand tightened on mine. "The Alpha grants authority through proper channels, Miss Perry. I'm sure you understand pack protocol."

Halle laughed, the sound sharp enough to cut. "Protocol? How quaint." She reached up, fingers trailing along a heavy silver chain around her neck. The pendant hung beneath her shirt, but the chain itself was ornate, clearly expensive. "Things are changing around here, Dowager Luna. Maybe you haven't noticed."

My wolf whimpered. Something about that chain felt wrong, familiar in a way that made my chest constrict.

"We have business to attend to," I said quietly, trying to step around her. "If you'll excuse us—"

"Actually, you can't go any further." Halle's smile widened. She gestured to the guards, who moved to block the street. "This district is under emergency maintenance. Alpha's orders."

The ache in my chest flared into something sharper. "I wasn't informed of any maintenance."

"Well, you are now." Halle's eyes glittered with something cruel. "The solarium needs structural reinforcement. Very dangerous. We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt."

I reached for the mind-link, that golden thread connecting me to Adriel. *Adriel, there's a situation in the luxury district. Halle Perry says—*

Nothing. The