Rejected by the Alpha's Luna

The grand hall of the Silvermoon pack house glittered with silver and blue decorations, a celebration meant to honor me—Luna Victoria Sterling—on my thirty-fifth birthday. Yet as I stood in the shadows at the edge of the gathering, I felt more like a ghost than a guest of honor.

Marcus, my mate and Alpha, commanded the center of the room with his powerful presence. His voice boomed across the hall as he addressed our pack members.

"Today, we celebrate not just a birthday, but the continued strength of the Silvermoon Pack!" Marcus's chest puffed out, his hand resting on his hip in that familiar pose of authority. "Our dominance in the Western territories is unmatched, our warriors undefeated!"

Not once did he mention my name or my contributions as his Luna.

*He's forgotten this is supposed to be about you,* Sarah, my wolf, whispered in my mind. I could feel her restlessness, her hackles rising as she paced the corners of my consciousness.

*It's fine,* I responded silently, though we both knew it wasn't. Fourteen years of marriage, and I had grown accustomed to being overlooked despite my rare healing abilities that had saved countless pack members and strengthened our position among neighboring territories.

I absently touched the moon crystal pendant at my throat—an ancestral symbol passed down through generations of Lunas. The silver chain felt unusually heavy tonight.

The crowd parted suddenly, and my breath caught in my throat. Ashley Blake entered, her slender figure wrapped in a revealing silver gown that caught the moonlight streaming through the high windows. At twenty-five, she possessed the youthful beauty I once had, before years of pouring my energy into healing others had etched fine lines around my eyes.

Marcus's gaze followed her movement, his expression transforming from commanding Alpha to something else entirely—something hungry and appreciative. The look he once reserved for me, years ago.

I stepped forward slightly, intending to reclaim my place beside my mate for the ceremonial blessing, when I spotted Ethan, our seventeen-year-old son, approaching Ashley. My heart stuttered as he pressed something into her palm—something that glinted silver in the light.

"This belongs to the true Luna," I heard him whisper, just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

The ancestral moon crystal. My crystal. The one I was wearing just yesterday.

Time seemed to slow as I realized what was happening. My son had removed my Luna symbol from my quarters and was now publicly transferring it to Ashley. The ultimate disrespect, the deepest betrayal.

*Don't let them do this to us!* Sarah snarled, her fury burning through my veins.

I moved forward, dignity somehow still intact despite the humiliation washing over me in waves. "That belongs to me," I said, my voice steady despite the earthquake happening inside my chest.

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to this unexpected confrontation.

Marcus's expression darkened as he stepped between Ashley and me. "Know your place, Victoria."

"My place?" I repeated, something breaking loose inside me