The Luna Who Refused to Kneel

The ballroom air froze.

Ansel shielded me behind him, his Alpha pheromones surging like a storm toward the man at the door. But the man stood like a mountain on a frozen plain—unshaken.

“An arranged bond?” Ansel’s voice shook with suppressed rage, tinged with disbelief. “How is it I know nothing of this? Leah is mine.”

“That’s your concern.” Andrew’s tone was calm, factual. “I’ve already reached an agreement with Marcus Redwood, Leah’s father.”

His meaning was clear: he negotiated with the one who had authority. And that wasn’t Ansel.

“Bullshit!” Ansel roared. “Leah will never leave with you!”

My wolf, Lilith, howled in excitement inside my head.

“Whoa! This one’s strong, Leah—I like him! Look at Ansel’s constipated face, ha! Let’s go with him, now!”

I looked at Andrew, my supposed fiancé.

Tall, broad-shouldered, his strong frame exuded reliability. Long legs, model-like build, sharp features, and those deep gray eyes that carried an air of mystery.

His gaze rested steadily on me—calm, unfathomable. His composure unsettled me.

Just then, a delicate voice broke the standoff.

“Ansel?”

Nancy.

She walked in wearing a white dress, hair flowing over her shoulders. Rushing forward with just the right amount of worry and urgency, her eyes bypassed everyone else to land solely on Ansel.

“I called, but you didn’t answer. I was so worried… What’s going on here?” She hurried to his side, naturally clinging to his arm. Only then did she pretend to notice me, covering her mouth in feigned surprise. “Leah? You’re here too? Today’s your birthday, isn’t it? I’m sorry, I didn’t know Ansel was throwing you a party, otherwise I…”

Her words trailed off deliberately, each syllable a needle pricking my heart.

Ansel’s face softened with Nancy’s arrival.

Her gaze shifted to Andrew, sizing him up politely before offering a harmless smile. “Hello, I’m Nancy, Ansel’s friend. And you are?”

Andrew’s eyes flicked over her face for less than a second before moving away.

The public dismissal flushed her face crimson. Her lips trembled, tears welling quickly as she looked pitifully at Ansel.

“Ansel…” Her voice quivered as though she’d suffered unbearable humiliation.

His protective instincts ignited instantly. He snapped his head toward Andrew, eyes blazing. “You’d better show some respect! Apologize to Nancy!”

Andrew’s reply was glacial.

“I don’t speak to irrelevant people.”

That hurt worse than any insult. Nancy was beneath even the effort of words—like a stray mutt.

“Ah!” Nancy broke down, covering her face, sobbing for all to see.

The crowd murmured, their expressions gleaming with gossip-fueled excitement.

“Enough!” Ansel wrapped his arms around Nancy, soothing her softly. “Don’t cry, Nancy. It’s not your fault.”

He held her like she was a priceless treasure. Then he turned on me, his gaze filled with hate.

“Leah, is this what you wanted? To humiliate me in front of everyone?”

My birthday party—a stage for his declaration of ownership.

I looked at Nancy in his arms. Through her fingers, I caught the glint of smug triumph. She was taunting me.

“Ansel,” she sobbed, “let’s go home. I don’t want to stay here…”

“Alright, let’s go home.” He agreed instantly, not sparing me a glance, holding Nancy as he turned to leave.

I drew in a breath, stepped forward, and shoved the couple’s ring from our first anniversary into his pocket.

“Go,” I said. “Take her home.”

He stared at me in disbelief.

But in the end, he left with Nancy in his arms.

The ballroom atmosphere twisted into awkwardness and unease. Beneath the loud music, whispers flew about what had just unfolded.

Lilith snorted in my mind. “Serves him right! Scum with a green tea bitch—perfect match! Leah, let’s go with the tall one!”

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Andrew walked firmly to stand before me.