Your Luna’s Final Goodbye

"Get on your knees and repent!"

Emory dragged me out to the stone path in front of the main house. It was covered with sharp, jagged rocks, a path reserved for punishing pack members who had committed serious crimes.

"Kneel until you admit you were wrong," he commanded coldly, then turned and walked away.

Pack members gathered to watch my "penance," staring as if I were some unforgivable criminal. They pointed and whispered.

"I heard the Luna is being punished for trying to kill Miss Ophelia. How horrible."

"The Alpha is so unlucky, being mated to such a cruel woman."

I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words were stuck in my throat. I couldn't make a sound. A silencing spell.

The guard watching me chuckled mockingly. "Don't waste your energy. Miss Ophelia gave the order. You won't be saying anything you're not supposed to."

Of course. I knelt all day. The stones dug deep into my knees, but I was long past feeling the pain. By the second day, I couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed.

When I woke up, I was in a sickroom again. Emory was staring at my bruised and bloodied legs, his expression unreadable.

When he saw I was awake, he let out a long sigh and took my hand, his expression a tangled mess of anger and... was that regret?

"Why are you so stubborn?" he chided. "If you had just apologized, you wouldn't have had to suffer like this."

I pulled my hand away with all the strength I had left.

His face fell.

"I know I went too far. I apologize," he said, a rare note of humility in his voice. He even offered a gentle smile. "The full moon ceremony is coming up. I can take you with me."

In the past, that would have been a dream come true. To stand by his side, a united front for all to see.

"I don't want to go," I said softly.

Emory stared, unable to understand why I wasn't falling into his arms with joy like I used to. His tone hardened. "You have to go! It's your duty as Luna!"

Just then, Leo burst into the room. "Why does Mommy have to go if she's sick? You said Auntie Ophelia could go!"

And just like that, I understood why my son had lied. Once again, my own son had chosen to twist the knife.

Emory looked flustered, then snapped at Leo. "That's enough! My decision is final!"

Leo fell silent, but his glare remained. I watched it all unfold, saying nothing.

Three days later, at the full moon ceremony, my legs hadn't fully healed. I walked with a slight limp, and my face was so pale that even the thickest makeup couldn't hide my haggardness. But Emory didn't notice. His attention was entirely on Ophelia. She looked exceptionally beautiful tonight in a flowing white gown, like an angel in need of protection.

Guests flocked to her, asking about her health with concerned voices.

"Miss Ophelia is so strong, attending the ceremony even while she's sick."

"Yes, not like some people who make a fuss over every little thing."

Their words reached me, but I felt nothing.

Suddenly, a visiting Alpha approached Ophelia, his hand sliding possessively onto her waist. Ophelia's face paled, and she looked trapped. Beside me, Emory's scent spiked with jealousy and rage. His hand, which had been resting on my shoulder, clenched so tightly that I cried out in pain. "Emory..."

He didn't hear me.

I took a deep breath. "Go. I'll be fine here."

The words were barely out of my mouth before Emory shot to his feet and stormed over to them. He yanked Ophelia behind him and snarled at the other Alpha, "Who gave you permission to touch her?"

Then, he threw a punch. The entire hall went silent.

"Ophelia is mine!" he declared in front of everyone. "No one touches her!"