LOGINAnnastasia. The music swirled from the grand hall, heavy and loud enough to vibrate through the walls of the pack house. I stood in my room, staring at the gown that had been laid out on my bed. It was beautiful. More beautiful than anything I had ever worn. The fabric was deep midnight blue, the color of the night sky just before the stars appeared. Tiny crystals were sewn into the bodice, catching the light like scattered diamonds. The skirt flowed down to the floor in soft waves, elegant and regal.It was a gown worthy of a Luna.Lena moved around me, adjusting the dress, smoothing the fabric, fixing my hair. Her hands were gentle but steady. "You look beautiful, my Luna," she said softly. "Truly beautiful."I looked at my reflection.The woman staring back at me was a stranger. She stood tall. Her shoulders were straight. Her chin was lifted. The gown hugged her figure and flowed around her like water. The crystals sparkled with every breath. Her hair was swept up, revealing the
Annastasia Pov. I stepped back cautiously. My wolf was alert. Watchful. "You should not be here, Valeria.""Should I not?" Valeria laughed. It was a hollow, broken sound. "Because of you, I lost everything. My father doesn't look at me. The council has abandoned me. Selene will not speak to me. Hector locked me up like a criminal. My reputation is destroyed. My career is over. Everything I worked for, everything I built, is gone."She took a step toward me. Her hand knocked against the wine bottle, and it rolled off the counter and shattered on the floor. She did not seem to notice."That is not my fault.""Is it not?" She stepped closer. Her movements were unsteady. "You came here and everything fell apart. Everything I worked for. Everything I built. Gone. Because of you.""Valeria, you need to leave. You're drunken. You are not supposed to be here.""Not supposed to be here?" She laughed again. "I built this place. I worked here for years before you ever set foot in this territory
Anna's POVMartha bowed. A deep, respectful bow that made every other person in the kitchen do the same."You have good kitchen skills, Luna," one of the cooks said admirably."I worked in a diner for two years. If you cannot chop fast, you do not survive.""A diner?" Another cook looked up with surprise. "You really worked in a diner? But you are an Alpha's daughter.""My father did not believe in paying for my education. So I paid for it myself. Waitressing. Dishwashing. Whatever job I could find."The cooks exchanged glances. Something shifted in their expressions. Respect. Real respect. Not the forced kind that came from fear of Hector's authority. But the kind that came from understanding. From shared experience."That is admirable, Luna," Marta said quietly. "Not many Alphas' daughters would dirty their hands with kitchen work.""I am not like most Alphas' daughters.""No," she agreed. "You are not."By late morning the rush was over, and the kitchen was finally under control. T
Anna's POVMarta forced a smile. It was polite but uncertain. "My Luna, you are too kind. But you do not have to do this. We are servants. This is our job. The Alpha depends on our cook to make something delicious for the guests. Besides, even if we allowed you to cook, the staff would not agree. You are the Luna. It is not proper for you to work in the kitchen.""I know it is your job. And you are doing wonderfully. But you are also short staffed and overwhelmed. I have two hands. I know how to chop vegetables and stir pots. Let me help."Marta stared at me. Her mouth opened and closed. She looked at Lena, as if hoping for support. Lena just smiled and shrugged."Luna, I really must insist—""And I really must insist back," I said. My voice was firm but gentle. "I am not above working in a kitchen. Before I came here, I worked as a waitress to pay for my education. I washed dishes. I scrubbed floors. I am not afraid of hard work. So please. Put me to use."The kitchen was still silen
Anna's POVThe pack mansion was alive with noise.I woke to the sound of footsteps thundering through the hallways, voices shouting orders, furniture being dragged across floors. Outside my window, I could hear cars arriving and departing, guards calling to each other, servants rushing across the gravel driveway.The gala.Tonight, every Alpha and Luna from every pack in the territory would gather under this roof. The most important political event of the year, and the Blood Moon pack was hosting it.And I had no interest in attending.I rolled out of bed slowly. My back was still sore, but the pain was manageable now. The wounds had scabbed over. The bruises had faded to yellow. I could move without wincing, which was more than I could say two days ago.The bathroom was warm and steamy when I stepped inside. I let the hot water run over my shoulders and tried not to think about the gala. About Hector. About the way he had held my chin and asked if I loved him. About the way I had lie
Annastasia Pov. Kassian studied me for a long moment. Then he sighed. "You are as stubborn as he is. Perhaps that is why you are so well matched.""We are not well matched. We are a business arrangement.""Whatever you say, my dear." He leaned back in his chair. "You may be right. Or you may be wrong. But either way, it is not my place to say." He paused. "You wanted to discuss about something else."I nodded. I was grateful for the change of subject. "The girl. Mira."Kassian stiffened. His expression shifted. The weariness was still there, but beneath it was something else. Something darker."You noticed," he said quietly."Of course I noticed. I am your student. I know when you are hiding something."Kassian was silent for a long moment. He stared up at the moon. Its light reflected in his tired eyes."The girl seems fine," he said finally. "Her wolf is healthy. Her vitals are strong. By every measure, the cure worked." He paused. "But there is something in her system. Something I
HECTOR The car sped through the dark road, but I could not sit still. My wolf was clawing at the inside of my chest. He had been restless for the past hour, pacing and growling and pushing against my control. At first, I thought it was just the stress of my aunt's arrival. Selene always put me on
ANNASTASIS POV The door closed behind Hector with a heavy thud.I stood alone in the council chamber, my hand still half raised, my mouth still half open with the words I had not gotten to say. He had rushed off so quickly. One moment he was telling me about the central research center for all sup
HECTOR The council chamber was empty now. The elders had scattered like leaves before a storm. Only Anastasia and I remained. I turned to her. The anger was still burning in my chest, hot and sharp. Not at her. At them. At the council. At Valeria. At everyone who had forced her into this corner.
Annastasia POV Hector drove. I sat in the passenger seat, still trying to get him to tell me where we were going. He gave me nothing. Just the occasional glance and the faintest hint of a smirk. The man was impossible. The city passed by outside the window. Blood Moon territory was even more i







