Chapter 2: The Unwanted Luna

My mother gently patted my shoulder after hearing my words.

"Don't say such unlucky things, Harper," she scolded softly. "Of course you'll need your inheritance. Even if Ryker is the Alpha, a woman should always have something of her own."

I stared at her in silence.

It was ironic.

The only time my parents ever showed concern for me was when they needed something from me.

Ever since we were born, they believed I had stolen nutrients from Ivy in our mother's womb, leaving her weak and sickly.

To them, I was the selfish daughter.

Ivy was the innocent victim.

Every birthday, Ivy received expensive dresses, jewelry, and endless praise from the entire pack.

I usually stood quietly in the corner wearing whatever old clothes were left over.

Sometimes I wondered if I had really been their daughter.

Even after becoming the Luna of Blackmoon Pack, nothing changed.

Ivy wanted my position.

She wanted my reputation.

Most of all...

She wanted my mate.

Whenever Ryker defended her, I argued with him.

Whenever Ivy pretended to cry, my parents blamed me.

Eventually, Ryker grew tired of me.

"You're too controlling, Harper," he often said.

"Can't you be more understanding like Ivy?"

Back then, I fought desperately for his love.

Now...

I simply didn't care anymore.

That evening, the family gathered around the dining table.

The servants placed the finest roasted venison in front of Ivy while I received a plate of vegetables and plain bread.

No one even noticed the difference.

I quietly ate without saying a word.

Across the table, Ivy smiled sweetly before lifting a piece of meat toward Ryker.

"Ryker, try this. It's delicious."

He accepted it without hesitation.

My chest tightened for only a second before the feeling disappeared.

Perhaps my heart had finally grown numb.

Several days later, the annual Pack Alliance Banquet arrived.

Every Alpha and Beta family attended.

Ryker entered the grand ballroom with Ivy beside him.

He carefully adjusted the necklace around her neck before leading her onto the dance floor.

Meanwhile, I stood alone near the window.

The guests whispered behind their glasses.

"Isn't Harper the Luna?"

"Then why is Alpha Ryker spending the entire evening with her sister?"

"Looks like the rumors were true. The Luna has completely lost her Alpha's heart."

I pretended not to hear them.

Suddenly, Ivy's angry voice echoed throughout the ballroom.

"Who gave you permission to wear the same color dress as me?"

Before anyone could react, she grabbed a bowl of steaming seafood chowder and dumped it over another young woman.

A horrified scream filled the hall.

The victim was Chloe.

The beloved daughter of the Silvermoon Alpha.

Burn marks instantly appeared across Chloe's delicate face.

Instead of apologizing, Ivy pointed at her proudly.

"A half-blood like you has no right to stand near Ryker!"

The entire ballroom fell silent.

Every werewolf knew one thing.

Insulting someone's bloodline was the greatest humiliation imaginable.

Especially when that person belonged to the most powerful pack in the north.

The Silvermoon Alpha slowly stood.

His terrifying aura filled the hall.

"Someone," he ordered coldly, "will pay for this in blood."