Chapter 4: The Childhood Sweetheart Exposed

The ceremony was postponed.

That single decision sent Northmere into chaos.

Within hours, every major pack was discussing the woman who carried the First Moon Alpha bloodline.

Some called me blessed.

Others called me dangerous.

A few even whispered that I had manipulated the ceremony to gain political power.

I ignored all of them.

My brother and I returned to his private residence after the council meeting.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes."

"You don't have to marry Falcon."

I looked at him.

"I know."

"Then don't let the council pressure you."

"I'm not."

He nodded.

"Good."

He had always treated me like his little sister.

Today, for the first time, I understood why he had been so protective.

My bloodline wasn't simply powerful.

It was valuable.

Whoever controlled it could influence the balance of the entire werewolf world.

That was exactly what made Falcon's situation dangerous.

And Julia knew it.

By evening, Julia's name was appearing everywhere.

People were discussing her connection to Falcon.

Some even claimed she should have been Luna instead of me.

She had grown up beside Falcon.

She had attended pack events with him.

She had been treated like family.

But none of that made her his mate.

That distinction seemed impossible for her to accept.

The next morning, I received a message from Falcon.

"Can we talk?"

I stared at the screen.

Then replied.

"Where?"

"The northern gardens."

I went alone.

Falcon was waiting beneath a large silver tree.

The morning wind moved through his dark hair.

He looked serious.

"Thank you for coming."

"What do you want?"

"To explain something."

I crossed my arms.

"Go ahead."

"Julia and I grew up together."

"I know."

"She was there during the worst years of my life."

"I know that too."

"But whatever people think, I never promised her the position of Luna."

"Maybe not with words."

"But your actions made her believe it."

Falcon's expression tightened.

"You're right."

"I protected her too much."

"I allowed her to believe that my loyalty to her childhood meant something more."

"And that was unfair to you."

I hadn't expected him to admit it so easily.

"Why did you protect her at the jewelry shop?"

"I didn't know about it when you called."

"I only knew Julia had been involved in an argument."

"And you chose not to ask who was right."

Falcon lowered his eyes.

"Yes."

"I made a mistake."

I studied him.

"At least you're honest."

"I'm trying to be."

Before I could answer, another voice came from behind us.

"Falcon."

Julia.

She walked toward us with tears already in her eyes.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

Falcon's expression immediately changed.

"Why?"

"Because everyone is talking about me."

"They're saying I lied about our relationship."

"You know I never meant to cause trouble."

I almost laughed.

Julia had a talent for appearing innocent at exactly the right moment.

She stepped closer to Falcon.

"I thought you were going to protect me."

Falcon remained silent.

"Say something," she pleaded.

"Tell her what I mean to you."

Falcon looked at her.

"You're my childhood friend."

"Only that?"

Julia's face crumpled.

"After everything?"

"Yes."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"So you really chose her."

Falcon's voice remained calm.

"This isn't about choosing anyone."

"It's about respecting the mate bond."

Julia looked at me with hatred.

"She hasn't even accepted you."

"That's true," Falcon replied.

"But she's still my mate."

"You don't deserve him," Julia snapped.

I smiled faintly.

"That isn't your decision."

"You think your bloodline makes you special?"

"No."

"Your behavior does enough."

Julia's expression darkened.

"You don't know anything about us."

"I know enough."

"You grew up with him."

"You were always at his side."

"You convinced everyone that you would become his Luna."

"But you never actually asked him what he wanted."

She went silent.

Falcon looked at her carefully.

Something had clearly clicked in his mind.

"Is that true?" he asked.

"What?"

"Did you tell the pack that I promised you the Luna position?"

Julia hesitated.

"I..."

Falcon's voice hardened.

"Answer me."

"I never said that exactly."

"But you implied it."

"Because I thought it was obvious."

Falcon's expression became cold.

"That was your assumption."

Julia suddenly cried.

"You don't understand!"

"I have loved you my entire life."

"And you always treated me like I belonged beside you."

"I cared about you."

"You made me believe that was enough."

Falcon shook his head.

"Caring isn't a mating bond."

Julia stepped back.

Then she looked at me.

"You did this."

"You came here and destroyed everything."

I calmly replied,

"No."

"You destroyed it yourself by confusing friendship with entitlement."

Her face turned red.

"You'll regret this."

She turned and walked away.

Falcon watched her leave.

"She wasn't always like this."

"Maybe you simply never noticed."

He looked at me.

"You really don't trust me."

"Would you?"

He didn't answer.

Later that afternoon, the council summoned me.

Several elders had gathered in the main hall.

"Sloane Lunebom," the oldest elder said.

"Your bloodline changes the nature of this arrangement."

"How?"

"The First Moon Alpha line has never been subordinate to another Alpha."

"That means if you accept Falcon, the political balance between Silvermoon and the Chairman's territory will change."

I remained calm.

"I'm not interested in ruling anyone."

"Power doesn't care what you want."

"Then perhaps the problem isn't my power."

The elders exchanged looks.

"You speak boldly."

"I've spent my life around people who speak softly while making cruel decisions."

"I'd rather be honest."

One elder almost smiled.

"Perhaps that is why your brother trusts you."

After the meeting, Falcon approached me.

"The council told me they're reconsidering the arrangement."

"Good."

"You're not upset?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because it means our mating may never happen."

I looked at him.

"Would that bother you?"

He was silent for a moment.

"I don't know."

"At least you're honest again."

He smiled faintly.

"I'm learning."

That night, I returned to my room.

My phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

I opened the message.

"Julia isn't the only person who wants you gone."

My expression changed.

Another message arrived.

"Your bloodline belongs to someone else."

Then a photograph appeared.

It showed a symbol I recognized from my mother's old belongings.

The First Moon crest.

My blood ran cold.

Someone had been watching me.

Someone knew exactly what I was.

And someone wanted my power.

I looked out the window toward the dark mountains.

The rivalry with Julia suddenly seemed insignificant.

Because there was another enemy hiding in the shadows.

And unlike Julia...

That enemy wasn't interested in taking Falcon.

They wanted my crown.