Chapter 40
My smirk doesn’t budge, not even as the sting of dirt clings to my skin and humillation pulses beneath it like a fresh burn.
Celestia turns back to the crowd, chin held high, basking in their attention like it’s sunlight. She looks utterly pleased with herself, but that’s where she
messed up.
Because she gave me the spotlight.
And now… I’m taking it.
Slowly, deliberately, I rise from the ground. Graceful. Poised.
1 act as though I don’t care that every eye is on me. My heart pounds like a war drum, but I force my spine to stay straight.
This isn’t how I imagined being introduced to the pack… but fine.
If they want a show–I’ll give them one.
Confidence. Control. No fear.
What a Luna should have.
And I will be Luna, for now.
Without giving myself time to second–guess it, I stride straight toward the crowd – toward her.
Celestia’s smirk falters for the briefest second as I approach, but she schools her face quickly, pretending not to flinch.
I stop in front of her close enough to catch her sickly sweet scent again. It’s cloying. Overbearing. Then I lift my foot and slam it down–right on hers.
Her smile freezes.
Her pupils dilate.
But she neither screams nor jerks away.
She endures.
Good.
1 lean in, my lips brushing her ear as I whisper–just loud enough for a few nearby to catch it.
“Game on.”
Then I flash her the sweetest smile I can muster as I lift my foot off hers.
She doesn’t move. But her eyes?
Oh, they scream.
The crowd parts for me like water as I walk through them, even though I can feel their stares sticking to my skin.
I keep my face blank–calm, composed – but inside I’m still burning.
Then come the whispers.
“She’s really Alpha Jack’s mate?”
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Chapter 20
she’s not as ugly as I thought shell be,”
She’s beautiful, yeah, but she looks strong too athletic.”
“She’s pretty but no one compares to Lady Celestia. She’s soft. More feminine.”
I pretend I don’t hear them. I focus on my breathing. On my steps. On keeping my chin high and my eyes forward.
Then right on cue
Celestia clears her throat, loud
Desperate little princess. Trying to snatch the spotlight back before it slips from her manicured claws.
“My father will be most pleased to hear that you all welcomed me so warmly,” she says. Her tone is sugary–sweet, but there’s unmistakable venom beneath it.
She’s pissed.
The crowd lights up again, falling all over themselves to praise her.
“The Alpha King’s daughter deserves only the best and nothing less!”
“You’re royalty, your highness! It’s an honor to have you here!”
“In fact,” someone shouts, “that’s why we’re gathered! We want to persuade Alpha Jack to throw you a proper introduction ceremony!”
More cheers More applause.
And still, I keep walking, my smirk slowly stretches into a full–blown grin..
A ceremony for her? Over my dead, freshly humiliated body.
There is no damn way Celestia is getting introduced before me.
As I near the pack building, I pause. It’s heavily guarded.
70%
That’s new.
Four warriors stand like statues, and two of them wear royal uniforms–black coats embroidered with gold thread, swords strapped to their sides like they actually know how to use them.
Royal guards. Celestia’s loyal little watchdogs.
As I get closer, the two royal guards step into my path like I’m some uninvited pest.
One holds out a hand. “This area is restricted. You may not ”
I arch a brow and turn to the third warrior – not a royal dog, but one of jack’s. He wears Jack’s colors. I recognize him.
I meet his eyes and say, calmly but with enough steel in my voice to make him blink, “Are you seriously going to let them block my path? I’m your Alpha’s mate. You know that already.”
His jaw tenses for a moment – but then, like a switch flipping, he shoves the royal guard aside with one firm hand. “She’s allowed in.”
I flash him a small, knowing smile.
“Good choice.”
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Chapter 40
Inside, the scent hits me immediately.
Jack. That woodsy, dark mix of spice and wild that makes my knees wobble like a damn amateur.
I follow his trail, every step calculated, heart pounding louder the closer I get to the large double doors at the end of the hall. My hand wraps around the knob, ready to twist-
But I freeze.
Shit.
What am I doing?
This plan is fucking insane.
How the hell do i seduce a man who turns me into a mess just by looking at me? I can’t even touch him without risking fainting or collapsing like some
lovesick fool.
I don’t even get a second to rethink it.
“Kali,” his voice rumbles through the door like a command I feel in my bones.
“I know you’re out there. Come in. I can smell you… you know that, right?”
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath.
I open the door slowly and step inside. My feet feel heavier than usual, my fingers twitch nervously. The office is massive – all leather, glass, and dark wood. Powerful. Just like him.
And there he is, standing by the window, bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, already staring at me like he expected this.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and mutter, “Hi.”
Jack turns fully, his hands slipping into his pockets as he studies me with amused eyes.
“I didn’t expect you,” he says with a tilt of his head. “Not that I’m complaining. You’re free to come in anytime.”
His words curl around me like smoke, warm and dangerous. I smile, shyly at first, then meet his eyes. We stare at each other for a beat too long before he
clears his throat.
“So,” he says, voice deeper now. “To what do I owe the honor?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Just say it, Kali.
“Don’t do any introduction ceremony for Celestia,” I blurt out, all in one breath.
His brows rise. “Repeat that?”
I grit my teeth, eyes narrowing slightly. “I said, don’t do an introduction ceremony for Celestia.”
He crosses his arms slowly, the smirk dancing back to his lips. “Why not?”
His tone is teasing but with an edge. He’s testing me. Pushing.
“Can’t you see?” he continues, stepping closer. “My pack is asking me – begging me to introduce her. They want a Luna. And as their Alpha, I don’t see why I should deny them.”
“Because I say so!” I yell, louder than I mean to.
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Chapter 30
His smirk turns wicked. “Kali,” he says, voice tow and taunting, “have you forgotten? You’re the one who said we should take things slow. We should date
remember that?”
finch, and his words keep coming.
“Well, my pack isn’t patient like you. They don’t want slow. They want a Luna now. Unless…” His eyes lock onto mine. “You’ve got another way to convince nie.”
Istraighten. “Introduce me first”
He blinks, surprised. “You?”
“Yes, I say, standing taller now. “I want to be the woman you introduce before Lady Celestia.”
He laughs softly—not mocking, but something more dangerous. “And why would I do that, Kali? You haven’t even accepted the bond between us.” He leans in. “Will you accept me? You have to convince me, Kali.”
My mouth opens, then closes. I want to scream yes – but fear tightens around my throat.
So I do the only thing I’m apparently good at lately..
Irun.
I burst out of the room like fire’s licking at my heels. I don’t look back, just keep moving, furious at myself.
“Coward. Idiot. Weak.” My wolf snarls at me.
“You pathetic little thing,” she snaps. “Is this who you are? You run when he challenges you? Are you going to let that bitch take our place?”
I stop halfway down the hall, chest heaving.
“Let me show you how it’s done.”
And just like that, she takes over.
I spin around and storm back, grip the door, and slam it open with enough force to rattle the hinges.
Jack is standing now behind his desk, about to sit.
Too slow.
I march toward him like a force of nature and shove him hard into his chair. He falls into it, wide–eyed and caught off guard.
Now it’s my turn to smirk.
–
Seduction burns in my veins, fueled by fury and something far more dangerous – power.
I lean forward slowly, bracing my hands on the arms of his chair, trapping him there.
“Stil
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