Chapter 11
“I swear on the Moon Goddess herself, I’m going to rip that fake smile right off her face!” Lily slammed her fist against the table, her eyes blazing with fury. “How dare she manipulate Raymond like that?”
I placed a gentle hand on my best friend’s arm. “Lily, please. You’ll only make things worse.
“Worse?” She scoffed. “Aurora, that girl is playing victim while actively trying to sabotage you, and Raymond is too blinded by his mate bond to see it!”
I winced at the truth in her words but maintained my composure. I couldn’t afford to lose control–not with so much at stake.
The annual school visit from the Alpha and Luna was approaching fast. This event had always been my responsibility, and I took pride in organizing it flawlessly each time.
“Aurora.” Raymond’s voice cut through my thoughts as he approached our table in the cafeteria. “I need to speak with you.
Lily shot him a vicious glare before reluctantly giving us space.
“What is it?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the familiar ache in my chest.
“About the Alpha visit ceremony-
“I’ve already started the preparations,” I interrupted, eager to show my competence.
“Actually,” he said, not quite meeting my eyes, “I’m assigning Glana to handle it this year.”
The words struck me like a physical blow. “What?”
“Glana needs to prove herself to my parents. This is her chance to show them she belongs here,”
I took a deep breath. “Raymond, has Giana ever organized an event like this before?”
“No, but-”
“The Alpha and Luna visit is in three days. There’s no time for someone with no experience.”
His eyes narrowed. “I want
you to assist her. Show her what to do, but let her take the lead.”
I stared at him in disbelief. He wasn’t just taking away my responsibility–he was forcing me to train my replacement.
“Please, Aurora” His voice softened. “For me.”
Those two simple words still held power over me. I nodded stiffly, hating myself for my weakness.
“I don’t need your advice,” Giana snapped, crossing her arms as we stood in the school auditorium. “Raymond chose me to lead this project because he trusts my vision.”
Chapter II
+15 Bonus
I pinched the bridge of my nose, counting to ten silently. “Glana, the centerpieces you ordered are too tall. The Alpha and Luna
need to see the students performing.”
“Well, I think they’re perfect,” she insisted, her chin lifted in defiance. “Besides, everyone knows you’re just jealous because Raymond picked me instead of you.”
The student volunteers exchanged uncomfortable glances, but no one dared to contradict Giana.
Over the next two days, I watched helplessly as Giana dismissed every suggestion I made. The stage setup was all wrong, the reception area was cluttered, and the ceremonial gifts remained unwrapped. Worse, she had dressed the student performers in clashing colors that would make Luna Elena cringe.
“This is a disaster,” whispered one committee member as we surveyed the chaos the morning of the visit.
My phone buzzed with a text from Lily: “Alpha and Luna arriving in ONE HOUR. How bad is it?” Low bad is it?”
I texted back a single word: “Catastrophic.”
I found Glana in the reception area, frantically barking orders that only created more confusion.
“Giana,” I said firmly, “we need to talk.”
“I’m busy!” she snapped, her voice shrill.
“The Alpha and Luna will be here soon, and nothing is ready,” I stated bluntly. “This reflects on all of us, but especially on you and Raymond.”
At the mention of Raymond, fear flashed across her face. “It’s not my fault! Your committee members have been sabotaging me!”
I took a deep breath. This was my moment. “As the future Luna of this pack,” I announced clearly, “I am relieving Giana of her duties and implementing emergency protocol.”
Gasps echoed through the hall.
“You can’t do that!” Giana protested.
“Actually, I can,” 1 countered, my voice steady with authority. “Raymond assigned you to lead, but the Alpha and Luna appointed me as future Luna. Their authority supersedes his until he officially becomes Alpha.”
Without waiting for her response, I turned to the committee. “Plan B. Now.”
What followed was a flurry of activity. We removed Giana’s garish decorations, replacing them with elegant arrangements I’d hidden in storage just in case. The stage was quickly reconfigured, the lighting adjusted, and the performers given proper attire.
Thirty minutes later, the transformation was complete. I stood at the entrance as the sleek black cars of the Alpha family pulled
- up.
Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena emerged, their regal presence commanding immediate respect. And behind them, to my surprise, was Kane, looking impeccably handsome in a tailored navy suit.
+15 Bonus
“Aurora, darling!” Luna Elena embraced me warmly. “Everything looks beautiful, as always.”
Alpha Marcus nodded approvingly. “Excellent work. Raymond mentioned there were some changes in the planning this year?”
I maintained a neutral expression. “Nothing that couldn’t be handled, Alpha.”
Kane’s knowing smirk told me he understood exactly what had happened. “Impressive recovery,” he murmured as he passed, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
The ceremony proceeded flawlessly. Throughout it all, I felt Raymond’s gaze burning into me, his expression unreadable.
As the event concluded, Luna Elena took my hands in hers. “Aurora, you truly are a natural leader. We’re so blessed that you’ll be joining our family officially,”
She turned to address the gathered crowd. “Mark your calendars! In exactly one month, we will celebrate the union of Raymond and Aurora as they begin their journey as Alpha and Luna!”
Applause erupted around us. I felt a surge of pride, unable to help the smile that spread across my face as guests approached to congratulate me.
“The perfect Luna,” Alpha Marcus declared proudly, his hand on my shoulder.
Even Kane raised his glass in my direction. “To the future Luna,” he toasted, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite identify. “May your reign be as impressive as your event planning skills.”
I caught sight of Raymond and Giana at the edge of the crowd. Raymond’s jaw was clenched, and Giana’s eyes were rimmed with red, their expressions dark contrasts to the celebration around me.
As the crowd dispersed, I saw Giana tug Raymond away, her face crumpling with tears. I shouldn’t have followed, but curiosity got the better of me.
I found them behind the auditorium, Giana sobbing dramatically against Raymond’s chest.
“This proves it!” she cried. “Everyone looks down on me because I’m a rogue! They’re all trying to make a fool of me! Aurora never really wanted to help me–she just wanted to humiliate me!”
She clutched Raymond’s sleeve, looking up at him with sorrow–filled eyes. “But my love for you is real… I can’t give you up. I want to work hard and become as outstanding as Aurora…”
I watched Raymond’s expression soften, his hand gently stroking her hair. “It’s okay, I understand.”
“Raymond,” I called out, unable to listen to any more lies. “That’s not what happened. Glana refused all my help-”
He whirled around, his eyes flashing with anger. “This is exactly what you always do,” he accused, cutting me off. “You constantly flatter my parents just to secure the wealth and status you want.”
I recoiled as if slapped. “That’s not true!”
Glana sniffled behind him. “Aurora is the B
Beta’s daughter… but I’m just a mo
Chapter 11
stay with her instead…”
“Why are you crying over something so obvious?”
I turned to find Kane approaching, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Who would ever choose a rogue over a Beta’s daughter?” he continued mockingly.
+16 Bonus
The air around us grew tense as Raymond’s expression darkened in an instant. “What exactly do you mean by that, Kane?”
