Fake Heiress True Luna (Irina) novel Chapter 91

Chapter 14: Harvest Moon

Aiden’s POV

Irina said, “Let’s go. We should greet our guests,” and smiled with a sweetness that fooled absolutely no one.

Especially not me.

I know her too much, and I was fully aware that she wanted to watch Karen squirm.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief and something far more dangerous-confidence.

And suddenly, I felt like I’d taken a wolf straight into a den full of sheep and handed her a

knife.

My mate… was in a mood.

“Irina…” I murmured, but she tightened her grip on my arm and stepped forward with purpose.

The crowd parted instinctively, like they could sense she wasn’t playing around tonight.

Debbie whispered behind me, “Ohhh no. Karen is about to get socially destroyed.”

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t care less what happened to Karen, but I didn’t want her to get on Irina’s nerves and suddenly activate her powers.

Irina and I moved toward the visiting Alphas first. Some of them were respectful, while others glanced at Irina like they wanted her.

“This is your fault,” Arlo pointed out. “If you hadn’t acted like a douche-”

“I know,” I replied before he could continue. “I know I f****d up, which is why I gave all these bastards a chance to fight me.”

“And boy did they bite the bait. Let’s see who stands after our fight with Ethan.”

I nodded. It was time to show, not only my pack, but all the other Alphas, what I was willing to do for my mate.

We continued walking, and even the most respectful Alphas, if they were not mated, stared at

Irina.

I glanced at Debbie; she had chosen it on purpose. She knew Irina would be impossible to ignore in that gown. It shaped her curves to the point that even I wanted to snatch her and

carry her back to our room.

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Chapter 14 Harvest Moon

The orange silk clung to her like the sunset, jealous and trying to imitate her. Her curls caught the lantern light like flames.

And every single Alpha male in the vicinity noticed.

Arlo snarled inside me.

I stepped closer to her, placing my hand firmly on the small of her back. Territorial? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.

Irina’s posture changed subtly-her smile softened, her chin lifted half an inch higher.

She felt strong and powerful. Ready to confront anyone who dared to question her Luna authority.

And then Karen appeared again.

Of course she did.

Because Karen can’t read a f*****g room.

She strutted toward us like she owned the damn courtyard. Her red dress shimmered obnoxiously-too bright, too tight, too desperate.

Irina was all elegance, while Karen…

Karen plastered on a sugary smile. “Alpha Aiden. Luna.”

Irina returned her smile.

“Karen,” she said warmly. “You look… festive.”

I stifled a groan. That tone was never good.

Karen blinked. “Thank you. I chose red to represent strength.”

Irina tilted her head. “How fitting.”

Karen smiled proudly.

Irina continued sweetly, “Red is also the color of desperation and trying too hard. But I suppose it’s open to interpretation.”

Debbie choked behind me. Kael squeezed her hand to shut her up. I’m sure he used to those little outbursts.

Karen froze, smile cracking at the edges.

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Chapter 14 Harvest Moon

“I’m not desperate,” she snapped.

Irina gasped softly. “Of course you’re not. You just… volunteered to fight me. I’m sure you are fully aware of who and what I am. Right?”

The surrounding wolves murmured.

Karen’s nostrils flared. “I came because I thought it’d be a fun challenge. Nothing more

#7

Irina nodded graciously. “Aw. That’s adorable. Then that means you didn’t read what the challenge meant.”

Karen’s brows furrowed. “…Adorable?”

I turned my head to look at Irina. I’m not sure I read about that either.

“Yes,” Irina said gently. “Like watching a toddler put on boxing gloves and say she can beat

an adult.”

Debbie whispered, “Holy shit.”

Karen looked like she’d swallowed a lemon.

“You think you’re better than me?” she hissed.

Irina laughed. “We can prove that during the challenge, but you didn’t answer me. Did you read what winning the challenge meant?”

Karen looked like she wanted to scoff, but held back because other people were watching us.

“Care to enlighten me?” Karen asked, feigning ignorance.

Irina smiled. “It means you want to become Luna of this pack and think I’m not fit enough.”

Karen gasped. “Oh, my! I mistook it as a friendly challenge!”

My mate quirked an eyebrow. “Does that mean you withdraw?”

Karen’s eye twitched. “No,” he deadpanned. “I’m going to wipe that smile off your face, you think you are so good, huh? You think you are better than me to stand beside Aiden-”

“No,” she said sweetly. “I don’t think I’m better than you.”

Karen looked relieved for half a second-

Irina smiled wider.

“I know I am.”

3.6

Chapter 14 Harvest Moon

Claim

Karen opened and closed her mouth several times, like she was searching for a comeback and found only air.

Irina leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.

“But don’t worry,” she murmured. “You’ll have your chance to prove me wrong… if you last that long in the ring.”

Karen stiffened, face bright with fury, embarrassment. She looked around for her brother, but

he wasn’t there.

She stormed back toward her group, heels clicking furiously against the stone.

Debbie sighed. “I want to frame that moment.”

Irina stared after Karen with that serene, elegant fierceness that made every hair on my arms stand on end. My mate was dangerous in the best possible way.

I forced myself to refocus when Kael cleared his throat. Debbie was still giggling. The crowd murmured, whispers rippling through the lantern-lit courtyard.

Yeah. Everyone heard that.

Good.

At least now they were aware that Irina too s**t from nobody. Not even an Alpha’s daughter.

I stepped forward, keeping Irina’s hand firmly tucked into mine. The music faded as people noticed my movement, conversations quieting until the entire courtyard turned toward us.

Perfect. Time to begin.

I released Irina’s hand only to take a few steps ahead. I let my gaze sweep over the gathering -my pack, visiting packs, challengers who thought they had a chance, and the idiots who

didn’t know better.

When the silence settled enough to hear branches sway, I spoke.

“Shadow Pack,” I began, my voice carrying through the crisp harvest air, “and honored guests

thank you for joining us for this year’s Harvest Moon Celebration.”

The crowd responded with a warm murmur.

I continued, “Tonight, we celebrate strength, unity, and the traditions that bind our people

together. The hunts, the feast, the midnight run… it is a night to honor our ancestors, our Moon Goddess, and each other.”

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*Chapter 14 Harvest Moon

My eyes drifted to Irina.

She held my stare.

“And,” I added, “it is a night to show the future of this pack.”

A subtle gasp rippled somewhere through the crowd.

Claim

Irina stepped closer behind me, her presence glowing. She was the reason I was giving every last challenge tonight a chance. A chance to see their Luna-my Luna-for who she truly was.

“After dinner,” I announced, “and after the Midnight Run, we will begin the first official challenge of the evening.”

Several wolves straightened immediately. Some smirked. Others tensed. A few looked like they regretted ever signing their damn names.

They didn’t know it yet, but I will give them a chance to withdraw the challenge.

“And since some of you are very eager to get this started…” I turned my head deliberately until

I found Ethan near the front of the courtyard.

His arms were crossed. His grin was smug.

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