The packs outcast Luna (Kaia and Theo) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 019

The Pack’s Moonball

–

The Pack hall smells of roses and wine and of course, power.

They’re all here tonight, the Elders, the warriors, the whisperers – every one of them smiling at me as if I already wear Luna’s crown.

A mockery, I hate to deal with.

“You’ve done what no other person could,” Elder Marius said admiringly. “Silvermoon strives again,even the rogues avoid our borders”

I offer him a smile that could melt iron.

“Peace comes at a price, Elder. I merely paid for it. I did nothing extraordinary.”

They laugh. Of course they laugh. They see grace and beauty and a saviour draped in humility.

They don’t see the bite marks I hide under the fake smiles – or the shadow of a girl I had to bury to become this.

“Without you, we wouldn’t have seen Luna Kaia’s true colors. We have you to thank, Alpha Consort, Liora“. Another Elder said.

Great. Alpha Consort.

His reminder irritated me–reminding me of the truth I’ve been running away from.

I tilted my head slightly, hiding the flicker of irritation.

Not crowned yet, I was forcefully reminded of this. Not until Draven stops dragging his feet.

I didn’t come this far to fail. Never.

My nails pressed into my palm, but my voice stayed honey–sweet.

My gaze drifts to Draven.

He stands apart, speaking to his generals instead of me.

The light from the chandelier burns gold in his hair, and for a moment I almost hate him for how easily he wears authority.

Since the trial, he barely looks at me. Barely touches me.

As if Kaia’s ghost still lies between us.

I lift my scarf to hide the tightening of my jaw.

Smile, Liora. That’s what a Luna does I smile until it hurts.

Laughter rippled.

I let it wash over me.

Anger. Irritation. Disgust.

–

My body is shivering with every emotion it could muster. Yet, many of these dimwits think I’m here to have a good laugh with them.

Idiots.

I turned to my side.

A guard walks forward, bows, and murmurs, “A letter for you, my lady. Found at the post office earlier. The courier left before we could question him.”

Letter? Who sent me a letter?

My smile faltered for the briefest second.

I took it, tucking it smoothly into my sleeve. “Thank you.”

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Chapter 019

The guard left and I acted as if nothing had happened.

Then I turn back to the crowd and laugh at some meaningless joke.

I’m not cut out for this. But, forced to endure their humourless jokes.

“My lady, you haven’t had a thing to eat. Would you like something special,” One of the Elders asked, smiling.

She’s been pandering to me since the goddess knows when.

Pathetic.

I replied. “A glass of juice is more than enough”

“Give me a minute. My lady”

I turned my face and sneered with disgust.

It took three more hours before the Moonball came to an end.

Later, when the elders left and the hall finally emptied, I retreated to my chambers.

I retreated to my chambers, lit a single candle and broke the seal.

The parchment smelled faintly of ash.

My hand froze when I saw the stamp.

Without being told, I could guess who sent the letter.

The Luna is dragged out yet you’re still not Luna. Are you trying to disappoint me?

My hands trembled upon reading the content of the letter.

The candle beside me flickers, guttering low.

No.

No, this is not true.

I didn’t come this far to disappoint myself and the person relying on me.

Kaia is gone. I saw her dragged out, broken, disgraced. The pack spat on her face.

The only legacy she left behind is shame.

So, I shouldn’t have a problem becoming Luna.

Then, what’s taking Draven so long to make his Luna?

My pulse beats like a trapped bird.

Anger surging through my veins with the thoughts of Kaia casting her evil eyes on my chances of becoming Luna.

She couldn’t even save herself from getting cast out and losing her title as Luna.

How could she fight against me now?

I am the rightful Luna. Kaia is nothing to Silvermoon Pack now.

I slam the parchment into the fire. The flames swallow it, hissing.

The letter turns to ash, but I keep watching until every ember dies.

When I finally look up, the mirror across the room catches my reflection.

The perfect Luna stares back – hair flawless, smile serene, something Kaia can’t measure up to.

I am perfect. In every way, even Draven thinks so.

I tried to mask my feelings but behind that mask, I see the truth:

I’m terrified she’s still out there.

And I will never be safe until I become the Luna of Silvermoon Pack.

And Kaia Nightshade is nothing more than dust.

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Chapter 019

The morning I decided to fall ill, the sun was too bright.

I draw the curtains and lie perfectly still, one arm draped dramatically over my belly.

When the servants rush in, whispering my name, I let my lips tremble just enough to make it believable.

“Please get the healer,” I whispered, voice hoarse with false pain.“…Something’s wrong… With the baby”

–

The panic spreads like wildfire exactly as planned.

By the time Draven storms into the room, my skin is slick with sweat from the fire I ordered kept burning.

–

His eyes darted over me the concern there almost made me smile. Almost.

“Liora,” he says, dropping to his knees beside the bed. “What happened?”

I shake my head weakly. “The same pain… like before. The healers say my body is too frail to endure the strain. They said…” I let my voice break. “…they said if the stress continues, I might lose our baby.”

His jaw clenches. Guilt flashes in his eyes – the same guilt that’s kept him cold and silent since Kaia’s exile.

“Rest,” he murmurs. “Don’t think of anything else.”

I press my hand over his. “There’s one thing that would ease my heart,” I whisper, voice trembling just enough. “ Let them crown me before the child comes. Let the pack see peace before.I won’t forgive myself if my baby is born out of wedlock. That’s a bad omen…”

A soft sob cuts me off.

Draven stiffens. I can feel him battling his thoughts, his doubts. But guilt wins

He kisses my hand. “I’ll speak to the Council.”

When he leaves, I open my eyes fully and smile.

Seraphine steps out from behind the curtain, arms folded.

“Convincing,” she says with a smirk. “You almost had me worried.”

– as I knew it would.

I swing my legs off the bed, ignoring the ache in my ribs. “You always did underestimate me, Seraphine.” She laughs softly. “And yet, you keep me close. Because no one else can brew a fever that leaves no trace like I do.”

I filled up two goblets and handed her one.

“To partnership,” I say. “To ambition.”

She lifts hers, eyes gleaming. “And to the truth that without my testimony, your precious Luna seat would still belong to the outcast.”

I sip my wine slowly, savoring the venom beneath her words. “And now, you’ll have your reward. Wealth, rank… perhaps even a clinic of your own.”

Seraphine smiles, all teeth. “As long as you remember who your friends are, Luna.”

“Of course, I know who my friends are. That’s why I keep them close and my enemies even closer. Haha”

We both burst into laughter.

Finally, Kaia will be nothing but a ghost in Silvermoon Pack.

And me? The new Luna.

The true Luna, bearing the Alpha’s heir.

Something Kaia couldn’t do in three years.

Perfect.

My plans are falling into place.

It’s only a matter of time before everything she has becomes mine.

Totally mine.

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