The Vengeful Warrior Luna's Return novel Chapter 14

Astra’s POV

Of course Lady Mora didn’t believe for a second that Doctor Danelle would stop coming.

She’d just been here yesterday, personally bringing her medicine and fussing over her symptoms.

Lady Mora immediately sent a beta to fetch her back.

The beta returned empty-handed, his face darker than ash.

“Ma’am… Doctor Danelle didn’t come out to meet me. She sent his apprentice with a message.” The beta's voice shook, eyes glued to the floor.

“She said… we don’t need to ask for her again. That she felt disgusted for the actions of Pack Zane. And that healing wolves who’ve disgraced themselves before the Moon Goddess is a sin that invites divine punishment.”

Lady Mora’s snarl was sharp enough to cut air.

“It’s her! That black-hearted Omega! When Kieran married her, she looked as meek as a pup—turns out her claws are sharper than a vampire’s! She’s trying to kill me! Without Danelle’s medicine, she’s killing me!”

I sat in my own tent, listening as Bekkie relayed the story.

Doctor Danelle’s decision had nothing to do with me—but imagining Lady Mora foaming with rage sent a cool, quiet satisfaction through my chest.

Kieran’s father’s voice boomed from the main tent, thick with anger.

“Go find Kieran,” he ordered his youngest, Benson. “I don’t care what it takes—make his mate stop this!”

It didn’t take long before Sasha’s shrill voice sliced through the cold air outside.

“Get Astra out here!” she screeched.

“No wonder Kieran prefers Isla—at least Isla doesn’t play dirty! Some wolves might have a pretty coat, but their heart’s colder than the river ice in winter. No wonder you got tossed aside!”

“You think hiding in there will save you? This is our pack. The Moon Goddess will punish you for plotting against the Luna Mother!”

Bekkie stood guard at my door, her tone frostbitten.

“Didn’t you say you were going to return what belongs to Luna Astra? Hand back the wolf fang necklace and the silver fox fur cloak she gave you. Then we’ll talk.”

Sasha’s voice dipped, a trace of guilt bleeding through the cold.

“Why should I? She gave those to me. Who takes back a gift?”

I could picture her flushed face. Those jewels and furs were her last scraps of pride, the only proof she could still play at high status.

Bekkie didn’t miss a beat.

“And who accepts a gift, then turns around and spits on the giver?”

There was a scuffle outside, then Sasha’s parting snarl:

“Just wait. When Alpha Kieran gets back, he’ll rip up that bond and throw you out of this pack!”

Her footsteps faded into the distance.

Bekkie stormed in, and only after the sounds from outside had faded did she cautiously pull her gaze back from the doorway.

“Moon above, they’re shameless! Why hasn’t the Elder’s release mark arrived yet?”

“Luna Hale would only be angry at Pack Zane, never at you.”

A sigh slipped past my lips.

“It’s their loss,” Bekkie sniffed. “If we’re talking battle strategy and fighting skill, Isla isn’t even half your match. It was Luna Hale who begged you off the battlefield, afraid she’d lose you. Otherwise… there’d be no ‘Alpha Isla’ at all.”

I smiled faintly.

“In your eyes, I’m always perfect, aren’t I?”

“Of course!” she said, tearful but stubborn, like it was the most obvious truth in the world.

Bekkie’s tone suddenly shifted as she brought up Kieran borrowing money.

“Alpha Kieran has no idea how much you poured into his pack!” she huffed. “Look at the place now—bare cupboards and empty coffers. And he still thinks he can take a new luna? Not a chance.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Someone like Isla probably never imagined a grand pack like Zane could be this close to broke.

A cold laugh curled through my mind.

If Isla knew Pack Zane was counting on "her dowry" to keep the fires burning, would she still be rushing to marry in like this?

Bekkie crossed her arms with a snort.

“Well, I’d love to see it,” she muttered. “Let’s find out just how many coins Alpha Kieran actually managed to borrow.”