The Vengeful Warrior Luna's Return novel Chapter 2

Astra’s POV

My duty.

Kieran’s words turned my blood to ice.

All the sleepless nights. All the times I’d shown up, working myself to the bone for his pack.

For Kieran’s sake, I’d sacrificed everything.

They were just my duty.

“Don’t act shocked.” He continued coldly. “Do you expect applause for fulfilling your obligations?”

“Kieran!” My wolf roared. Her fury tearing from my lips as I pushed to my feet and struggled to breathe.

She wanted to rip out his throat. To stop his heart and still the condescending look in his eyes.

“Show him,” My wolf howled in my mind, demanding. “Show him how skilled his housewife is at killing wolves.”

But I bit down on my lips. Tasting iron as I struggled to rein in my wolf.

The world seemed to slow for me. My anger narrowed to the slow ticking of my heart.

“You’re… angry, understandable. You’re my destined mate.” Kieran said coolly, like he was speaking to a child throwing a tantrum.

“Don’t speak to me like I’m senile.” I gritted out.

He ignored me, turning away to pour wine into two glasses.

“Astra, don’t be selfish,“ He continued, turning back to me. “Consider the pack. Isla’s achievements on the battlefield are unmatched. She clearly belongs at my side. She’s far more suited to be Luna than—”

“Than me?” My voice cracked, tears finally spilling over. “Finish it!”

Kieran sighed, then handed me a wine glass. “You won’t have to leave. I’m willing to be generous.”

“Generous.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth.

Kieran nodded, and his lips split in a condescending smile. “Nothing has to change between us. I’ll even allow you warm my bed and continue your work. Isla won’t mind.”

Something inside me snapped as thick disgust rose up my throat.

I laughed again. The sound was loud, bitter, and hysterical.

“Who do you think you are?” I demanded. “A god? A king above the laws of mates and vows?!” I lifted my head, eyes blazing. “I will never share my mate.”

“Astra!” Kieran roared angrily and smashed his wine glass against the wall.

“I am your ALPHA! How dare you speak to me that way?! This– this jealousy, this spite! It proves how unworthy you are of being Luna. You only care about the title. The power!”

I stared at him, and my lips twisted in a cold sneer.

“You actually think I care about that?” My words dripped with venom as I took steps towards him. “What would the Zane pack be without me? ”

Kieran’s face turned purple, then white. He opened his mouth to spit out in anger, but I was done.

Done begging. Done shrinking myself for a man who didn’t deserve me.

Though I was born an omega, I’d endured the Hale Pack’s harshest training since childhood. Warrior blood didn’t vanish just because I’d learned how to smile and pour wine.

Ancient power thundered throughthe room.

Oil lamps exploded, windows burst open, the wine glasses smashed on the floor, the curtains ruffled, and the entire air vibrated with the force of my power.

Kieran’s eyes widened.

“You’re a coward.” I hissed coldly.

His jaw clenched, but I was not done.

“Don’t pretend like you’re doing me a favor, trying to keep me married to you. You’re just afraid that if you drive me away, the elders will blame you for disrespecting the Hale family, who died for the kingdom.”

I stared at him, shaking with ice-cold fury. “You’re a hypocrite, Kieran. You want to force me to accept sharing my husband with another woman. To quietly accept humiliation while you parade another woman as my replacement?”

No. This was a trick.

I dragged a hand through my hair, nodding as I accepted the only logical explanation.

The woman was just playing hard to get. What she really sought was for the elders to revoke their appointment of Isla as luna.

And that would never happen.

There was only one truly strong woman. One truly rebellious heroine.

Isla.

She had fought side by side with him time and again. She had proved her strength and prowess through action, heading first into battle and bleeding for my pack.

She deserved all the rewards and more.

Astra, on the other hand, she only knows how to play dirty tricks. A true champion of performance.

The spoiled princess grew up pampered with every comfort. My lips twisted in a cold sneer.

Astra would never survive without my wolf pack's protection.

An abandoned Luna had no future. No safety or standing.

Sever the mate bond? She was dreaming.

She wouldn’t last a day outside my pack.

There was no need to take action.

All I’d do is wait until she comes to her senses. In no time, Astra would come crying and begging me to reconsider.

My heart hardened as I was sure I made the right choice.

Astra, with all her crying and fussing. She was utterly incomparable to Isla.