I ignored it once, twice and almost every time.
When I questioned him, Alden dismissed me. “You’re imagining it,” he said. “She’s like a sister.”
Draven always supported him. “Stop causing trouble, Luna Liora.”
I was not jealous. It was a betrayal of the bond.
Now, at Selene’s nameday feast, I watched them laugh beside the fire pit like mates. Alden drank moonwine and lifted the cup to Selene’s lips. His hand rested at her waist like she was his Luna. My wolf growled in pain inside my chest.
I left the feast quietly and climbed to an upper pack room. I wrapped myself in a fur blanket, trying to silence my Luna bond ache. Then the door opened.
“Luna Liora?” Selene said softly, pretending care. “The pack members are asking for you. The moonfire is about to start.”
“I am tired. Leave my room.”
She stepped closer, comforting, “Don’t act this way, Liora. It’s my nameday. Are you really upset?”
I turned to face her, my voice cold. “Selene, isn’t being forced to attend enough for this Luna?”
Her face tightened. “Do you hate me now, Luna? Do you think I stole your Alpha? That was never my plan. We were sisters in the pack once….”
“Enough,” I said sharply. “Return to your celebration.”