Chapter 3

"The seat of honor tonight will be Lucy's," Blake announced.

When he said those words, the Elders in the Pack Hall all turned to look at me.

The Moon Festival was already underway.

Tradition dictated he would announce my Luna coronation date tonight.

My dress was the silver-white one I'd chosen three years ago, embroidered with the twin sigils of the Shadow Pack and the Silvermoon Refugees.

Lucy, however, was wearing the moon-blue gown from the Luna room, sitting in the seat that was rightfully mine.

She rose, steadying herself on the armrest. "Blake, I can't sit here. Vivian will be upset."

Julian placed a glass in her hand. "You're too weak to be far from the Alpha."

Adrian's gaze swept the crowd. "Anyone got a problem? Come talk to me in the training yard."

Blake placed his hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Sit down."

I watched his hand. In past years, he'd shield me from the overwhelming scents of the crowd. Now he gave that protection to Lucy, expecting everyone to applaud his mercy.

An Elder coughed. "Alpha, the announcement of the Luna coronation date?"

Lucy lowered her head. "It's my fault. Maybe I should go back to my room. I don't want Vivian thinking I'm taking what's hers."

Blake took a small box from the ceremony table.

The breath in the hall grew shallow.

The Luna Moonstone, the symbol of the Silvermoon bloodline, was meant to be mine in three days.

Blake placed it around Lucy's neck. "Lucy needs protection. Vivian's coronation is postponed."

I felt my wolf soul slam into a distant wall.

There was no response. Just pain.

An Elder frowned. "Alpha, the Moonstone requires verification."

I walked to the Elder's seat. "Please, verify it."

Blake's eyes fixed on me. "You have to humiliate her tonight?"

"The Moonstone chooses its own master. That's the rule," I replied.

"The rule is subject to the Alpha's judgment." Julian stood. "Vivian, you're so pathetic. Lucy never wanted to steal from you. She needs us."

Adrian added coldly, "You have your wolf blood, your blessing, Blake's favor for years. What does Lucy have? Just us."

I looked at Lucy. "Will you let them verify it?"

Lucy traced her fingers over the stone, feeling the short burst of heat from its surface. She quickly pulled her collar higher. "Of course I would, but I'm afraid you'll hate me more if you lose."

Blake stepped in front of her. "Enough. No verification tonight."

The Elder's face turned sour, but he stayed quiet.

An Alpha's word in the Pack House was law.

Lucy raised her glass, her voice syrupy sweet. "Vivian, I'll give it back to you. Blake worries about me. He didn't really mean to take it."

She stepped closer, her fingers brushing my palm.

The Moonstone grew hot enough to leave a red mark on her neck.

Before I could speak, she staggered backward, falling into Blake's arms. "Don't blame Vivian. I just lost my balance."

Blake pulled her close. "Vivian, you can't even stand to see her touch you?"

I held up my empty hands. "I didn't touch her."

Julian scoffed. "Everyone saw her get hurt as soon as she was near you."

Adrian stepped forward. "Apologize to her."

I scanned the faces I knew so well. Some looked away.

Through the Mindlink, I heard someone whisper I didn't deserve to be Luna.

Blake declared to the assembly, "Vivian lacks the grace to be Luna now. The coronation in three days is canceled. We'll revisit when she learns to put the Pack first."

I didn't argue. I didn't cry. The Moonshadow Crystal had already recorded the Moonstone's rejection of Lucy and Blake's refusal to allow verification.

After the party, I went to my father's old room.

The Silvermoon Sigil glowed on the contract paper.

I bit my finger, pressing my name to the end of the Royal Lycan contract.

The door opened. Lucy stood there, her gaze falling on the empty Moonshadow Crystal shell on the table.

Her expression changed. She grabbed the shell and smashed it against her own arm. Silver fragments cut shallow scratches into her skin as she screamed and stumbled backward. "Blake, Vivian tried to kill me with silver."

I watched the hollow shell roll to my feet and quietly pocketed the real crystal.

Blake's footsteps were already thundering down the hall.

Lucy sobbed into his chest. "I just wanted to tell her to stop hating me, but she said the Moonstone should be washed clean with my blood."

Blake looked at me, rage simmering in his eyes. "Vivian. The training field tomorrow. You're going to answer to the whole Pack."