Chapter 2

I stared at the shattered remains of Ashley's cabin door, splintered wood scattered across her threshold like broken promises. The rogue attack had been brief but targeted—strange for our territory. My eyes narrowed as I watched James pace around the damage, his concern for his beta-in-training poorly disguised as Alpha duty.

"This will take at least two weeks to repair properly," he muttered, running his hand through his dark hair. "The rogues damaged the support beams."

Ashley stood beside him, her posture deliberately strong despite the fear lingering in her eyes. "I can stay with the unmarked females," she offered, though her tone suggested this was the last thing she wanted.

"That won't be necessary," I heard myself say, my voice calm and pleasant. Both of them turned to me, surprise evident on their faces. Luna stirred inside me, alert and calculating. "We have plenty of room in the Alpha den. You should stay with us until repairs are complete."

James's composure fractured for just a moment—a slight widening of his eyes, a barely perceptible tightening of his jaw. "Olivia, that's not—"

"Not what, my love?" I tilted my head slightly, the gesture he always mistook for submission. "Not appropriate? She's your beta-in-training. The pack would expect nothing less from their Alpha and Luna."

Ashley's lips curved into a smug smile she quickly tried to suppress. "That's very generous of you, Luna Olivia."

"It's settled then," I said, turning away before either could see the cold determination in my eyes. "I'll prepare the guest quarters."

As I walked back toward our den, Luna's voice echoed in my mind. 'The prey walks willingly into the trap.'

* * *

That evening, while James showed Ashley to her temporary quarters, I slipped into his study with practiced silence. From the pouch at my waist, I withdrew three small crystals—moonstones I'd secretly etched with ancient symbols during my afternoon visit to the pack archives. Each one hummed with subtle energy as I placed them strategically: one behind his collection of ceremonial scrolls, another beneath the ornate desk where I'd first witnessed their betrayal, and the third nestled among the decorative stones along the windowsill.

'More,' Luna urged, her presence stronger than it had been in years.

I moved through our den like a shadow, placing crystals in the bedroom James and I shared, focusing particularly on the corner where he often undressed. The final crystal—larger than the others—I placed in the ceremonial chamber where pack bonds were blessed and Alpha decrees made official.

Each stone was attuned to record both scent and sound, capturing whispers and pheromones alike. Ancient magic few remembered but that I had studied extensively before becoming James's Luna.

I heard footsteps approaching and quickly finished the placement ritual, whispering the activation words that would bind the stones to my consciousness. By the time James entered our bedroom, I was sitting at my vanity, brushing my hair with deliberate, measured strokes.

"Ashley's settled in," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "This is... very kind of you, Olivia."

I met his eyes in the mirror. "That's what a good Luna does, isn't it? Takes care of the pack?"

Something in my tone made him pause, but he quickly dismissed whatever doubt had flickered across his face. He could never imagine his docile mate capable of deception. That blindness would be his undoing.

* * *

The next evening, I stood in our kitchen, carefully preparing Ashley's favorite meal. The raw boar ribs sizzled as I seared just their surface—rare enough that blood still pooled on the plate, exactly how she preferred them. I'd overheard her mentioning this preference to another pack member months ago, filing the information away without knowing it would someday serve my revenge.

I arranged the meat artfully, adding fresh herbs from my garden as garnish. Luna hummed with satisfaction as I carried the platter to the dining area where James and Ashley were reviewing patrol schedules.

"I thought you might be hungry after training," I said, placing the plate before Ashley. "Raw boar ribs—your favorite, isn't it?"

Ashley's eyes widened slightly. "How did you know?"

"A Luna notices these things," I replied with a gentle smile that didn't reach my eyes. "It's my duty to care for everyone in the pack, especially those closest to my mate."

James's hand trembled slightly as he reached for his water glass. A bead of sweat formed at his temple despite the cool evening air. "This is... thoughtful of you, Olivia."

"Of course," I said, my voice honey-sweet as I placed my hand briefly on his shoulder. "What kind of mate would I be if I didn't support your work with your... talented beta?"

I felt him stiffen under my touch, saw Ashley's momentary flash of uncertainty. Neither of them knew what to make of my generosity, my apparent obliviousness. The crystals hidden throughout our den pulsed in response to their anxiety, recording every nuance of their discomfort.

As I turned to leave them to their meal, Luna's satisfaction rumbled through me. The first threads of my web had been spun, invisible but strong. Soon enough, they would entangle themselves so thoroughly that escape would be impossible.