Chapter 3: The Preposition

LUNA'S POV**

The Capital looked nothing like I remembered. It had been ten years since I last visited, back when my father was still alive. Now, the tall glass buildings seemed to mock me as I stepped out of the taxi, my small suitcase in hand.

The Alpha Council building was impossible to miss. It stood at the center of the city, a massive stone structure that screamed power and authority. This was where the most powerful wolves in the entire country made their decisions. This was where the fate of packs was decided.

And somehow, I had been called here.

The receptionist directed me to the top floor. As the elevator climbed higher and higher, my heart began to race. What did the Council want with me? And more importantly, why now, right after Raven threw me out?

The office at the top was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city. And sitting behind an expensive mahogany desk was a man I hadn't seen in years—Councilman Sterling, my father's oldest friend.

"Luna!" He stood up, his face breaking into a warm smile. "You look so much like your father. Please, sit."

I sat across from him, unsure of what to expect. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, sir. Though I must admit, I'm not sure why you called."

Sterling's smile faded slightly. "I heard about what happened with your husband. I'm very sorry."

My chest tightened. News traveled fast in the wolf world. "How did you—"

"The pack networks are always active. Your situation reached my ears within hours of it happening. And I'll be honest, Luna, when I heard, I thought of you immediately."

"Thought of me for what?"

Sterling leaned back in his chair, studying me carefully. "How much do you know about the Nightshade Pack?"

I frowned. "I've heard of them. They're one of the largest packs in the northern territories, aren't they?"

"The largest," Sterling corrected. "And they've been without a proper Luna for two years. Their Alpha lost his mate in an accident, and he's been... difficult to work with since then. He's powerful, strong, and he's made many enemies. The Council has been trying to find a way to stabilize him, to help him move forward."

I didn't like where this was going. "What does that have to do with me?"

"I want to propose a contract," Sterling said carefully. "A temporary marriage. You would become the Luna of the Nightshade Pack, help stabilize the Alpha and the pack, and in return, you would gain access to one of the largest fortunes in the country. You could start fresh, Luna. You could become someone powerful in your own right."

My mouth fell open. "You want me to... marry another Alpha?"

"Not marry, exactly. At least not in the traditional sense. It would be a contract. A business arrangement. The Alpha of Nightshade is not looking for love or a true mate. He's simply looking for someone strong enough to help him manage his pack and his reputation. In return, you would have everything you could ever want."

I stood up, suddenly feeling trapped. "Absolutely not. I'm not going to—"

"Hear me out," Sterling interrupted gently. "I know this sounds crazy. But think about it, Luna. You've been thrown away by a man who didn't deserve you. Why not use this as an opportunity to become something greater? Why not become a Luna who is feared and respected, instead of pitied?"

His words struck something inside me. He was right. Everyone at Raven's pack was probably feeling sorry for me right now. Poor Luna, thrown out for an omega. What a sad story.

But if I went to the Nightshade Pack, if I became their Luna, everything would change. I would have power. I would have respect. And most importantly, I would be in a position where Raven could never hurt me again.

"Tell me more," I said slowly, sitting back down.

Sterling's smile returned. "The Alpha's name is Kai. He's dangerous, Luna. He's not like your ex-husband. He's a true predator. But he's also honorable, in his own way. He doesn't want a Luna to love. He wants a Luna to stand beside him. And if you're smart, you could use this position to rebuild yourself into something incredible."

I listened as Sterling explained the contract in detail. Three years. After three years, I could walk away with enough money to never have to depend on anyone again. Enough money to start my own life, my own pack if I wanted to.

"When would this start?" I asked.

"As soon as you're ready. Kai is waiting in the adjacent conference room. I wanted to introduce you first, get your consent, before—"

"He's here? Now?"

"Is that a problem?"

My heart began to pound. I had come to the Capital expecting nothing. I had come here broken and lost. But now, standing on the edge of a cliff, I had a choice to make.

I could go back to Raven's pack with my tail between my legs. Or I could walk through that door and become someone new.

"Let me meet him," I said.

**Sterling stood and led me to the conference room. And when I saw the man sitting at the table, my breath caught in my throat. This Alpha was nothing like Raven. This Alpha looked like he could tear down mountains with his bare hands. And when our eyes met, I felt something I hadn't felt in months—a spark of danger, of possibility, of a future I couldn't predict.**