Chapter1

Layla's POV

I am Layla Moonshadow, future Luna of the Blackrock Clan—at least in my tenth year of humiliation, I still believed this to be true.

But my Alpha, Kael Blackrock, just announced his true bride in front of everyone.

He ordered me to move out of the main house and serve that noble princess as her personal maid.

Ten years of waiting and sacrifice, in his eyes, only earned me one sentence: "The esteemed future Luna needs a careful attendant."

Tonight, I'll let him know just how fast a palace crumbles when you pull out its foundation.

Moonlight flooded the Blackrock Clan's square, bonfires crackling. Once again, not a single warrior lost control to the frenzy. The celebratory roar nearly lifted the roof.

Kael's voice droned on, crediting the clan's smooth passage through another full moon to his so-called "iron-fist training."

I leaned against the farthest stone pillar in shadow, the wolf pup I'd just calmed nuzzling my arm. Its faint restlessness slowly settled under the peaceful aura I quietly released.

This is what I've done every night for ten years—using the White Wolf power in my bloodline that must remain hidden to make this clan appear unshakeable.

I watched his silhouette outlined by firelight, that face I'd looked at for ten years, written all over with entitled arrogance.

My aura, that invisible veil of gentle power shrouding the entire clan and calming the full moon's frenzy, didn't even exist in his eyes.

I watched him surrounded by admirers, my stomach churning. Ten years. I'd supported all of this like a ghost, waiting for him to see me, waiting for him to give me back what should have been mine.

"Silence!" Kael raised his hand, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. The square went quiet instantly. "I have one more announcement."

His voice cut through the cheers, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, finally passing over me.

My heart stopped. Was this it? Was he finally going to, in front of everyone...?

"For the clan's future, to gain the finest weapons and resources from the Ironclaw Clan, I have agreed to a union with the Alpha's daughter of Ironclaw, Selena Ironclaw."

The air froze for an instant, then erupted in even louder cheers mixed with surprise.

Political marriages were commonplace. No one just expected it would be Kael.

Then his voice came clearly, aimed directly at me: "Layla."

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. There was no warmth there, only command.

"You'll move out of the main house tomorrow. Selena needs to familiarize herself with the surroundings. You'll attend to her daily needs." He paused, as if weighing his words, finally delivering them like ice picks: "The esteemed future Luna needs a careful attendant to help her adjust."

Careful attendant. Servant. Maid.

I stood there, feeling all the blood in my body cool drop by drop, freezing in my veins.

Ten years. A full ten years, I used my own bloodline, used this White Wolf aura that had to stay hidden, day after day supporting this clan, calming the frenzy, guiding pups, making his "rule" look unbreakable—all to wait for recognition.

What I got was an eviction and a maid's appointment.

In his eyes, all of it was only worth a servant's position.

I lowered my head, avoiding any pitying or mocking gazes that might come my way.

My throat tightened with pain, but I heard my own voice respond calmly, drowned in the noise: "As you command, Alpha."

The celebration's clamor surged back, piercing my ears.

I turned and left the boiling square, each step crushing my shattered expectations.

Back in that room that would soon no longer be mine, the soothing aura I'd released to maintain this "peace" still lingered. I walked to the center, closed my eyes.

Then I severed it completely.

That invisible blanket of tranquility shrouding the main house—even affecting the entire clan's core area—peeled away from me like a receding tide and dissipated.

In the distance, the celebration's cheers were suddenly punctuated by frightened pup cries and warriors' voices rising sharply in heated arguments.

I opened my eyes, looking out the window at Kael's triumphant profile lit by firelight.

Enjoy your victory, Kael.

You just drove away your luck with your own hands.