Chapter 2

ELIZA’S POV Derek's fury gathered like a storm, his hand twitching toward my throat—but Maya stopped him. "Wait." She pushed past his arm, striding toward me with the smirk of a victor. "Luna Eliza," she drawled my title like a taunt, "we both know you're just an Omega now. Your pack is gone. I'd wager the rogue wolves would tear you apart the moment you step outside these borders—" "Maya, you're being too lenient," Derek cut in sharply, his gaze turning glacial as it locked onto me. "You should be grateful for this mercy instead of using stubbornness to seek my attention. Face reality." A dark chuckle rumbled from my wolf. My eyes widened slightly—Derek had been gone so long, he'd forgotten. Forgotten my family name. Forgotten who my father and brother had been. He'd forgotten that before I came, his people starved. That under my leadership, the Crescent Moon Pack had risen to become the second strongest in the kingdom. He hadn't even noticed the renovations to the Alpha's estate. My silence made him misread me again. "My offer stands," he repeated, voice dripping with condescension. "I have the resources to ensure your comfort. It's a fair arrangement." I suppressed the urge to burst into laughter. His words were so absurd, I almost thought he was joking—until I saw the utter seriousness in his expression. He meant it. How dare he? How dare he insult my lineage like this? My glare could have flayed skin. "I don't share my husband. And—" I stepped forward, driving the knife deeper, "—under Werewolf Law, you can't dissolve our marriage without the King's sanction." The ancient laws were unyielding. Bonds, markings, separations—all required the Wolf King's approval. If Derek and Maya acted without it, they'd face exile. Or execution. I turned to leave before I gave in to the urge to snap their necks— Derek suddenly blocked my path, his face twisting with irritation before settling into that nauseatingly confident smirk. "I'm not seeking a divorce, Eliza. Have you forgotten? Breaking the mating bond doesn't dissolve our marital status. I'm not denying your contributions to the pack." My heart pounded violently. "Did the Werewolf King approve you taking a second wife?" My voice trembled with barely contained fury. Werewolves were fiercely possessive by nature - our society strictly upheld monogamy. In all our history, not even the most powerful Alphas, nor the Crown Prince himself, had ever openly maintained two wives simultaneously! Oh, I knew many mated wolves took lovers in secret. But to publicly acknowledge two mates? This was unprecedented. The Wolf King had deeply respected my father - that respect had been part of why Derek agreed to our union in the first place. But with my father gone, fallen defending the kingdom, and Derek now the realm's most celebrated general... did this mean the royal court would side with him over me? Derek's smirk widened, confirming my worst fears. ""The King has already agreed," Derek said smoothly. "Maya and I could've claimed lands or gold for our war victories. Instead, we chose something far more valuable." He gestured to her. "She'll be the new Luna of Crescent Moon. You? You'll remain as my wife—just not the only one." His words struck like a dagger to my heart. The Wolf King's betrayal cut deepest—my father had been his closest ally, the strongest pillar supporting his rise to power. How could he sanction this humiliation? My fists clenched. No. The King's kind face flashed in my mind—I refused to believe he'd abandon me like this. I needed to see him directly. "You know, Eliza," Maya interjected smugly, pressing against Derek, "for an Omega like you, the chance to share an Alpha is already a privilege. You should be grateful." "Grateful?" I scoffed. "Grateful for the honor of being your concubine?" Outwardly, I remained composed, but inside, the past six months—every drop of sweat, every sacrifice for this pack—crumbled before me. "You're lucky you're not being thrown out outright," Maya continued, eyes gleaming with disdain. "While Derek and I fought on the front lines, you lounged in luxury. A spoiled, weak thing like you was never fit to be Luna." Weak? Spoiled? I nearly laughed. She knew nothing of my past. I had endured war like every other werewolf. My father and brothers had bled for this kingdom—and she dared claim I hadn’t sacrificed? "Maya," I narrowed my eyes, "are you truly the legendary 'Undefeated She-Wolf' they praise?" Her reputation preceded her—the mightiest female warrior, the Moon Goddess incarnate. Tales sang of her courage, resilience, and honor. I had once respected her. Now, I saw only a selfish hypocrite. "You dare question me, Omega?" Her fury erupted, murderous intent flaring. "Every scar on my body is a medal—medals that give me the right to execute you where you stand, and no one would challenge it!" My wolf snarled at my shoulder, claws itching to emerge. But my mother's warning echoed, and I forced it back into the shadows. I met her glare with icy amusement. "So, the paragon of female warriors tolerates her Alpha keeping a mistress? Tell me, Maya—does it not bother you?" Maya froze. I steadied my voice. "First, I am not the interloper here. Derek and I forged a bond first. He swore to me that even if he found his fated mate, he would never betray our vows. Yet here we are." Derek's face twitched. "I haven't betrayed you! I’m offering you a place in my pack—it’s just that Maya is better suited as Luna!" Maya hissed, "Eliza! Stop being selfish! The bond between Derek and me is irresistible—you have to accept that!" Derek grabbed her arm, calming her before turning to me. "Eliza. Maya only agreed to this out of pity for the weak. Like I said—if you leave, the rogues will rape and slaughter you within hours—" My palm cracked across his face. He lunged, fingers twitching toward my throat—but something in my gaze made him hesitate. I spoke softly, lethally. "How generous of you both. But before you bark like rabid dogs, why don’t you actually look at what I’ve done for this pack?" Maya sneered. "Oh? You mean sitting in an office stamping papers? You’re just a figurehead! What do you know about commerce? The pack’s economy was already stable before Derek left for war!" She glanced at him. "Right, Alpha?" Derek stared at me in silence. "Maya and I came here only to inform you. Your opinion holds no weight in this matter." With that, he turned to leave, Maya smirking at his side. But I stepped forward, blocking their path. "If you truly have no respect for me," I said, my voice low and dangerous, "then I will drag your names through the mud—along with every asset you hold dear." Derek's fist clenched, his arm twitching as if to strike—but something in my gaze made him hesitate. The tension between us crackled like lightning—until a voice broke through. "Luna Eliza." Derek's mother's servant stood at the doorway, her frail frame leaning on a cane. She had been like a second mother to me—the only one who showed me kindness in this den of vipers. When she fell ill, I had spent fortunes securing the best healers for her, even when the pack coffers ran dry. And in return, she had given me her unwavering loyalty. But even for her, I would not stay to endure this humiliation. Once I learned what my mother-in-law had to say, my first move would be to seek an audience with the Wolf King himself.