#Chapter 36: Picking Sides

Lauren's POV I could barely breathe. The sound of the newscaster’s voice buzzed in my ears as I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, eyes glued to the TV again. Just when I thought the night couldn’t get more hectic, the screen flashed with the image of Alexander, standing at a podium with a microphone in his hand. His sharp features were set in a grim, determined expression, but there was a sense of purpose in his eyes—like he was making a decision that would change everything. And that’s when it hit me. “Today, I stand before you to announce the truth,” Alexander’s voice rang out through the living room, his words cutting through the noise in my head. “As for the position of Luna,” he said, his tone softening but firm, “that title belongs to one person and one person only.” I blinked, once, twice, and then the words started to echo in my mind. Rightful Luna? “Lauren will always be the Luna of this family. And I will do everything in my power to protect that ti