His Luna Was Never Me - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

I still showed up at the Alpha gathering banquet, even with the tension crackling in the air like static before a storm. Taking over my pack had left me scrambling for allies, resources, and connections—this was my shot to secure them. But nothing about this would be easy. Not with him here.
The grand ballroom glittered under the chandeliers, but my attention zeroed in on Ronan, holding court at the center of the room like he owned the place. His smirk was effortless, his gaze sharp as it swept over the crowd, drinking in their admiration. Everyone still believed he was the Alpha of Obsidian Howl—no one had bothered to correct them. And why would he? He thrived on it.
Then his eyes landed on me.
A spark of recognition flared in his gaze, and in seconds, he was cutting through the crowd with that predatory grace of his.
"Anastasia... Alpha," he murmured, his voice smooth as whiskey, possessive as a claim. "I knew you'd come."
His fingers curled around mine like he had every right to them, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned in. "Later, I'll announce to everyone that you're the only woman I want to marry—my mate, the true Alpha of our pack."
Once, those words would have sent my heart racing. I'd ached for his acknowledgment, his love, the way his eyes used to linger on me like I was the only thing that mattered. But now? They were just empty noise. Too little. Too late.
I jerked my hand free, narrowing my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, Ronan. I'm not here for you."
Confusion flickered across his face before his expression hardened. "Then who are you here for, Anastasia?"
Before I could answer, a man sidled up, wine glass in hand. "Alpha Ronan, who's this?" he asked, grinning like he'd stumbled upon juicy gossip.
Ronan's smirk returned, his arm sliding around my waist like a damn shackle. "My mate. Soon to be my wife."
I stiffened, my voice cutting through his arrogance. "I am not."
Ronan just chuckled, shaking his head at the man like I was some stubborn pup playing games. "She's just being difficult."
The man laughed. "Someone's got the nerve to toy with Alpha Ronan? You'll have to sweeten her up, my friend."
My jaw clenched. Of course this stranger didn't know Ronan wasn't Alpha anymore—and Ronan sure as hell wasn't about to correct him. The lie grated on me, but I had bigger problems.
The second the man walked away, I rounded on Ronan, my voice icy. "Are you enjoying this little charade? We're done."
His grip tightened, his breath hot against my ear. "Done? Now that you're here, Anastasia, I'm not letting you go."
Thankfully, Beta Magnus called him away before I could knee him where it hurt. The moment he was gone, I exhaled, rolling the tension from my shoulders.
But my relief was short-lived.
Across the room, Adeline stood in the shadows, her gaze locked onto me like a predator sizing up prey. Ronan's usual plus-one at these events, she was all sharp edges and venom beneath that flawless exterior. Her lips curled into a sneer as our eyes met.
The ballroom buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses, but between us, the air was thick with hostility.
"So, he brought you along," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.
"I didn't come with him," I said evenly.
She waved me off like my words were nothing. "Why you?" she hissed, bitterness lacing every syllable. "What makes you so special, Anastasia? Why does everyone adore you? Why do you excel at everything? Why does all the attention always land on you? Why did Mother choose you over me? And why did our father give you the pack instead of me?"
She leaned in, her eyes glinting with malice. "But it doesn't matter. Ronan will always be mine."
I frowned, trying to unravel the hatred twisting her words. When our parents split, it was our mother who fought to keep us both. Adeline had been the one to chase after our father, trading family for luxury. Her jealousy made no damn sense.
"You're insane," I muttered.
She scoffed. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Ronan will always be mine."
I held her gaze, unflinching. "That confident, huh? Is that why you lied to him? Told him you were the one who convinced our father to adopt him?"
For a split second, surprise flickered in her eyes. Then her smirk returned, sharper than ever.
"Yes, I lied," she admitted, her voice poison-sweet. "So what? Go ahead—tell him you were the one who saved him. Let's see who he believes. Me, the woman he adores? Or you, the one who's always been in his way?"
I swirled my wine, watching the liquid catch the light. Adeline had always been a master at twisting the truth. But this? This was a betrayal Ronan wouldn't forgive easily.
"What do you think he'd do," I said slowly, "if I told him not only did you lie—but that you called him filthy? That you were the reason our parents almost didn't take him in?"