The tension in the Blood Moon pack had been palpable all morning. Rumors buzzed through the corridors of the Alpha's mansion like a swarm of angry bees. The pack's most prized treasure—a sacred artifact passed down through generations—was missing. Whispers of betrayal and punishment filled the air, casting a dark cloud over the pack.
She had heard the commotion yet had remained in her room, too stunned from Clyde's demand for a divorce to have the energy to involve herself in pack matters. Besides, her mind was consumed with the secret she carried-the life growing inside her.
Abruptly, a thunderous knock shattered the fragile silence of her door.
"Open up, Luna!" a voice barked.
Shocked, Lila ran to the door and opened it to find a group of pack warriors at the door, their faces unyielding and accusatory.
"Alpha Clyde has summoned you," the leading warrior said sharply.
Confused and afraid, Lila followed them to the central hall of the pack, where the whole pack was present. Clyde stood at the center, an imposing figure commanding attention. Beside him was Amelia, her smile smug and triumphant.
As Lila drew closer, she saw a table in the center of the room. Her heart sank with what lay upon it: the stolen pack treasure.
"This," Clyde boomed, "was found in Lila's room."
There were gasps and murmurs throughout the crowd. Lila's eyes widened in horror. She shook her head, her voice shaking as she spoke. "That is not true! I did not take it. I would never—"
"Enough!" Clyde's voice cut through her protests like a blade. His eyes of silver were cold, full of loathing. "Do you think we are fools, Lila? The proof is here right before us."
Tears brimming in her eyes, she turned around, pleading silently to the pack for belief. "I swear, I don't know how it got there. Someone must have—"
"Stop lying!" Amelia interrupted, stepping forward. Sweetly she spoke, but the words dripped with mockery. "You have only brought shame to this pack, Lila. It is time for someone worthy to take your place."
Lila's breath caught as Clyde turned toward Amelia and took her hand.
"Amelia will be the new Luna of the Blood Moon pack," Clyde said in a firm, unyielding tone.
Murmurs of approval erupted, though several faces showed shock and hesitation. Lila stood frozen, her heart breaking anew as Clyde publicly replaced her.
"Clyde," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You can't believe I would do this. You know me. You're my mate…"
"You're no longer my mate," Clyde said coldly. "You've proven unworthy of that title. As of today, you are stripped of your position as Luna."
The humiliation was unbearable. Lila's face streamed with tears as the pack turned their backs on her, shattered trust because of a lie she could not disprove. She felt the walls closing in, the weight of the betrayal suffocating her.
Without another word, she turned and fled, the sound of laughter and applause for Amelia echoing in her ears.
Back in the privacy of her room, Lila dropped to the floor, hugging her stomach protectively. She sobbed uncontrollably, the pain of Clyde's betrayal and the pack's rejection tearing her apart.
Amelia stood before the mirror in her lavished new room, adjusting the crown that had finally been placed upon her head-the Luna crown. A sly smile curled around her lips as she eyed herself in reflection. Everything she worked towards was finally fitting together: Lila, the pitiful excuse for a Luna, was humiliatingly brought down, and now the pack accepted Amelia as Clyde's rightful mate.
She couldn't help but revel in her triumph. For years, she had watched from the shadows as Lila was handed everything Amelia believed should have been hers. Born as the illegitimate daughter of their father, Amelia had always been cast aside, forced to live in Lila's shadow. But not anymore.
"She deserves everything that's coming to her," Amelia muttered to herself, her eyes gleaming with malice.
Her mind wandered to the detailed plans she had put in place. Hiding the pack treasure in Lila's room had been her riskiest move so far, but the reward was worth it: with evidence against her, no one would believe in Lila's innocence.
Still, Amelia wasn't satisfied. She wanted more. She wanted Lila completely erased from the pack, humiliated and broken beyond repair. The pack had already turned against her, but Amelia knew that as long as Lila stayed, there was always the chance of redemption.
Amelia crossed the room to where her personal attendant waited. "Is everything ready?" she asked sharply.
Yes, Luna Amelia," she replied, bowing her head. "The rumors have been spread, and the Alpha has been informed about the supposed threats against the pack's heir."
"Good," Amelia said, a wicked smile spreading across her face. "It's only a matter of time before Lila is forced to leave. And once she's gone, there's no coming back.
Her next plan was more insidious. She had already started instilling in Clyde's mind that Lila was a threat to the pack. She made up whispers of betrayal and magnified fears that Lila's continued stay might incite unrest.
The key to her success lay in Clyde's cold practicality. Amelia knew he valued the pack above all else, and with her carefully crafted lies, he would see no choice but to push Lila out completely.
Later that day, Amelia sat beside Clyde during a pack meeting, her fingers grazing his arm possessively. She listened as the pack discussed the supposed theft and Lila's disgrace.
"I don't think she can be trusted," Amelia said, her voice soft yet laced with calculated concern. "The pack has lost faith in her, and the longer she stays, the more division she'll cause."
Clyde nodded thoughtfully, his expression stern. "You're right. I'll give her one week to leave the pack. After that, she's no longer welcome here."
Amelia suppressed a triumphant grin, feigning sadness instead. "It's for the best, Clyde. She'll understand one day."
As the meeting concluded, Amelia excused herself and made her way to Lila's quarters. She found Lila sitting by the window, her face pale and tear-streaked. For a moment, Amelia almost felt a pang of guilt, but she quickly pushed it aside.
"You should start packing," Amelia said sweetly, though her tone dripped with mockery. "Clyde has made his decision. You're no longer welcome here."
Lila turned to her, her eyes showing heartbreak and anger. "Why are you doing this, Amelia? Why are you so bound and determined to destroy me?"
Amelia's smile faltered for a second before returning colder than before. "Destroy you? Oh, dear sister, you did that to yourself. You were never fit to be Luna. It's about time someone took charge."
"You won't get away with this," Lila said, her voice trembling with rage. "The truth always comes out.
Amelia leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing. "By the time it does, Lila, you'll be long gone, forgotten by everyone in this pack. And I'll be here, ruling by Clyde's side."
With that, she turned and left, her heart brimming with satisfaction. As far as she was concerned, Lila was already a ghost in the Blood Moon pack.