Julian had always been everywhere in my life. More than my blood. More than the pack. He was in my childhood, my quiet places, my plans. I thought I could not breathe without him.
But death taught me the truth. It was not love. It was a chain. A poison that kept me tied to him even after my heart stopped. His voice lived in my bones. It haunted me.
Now his voice made my blood burn. I wanted to tear him apart with my teeth. I wanted to silence him for good. Hate tasted raw and hot under my tongue.
The morning was thin and cold. Snow drifted down like ash. Streetlights pooled gold on the white. It was almost eight, but the world still felt asleep. I heard Julian's steps before I saw him. Each scrape of his shoes cut at my nerves.
I felt the flare of fury rise. I pushed it down. This was not the time for wild hunting. I had one clean second chance. I was not yet a true predator again. I had to be smart.
Camilla's betrayal had taught me patience. Revenge needs timing. It needs cunning. No one could know I had claws again. I would hide this body, this life, until I was ready.
A voice broke the cold. "Uncle Lewis, and this young lady is…?" Julian called. His tone was easy, as if he belonged.
Lewis kept to himself. He did not mingle. So Julian's surprise was real.
I had played this meeting in my head a hundred times. I had practiced the calm smile. I had let Riley's face settle into me.
My mother had dressed me well that morning. Riley's skin was pale like moonlight. Her features were fine and soft. The tiny red mole between her brows strange and bright gave her a strange look. Against snow, I looked like a dream.
I turned to Julian. I gave him a clean, polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Hale."
He had just come from the infirmary. He looked steady enough, like Camilla had told him what she wanted him to hear. If he had guilt, it had been smoothed.
Then his eyes landed on me.
Color left his face. He blinked. He took a step back as if he had bumped into a ghost. "She… she looks…" he stammered. Panic flashed in him.
If not for the red mark, he might have believed I was the woman he once thought he knew. The likeness was close. Close enough to burn.
Lewis turned in his chair. He watched without motion. "Ms. Ashbourne," he said. No warmth. No hint.
That name Ms. Ashbourne seemed to settle the question and not at all.
Julian's shock made sense. He did not want this union. The packs watch the balance of power. If Lewis bonded to me, if I used my place well, the scales would tip.
Lewis kept a wound in his chest. I could feel it in the quiet around him. He treated me with cool distance. He did not show the ache he carried.
Seeing Julian freeze, feeling that old hurt flare inside me anger, shame, betrayal all came back .
I took a slow step forward, keeping my smile steady. "You must be Julian," I said softly, my tone light but firm. "I'm Riley, Lewis's chosen mate. By pack law, I suppose you'll be calling me Luna soon, right?"
Lewis's brows furrowed slightly that subtle Alpha disapproval that made the air around him tighten. He didn't like how bold I sounded. But I didn't care. I wasn't the trembling woman I used to be.
Julian just stood there, frozen. His eyes scanned my face like he was searching for ghosts in my skin. Maybe he saw the resemblance. Maybe his instincts whispered the truth he couldn't accept. Either way, he was shaken and that was enough for me.
He didn't know it yet, but this was only the beginning of his unraveling.
I turned to him fully, my voice calm but commanding. "Julian," I said, "Lewis and I need to leave now. We're heading to the Moon Registry to seal our bond."
The words seemed to knock him out of his daze. His jaw clenched as he blinked rapidly, like he hadn't heard right. "What… what did you just say?"
I smiled, tilting my head slightly. "We're getting bonded," I said simply. "Mated under the Moon's law."
Then I reached for Lewis's hand and wove my fingers through his. His skin was cool steady, firm. I looked up at him with a soft, sweet smile, the kind that would make anyone think we shared a secret. "Isn't that right, Lewis?" I coaxed gently.
He went still. His body tensed, his wolf fighting the instinct to pull back. But I tightened my hold, not giving him the chance to retreat. My grip was light, yet my dominance slipped through just enough to make it clear I wasn't asking.
The air grew heavy with energy. Even the faint hum of pack power flickered around us. It was a scene meant to be seen the cold Alpha and the woman bold enough to stand beside him. And judging by the flicker of disbelief in Julian's eyes, the image struck exactly as I wanted it to.
Julian looked like he'd been struck across the face. "Uncle Lewis, you're… mating with her?" His voice broke on the words. "But… weren't you always in love with "
He didn't finish. He didn't have to.
Lewis cut in before he could speak another word. His voice was calm, clipped Alpha-cold. "Yes. Riley and I are bonding today. From now on, she is your Luna. Show respect."
The air rippled with the weight of command. His tone left no room for argument.
I smiled wider. There it was the declaration I needed. His words had anchored my place beside him in front of Julian and anyone else who might doubt it.
Julian's color drained. He stumbled back a step, eyes wide, confusion twisting into fear. His voice came out as a broken whisper. "What did you call her… Elena?"
I stepped closer, my eyes locked on his. My voice came out smooth, steady, and filled with quiet power.
"You're mistaken," I said. "My name is Riley. Riley Ashbourne."
And as his scent faltered with disbelief, I felt my wolf stir calm, certain, and deadly.Julian might not have known it yet, but the game had just begun.