Chapter 5
1428words
I stood before the mirror in my silver-white gown that flowed like liquid moonlight, crystals sparkling with every movement.
The silver crown on my head felt heavy, symbolizing Luna's identity and power.
"You look absolutely beautiful," Father said, his eyes shining with pride.
I took a deep breath. Tonight, I would formally accept my position as heir of the Moon Shadow Pack and announce my engagement to Liam.
Since that heated moment at the training ground, Liam had maintained a polite but distant attitude toward me.
I knew he was upset about Ethan's photo, but I didn't know how to explain.
"Are you ready? All the guests have arrived."
I nodded and followed my father toward the hall.
Before entering, we paused at a position overlooking the entire venue. My gaze was immediately drawn to a striking couple at the center of the crowd.
Ethan stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking handsome and aristocratic as he chatted and laughed with Vivian. She wore a flowing red gown that accentuated her golden hair and blue eyes, making her stunningly beautiful.
Their picture-perfect appearance drew admiring glances from everyone around them. Ethan's arm possessively encircled Vivian's waist—a gesture that silently proclaimed to everyone: this woman is mine.
"Isn't that Ethan? Wasn't he with Selena?" I heard someone whisper nearby.
Vivian heard the question and flashed an arrogant smile. "Selena? That ordinary werewolf? How could she possibly be worthy of someone like Ethan?"
Her voice cut like a knife. "She was merely Ethan's plaything when he was bored. Only a woman like me deserves to stand by his side."
People around murmured in agreement, some even mocking my past devotion. Ethan heard it all but said nothing in my defense. As if a "low-class werewolf" like me should expect nothing more than to be ridiculed.
I stood there, bitterness welling in my heart—not for Ethan's betrayal, but for my former self who had risked everything for love. That naive girl who believed love could conquer all now seemed pathetically foolish.
Just then, a warm hand gently took mine. I turned to find Liam standing behind me, his eyes filled with concern.
"Don't worry," he said softly, his voice wrapping around me like a warm blanket. "Tonight, you are the star."
His presence instantly calmed my racing heart. Liam had a way of appearing exactly when I needed him, offering strength and reassurance without a word.
"Ready?" he asked, extending his arm with gentlemanly grace.
I nodded and took his arm. In that moment, I felt completely at ease.
The doors slowly opened, and all eyes turned toward us. I entered with measured steps, Liam's arm linked with mine and my father on my other side.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. I felt the weight of everyone's shocked and awed stares.
"Is that the heir?"
"She's stunning."
"Wait... isn't that Ethan's girlfriend?"
Ethan and Vivian stood frozen, their expressions betraying their shock. Ethan's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape—clearly unable to process what he was seeing.
Vivian's face drained of color as she clutched Ethan's arm tightly, as if needing support to remain standing.
I didn't spare them a glance. I simply straightened my spine and walked forward with determination. I was no longer the heartbroken girl pining for Ethan—I was Luna of the Moon Shadow Pack.
I approached the central platform where the twelve elders waited. Liam released my hand and stepped aside, though his gaze never left me, his eyes filled with pride and something deeper.
The Grand Elder announced the beginning of the ceremony.
"Tonight, under the witness of the full moon, we welcome the new Luna of the Moon Shadow Pack, Selena Moonlight. We also celebrate the alliance between Moon Shadow and Shadow Pack through the engagement of Luna Selena and Alpha Liam."
Warm applause erupted. I stood tall, feeling the weight of every gaze upon me.
Ethan's expression darkened, the shock in his eyes gradually replaced by anger and disbelief. Vivian whispered urgently in his ear, but he seemed deaf to everything except the sight of me.
The ceremony continued. The Grand Elder presented me with the ancient ring—symbol of the Moon Shadow Luna. I slipped it onto my left middle finger and felt powerful energy surge through my body.
Then Liam approached, knelt on one knee, and presented a ring glowing with blue light.
"Selena Moonlight, will you accept my proposal, become my mate, and stand with me to protect our packs?"
His voice was deep and steady, his eyes filled with sincerity and devotion.
I looked at him, warmth blooming in my chest. In that moment, I finally understood what true love meant—not the selfish possession Ethan had shown, but the respect and support Liam offered.
"I do," I answered, my voice clear and strong.
Liam slipped the ring onto my right ring finger, then rose and gently kissed my forehead. The hall erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Suddenly, an angry voice shattered the joyful atmosphere.
"This is impossible!"
Ethan stormed toward the platform, his face ashen, eyes wild with rage and disbelief. "Selena, how the hell can you be the Luna of Moon Shadow? How could you possibly be engaged to him?"
The hall instantly fell silent, everyone staring at the unfolding drama.
Liam's expression hardened as he stepped protectively in front of me, his eyes flashing dangerously. His body trembled slightly—the warning sign of an Alpha about to lose control.
"Mind your words, representative of Silver Claw," Liam's voice was low and dangerous, carrying an unmistakable threat.
But Ethan seemed beyond reason. He jabbed a finger toward me, his voice shaking: "She is mine! How could she possibly be the Luna of Moon Shadow? This must be some kind of trick!"
Liam's eyes began to glow red, his muscles coiled tight as his entire being radiated lethal intent. Every werewolf present could feel his rage—many instinctively backed away, some even lowering their heads in submission.
"Guards," Liam said coldly, "escort Silver Claw's representative out."
Several guards moved forward, but I gently touched Liam's arm, signaling him to wait.
"Let me handle this," I said softly.
Liam glanced at me, the red in his eyes slowly fading, though he remained at my side, ready to intervene at any moment.
I approached Ethan, no longer the girl who feared losing him. I was the Luna of Moon Shadow, heir to an ancient legacy.
"Ethan," my voice was calm and powerful, "I was never yours."
"You were the one who threw me away, weren't you?"
Ethan's expression twisted with rage. He clenched his fists, seeming to struggle for words before finally spitting out: "No, that's impossible! How could you be the heir of Moon Shadow? How could you be engaged to someone else? You belong to me!"
At that moment, Liam stepped forward and knelt again—this time before the entire assembly. He produced another ring, even more elaborate than the first, set with a massive blue diamond.
"Selena Moonlight," his voice resonated throughout the hall, "from this moment forward, I, Liam Nightfall, belong to you forever."
The hall fell completely silent, everyone stunned by this declaration. While tradition dictated an Alpha propose to a Luna, publicly declaring that he "belonged forever" to another was unprecedented in werewolf history. Alphas were fiercely independent—they never showed submission to anyone, not even their mates.
My cheeks flushed hot as my heart hammered against my ribs. In Liam's eyes I saw only devotion—as if the entire world had narrowed to just the two of us.
And my wolf trembled with excitement.
Liam rose and, before everyone, kissed me deeply. This kiss held love and promise, but also an unmistakable claim of possession.
It awakened feelings I'd never experienced before.
When we parted, the hall erupted in thunderous cheers.
Ethan's friends looked stunned—they'd never witnessed such a passionate display from an Alpha. Vivian's face contorted with jealousy and rage. She looked at Ethan, clearly expecting him to respond, but he just stood there, face ashen, eyes filled with disbelief.
"Look," someone whispered, "that arrogant Silver Claw Alpha just got rejected by the Luna of Moon Shadow."
"He actually brought another woman to his ex's engagement ceremony. How pathetic."
"I heard he was convinced she'd come crawling back to him. What a joke."
The whispers grew louder as Ethan's expression darkened further. Vivian tried to pull him away, but he shook off her hand.
"Selena!" Ethan suddenly shouted, his voice raw with desperation. "You're nothing but a fraud!"
