I signaled one of the guards at the door to step forward. He gave me a respectful nod before addressing the hall.
"Any she-wolf with a matter to present before the Luna, step forward now," he announced.
For a moment, no one moved, and I could sense the hesitation rippling through the crowd. Then, a young she-wolf, probably no older than eighteen, nervously made her way to the front, her hands trembling slightly.
I offered her a gentle nod. "Speak freely," I encouraged, softening my tone to ease her nerves.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "L-Luna, I… I wanted to report that my mate has been refusing to provide for our pup. He spends his time drinking and gambling instead of working, and we're running out of food. I've tried speaking to him, but he just… gets angry."
Anger flared inside me at the thought of a mate neglecting his family, but I kept my expression calm. "What is his name?"
I glanced at the guard, giving him a curt nod. "Write down his name. I will meet with him after this meeting. A mate's duty is to protect and provide for his family, and neglecting his pup will not be tolerated. You and your child will be taken care of, and I will ensure he fulfills his responsibilities—or faces punishment."
The she-wolf's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. She bowed deeply. "Thank you, Luna."
"Go to the kitchens and get food for you and your pup," I ordered gently. "One of the omegas will assist you."
She nodded, her face lighting up with relief, and quickly hurried out.
Before I could address the next matter, another she-wolf stepped forward, her gaze filled with pain. "Luna, I need justice. My mate struck me in a fit of rage yesterday. I'm tired of his temper and fear for my safety."
My frown deepened as I recalled the first and only time Lennox had slapped me. It had been painful, yes, but even worse was the heartbreak of being hurt by the man who was supposed to protect me, and I would not watch another she-wolf go through that countless times.
"What is his name, and where is he now?"
"Logan, Luna. He's probably at the training grounds."
I turned to the guard writing. "Write down his name. Any male who harms his mate will answer to me personally."
Anita released a mockery scoff, but I ignored her.
The she-wolf gave me a grateful bow, tears brimming in her eyes.
One by one, more she-wolves came forward with their concerns—some about neglectful mates, others about disputes over property or pups being bullied. I listened to each of them, giving orders to address the issues and ensure justice was served.
Through it all, Anita sat there, glaring. I knew she wished she were the one in my position. But I ignored her. My focus was on those who truly needed me.
When the last case was heard and the guards had their orders, I finally stood and addressed the hall again. "I will not tolerate mistreatment or neglect of mates and pups within this pack. If any of you feel unsafe or uncared for, you may come to me directly. I will make sure justice is done."
Murmurs of agreement and cautious approval filled the room. I knew it wouldn't be easy to gain their loyalty, but at least they were beginning to see that I wasn't just a figurehead to be ignored or disrespected. I was their Luna, and I would protect them—even if they didn't think I deserved the title.
Dismissing the gathering, I watched as the she-wolves slowly filed out of the hall, some with newfound hope in their eyes.
Anita rose from her seat and strode toward me.
"Don't get too comfortable, Olivia. Very soon, I'll take this position from you, and you'll go back to being an Omega—the daughter of a thief."
I smirked. "I'm not surprised you like my leftovers."
Anita's eyes darkened with anger. "Enjoy it while it lasts," she hissed.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice just enough that only she could hear. "And you enjoy watching from the sidelines because that's where you'll always be."
I didn't wait for her response. Turning on my heel, I strode past her, the list of names clutched in my hand. I had real matters to handle, and wasting time on Anita's petty jealousy wasn't one of them.
The training ground was buzzing with activity when I arrived. Warriors sparred in the open field, the sharp clang of weapons filling the air. My gaze swept over the space until I found the one I was looking for.
He was a tall, broad-shouldered wolf with a smug expression, his arms crossed as he watched two younger warriors duel. His eyes flickered with amusement as if the entire world existed for his entertainment.
I approached without hesitation, stopping just a few feet from him. "Logan."
He barely spared me a glance. "What?"
"You were reported for striking your mate yesterday," I stated, my tone leaving no room for argument. "That won't be tolerated in this pack."
At that, he turned fully to face me, looking me up and down with a sneer. "And who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do?" His lip curled. "You may be playing Luna now, but don't forget who you really are—a daughter of a thief, an Omega in stolen robes."
I clenched my jaw but remained composed. "That's not the issue here. The issue is that you put your hands on your mate, and you will answer for it."
Logan let out a short, harsh laugh. "Answer to you? You're not my Luna." He took a step closer, towering over me. "You're just a rejected mate the Alphas don't even want. How dare you—"
I cut him off with a sharp slap to the face, my wolf snarling inside me.
Logan's head snapped to the side. A dark scowl crossed his face as he turned back to me, his rage boiling over. Before I could brace myself, his hand lashed out, striking me hard across the face.
The pain was unbearable, But before I could react, the familiar furious voice of Lennox roared through the training grounds. This text is hosted at novel~fire~net
His voice was pure rage, shaking the very ground beneath us.