First

Chapter 37

“The Luna of the blood oak pack is so pretty and she’s very smart too. Alpha Tatum is lucky to have a woman like her.”

“I heard she’s no ordinary Luna though, her wolf has special powers, she is a child of prophecy.”

“No wonder she has such beauty and brains, a truly magnificent person.” Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Leila hears the whispers from some omegas working as she strolls to the Ruby conference room of the Halitad hotel. A hotel co–owned by the blood oak pack and the moon rock pack, right on the borders that separate both pack grounds.

She subtly blushes at the whispers, they seem full of high praise for her but she’s sure she’s never seen them before.

The annual werewolf games are coming up, a competition where werewolves of different ages showcase

their talents across various competitions and this year, the blood oak pack is hosting it and as in

customary, the planning is left to the Lunas of the twelve packs that participate in the event.

She pushes the door to the conference room open and the bustling room becomes eerily silent, every eye in there turning to her, putting her on the spot

The security guard standing inside the hall steps forward and pulls a seat for Leila and the tattoo of a snake around his forearm suddenly disturbs her but it is the lady standing at the head of the table, addressing the women that affects her the most.

Carmela.

Leila is stunned, shocked to the bones, Tatum specifically refused for her to be here.

She cocks her brow and looks at Carmela but as she looks at her fellow Lunas, they stare back at her with contemptuous judgement in their eyes.

“What is she doing here?” One of the Lunas whispers.

“I wonder, Carmela has always been the rightful Luna, she doesn’t deserve a seat among us,” another one

murmurs

“A mere substitute, doesn’t she have any shame?” Yet another remarks.

Leila’s heart lurches, her mouth falling slightly open, stung by the betrayal of these women, women she has laughed, wined and dined with for the past two years.

How quickly they disregard and discredit her for Carmela’s sake.

“Luna Leila,” Carmela says with a coy smile, baring her neck to Leila in respect.

“I am so glad you could join us today. I sincerely apologise for taking your place but I was only representing the interests of the blood oak pack due to your absence.”

“Without my permission?” Leila’s voice is calm and low but the pain and accusation in it is deafening.

“Carmela, I don’t think you need to apologise for doing the right thing. If Leila had any respect for this gathering, she would have at least sent word that she would be absent,” One of the Luna’s say, glaring at

+35 BONUS

Leila.

“Margaux is right. If you didn’t show up, the blood oak pack would have lacked representation and we would have just assumed that they are not participating in this year’s event,” another one added.

Leila’s brow furrows and she walks closer to the table, dropping her bag and taking out an envelope. “That is not true, I sent a letter to inform you of my absence, I even have a copy here with me.”

One of the women snatches the letter from her, glancing through it and passing it to another.

“We did not receive any letter.”

“We certainly did not.”

“How can you say that?” Leila replies with a horrid look on her face.

“Are you calling us liars?”

“Leila, don’t create a scene here, we were in the middle of something before you barged in with your tardy attitude,” One of them reprimanded her harshly.

is the Her heart stings from the betrayal and sudden hostility of her fellow lunas towards her, Carmela phoenix luna anyway, she is just a substitute, Carmela belongs among them more than she does.

“I didn’t mean to create a scene or upset anyone. Since Carmela is already representing the blood oak pack, it is better I leave,” She replies in a monotonous tone, a small and bitter smile on her tiny lips.

“Leila, please don’t go,” Carmela replies hastily, walking over to Leila.

“I am really sorry that I did not inform you. I just thought you would understand I am doing it for our people. I’ve told you this before and let these women be my witness today, I have no intention of replacing you as the Luna of our pack. Even if everyone says I am the phoenix Luna and I deserve to be by Alpha Tatum’s side, if you really love him and want to continue as Luna, you have my blessings.”