From Rejected Luna To Lycan Queen

ELOISE.

The Blood Moon hung high above the Autumn Pack, casting a crimson glow over the clearing. The air was filled with the scent of pine and the sweat of hundreds of wolves watching me.

Tonight was the Mating Ceremony under the Blood Moon, the night my life was supposed to fall into place.

“The Moon Goddess casts her blessings upon us,” the Pack Elder announced, his voice was raspy but still loud enough over the wind. “Tonight, Alpha Edward marks his destined mate, uniting the pack’s strength. Eloise Lockwood, step forward.”

I stepped toward the stone altar in the center of the field. My white ceremonial dress felt heavy, and the silence from the crowd was tense.

Edward stood before me, as the Alpha, he should look proud that he was about to mark me; he should have been radiating possessiveness, but instead, he stood before me with his jaw clenched tight, and he refused to look me in the eyes. His wolf, who was always present and strong in my mind, felt distant.

“Alpha,” the Elder called gently. “It is time to place your mark on the future Luna of this Pack.”

Edward hesitated.

The seconds dragged on as if we have been here for a lifetime, his hands stood frozen by his side and he wasn't moving. He didn't lean in to smell me, or bare his teeth to mark thag spot on my neck. He just stood there, looking like a man who was forced to be here.

Whispers broke out among the Pack members.

“What is going on?”

“Why isn't he marking her?”

“Does the Alpha reject the bond?”

“Did he realise that he can't be with her because of her connection with the rogues?”

The humiliation burned my skin hotter than the fire touches surrounding us. I stretched my hand to meet his arm, my fingers barely grazing him.

“Edward,” I whispered, pleading with my eyes. Hundreds of people were here; it wouldn't make sense if he backed out now. “Please, the whole pack is watching.”

He flinched at my touch. He opened his mouth to say something, maybe he wanted to apologize or reject me. But we wouldn't know because the smell of fresh iron and rot hit our noses.

Blood.

A rustling sound came from the edge of the woods, and then a body thumped onto the grass.

I squinted my eyes at the scene to see who it was. It was one of the patrol guards; his shredded armor gave him away. Deep claw marks were all over his chest, and he was dragging one leg. He collapsed when he finally got to the stone altar.

“Alpha….” the guard choked put, blood bubbling from his mouth. “Rogues….at the Northern Border…”

Edward’s demeanour changed immediately; he dropped to a knee beside the injured guard. “Report. How many?”

“T-Too many…” The guard gripped Edward’s arm, his eyes wide with terror and fear. “They have Lady S-Summer. She's surrounded by them, I-I couldn't he—” he couldn't get the words out as another round of blood poured out of his mouth.

The color drained from Edward’s face.

“Summer?”

“She's trapped among the rogues. She's hurt very bad and I d-dont think she will last another ten minutes.”

Edward rose to his feet immediately. The hesitation from moments ago is gone, replaced by raw panic.

“The ceremony is over!” Edward roared to the crowd. “Warriors, move to the north.”

He turned his back on me without a second thought, his muscles shifting as he prepared to shift into his wolf form.

“Edward!” I grabbed his arm, digging my fingers into his biceps. “Stop.”

He spun around at once, his eyes flashing with gold anger, letting me know that his wolf was near. “Let go, Elsie. Summer is dying.”

“Look at where we are!” I shouted, my voice trembling. “We are under the Blood Moon! The ritual has started. If you leave the altar now, you break the sacred laws. You humiliate me before the whole pack.”

“She is being attacked by rogues, Eloise?”

“And you have warriors to go attend to that.” I pointed to the dozens of warriors shifting into their wolf forms. “You have my brothers, why does it have to be you? Why must it always be you?”

Why is it always you when she calls?

“Don’t be a heartless bitch, Eloise. This is life or death. He said and shoved my hands away.

“Im not being heartless, I'm being your mate!” I shouted, standing my ground, even though my legs felt weak. “Dont you think there's something wrong? Why is it always every time we are together, or we have something going for us, that something is always happening to her?”

I had held the question inside for years, ever since I returned from being a captive of the rogues.

Twelve Years ago, I was taken. I disappeared during a border patrol, dragged off to a rogue camp. According to my best friend, Tavi, my family searched for a while, and after they didn't find me, they stopped. Months later, my father brought Summer home, claiming her as the new daughter of the family.

She took my room. She took my clothes. She took the love of my parents and my brothers. When I finally escaped, I crawled my way back here, expecting to meet the love of my family, only to be met with coldness.

Nobody celebrated my return; they rather doted on the golden child. I became a stain on their reputation in the pack.

“Enough, Elsie!” My mother stepped up to the altar, her face twisted in disgust. “Rogues are tearing apart your sister, and all you care about is a ceremony? You're so selfish!”

“I don't have a sister,” I said coldly. “Summer is nothing to me.”

“You monster,” my eldest brother growled. “If Summer dies, it's on your hands.”

“If she dies, it's because she's weak,” I answered in the same tone he used. “It's time you people chose who you want between Summer and me.”

“Eloise, stop this childishness and madness. Be a good Luna and stay here. I just need to go and save her. I'll be back.”

“Edward,” I called in a calm tone.

“If you leave this circle right now,” I said, my voice echoing in the silence of the clearing. “If you chose her over the mate bond right now…dont bother coming back. We are finished.”

The wind growled around us, and the pack held its breath.

Edward stiffened. I thought he would stay. I thought maybe the sacred vows of our land would make me win.

“Im sorry,” he muttered. “But she needs me more right now.”

And then he leaped down from the altar, his body cracking and reshaping mid-air until a massive black wolf landed on the grass. He didn't look back; he sprinted into the darkness of the woods.

One by one, my father, my mother, and my brothers all left me alone by myself, on the stone altar, under the Blood Moon, forsaking the vows we hadn't even taken.

I looked up at the Blood Moon, feeling a strange and cold clarity washing over me. I wasn't going to wait for him to come back. I wasn't going to be the pathetic Eloise waiting at the altar anymore.

I closed my eyes and made my choice.

ELOISE.

“The Alpha left her for her sister,” someone in the crowd whispered.

“But for the adopted sister? That's brutal.”

“Maybe he knows something we don't. She's damaged goods after all.”

I tried not to let their words hurt me, but their words were like daggers pricking my skin. My chest heaved, the air feeling too thin to breathe. I looked up at the Blood Moon, which seemed to mock me with its red glow. The pain of humiliation mixed with the scorching heat of the incomplete bond was too much.

“AHHHHH!”

I let out a scream. It was raw and filled with agony. It tore from my throat, echoing through the empty altar. The crowd flinched, all of them stepping back away from me as if I were the enemy, but I didn't care.

I ripped the ceremonial veil off my head and threw it into the dirt. I wasn't going to wait here like a fool. I wanted to see it. I needed to see if Summer was actually dying, or if she had won again.

I hiked up my heavy white dress and marched towards the edge of the woods.

“Lady Eloise,” a patrol guard stepped into my path. “You shouldn't go; the Alpha commanded you to wait.”

“Are you mad?” I asked coldly, trying as much as possible not to lose my cool. “Move aside and tell me, is Summer dead?” I asked.

The guard shifted his weight and looked down at his boots. “I’m sorry, my lady. Uh, no, my lady. The warriors found her immediately. She didn't have a lot of injuries, though; she was just shaken up.”

“Where is she?”

“They took her to the pack hospital to be checked for shock,” he admitted.

I pushed past him and began the long walk, not caring to ask for a carriage or a car. My bare feet bled on the stones, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the hurt I had in my heart.

When I reached the pack hospital, the receptionist looked at my dirty white dress with wide eyes.

“Where is Summer?” I demanded.

“Top floor, the VIP suite, my lady,” she said with a bow.

I took the stairs; I wasn't patient enough to take the elevator. My heart was pounding, not from exhaustion, but from rage. I reached the hallway of the VIP suite, the door was slightly ajar, and I was about to barge in when I heard a soft voice.

“Edward…it was so scary.” Summer sobbed. “The rogues surrounded me and said t-terrible things.”

“What did they say, Summer?” Edward’s voice was so gentle and filled with concern. The kind of tone he never used with me.

“They said…” Summer sniffled loudly. “They said they hoped Elsie was satisfied with the work they did. They said…they said my sister paid them to scare me away from the ceremony.”

My breath hitched. My hands curled into fists so tight that my nails cut into my palms.

“What?” Julian growled. “Eloise did this? She hired rogues to kill you?”

“No! No!” Summer cried out, her voice sounding frantic and fake. “I don't want to believe it. I know Eloise hates me, I know she's jealous, but she wouldn't do that! Please don't blame her! Maybe the rogues were lying; it's probably all a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” my mother scoffed. “Summer, stop being so naive. Eloise disappeared for twelve years. She lived with rogues! She probably learned their dirty tricks. She has their blood on her hands!”

“She is a traitor,” Antoine spat. “We welcomed her back, and this is how she repays us? By trying to have our sweet Summer killed?”

I couldn't listen to another word.

BANG.

I kicked the door open, and it slammed against the wall with a powerful crash.

Everyone in the room jumped. Summer was sitting on the hospital bed, looking perfectly fine while holding a cup of hot cocoa. My parents and brothers gathered around her like she was a fragile glass doll.

“Say that again!” I screamed, walking further into the room. My dress was torn ag the hem, my hair was a mess, and I knew I looked like a mad woman. “Say it to my face, Summer. I hired rogues?”

Summer shrank back against the pillows, her eyes filling with instant crocodile tears. She looked at Edward with a terrified glance. “Edward…im scared…her eyes…she looks like she wants to kill me.”

“Stay back, Eloise.” Edward stood up, blocking Summer from me. His Alpha aura flared, pressing down on me, but I didn't back down. I didn't submit.

“She is lying. The guards at the woods told me she didn't even have that much injury! She staged this whole thing to ruin the ceremony.” I screamed I'm frustration.

“Enough!” my father, Darlington, shouted. “Look at your sister, she is traumatized. How dare you accuse her when you're the one who consorts with rogues?”

“I was kidnapped!” I yelled back. “I was a prisoner for twelve years! I didn't join them!”

“So you say,” Antoine roared, crossing his arms and glaring daggers at me. “But you came back different, cold and cruel. And now, rogues attack Summer and use your name? It's too much of a coincidence.”

“Ots not a coincidence, it's a setup.” I pointed a shaking finger at Summer. “She is manipulating all of you, can't you see it?”

“Eloise, please stop.” Summer wailed, grabbing Edward’s arm. “It's my fault, I shouldn't have gone out! Don't be mad at Eloise! I'll leave the pack if I have to. I don't want to ruin your relationship.”

“You aren't going anywhere, Summer,” Edward said soothingly, stroking her hair. Then he turned his hard gaze on me.

“Eloise,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “I cannot have a Luna who is associated with rogues. I cannot trust the pack with someone who would hurt her own sister.”

“I didn't do it,” I whispered with a crackling voice. “Edward, please, you have to believe me. We are mates.”

“Are we?” Edward looked at me with ice in his gaze. “I don't plan on having a monster as a mate.”

Summer tugged on his sleeve, weeping harder. “No, Edward, please, don't do it! Please, I beg you, she's my sister! Just punish her, or lock her in the dungeon, but don't reject her; it will kill her wolf.”

She was begging for mercy on my behalf, but I saw the glint of victory in her eyes. She wanted him to do it. She wanted to watch me lose everything to her.

“I have made my decision,” Edward stated clearly. “I need to sort all this mess out before the Lycan King visits our pack. So as of now…”

“No..” I breathed.

“I, Alpha Edward Forbes of the Autumn Pack,” he began, his voice booming in the large hospital room.

“Edward, don't!” Summer screamed, burying her face in her hands, peeking through her fingers.

“I reject you, Eloise Lockwood, as my mate and Luna,” he finished.

Snap.

It felt like a physical blow to my chest. A pain sharper than any knife sliced through my soul. I gasped, clutching my chest and stumbling back. My wolf howler, I'm agony in my head, curling into a ball of darkness.

My knees hit the floor, and I couldn't breathe.

“Get out.”

I looked up from the floor, through the smoke of pain, and I saw Summer smirk at me over Edward’s shoulder. Just a tiny, quick curve of her lips. I won. The smirk said.

I stood up I wouldn't let them see me cry. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me beg.

I turned around and walked out of the room. I walked away from the man who rejected me and the family that hated me.

I walked out into the cold night, and I walked along the road that led away from Autumn Pack, my bare feet numb to the sharp stones.

I had no plan. I had no pack. I had nothing but a torn mating dress and a wild desire on my mind to make them regret the day they chose Summer over me.

My mind was a chaotic storm of thoughts. My mother’s glare, Edward's rejection, Summer’s victorious smirk. I was so lost in my rage that I didn't hear the roar of the engine behind me.

“Hey! Watch out!”

ELOISE.

“Hey! Watch out!”

A chorus of screams from some nearby pack traders snapped me back into reality.

I spun around just in time to see a sleek, pitch black armored sedan barreling toward me. It was moving too fast.

My breath hitched. I froze, my wolf instinct failing me in my grief.

SCREECH!!!

The tires locked, skidding against the gravel. Dust and small rocks flew into the air, swallowing me in a gray cloud. The heavy metal bumper stopped inches—just mere inches—from my knees. The heat radiating from the engine burned my skin.

My heart hammered against my ribs, but strangely I didn't feel fear. I felt… something else.

As the dust settled, an intense, overwhelming scent hit my nose.

It wasn't the smell of rubber or asphalt. It was something organic. Something rotting. It smelled like ancient blood mixed with sulfur and decaying nightshade. It was the smell of a sickness so deep it stained the soul.

The driver's door flew open, and a burly man in a dark suit jumped out. He looked furious.

“Are you insane?” the driver bellowed, marching towards me. “Do you have a death wish, wolf? Why weren't you looking at where you were going?”

He reached out to shove me off the road, but before his hand could touch my shoulder, I grabbed his wrist.

He blinked, shocked by mg speed.

“Stand still,” my voice hoarse but authoritative.

I leaned in and sniffed him aggressively, right at the pulse of his neck.

The driver pulled back, looking at me like I was a lunatic. “What the hell are you doing? Get off me, you lunatic.”

“It's not you,” I muttered, releasing him. “You're as healthy as a horse, though your cholesterol is high. But that smell…”

My gaze drifted past him to the black car, specifically to the back seat. The windows were tinted so dark they looked like polished obsidian, reflecting my rumpled reflection.

Something was drawing me to whatever or whoever was in the back seat. I couldn't see inside, but I could feel it. It felt like I was being stared down by a predator that could swallow the world whole.

“Who is in the car?” I asked, taking a step toward the vehicle.

The driver stepped in front of me, growling low in his throat. “It's none of your business, but you should know that he's no one you should trifle with; he's the Lycan King,” he said, and fear took hold of me immediately.

The Lycan King? The ruthless and dangerous man whom no one has seen his eyes? I couldn't help the reaction I had; I bowed in respect immediately.

But something pulled me to look at the black tinted glasses again; it felt as if he was calling me. I focused on the smells leaking from the cracks of the car door. It was a curse. A powerful and dark magic curse.

“He’s in pain,” I said, staring directly at the black window. “Terrible pain. It feels like fire in the veins, doesn't it?”

I should keep quiet, it's not my business, but I was in one of those modes, it felt like someone was speaking through me each time I was diagnosing someone, which is probably the reason I couldn't keep shut.

“Watch your tongue, you filth,” the driver said with so much fury.

“He can't sleep.” I continued, my voice gaining more strength even when my subconscious knew I should keep quiet. “The moonlight burns him. His wolf his fighting for control, tearing him apart from the inside out. And the eyes….”

I paused, the diagnosis forming clearly in my mind as if the smell was whispering the symptoms to me.

“It's the Chromia Curse, isn't it?” I said softly. “The color of his eyes is not the same. They change color with the moon. If he doesn't treat it soon, he’ll go feral within the year.”

“You should find him a high healer,” I said, turning away. That's the only people I know who could do something about his situation. I bowed and turned around to leave.

I began to walk away. I had my own problems. I didn't need to get involved with our dying Lycan King.

I heard the sound of the electric glass rolling down.

“Wait.” The sound of the powerful voice stopped me in my tracks.

The voice was deep and dangerous. It vibrated the air like a command that demanded obedience from every wolf in a ten-mile radius. It was the voice of a King.

I turned back slowly.

The window was down. Sitting in the shadowed interior was a man who looked like he had been carved from marble and nightmares. Like a Greek God, he had a sharp jawline, raven-black hair, and an aura so powerful it made the air around the car freeze.

But his eyes were hidden behind a pair of pitch-black sunglasses.

Even with the glasses, I could feel the intensity of his gaze. It was heavy and suffocating.

“Come here,” he ordered.

I know I shouldn't have obeyed. I should have run the other way because he looked like he could swallow me whole.

“You smell the curse?” he asked, his tone devoid of any emotion.

“I smell the rot.” I corrected, crossing my arms over my torn dress. “And I smell the magic binding your wolf.”

“You're clever for a wolf in a dirty mating dress,” he said dryly. “And you seem to know what exactly plagues me. Goddess knows how many healers I've killed because they failed to see what you smelled in seconds.”

“Probably a lot.” I shrugged. “You seem the type.”

“Tell me the cure,” he said coldly.

“Im not a healer. I just happen to have a good nose. Find the witches of the east; they deal with curses. Or high healers.”

“I don't want witches or healers. I want you,” he growled, leaning forward slightly.

My heart skipped a beat. “I want you.”

“You diagnosed me without touching me. I don't care who you are or what pack you're running from. Fix my eyes, fix my wolf. Name your price.”

He pulled out a gold card from his suit jacket, and I stared at it. It was enough money to run away from the goddamed place and be set for the rest of my life.

But running wasn't what I wanted anymore.

I looked at the man—he was the ruthless Lycan King that everybody feared. He was dying, and maybe I was the only one who could save him. And he was the most powerful wolf in existence. More powerful than Alpha Edward and the Lockwood family.

A plan formed in my mind. A reckless and dangerous plan.

I didn't take the card. Instead, I leaned against the door frame of his million-dollar car, looking him dead in in his sunglasses.

“I don't want your money,” I said calmly.

“Everyone wants money,” he countered.

“I don't.” I tilted my head, letting my eyes flash with the remnants of my anger. “But thinking about it now…I might have a little problem that only you can solve.”

He looked at me with renewed interest, a predator assessing a worthy partner.

“A trade?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

“A trade,” I confirmed. “I heal you. You destroy my enemies.”

ELOISE.

The interior of the black sedan screamed of wealth and luxury, but also darkness because there wasn't any hint of color in the car.

And there was complete silence in the car; the only noise that was heard was the low hum of the engine and the terrifyingly steady heartbeat of the lethal man sitting beside me.

“Who are you?” I know it sounded like a question, but it felt like a command, like something I must answer. I took a deep breath before I answered, trying to calm my trembling wolf.

“My name is Eloise Lockwood. Eldest daughter of the Lockwood bloodline.”

Is mouth twitched, an expression that felt more like a threat than a smile. “Ive heard about you.”

“Bad news travels faster than a rogue on a border run, doesn't it?”

“Ot does when the daughter of a powerful family is treated lower than an omega,” he said dryly.

“Im not an omega. I'm the real daughter of the Lockwoods; they just chose to forget that.” he turned his head slightly, and the shades from his sunglasses reflected my own disheveled image, torn dress, dirt-smudged cheeks, hair a chaotic mess.

“And you expect me to believe that you have the power to break a King’s curse when you couldn't even keep your own family from tossing you aside?”

“I don't need you to believe anything because I don't know how I knew that you were sick, I just knew. All you need to believe is that I can smell the rot inside you. You want to make a deal? I help with all the blackness I'm seeing in your body, and you become my weapon.”

The air in the car seemed to drop ten degrees. The driver stiffened in the front seat, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel, likely waiting for the order to snap my neck. Instead, the King chuckled. It was a dark, dry sound devoid of humor. “Eloise, you have a lot of audacity for a helpless wolf.”

“And you have a lot of patience for a man whose insides are currently being liquefied by dark magic.”

He went still.

“You're bold. I like bold.” But then he leaned in and brushed a strand of hair away from my face, while whispering gently in my ears. “But be very careful, mama, cause being this bold might get you in trouble with me,” he whispered and then leaned back, leaving me trembling under my clothes and feeling some goosebumps along my spine.

“Now that we have gotten that out of the way. Why do you want this trade? Money would be easier.”

“Because money doesn't hurt them,” I whispered with anger simmering in my chest. “The Lockwoods and Alpha Edward, they took everything from me. They stole my birthright, my dignity, and Summer stole my identity. I want to watch as the things they value theist are destroyed, brick ny brick, bone by bone.”

“Vengeance,” the King mused. “A noble pursuit.”

Realising that I didn't even know his name. Everybody was so scared of him that they just called him the Lycan King, the brutal King.

“What's your name?”

“You see, this is the boldness I was talking about. The one that could get you in trouble. You don't need to worry about my name; all you have to worry about is how to make me feel better. Is that clear, Mama?”

I stared into his eyes from the thick shades he was wearing, my tongue felt tied because I couldn't answer him. I couldn't see his eyes, but I could tell that he was staring at me intensely, and for some strange reason, I wanted to see the colors of his eyes so bad.

“I said, is that clear?”

“Yes, it is,” I answered immediately because his voice took an edge on.

“Good,” he answered and looked away from me.

“Where are we going?” I asked, realizing the scenery blurring past the tinted windows wasn't leading out of town.

“Im supposed to have a meeting with Alpha Edward later today.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“No, we can't do that yet. At least not me, you can drop me off somewhere and get me later. They will kill me if they see me now, Edward promised that if he saw me again, he would hurt me.” I said.

“Firstly, if you're not coming with me, I'm not going. Secondly, I don't see a reason you should be scared of someone hurting you when you are with me,” he said.

That was true, but I just didn't want to face them now.

“And I can sleep in one of the hotels your pack has to offer. I prefer not to sleep under the roof of a man whose competence is questionable,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“Theres no need to thank me, this is a business agreement, and I'm a man of my word.”

“Go to the obsidian hotel,” I said to the driver. “It's a nice place and a neutral ground, with high security.”

“I don't need to stay somewhere that has high security; I have my own security. But go where the lady said you should,” he told the driver.

The driver hesitated. I could tell that he didn't like me, but then he spun the wheel and changed course.

I closed my eyes, settling into the car, letting my other senses take over. The smell emanating from the King was overwhelming. There were a lot of things. Sulfur, ancient dust, and that distinct, metallic tang of magic gone wrong.

“You were born with this curse, weren't you?” I said softly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

“What?”

“The curse. The Chromia Curse.” I looked at his profile; he hadn't removed his glasses. Not like I was expecting him to, nobody has ever seen his eyes before, that was the tale the legends told. But I had a feeling that I knew what was underneath.

“But one thing you should know is that a stranger didn't cast the curse; it was by someone you know. And it was cast before you were born. It smells familiar, like a bond betrayed. Whoever did this to you, your Majesty, they are very close to you.”

“Careful, you are treading on dangerous grounds,” he said, his jaw tightening.

“The magic is woven into your bone marrow.” I continued, my voice taking on that strange, trance-like sound again. It was as if the diagnosis was being whispered into my ear by the wind itself. “It flares during the new moon and full moon. Shifting to your wolf form hurts you so much, it feels like your wolf side wants to tear your human mind apart. Like you're going crazy type of hurt.”

He turned to me fully again, and for a second, I thought he wanted to hit me. “How do you know that?”

“I..I don't know.” I shook my head, the trance breaking. “I just know. It's like your sickness speaks to me.”

“You're one strange creature,” he murmured. “Once we are done with everything we have to do here in your pack, you will be coming back to the capital with me. You will be given the West Wing of my Palace to stay in. You seem like Seer to me.”

“Im no seer, I'm just a Wolf with a good nose, I guess.”

“We shall see.”

The car began to slow down as we approached the obsidian hotel.

“For now,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “We stay here, but do not get too comfortable.” he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a sleek black phone. A cruel smirk twisted his lips as he checked a message.

“It seems your Alpha is eager to please; he has invited me to a grand dinner tonight to welcome the Royal presence into his territory.”

My stomach dropped. “And you're going.”

“We are going.” The King corrected.

He turned to me, and even through the dark lenses, I felt his command.

“You wanted to destroy them, didn't you? You wanted to watch them crumble?”

“I…” My throat went dry. “Yes.”

“Then wipe the dirt off your face, Eloise. I'll have you go out to shop with my assistant.”

He leaned in closer, the scent of his cologne enveloping me.

“Tonight, you don't walk in as the abandoned daughter or as the rejected Luna. Tonight, you walk in as the guest to the Lycan King.”

I stared at him, my heart hammering against my ribcage. Facing Edward, my family again so soon, it was suicide.

But I knew they couldn't hurt me with the Lycan King by my side. I realised that it wasn't suicide, it was an execution.

A slow, predatory smile spread across my face.

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Let's go to dinner.”

ELOISE.

Hearing the name “Lockwood” usually made me feel small. It made me feel like an unwanted person, but today, things felt different.

“Okay. It's time that they see the daughter they threw away isn't garbage anymore.” I said.

The King nodded, looking pleased. “I'll pick you up at seven later today. You need to get enough rest before then. And please dress well, if you're going to be seen with me, you need to look the part. My card will handle everything you need.”

He handed me a sleek golden card. “Buy everything you need.”

I took the card. I had left the Pack with nothing to my name, so I wasn't going to say no. Besides, I was going to cure a curse that no one could fix. I deserved a little payment.

He assigned an assistant named Fania to drive me around, and then he went into his own room.

Once he was gone, I took the longest shower of my life. I scrubbed away the dirt and the smell of the hospital, I slept in a very soft bef that felt like home.

When I woke up hours later, I felt like a new person. I reached for the phone that Fania had given to me. It was some minutes past four. I needed to get to the shopping quickly.

My mind went through the events that happened the night before. I couldn't believe that this was my new reality, but I didn't mind. My good mood vanished immediately I unlocked the phone, the screen was filled with notifications.

Fuck. I had forgotten to change my phone number.

The Lockwoods were blowing up my phone. I opened the messages, my thumb hovering over the screen.

First was a text from my father. “Where are you? You represent this family. Get back here before you embarrass us.”

Then one from my brother, Antonio. “Stop acting like a child, Eloise, and come home.”

Then another from my brother Julian. “You ungrateful brat. Summer is worried sick because of you. Come back this instant and apologize to her.”

And finally, a message from Summer herself. The imposter who stole my identity and my life.

“Ellie, are you okay? We are all so scared for you. Please come home, we can fix this.”

I stared at the screen. In the past, I would have replied instantly. I would have begged for their forgiveness even though I did nothing wrong. I would have typed out long epistles trying to explain myself.

But today, I just read them. I wasn't going to say anything. I wasn't going to type a single word. Let the read receipt show up on their phones so they know I saw their messages and didn't care.

It felt good.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and stretched. The weather was calm. I had a grand dinner to attend with the most powerful and ruthless wolf I'm the whole world, and I needed a dress that would make their jaws drop.

I called Fania. “Hey. Can you bring the car around? I need to go to the mall for some dress shopping.”

“Sure, ma'am,” she replied.

Thirty minutes later, I stood in front of the city’s most expensive boutique. It was a place where high-ranking wolves from wealthy packs shopped.

I walked in with my head held high. I started hearing whispers. I knew this was going to happen, but I was going to try my best not to be bothered by it.

“What is she even doing here? Does she not have any shame?”

“Low-key, I pity here. She should be the one in the shoes of Lady Summer now.”

“Look at her, she thinks and walks like she's better than everybody else.”

I ignored the comments and headed to the lady behind the counter.

“Hey, I need to get a dress for a dinner.”

“Welcome to our boutique, ma'am. These are the newest styles from the capital,” she said, stretching her hands to some gowns that were set aside in a different rack.

I walked through the racks, my fingers trailing over the expensive silk and velvet. Then I saw it. A champagne colored gown that sparkled under the lights, it was simple but elegant.

“I want to try that one,” I said, pointing to the dress.

The attendant nodded and went to take it down. But just as her hand touched the fabric, a shrill voice rang from the entrance.

“Wait, I want that one.”

My blood went cold. I knew that voice.

I turned around slowly, and of course, it was Summer, and walking behind her like a loyal guard dog was my brother, Julian.

Summer was dressed perfectly as always. She looked like the perfect Luna-in-training. When she saw me, she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Eloise?” Her eyes went wide. “Oh my Goddess!! Ellie, is that you?”

She rushed forward, her face twisting into a look of pure concern. “Where have you been? We have been so worried about you. You saw our messages, didn't you? Why didn't you reply? Mom has been crying all night.” But we both knew that was a lie.

I really didn't understand the show she was trying to put on.

She reached out to hug me, her hands aiming for my shoulders. But my instinct took over; I didn't want her scent or fake warmth around me.

I shoved her away. Hard.

“Dont touch me, and stop with the nickname.” I snapped.

Summer stumbled back, gasping as if I had stabbed her. She grabbed her chest, looking like she was about to faint.

“Hey!” Julian roared. He caught Summer before she could fall. His eyes were flashing with anger.

“What is wrong with you? You know Summer is weak as of this moment, she is fragile right now, and you could have hurt her.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don't care, Julian. And she's fine, stop coddling her.”

“Ellie, how can you be so cruel?” There she went with that nickname again. She whimpered as she leaned against Julian for support. She looked at me with big and watery eyes. “I was just so happy to see you. I've missed you.” I wanted to throw up so bad from the fairness oozing off her.

“Save the act,” I said coldly. “Theres no audience here except the staff.”

I turned back to the attendant. “I'll take the dress. Please wrap it up.”

“Hold on,” Julian stepped in front of me, blocking my path. He looked me up and down, taking in my clean clothes and healthy appearance. “You can't afford this place, Eloise. This isn't a thrift store. These dresses cost more than you’ve ever seen in your whole life.”

“Move, I need to pay,” I said calmly.

Summer looked at the dress, then at me. A little smirk played on her lips before she hid it behind a sad expression.

“Ellie,” at this point, I think she's calling me that disgusting name to get on my nerves, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. “Did you steal money when you ran away? It's okay if you did, I won't tell Dad, and Julian here won't either. Just give the money back to me, and I'll return it for you. I don't want you to go to prison for theft.”

She sounded so sweet and helpful. Like she was trying to save me from myself. But I knew what she was doing; she was painting me as a criminal in front of everyone.

“Can you move out of my way, please? I didn't steal anything, and you're stopping me from paying.”

“Then how did you get the money?”Julian scoffed. “You're a useless wolf without a job. Did you sell your body to some rogue? Is that how you got the money?”

The disrespect in his voice made my hand curl into fists. This was my brother; we shared the same blood, but he looked at me like I was dirt on his shoe.

“Does it matter?” I asked, pulling the golden card from my pocket. “Im buying the dress.”

When Julian and Summer saw the card, they froze.

It was a solid gold with a black trim. It radiated wealth and power. It was the kind of card only the highest-ranking wolves possessed. I'm talking royalty, not even ordinary alphas.

“Where did you get that?” Summer breathed, her mask slipping for a second. “Thats a…thats a Royal card.”

“Did you steal it?” Julian accused loudly, causing other shoppers to look over. “You must have pickpocketed someone, bring it here before I call the enforcers!”

He reached for the card, but I pulled my hand back.

“Don’t you dare,” I warned with my voice low. “I didn't steal it. It was given to me.”

“Given to you? By who?” Summer asked, her voice trembling with jealousy. “Who would give you a card with no limit? Did you trick someone, Eloise? Please, tell me the truth. I can help you before it gets bad.”

“Summer, stop pretending you care,” I said. “And Julian, if you touch me again, I'll scream.”

I turned and faced the attendant. “Swipe it, please.”

The girl hesitated, looking at Julian’s angry face.

But she took the card and swiped it at the counter.

Beep. Approved.

The machine printed the receipt instantly.

The silence in the store was loud. Julian’s mouth hung open. Summer looked like she had swallowed a lemon.

“Pack the shoes and purses too.”

I watched Summer’s face turn pale. She wanted the champagne dress. But she didn't get it. I loved it!!!!

“Eloise…” Julian stammered. “Who are you staying with? You need to come home, we can talk about this.”

“I don't have a home with you people.”

I collected the shopping bags from the attendant and turned to walk away.

“You're my sister!” Julian shouted, his face turning Red.

“You can't just walk away and spend dirty money.”

I stopped at the door and looked at both of them.

“I don't have a brother,” I said. “And I don't have a sister; in fact, I don't have a family. I'm an orphan.”

With that said, I walked out of the boutique into the calm of the evening. My heart was racing, but not from fear, from adrenaline.

For the first time in my life, I hadn't bowed my head, I hadn't cried. I hadn't apologised for existing.

I left them standing there, confused and angry, while I walked away with my head held high.

It felt satisfying. It felt amazing.