After My Mate Stole Moonstones, I Ended His Reign

The pack luncheon was a sea of designer dresses and practiced smiles. I watched from my position at the head table as Jemma Ellis fluttered from group to group, her laughter too loud, her gestures too grand. She was trying so hard to belong.

"Alpha Hudson," Elder Blackwood nodded respectfully as she took the seat beside me. "The salmon is excellent today."

"Enjoy it while you can," I replied, my voice low enough that only she could hear. "Things are about to change."

Her eyes flickered with curiosity, but she asked no questions. Elena Blackwood had survived decades in pack politics by knowing when to stay silent.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket—a message from Shadow confirming the dossier had been placed exactly where I'd instructed. The maître d' would be finding it any moment now.

"Excuse me," I said, rising gracefully. "I need to attend to some pack business."

I moved through the crowd with practiced ease, nodding at council members, pausing to exchange pleasantries with the Beta's wife. All the while, I tracked Jemma's movements from the corner of my eye.

She was hovering near the refreshment table, her hand resting possessively on Kane's arm as she giggled at something he said. The diamond bracelet on her wrist caught the light—new, expensive. A gift from my Beta.

"Alpha," the maître d' approached, his expression carefully neutral. "There's something you should see."

He led me to his station where a manila folder lay open. Inside were documents bearing the official seal of the Northern Territories—records of pack lineage that were supposed to remain confidential.

"How unfortunate," I murmured, scanning the top page. "Jemma Ellis's grandmother... a Rogue traitor banished for collaborating with human hunters."

"Should I remove it, Alpha?"

"No," I replied, closing the folder with deliberate slowness. "Knowledge is meant to be shared, isn't it?"

By evening, the whispers had spread like wildfire through the pack's elite circles. I sat in my office, watching through the window as Jemma was escorted from the pack's exclusive shopping district, her face streaked with tears.

"Shadow reports the Ellis girl has been banned from three establishments already," my assistant informed me. "The council members' wives have closed ranks against her."

"Good," I said, turning back to my desk. "Now for phase two."

---

The excavators arrived at dawn.

I stood at my office window, watching as the massive machines rumbled through the pack grounds toward the Moon Garden. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, a low growl building in my throat.

"Alpha," my assistant's voice cracked through the intercom. "Beta Kane requests your presence at the construction site."

I found him directing workers, blueprints in hand, his expression smug with satisfaction. The red construction markers I'd noticed days ago now formed a grid across the garden—right through Mael's memorial.

"What is the meaning of this?" I demanded, my voice carrying across the lawn.

Kane turned, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Ah, Anastasia. Perfect timing. I was just about to call you."

"What are you doing to my son's memorial?" Each word felt like glass in my throat.

"Your son's memorial," he repeated, his emphasis making it sound like an accusation. "It's been ten years, Ana. Don't you think it's time to move on?"

I stepped closer, feeling my Alpha aura flare. "You have no right—"

"I have every right," he cut me off, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "As your Beta and your mate, I'm doing what's best for you. That garden is a monument to weakness. It's bad for pack morale."

The workers had stopped, their eyes darting between us. This was becoming a spectacle—exactly what I'd wanted to avoid.

"The marble statue will be removed today," Kane continued, gesturing to the workers. "I've had it redesignated as non-essential pack property."

"You wouldn't dare," I breathed, my hands curling into fists.

"Watch me," he replied, his eyes challenging. "This isn't up for discussion, Anastasia. It's already decided."

---

That night, I retreated to my private meditation chamber, seeking to establish a mind-link with the Lycan King's representative. Something was wrong with Kane—deeply wrong—and I needed outside intervention.

I closed my eyes, focusing my energy on the ancient connection that all Alphas shared with the royal court.

*Your Majesty's representative,* I projected, following the ritual protocol. *Alpha Hudson of Silver Moon Pack requests urgent communication.*

The response should have been immediate—a warm rush of connection along the psychic pathways that bound all werewolves together.

Instead, I hit a wall.

Not just any wall—a Void Block. Cold, impenetrable darkness that should not exist in our world.

I gasped, clutching my temples as pain lanced through my skull. This wasn't just interference—this was active suppression. Forbidden dark magic being used to isolate me.

"Alpha?" My guard's concerned voice came through the door.

"I'm fine," I called, my voice steady despite the throbbing pain. "Just a headache."

I pressed my fingers against my temples, documenting the sensation. The magical signature was distinctive—a corruption of ancient binding spells that no werewolf should know how to cast.

Kane wasn't just betraying me—he was breaking our most sacred laws.

And he had no idea I'd just found his most damning secret yet.