Hate Me, Claim Me: The Luna Who Destroyed Them All.

Vespera Nightthorne cast a shy, practiced glance at Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck, waiting with bated breath for him to claim her before the assembled lords. As the pack elders whispered, they had been seen walking together across the Silvermoon Dominion for nearly six years. Vespera was growing anxious; if she did not secure her position as Luna of the Thornwyck Alpha Keep tonight, she would become the ultimate laughingstock among the northern territories.

However, Kaelen did not seem to hear a single word from the murmuring crowd.

A sharp spike of bitter disappointment pierced Vespera’s chest.

Kaelen stepped forward, approaching the high seat of High Alpha Odran Thornwyck. His posture was rigid, his voice deep and respectful. "May the moon grant you strength on your birthday, High Alpha."

Vespera quickly echoed, stepping into his shadow. "Happy birthday, High Alpha Odran. I brought this rare spirit-root from the eastern borders for you. May your claws remain sharp and your pack thrive."

High Alpha Odran took the carved wooden box, a doting smile breaking across his weathered face. "Brave child! Thank you for the gift, Vespera. I am pleased. I only hope you and Kaelen seal your mate bond soon so I can hold a strong Alpha great-grandpup before my time comes."

The old leader’s declaration practically stamped Vespera as the future Luna in front of every visiting pack delegate.

Vespera lowered her head, acting coy. "Please be patient, High Alpha. Kaelen and I are still focused on securing the territory borders."

"Yes, you are young," High Alpha Odran grunted warmly, "but I am an old wolf. If you do not give me an heir soon, my spirit will cross to the ancestral grounds without seeing the bloodline secured."

"Oh, High Alpha!" Vespera played at being sweet, her voice soft. "Do not speak of such things. Your wolf is as strong as ever."

"Sweet-talking female," Odran chuckled, clearly pleased.

Lady Morwen Thornwyck, Odran’s daughter-in-law, exchanged a knowing, smug look with Lyssara.

Lady Morwen stepped closer to the throne, gently reminding the old wolf, "Father, didn't you state you had an official decree to read to the delegates tonight?"

High Alpha Odran raised his heavy staff, signaling the pack heralds. "Ah, right! I have crucial news for the entire Dominion. Noble elders, visiting delegates, thank you for honoring the Thornwyck bloodline tonight. I take this opportunity to officially announce—"

Vespera held her breath, her heart slamming against her ribs. Tonight, she would finally be named the official Luna candidate. Even if Kaelen had remained icy earlier, she knew he would never publicly defy High Alpha Odran's command.

Suddenly, a heavy, iron-reinforced war carriage drawn by twin shadow-beasts pulled up to the main iron gates of the Thornwyck Alpha Keep. A low-ranking guard at the perimeter spotted the crest on the wood and gasped aloud.

"Is... isn't that Garrick Frostmere's iron carriage? The elite commander of the Frostmere bloodline? Why has a Frostmere set foot in our Keep?"

"The Thornwyck name carries deep respect, but the Frostmeres haven't attended a territory banquet since the betrayal three years ago!"

High Alpha Odran froze mid-sentence, his eyes darting toward the stone archway in anticipation. The Thornwycks held immense military power in Silvermoon Dominion, but the ancient Frostmere bloodline carried deep, sacred lineage. When the Keep had sent out the parchment invitations, the Frostmere elders had flatly refused to respond.

To everyone's absolute shock, they were standing at the gates now.

The heavy carriage door swung open, and a polished iron boot hit the stone floor. A broad-shouldered, massive male wolf stepped down, adjusting his dark leather armor with effortless authority. The females in the courtyard caught their breath.

"Is... is that Commander Garrick Frostmere? He looks far more lethal than the rumors say."

"Look at his presence! He carries the strength of a true warrior."

Garrick nodded curtly to the surrounding guards, his expression like forged steel. He turned back toward the carriage, extending his large, calloused hand to shield the top of the doorframe.

A moment later, a short, dark-skinned female stepped down into the light.

A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the entire stone hall.

A visiting pack leader let out a low gasp. "By the Moon... who is she? Her scent is staggering!"

"She stepped out alongside Commander Garrick... she must be his high-ranking mate or a noble lady of their court!"

Tessa Frostmere naturally slid her small hand onto Garrick's armored forearm. Her plus-size, four-foot-five body moved with absolute confidence, her curves wrapped tightly in the dark gold spider-silk gown. A warm, genuinely sweet smile softened Garrick’s severe face as he looked down at his younger sister.

To every wolf watching, the two of them looked completely unstoppable.

Tessa smiled up at Garrick softly, her dark eyes glowing with quiet triumph.

Standing several yards away, Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck felt a sudden, violent thrum in his chest. His golden eyes locked onto her waist, a sharp, physical pain shooting through his inner wolf as he saw her touching another male wolf's arm.

Vespera caught the dramatic shift in Kaelen's posture, her blood turning to pure ice. She dug her manicured nails into her palms, forcing herself to stand taller beside him to remind the room who held the Alpha's side.

Garrick led Tessa straight toward Kaelen, stopping just a few paces short. "Good evening, Alpha Thornwyck."

The air between the two powerful male wolves crackled with instant, territorial tension.

"Nice to meet you again, Commander Frostmere," Kaelen replied, his voice dropping an octave into a low, rumbling Alpha register.

They exchanged a brief, crushing grip before letting go.

Kaelen could not tear his golden gaze away from Tessa.

Standing beside her brother, her dark face was radiant, her soft lips pulled into a bright, dangerous smile. The shimmering gold fabric clung to her plump hips, making her small frame look impossibly tempting. Kaelen felt a dark, possessive urge roar to life inside his gut, his cock hardening thick against his trousers just from the sweet honey scent rolling off her skin.

His golden eyes darkened behind his clear-lens glasses. He hadn't realized how badly his beast craved to pin her down right here on the stone floor.

What is her true connection to Garrick Frostmere? he demanded silently, his wolf snarling at the back of his mind.

"Tessa Frostmere?!" Lyssara’s shrill voice shattered the tension as she forced her way through the guards. "Why are you here?! Who allowed a weak, banished omega like you to step inside our Alpha Keep?!"

Lyssara had been praying for Kaelen to announce Vespera as Luna tonight, and seeing the very omega Tessa crash the feast sent her into a blind rage.

Garrick stepped forward instantly, his broad chest blocking Lyssara’s path as his powerful voice boomed through the hall. "Is this how the Thornwyck pack treats invited delegates? Tessa, we are leaving."

"Apologize to Lady Frostmere right now, Lyssara!" Kaelen ordered, his voice cutting through the room like a steel blade.

Lyssara flinched, remembering the slaps Tessa had dealt her at the boutique, but her pride refused to yield. "Kaelen! I am speaking the truth for your own good! This omega likes crawling between high-ranking male wolves! You think she cares about the Frostmere name? She only hungers for territory power and silver resources! If she finds an Alpha stronger than you, she'll abandon—"

"Silence!" Kaelen snapped, his Alpha command echoing off the stone walls, forcing Lyssara’s throat to lock up.

Lyssara looked at her brother with tear-filled, aggrieved eyes. "Kaelen, I am telling you what she did three years ago! Back then, she—"

"I apologize, Commander Frostmere," Kaelen interrupted coldly, keeping his eyes glued to Tessa's face. "My sister has forgotten her manners. I offer an apology on her behalf."

Lyssara gaped at her brother in absolute disbelief.

Garrick, however, did not drop his defensive stance. "I traveled to these grounds strictly to deliver our father's formal greetings to High Alpha Odran. Since my sister is subjected to insults the moment she steps over your threshold, no member of the Frostmere bloodline will ever honor this Keep again."

"Please wait, Commander Frostmere!" High Alpha Odran called out, hurrying down from the raised dais with his heavy staff.

The old Alpha glared fiercely at Lyssara as he reached them. "Foolish girl! Where are your manners?! Bow your head and apologize to Commander Frostmere this instant!"

Lyssara trembled, terrified of her grandfather's wrath. With both her brother and High Alpha forcing her hand, she lowered her head, squeezing the words through her teeth. "I am sorry, Commander Frostmere. It was my misstep."

A cold, mocking sneer played on Garrick's sharp lips. "You do not owe your apology to me, Lady Lyssara. You owe it to the future Luna standing by my side."