Luna's Revenge: Killing The Rogue Queen

Three months of training in the neighboring pack felt like a year away from Blazeclaw Pack. Today, though, my rigorous training ended.

When Leander, my adopted brother, came to pick me up, I was over the moon. The thought of being back in the Blazeclaw Pack, with my Alpha father and mother, who was the Luna, filled me with anticipation.

With such demanding training, I was barred from visiting them, ensuring all my focus stayed sharp. As tempting as it was to break the rules, I refused to let Dad and Mom feel any disappointment over me. After all, they sent me here to prepare for my future as the next female Alpha.

The moment we set foot at the pack mansion, Leander and I wasted no time heading inside to reunite with Mom and Dad.

Just as I was ready to embrace them, my brother caught me off guard by introducing a stranger standing next to them.

Feeling bewildered, I attempted to mind-link him for answers, but instead, he cheerfully introduced her, saying, “Althea, this is Cassandra, my mate.”

Without missing a beat, he turned to the one he called Cassandra and added, “And this is my sister, Althea Lockwood. Feel free to just call her Althea.”

Cassandra greeted me with a warm smile, extending her hand. Though something felt off, I shook her hand and brushed it aside.

Without wasting time, I wrapped my arms around my Alpha father and mother, sharing how much I missed them, even though training had kept me away.

Since Mom and Dad knew I had missed all the significant events in the pack, she caught me up and shared that Cassandra was Leander's fated mate whom he met at the gathering.

With an innocent charm and a gentle demeanor, Cassandra captured my brother's heart. As fate would have it, Leander introduced Cassandra to the pack when I was sent for training, declaring his intention to marry her under the full moon after my training ended.

While something felt off in her aura, I was still over the moon, unable to contain my excitement for their upcoming wedding before Mom and Dad sent me away for training again.

Curious about the wedding date, I inquired. Mom snapped back, “Cassandra is merely a commoner, lacking a pack to call home. While we wish we could sway your brother to turn away from her, we cannot. If he genuinely sees her as a worthy mate, then we will see them wed during the full moon this month.”

I was brimming with confidence that Leander would finally take the plunge and commit to his mate.

Unbeknownst to me, my gut feelings were right as I encountered Cassandra the other day. As soon as I descended the stairs, I came to a sudden stop at the sound of footsteps echoing behind me.

"Is it normal for a so-called warrior to roll out of bed this late? Just look at Leander—he's out there assisting Alpha Zaccheus with all the responsibilities, and here you are, doing absolutely nothing,” a familiar voice chimed in from behind and added, “But honestly, what does it matter? Your training is pointless when you have nothing to inherit in this pack—not even a single role.”

Upon my return, Cassandra feigned innocence, but it didn't take long for her true colors to emerge. In front of my parents and Leander, she was the ideal mate they all admired, yet behind their backs, she revealed an entirely different attitude and seemed to have her own agenda.

Fingers crossed that I’m mistaken, but it seemed she had her sights set on being the next seated Luna. 

Perhaps Cassandra was in the dark about my brother’s past. Leander was adopted after his original pack was wiped out by rogues. Given his status, it was a done deal that he couldn't inherit any role and be the next seated Alpha. 

My brother seemed completely bewitched, as though he had been forced to drink a potion that tethered him to her. It left me bewildered that Leander would fall for a woman as fiercely ambitious as her. 

Cassandra even had the audacity to say to me, “Althea, you’ve got just three months of training under your belt. You're nothing special in this pack, so don’t act like you’re destined to become the next Luna.” 

“Remember, Leander isn’t married to you yet, you ambitious rogue!” I shot back, a smirk playing on my lips.

When she opened her mouth to retort, footsteps echoed behind us. In an instant, she steadied herself, her expression softening and her tone morphing from biting to fragile, as if I were the one who had overstepped.

Just then, my mom and brother walked in, surrounding the so-called unfortunate Cassandra with warmth and comfort. With their support, she transformed into a damsel in distress, tears streaming down her face.

When they asked her what was troubling her, she played the victim and said, "It seems Althea isn’t happy with me being Leander’s mate.”

I was taken aback, knowing I’d never said such a thing. Yet, they coddled her, and Leander shot me a warning, “Althea, this is out of your hands. She’s my mate, whether you approve or not.”

Holding my ground, my voice steady as I said, “I never said that, Leander. It may not be my place, but I suggest you dig into your mate's past before it’s too late to turn back.”