Luna's Revenge: Killing The Rogue Queen

At my words, Cassandra faltered, her usual sharp tongue silenced as shock washed over her. Deciding to keep things calm, I left without waiting for her reply, knowing she'd just stir up more trouble.

As I embraced my new role as lead warrior, it dawned on me that Leander, my father's trusted right hand, had tirelessly worked behind the scenes, pushing Cassandra to assist my mother as Luna.

Whenever my mother was occupied with other duties, Cassandra would step in as Luna, overseeing the pack with full authority.

I felt a wave of shock and unease, fearing this could be the start of her scheme, yet I was clueless about what would come next.

With night draping over us, I led the warriors on border patrol for the first time. However, the warriors eyed me with skepticism, unsure of my ability to lead.

Rumors spread that I was too fragile to lead, a notion Cassandra had cleverly planted in everyone's mind, urging caution.

When I challenged them to a duel, yet not a soul stepped up. The rumors of my frailty crumbled in silence.

A sense of calm enveloped me as no rogues appeared in the woods despite the warriors’ persistent reminders to keep my guard up. Once again, I stood as a testament to my strength, proving to the warriors that I could face rogues fearlessly, even without their backing.

Rumors swept through the pack like a raging inferno, labeling me as too weak to shoulder the responsibilities of a lead warrior.

My father repeatedly came to my defense, reminding everyone that I was stronger than their misguided assumptions.

Little did he know, the whispers had originated from Cassandra. When she caught wind of my Alpha father's faith in me, she feigned ignorance, pretending those slanders had never reached her ears.

Arriving at the pack mansion that afternoon, I was bewildered to hear someone’s voice lashing out at the servants.

To my surprise, it was Cassandra, her voice dripping with entitlement. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to serve me? I’m soon to be Luna! Now, whip up my favorite dish!”

Yet, when she spotted me, her expression shifted, eyes narrowing like a predator honing in on its prey.

With a flick of my wrist, I dismissed the servant and then turned my gaze to Cassandra. “Don't let your temper run wild with the servants,” I warned. “If I catch you pulling rank on them again, I won't hesitate to put you in place.”

Her laughter echoed in the air, filled with arrogance as she believed everyone was on her side. With a smirk, she threatened to unleash more lies to turn the pack against me, confirming my suspicions that all the rumors stemmed from her.

I hesitantly inquired of my brother whether marrying Cassandra was what he desired. He declared his commitment to marry her, conveying the deep connection he sensed between them, and expressed his hopes for me to embrace her as family.

Even my mother, who consistently stood by her side in her duties, was convinced she possessed the qualities to be the next Luna.

Just because my mother was so taken with her, she showered her with gifts, nearly forgetting that I, her own daughter, existed. While they were all charmed by her beguiling presence, I alone remained unbowed, seeing through the illusion.

With a crowd cheering her on, Cassandra boldly confronted me, clearly under the impression that my mother’s support was firmly in her corner, overshadowing me, her real daughter.

On a quiet night, just before my patrol around the border, I enjoyed dinner with my parents, along with Leander and Cassandra.

We began our dinner in silence, but soon, Cassandra spoke up, saying, “I never realized how spacious Althea’s room is. I can picture myself residing there once we tie the knot under the full moon. It would be a shame for it to sit empty.”

It was clear to me all along—she aimed to push me out of the pack mansion, believing her every move went unnoticed. But I wasn’t about to let her have her way. “Oh really? Just a reminder that Leander and you aren’t officially married yet, yet you’re already plotting to claim my room?”

For a split second, my father admonished me for my actions, insisting I act in line with my duties as a lead warrior. He continued, “I’m beginning to see Cassandra’s point. Maybe I was wrong to give you that title as the lead warrior.”

Feeling disheartened, I watched as they consoled Cassandra, insisting I was merely overreacting. They encouraged me to apologize and to put an end to the fuss; I complied with their wishes.

With that, I quickly wrapped up my meal, stating that I still had my patrol duty. Everyone barely noticed, their attention consumed by Cassandra.

Just as despair washed over me, a mind-link from one of the warriors buzzed to life: “Althea, we’ve spotted rogues in the woods! We must stop them before they breach the border and threaten the pack! Anyway, are you certain you can lead us? Aren’t you worried you might be putting yourself in danger?”

With uncertainty still hanging over them, I responded firmly, “No. This time, I will prove them all wrong. I am not weak, as they believe, and I will show that I am more than capable of fulfilling the role of lead warrior.”