My Husband Tried to Kill Me for His Chosen Luna

The air between us crackled with tension as Demi's words hung in the air. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, sensing the threat before my human mind could fully process it. But as Demi gestured dismissively, something caught the light at her throat—a brilliant blue glint that made my breath catch.

My eyes locked onto the pendant hanging from her neck. A teardrop-shaped sapphire set in ancient silver, surrounded by tiny moonstone beads that captured and reflected the light. I knew it instantly.

"The Moon Goddess's Tear," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Demi's hand flew to the necklace, her fingers caressing the gem with obvious pride. "Oh, this old thing? August gave it to me as a symbol of our bond."

The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet. That "old thing" was no ordinary necklace. It was a sacred artifact, passed down through generations of Lunas in the Silver Claw Pack. Elena had shown it to me during my first year as Luna, explaining that it would be mine during the Pack Anniversary celebration next month.

"It's not his to give," I said, my voice steady despite the rage building inside me. "It belongs to the Luna of Silver Claw Pack."

Demi laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Oh, honey. You still think you're Luna? August has already commissioned my ceremony. We're just waiting for the right moment to announce it."

Sasha trembled beside me, her eyes wide with fear. I placed a protective hand on her shoulder, drawing strength from her presence even as I prepared to confront this intruder.

"I am Luna Anastasia Reed," I said, letting my Luna tone fill the space between us. The power in my voice made the receptionist flinch, but Demi merely smirked. "That necklace is a sacred artifact meant only for the true Luna. Return it to me and vacate these premises immediately."

Demi's laughter echoed through the villa. "You're so funny with your outdated traditions. August chose me because I satisfy him in ways a boring traditionalist like you never could." She stepped closer, her scent—that cloying, artificial smell—making my wolf recoil. "He says I'm his chosen mate. Not his fated mate. There's a difference."

"Chosen?" I repeated, the word tasting bitter on my tongue.

"Exactly." Demi's smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp somehow. "Fated mates are just an old myth. August believes in choosing his own destiny." She gestured around the villa. "And he chose me."

My hands shook with barely contained fury. August hadn't just betrayed me—he'd stolen a sacred artifact from our pack and given it to this... this counterfeit Luna.

"He's wrong," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "The Moon Goddess's will cannot be defied."

"Can't be defied?" Demi laughed again. "Honey, I'm wearing her tear around my neck, and guess what? Nothing's happened to me."

I closed my eyes, fighting for control. My wolf howled inside me, demanding release, demanding justice. But Sasha needed me to be strong, not feral.

I reached for the mind-link that connected me to August. It was our most intimate connection—the sacred bond that had formed when we mated. Through it, I could share images, emotions, thoughts with him across any distance.

*August,* I called through our link. *I need you.*

There was a moment of silence, then I felt his presence in my mind. But instead of the warm connection I expected, I felt a cold wall slamming down between us.

*What is it, Anastasia?* His mental voice was clipped, annoyed.

I projected an image of Demi, of the Moon Goddess's Tear gleaming at her throat, of Sasha cowering beside me.

*She's wearing the sacred Luna artifact. She's claiming to be your chosen mate. What is going on?*

I waited for his outrage, for his immediate denial, for him to rush to my side. Instead, I felt his displeasure pulsing through our bond.

*Don't make a scene, Anastasia,* he replied, his mental voice cold. *Demi is sensitive. Let her have the villa. You can stay in the guest quarters.*

The betrayal hit me like a physical blow. I staggered back, my hand flying to my chest where our mate bond burned like acid.

*August, she's wearing the Moon Goddess's Tear,* I insisted.

*I know,* he replied, and the casual dismissal in his tone shattered something inside me. *I gave it to her. She deserves it more than you do right now.*

The mind-link went silent, leaving me standing there, frozen in shock and pain.