Chapter 3 The Luna strikes back

Mira's heart nearly stalled when she recognized the bracelet. Others might see only its staggering price, but Mira knew the story behind its design.

A choice for one's only beloved.

A laugh, sharp and mirthless, escaped her. Only now did the full, devastating depth of her own folly truly crash over her. The scrolling comments beneath the post twisted the knife.

"Is the Alpha spoiling you again?"

"Is Assistant Ivy going to be our new Luna?"

"The way he looks at her... it's definitely not just professional!"

A numb sensation spread through Mira as she scrolled until a familiar private account-Adrian's discreet secondary profile-caught her eye. His comment was brief, a single line beneath Ivy's post:

"You deserve it."

Ivy's immediate reply was a single, glowing heart emoji.

Mira almost laughed again, the sound choked with bitterness. They couldn't even be bothered to hide it anymore. Did they think she was dead? She would not tolerate this humiliation a moment longer. A cold, clear fury propelled her into action. She dialed the jeweler.

"Send over every piece from the new collection," she commanded, her voice eerily calm. "To the headquarters of Vale Industries. Immediately."

Within the hour, she was dressed and composed, standing in the executive secretary pool of Adrian's corporate empire. Several personal shopping consultants trailed behind her, arms laden with glossy brand boxes.

"L-Luna?" Adrian's chief assistant, also the pack's Gamma, stammered, rising from his desk. "What brings you here-"

The whispered title sent a ripple through the room-curiosity, surprise, a flicker of excitement.

Mira offered a serene smile, adrenaline singing in her veins, mingling with a strange, defiant thrill. For three years as Adrian's mate, she had remained largely unseen. Only a handful here knew her face.

She lifted her chin and raised her right hand, letting the distinctive, moonstone-set Luna's ring catch the light. Her identity needed no further introduction.

"Everyone has been working so diligently," she announced, her voice carrying effortlessly. "I've brought a small token of appreciation. One for each of you."

With a graceful wave of her hand, the consultants stepped forward, opening the velvet-lined boxes in unison. Nestled inside each was a bracelet-the exact design Adrian had given Ivy.

So he likes giving bracelets? 'Only beloved,' is it? Let's see how special it feels now.

A collective gasp filled the air. No one had expected the Luna to appear, let alone bestow such extravagant gifts. Hesitant voices arose. "These... are truly for us, Luna?"

"Of course," Mira's smile widened, genuine warmth touching her eyes. "Your dedication is invaluable. A pack-a company-thrives when its heart is united. My Alpha is a visionary leader, but even he can overlook the details. It's my duty as his Luna to ensure balance is kept."

The room erupted in grateful exclamations and excited chatter as the women eagerly accepted their gifts.

It was then that Ivy appeared in the doorway. Her gaze was sharp, her jaw tight.

"Mira-Luna," she corrected, her tone sweet yet strained. "You needn't have gone to such trouble. And these gifts... does Adrian know?"

Mira turned to face her fully.

"Since when does the pack's welfare, or the use of its resources, require your approval?" Mira asked, her tone deceptively mild. "Those matters belong to the Alpha and his Luna alone."

She took a single, deliberate step forward, closing the distance.

"And 'Adrian' is for my use. You will address your Alpha with the proper title and maintain a respectful distance."

She didn't need to raise her voice or issue a threat. The message was crystal clear.

A dead silence fell over the room. The other women watched the exchange with bated breath, their loyalties palpably shifting.

After all, it was the Luna who had brought tangible honor and reward. Ivy's favored status granted them nothing but whispered gossip.

The moment Ivy understood, the color drained from her face.

Her eyes widened, instantly glistening with unshed tears. Her lips parted as if to form some explanation. "You-you misunderstand, that wasn't what I-"

Mira didn't even glance her way, rendering her utterly invisible.

She turned instead to Mary, the senior secretary, gesturing to the remaining boxes. "Please ensure the bracelets are distributed. They are gifts from me. What you do with them afterwards is your own affair. Just remember, they are a token of the Luna's esteem."

"Of course, Luna." Mary's face flickered with a mix of deference and excitement as she swiftly complied.

One by one, the bracelets were handed out. When the distribution reached its end, Mary paused, her cheeks flushing slightly as she did a quick count.

"Luna," she said cautiously, "it seems... we are one short. Assistant Ivy hasn't received one."

Mira's expression didn't flicker.

"Doesn't she already have one?" she asked, her voice cool and clear. "Since Alpha Adrian has already gifted her a bracelet, there's no need for a duplicate."

A profound silence settled over the office.

Every gaze in the room shifted-slow, curious, piercing-landing on Ivy, whose face was now a mask of mortified crimson.

Mira let her eyes rest on Ivy, tilting her head slightly. "Is there a problem, Assistant Ivy? Or do you believe your contributions have so far exceeded everyone else's here that you deserve a double portion of recognition?"

It was a masterful question. For Ivy to claim 'yes' would be to declare herself an enemy to every woman in the room. Her promotion to the Alpha's personal assistant was already seen by many as unearned favoritism; much of her supposed work was quietly completed by others.

Ivy swallowed with visible difficulty, forcing a brittle smile. "Of course not... The Luna is most considerate."

Ignoring the feeble compliment, Mira offered the rest of the room a gracious smile. "I will be taking a more active role in the pack's affairs from now on. Should any of you have concerns, my door is open. You have my word on fair and just treatment."

Then, amidst a sea of newly respectful and admiring looks, she swept out of the office.

The moment the door clicked shut, a wave of hushed, derisive laughter bubbled up inside.

"Some people really think a few feathers make them a phoenix."

"Exactly. She should look in a mirror. How could she ever compare to the Luna?"

"The Alpha and Luna are fated mates. No one comes between that."

"What a clown."

Mira paused just outside the door, a faint, cold smile touching her lips. Her wolf's keen hearing captured every whispered jab with perfect clarity. She could even hear Ivy's sharp, ragged intake of breath.

So Ivy likes to play games? Let her taste the bitterness of her own medicine.

She had tolerated Adrian's neglect because he was her mate, though even that well of patience was running dry. But from this day forward, she would allow no one else to trample on her dignity. Not anymore.

*

As expected, the call came just as she was driving home.

She answered calmly.

"Mira." Adrian's voice was sharp with displeasure. "What you did today was completely out of line."

His tone was icy, brimming with accusation.

"Because of you, Ivy is being isolated. The whole office is talking. She's considering leaving."

Mira's temper flared before she could stop it.

"And you're blaming *me*?" she shot back, her voice razor-edged. "Did you spare a single thought for my feelings when you bought her that bracelet and publicly fawned over her post?"

"It was just a bracelet," Adrian snapped. "She admired it, so I gave it to her. Why must you turn everything into a spectacle? You were never this... difficult before."

He paused, his next words dropping like stones, final and cold.

"I won't be coming home tonight. Use the time to cool down and reflect on your behavior. Ivy has suffered enough. There's no need for you to target her further."

The line went dead.

Mira sat in silence, tears welling despite her furious efforts to hold them back.

This was it. The final thread of hope, severed. There was nothing left to say, no bridge left to cross.

If he was so determined to shield another woman, to cast her as the villain in their story, then what was left for her in this loveless charade of a marriage?

With a steady hand that belied the chasm opening inside her, she pulled over and dialed her private lawyer.

"Draft the papers," she said, her voice clear and devoid of all emotion. "I want a divorce from Alpha Adrian."