Chapter 6

Aaliyah POV

After the grand hall cleared, Elder Luna Evelyn guided me to her private sitting room to rest. The heavy oak doors shut, but the air inside remained thick with tension. Evelyn sank into her carved chair, rubbing her temples. Her usually grounding sandalwood scent was sharp with anxiety.

"Cloyd is a fool," Evelyn snapped, her voice low and dangerous as she addressed her trusted head maid, Elder Omega Gladys. "He allows that low-ranking Mistress Caren to walk all over his true mate, Beta Female Joanne Fletcher. It's a disgrace."

Gladys bowed her head respectfully. "It is known throughout the estate, My Lady. The Beta branch is in disarray."

"And that is exactly the problem," Evelyn sighed, her ancient Inner Wolf pacing restlessly beneath her skin. "Luna Antonia Brewer is notoriously meticulous. She demands pureblood perfection. When she arrives and smells the dysfunction clinging to Alexandria-a legitimate daughter overshadowed by a Breeder-she might reject her outright."

Sitting quietly on the velvet sofa, I sipped my tea. Evelyn's worries were entirely justified. Alexandria's tainted family background was a massive liability, a fatal flaw in her armor that the strict Brewer Luna would undoubtedly exploit.

By the afternoon, Charlotte had clearly shifted her pressure onto the other girls, because my vipers of cousins decided to pay me a visit.

Emmaline, Brylee, and Alexandria filed into my room under the guise of checking on my "illness." The air instantly grew suffocating, a clash of sour lemon, crimson pride, and overpowering tuberose.

Emmaline stepped forward, her lilac dress clinging to her curves. "Oh, Aaliyah, you look so pale," she cooed, her tuberose scent spiking with fake sympathy. "Are you truly too weak to even consider the Brewer match? It is such a pity."

I looked into Emmaline's eyes. Beneath that sweet, beautiful mask was a heart as toxic as a datura flower. She was probing to ensure I wouldn't suddenly claim the Future Luna title they were all ready to kill for.

I coughed weakly, leaning back against the heavy velvet pillows. "I am Wolfless, Emmaline. I have no strength for Pack politics."

Before they could press further, my fiercely loyal Omega maid, Kaela, stepped between us. Her fresh lemongrass scent flared defensively. "The Healer said Lady Aaliyah needs absolute rest," Kaela stated firmly, her lively Inner Wolf practically baring its teeth at the intruders.

Satisfied that the Hunter threat was neutralized, the three girls exchanged thinly veiled glares of rivalry and quickly excused themselves.

As the heavy oak door clicked shut behind them, the suffocating perfume began to fade. I let out a slow breath, the facade of the weak Wolfless girl dropping instantly. I was safe from the Brewer Pack's nightmare. Let them tear each other apart for that poisoned crown.

I closed my eyes, seeking a moment of peace. But as I leaned my head against the headboard, a sudden, sharp pain pierced my eardrums. My heart gave a violent lurch. Deep within my soul, something ancient and dormant-something I thought didn't exist-began to stir.