Chapter 5 The Luna stand

Lucian woke early, even before the sun had fully risen. The mansion was still and quiet, but she could feel something heavy in the air which was expectation.

She was Luna now. Whether the pack liked it or not. it was time to start acting like it.

She dressed simply, tying her hair back into a loose ponytail. She didn't know everything a Luna was supposed to do, but she could learn. She had to. If she was going to stay in this place, she needed to earn her space not just carry the title like a decoration.

She found Lena in the kitchen, already preparing the morning meals. "I want to help," Lucian said. Lena raised an eyebrow. "You're Luna now. You don't need to.

"I know," Lucian said. "But I want to learn. I want to know what a Luna is supposed to do." Lena smiled, warm and proud. "Then we'll start today.

Lucian spent the next few days walking through the pack grounds, listening, asking questions, observing how things were run. She helped Lena with small tasks and joined Mia and Blue in visiting the sick wolves in the healing quarters. She met the warriors, the omegas, the council members.

Many didn't trust her yet. Some gave her cold stares. Others whispered when she walked past, but a few smiled. and that was enough to give her strength.

One afternoon, Lucian went near the training fields, the warriors were practicing combat kicks, blocks, shifts. It was intense, powerful, loud. Dust rose from the ground with every movement.

Lucian stayed at the edge, watching silently, then Maya stepped forward.

Maya was tall, strong, and bold. She had been part of the inner pack for years and was respected by many. She also made it very clear from the start that she didn't respect Lucian.

"You're the Luna," Maya said, walking toward her. "But what can you do?"

Lucian looked at her calmly. "I'm learning."

"Learning isn't leading," Maya said with a mocking expression. "Why don't you show us what you've got? Lucian shook her head. "I'm not a fighter."

"Then why are you standing there like a queen?" Maya's tone grew louder, drawing attention. "You carry the title, wear the crown, but can't even hold your ground?"

Lucian stook forward "You want to fight me? For what? Prove that I don't deserve this?" Maya stepped forward. "You don't."

The warriors had stopped training. All eyes were on them now. Lucian swallowed. "Fine. I'll stand with you."

Maya smiled, she moved fast, stepping into the circle and raising her fists. Lucian entered too, nervous but determined. She didn't know what she was doing but she wouldn't walk away.

Then, a voice rang out like thunder across the field. "Enough!"

Everyone turned. Alex stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, his face cold and sharp. he walked forward slowly, each step quiet but heavy with authority.

When he reached the circle, he stood between Lucian and Maya.

"You want to fight the Luna?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You think this is how you challenge leadership?"

Maya lowered her eyes. "I just"

"She is your Luna," he said. "You don't get to question that. You don't get to test her like some training dummy."

Lucian stood frozen. He was defending her.

"Any challenge to the Luna is a challenge to me," Alex continued. "And trust me, Maya you don't want to fight me."

The field went silent. maya bowed her head slightly. "i am sorry, Alpha." without another word, she turned and walked away.

Alex turned to Lucian. for a moment, their eyes met. then he said quietly, "You don't need to fight to prove yourself. You already did that the moment you stepped into this world."

Lucian blinked. Her heart skipped loudly in her chest.

He walked away again cold, distant, but this time, something in his voice stayed behind with her.

That night, Lucian stood on the balcony outside her room, staring up at the stars. The wind was soft, brushing her skin like a whisper.

She thought about the training ground. The way everyone had stared at her. The way Alex had stepped in.

He didn't like her. She knew that. But he had protected her.

She heard a knock and turned to see Blue entering with a smile

"Word's going around," Blue said. "The Luna faced Maya." lucian rolled her eyes. "I didn't even throw a punch."

"You didn't have to," Blue said. "You stood your ground. That's more than half the job." Lucian smiled, just a little.

She still didn't know her place here. She still felt like an outsider in fancy clothes.

But maybe, just maybe, she was starting to earn her place.