Alpha Damien's Contracted Luna

••• Victoria's POV •••

Packing House

On our second wedding anniversary, I received a gift from my mate-

a sex tape of him and his lover.

He had her pinned against his office's cherrywood desk, slamming into her from behind. Every moan, every thrust, every whisper coiled around my throat like a vine, choking me. I pressed a hand over my mouth, disbelief flooding me. Tears carved down my cheeks like knives.

The French cuisine on the table reeked of cream, the scent suddenly nauseating. My stomach lurched, bile rising. I flung my hand, ordering the omega servant to dump it all. In that instant, I felt as if I, too, had been served up on a platter-picked over, tasted, and discarded.

My gaze locked on the club's insignia in the top right corner of the screen. As if someone wanted me to see exactly where this happened.

My chest tightened until I couldn't breathe. Suffocation. But suffocation didn't mean drowning. On the contrary-it ignited something inside me. If Elijah didn't respect me, then he would see who I truly was.

Dragging my heavy steps, I got into the car. The image of Elijah's betrayal hung before me like a ghost, impossible to erase. Shock clung to me. How could this even happen?

The bond between me and Elijah wasn't goddess-made. We were chosen mates. Even though my wolf pack was far stronger than the Golden Claw Lions, I still ensured he was the only alpha in our pack. My sacrifice, my devotion, convinced me we could be like true mates-bound soul to soul.

In two years, with my talent for business and strategy, I had led the Golden Claws into becoming the second-largest pack in the nation.

I even made everyone believe Elijah was the true leader.

Though Elijah never once showed me tenderness before the pack, I never doubted him-until his first love returned. The woman in his arms was her. Evelyn. And in that moment, the balloon of fantasy in my heart burst with a pop.

My heart shattered into ten thousand shards. I wiped my tears and stepped into the club.

Evelyn Madden's sickening voice rang out. "Aren't you worried if your wife finds out you're spending your anniversary with me, she'll be upset?" Her hand was on Elijah's dick, and she had the audacity to worry about me.

What a hypocritical bitch! She dumped Elijah, abandoned the pack. And now, hearing he'd grown strong, she dared to reappear.

Why could Elijah forgive the woman who betrayed him so easily?

"You're the one I want. That woman is nothing but a pathetic tool." Elijah's voice was cold as steel, slicing straight into my ears. "She's so damn stupid-give her a scrap of care, and she'll do anything for me."

Evelyn giggled, sickly sweet. "Elijah, you know, when I rejected our bond back then, I thought you'd never forgive me. I'm not the perfect mate."

Elijah crushed her lips with his, whispering with suppressed madness, "Baby, I'm glad you rejected me. Because now that you're back, it's time you understood one truth-only I can protect you, only I am worthy of you. I am the strongest Alpha!"

Evelyn's smile widened, fingers caressing his chest, voice dripping honey. "Of course, you are the strongest Alpha. I'm willing to kiss your toes. But your Luna. she's given so much to the pack. Compared to me, she's the perfect Luna. She has her father's pack behind her, while I." Her voice broke, trembling, "I only have you. I have nothing."

Elijah's eyes darkened. He cupped her face, kissing away her tears as if they were precious gems. "Perfect?" His laugh was cold, dripping with scorn. "Only if I loved her. But that will never happen."

His lips hovered against hers, voice low and cruel. "You're mine, Evelyn. Do you know? Even when I'm in bed with her, I wish that woman were you."

Hatred flashed in his eyes, venom seeping into my bones. "If not for her father's wealth and power, I'd never have tolerated marrying such a dull woman. Now-it's time to throw her away."

My teeth rattled uncontrollably. Every word Elijah spoke was a dagger stabbing into my heart, pinning me breathless. Evelyn's return didn't shame him-it inflated his pride. And that became his excuse to discard me.

The more perfect I acted, the more he despised me. I was a fool. Too arrogant. I thought Elijah only needed time to accept me-that Evelyn betrayed him, and he just needed time to accept a new woman. I was naïve, convincing myself with such pathetic reasons to endure the damage he inflicted in our marriage.

"Oh, Elijah, my strongest Alpha, let me reward your love," Evelyn's revolting voice purred again, and then she pulled down his pants, taking him into her mouth.

His whispers tangled with Evelyn's moans, painting a scene that made me want to vomit.

The mark on my neck burned with searing pain. My mate was screwing his lover in front of me. I braced against the wall, nails digging into my palms. Tears stung my eyes, but my heart was colder than them were.

That was when I saw a waiter passing with drinks. My lips curved faintly as I called him over.

"Miss, do you need-?"

I slipped a golden card into his palm, my voice soft but edged with command.

"Go. Trigger the fire alarm. Now."

He froze, then, catching the steel in my eyes, nodded quickly. Minutes later, the shrill siren split the air. Red lights flashed. Sprinklers rained down cold water.

The door burst open-

Elijah and Evelyn stumbled out, drenched, pathetic as drowned rats. His fly half open, Evelyn clung to him, deliberately flaunting her "victory" before everyone.

Guests in the club's hall gaped.

"Isn't that. Alpha's wife, Victoria?"

"Oh my god, she saw it with her own eyes!"

"So pitiful. Luna Victoria gave so much to our pack. I even heard the pack's strength is thanks to her."

The whispers slithered into Elijah's ears like snakes. His jaw tightened, his face black with rage.

I stepped forward slowly, heels striking the floor like judgment.

"Elijah?" I feigned surprise, voice clear and ringing, loud enough for all to hear. "Why are you. holding Evelyn?"

Air froze instantly. Only the alarm shrieked.

Elijah stiffened, humiliation dripping off him. His eyes seared into me like fire, furious and frantic.

"Victoria? Why are you here?"

No shame-only fury turned on me. "So you did this? You followed me?!" His voice interrogated me like a criminal, forgetting who the true traitor was.

Evelyn cowered in his arms, wet hair plastered to her cheek, but she still smiled, gentle and innocent. She whispered, soft enough for all to hear, "Victoria, I think you've misunderstood." As if giving me a way out, when she was in fact shoving me into disgrace.

I laughed. Cold. As if the curtain had finally lifted on this farce.

"It's over, Elijah." I lifted my chin, voice sharp and resolute. "I'll reject you. I'll take back my birth pack. And of course-I'll take half of the pack's wealth."

Gasps rippled through the hall.

"You delusional bitch!" Elijah roared. He shoved Evelyn aside and lunged at me, slamming me into the wall. Claws pierced my skin, blood scent filling the air. He glared at the others, snarling: "Everyone leave! If anyone dares tell another pack what happened tonight, they'll be corpses. Their families too."

I sneered, lifting my hand and slapping him hard across the face. "Only that. Otherwise, I'm not leaving."

Step by step, I advanced toward Evelyn. My eyes sharp enough to make her instinctively retreat. Even without my wolf, Leia, responding, I was still an alpha. But I didn't intend to strike her. Suddenly-

Evelyn's face twisted. She clutched her belly and screamed, "Ah-Elijah! My child!"

The hall froze.

I went rigid. Child?

My head exploded with a roar. Shards of realization pieced together into one brutal answer: no wonder my mate link had ached these past days, no wonder Leia never responded.

Elijah lunged to her, cradling her tightly. No hesitation. Only cold hatred in his eyes.

"Victoria," he ground out, every word like a verdict, "you will pay for tonight."

••• Victoria's POV •••

I didn't hurt Evelyn.

My wolf, Leia, was gone, and I couldn't release my Alpha pheromones. I was certain this was just another one of Evelyn's traps. She couldn't wait to get rid of me, desperate to take the Luna's seat.

I didn't care about being Luna. She could have it. But I would take back my Alpha title.

Now, I had to leave. The pitying looks from the rest of the pack stung like slaps across my face. I didn't need their pity. I would fight back. I would reclaim everything that was mine.

I walked to the driveway, opened the car door, and slipped inside. The moment all those eyes were shut out, a single tear fell onto the back of my hand. I kept trying to tell myself Elijah didn't deserve my love, but two years of marriage and the love I'd poured into it still coiled around my throat like vines, strangling me.

How many sleepless nights had I spent in the lab perfecting perfume formulas, just to make our pack stronger? And Elijah-he had no leadership. I could admit he had strength, yes, but no strategy. He was impulsive. Yet when you dealt with packs, every Alpha was arrogant. To do business with them, you had to know when to bow your head.

I had given everything. And Elijah wanted to strip me of it all, cast me out, leave me with nothing. I would never submit.

Back at the packing house, the mark on my neck exploded with pain again. My stomach clenched like a fist had punched through it. I rushed to the toilet and vomited. Why was the Moon Goddess so unfair? Why was the betrayed one punished by the bond?

When I opened my eyes again, morning light was filtering in. I'd fainted from the pain last night. Now I looked like a wreck. Elijah could return any time-I couldn't let him see me defeated.

I showered, put on makeup, and the mirror reflected once again a confident woman. I had to try calling Leia again.

"Leia?"

"Leia?" I called once more, but still no response.

Panic gnawed at me. Had Leia abandoned me? Because of Elijah's betrayal? I clenched my fists. I had to face Elijah.

I didn't need to ask anyone-I knew he'd be at the hospital. I prayed Evelyn's child was safe. No matter how she had hurt me, the child was innocent.

At the hospital, I pushed open her room's door. Elijah wasn't there-only Evelyn. She looked radiant, untroubled by pain. When her eyes met mine, there was not the slightest trace of surprise.

"Oh, Victoria, you're here. Come see the designer bracelet Elijah bought me." She flaunted her victory without restraint, twisting her wrist so I could see better. "You're not jealous, are you? After all, Elijah said he never gave you gifts."

I laughed coldly inside. That bracelet was a fake. Evelyn couldn't even see the obvious flaws. I sneered, "I almost pity you, Evelyn. If you take that to an authentication agency, you'll be in for a surprise."

"What do you mean?" she screeched.

I covered my mouth, feigning shock. "It looks like life hasn't been kind to you these past two years. You can't even tell such a blatant counterfeit. Don't worry-I'll send you a real one."

Her expression quickly smoothed, her hand drifting to her belly. "It doesn't matter. You know you'll be thrown out in the end. I'm sure Elijah was just careless, that's why he didn't realize it was fake."

She shot me a glance, then added, "Besides, my pup is healthy. He'll be the next heir of this pack. And you-soon you'll be thrown out like a mutt." Her words dripped venom.

That would never happen. Without my warriors, my Betas and Gammas, without my inheritance, the Golden Claws would never have grown so powerful. I would never let a useless Alpha lead my pack.

"Then try me," I shot back. I didn't believe Elijah had that much sway. I had earned the trust of every pack. Getting my rightful share wouldn't be hard.

Elijah wasn't here, and I had wanted to discuss divorce with him. With him absent, I had no reason to waste words on Evelyn. But she wouldn't stop trying to provoke me.

"I hope this is the last time we meet, Victoria," she taunted. "After all, what woman with any pride would stay by a husband who spat on her?"

"You're right," I said coolly. "A woman with pride wouldn't tolerate her lover gifting her counterfeit jewelry-unless, of course, he sees her as cheap. Evelyn, you're truly cornered, aren't you? And are you so sure Elijah will actually agree to divorce me?"

"Why not? He loves me. You heard it yourself, how much he despises you," she sneered. My heart was already too numb from the pain.

"Our marriage has to go through the pack council. If the elders judge Elijah at fault, then perhaps he'll be the one cast out of the pack." My voice was icy. I trusted the council to make a fair decision.

The air froze solid.

In that silence, Evelyn suddenly cried out and flung herself into Elijah's arms. She buried her face in his chest, shoulders trembling, playing the perfect victim.

"Elijah, I'm so scared." Her voice quivered, tears dripping down his shirt. "She just slapped me. Look."

She lifted her face, revealing one flushed cheek, pitiful and fragile.

"I didn't!" I roared, fire surging in my chest. "You did that to yourself!"

But Evelyn didn't even acknowledge me. Instead, she clung tighter to Elijah's sleeve, sobbing, "She insulted you too. She said you had no leadership, that the whole pack only stands because of her."

My heart lurched. It was the truth-but out of her mouth, it became venomous slander.

Elijah's face darkened instantly, fury blazing in his eyes. "Victoria!" He ground my name between his teeth like it was something to be crushed. "How dare you belittle me?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but Evelyn cut me off, voice sharp and trembling. "And. she threatened me. She said she'd kill my baby!"

The air split open. Every eye swung toward me.

"Bullshit!" I roared, my chest heaving. "I never said that!"

But Elijah's expression had turned to steel. He lowered his head, stroked Evelyn's stomach with a tenderness that was cruel in itself, then lifted his gaze to me-sharp as ice blades.

"You dared to threaten my child? Then you have no right to remain here."

His voice was the sound of judgment.

"Put her in the dungeons."

••• Victoria's POV •••

Two warriors immediately strode toward me, their hands clamping down on my arms.

I thrashed violently, glaring at Elijah, my voice erupting like fire. "On what grounds?!"

He advanced step by step, eyes sharp as blades. "On the grounds that you harmed Evelyn's child. Didn't you?"

The words pierced straight through my chest like a dagger. I could barely breathe, my heart crushed in his fist.

"That's not true!" I roared through clenched teeth. "You know damn well I didn't touch her! She's using you!"

"Victoria," he sneered, gaze cold, as if staring down prey that was already dead, his voice low and merciless.

"Don't forget-I am still your Alpha. Under pack law, no one can stop me from punishing you. One word from me, and you're guilty. Your title, your wealth, even your freedom-stripped away."

Fury surged hot through my veins. I locked eyes with him, unyielding. If Leia were here, I'd already have leapt and ripped his throat out. But I couldn't let anyone know. Not now.

"Elijah, the council will condemn you for this. They will," I warned.

His pupils narrowed, killing intent flooding his gaze. He lifted a hand and gave the cold command:

"Drag her away."

"She may be strong," he announced to the gathered crowd, "but Luna Victoria has never given us an heir."

"And now, she dares attempt to kill the only heir we have."

The wolves gathered at the hospital began to murmur their judgment. I recognized most as Elijah's loyalists. My eyes swept to my former Beta and Gamma. Anger burned in their eyes, but I ordered them silently not to move. Elijah would seize on any excuse to punish them.

Guilt washed over me in waves. I hadn't protected them long enough.

"No one is to approach her. No food, no water. She tried to kill the heir of the Golden Claws-this will be her punishment!" Elijah's final order cracked like a whip.

I stared at him in disbelief, for the first time realizing just how cruel he truly was. I tried to run, but it was already too late. Elijah had bonded not only with Beta Hendricks, but with his Gamma, Mason, and several warriors as well.

Mason and the others seized my arms and dragged me. I struggled, but without Leia and against so many stronger males, resistance was futile. I let them haul me along.

Then I looked at the warriors gripping me, and remembered-they had once been mine. Members of White Claw. Loyal to me. I shifted tactics, speaking to them instead.

"You were White Claws once. You swore loyalty to me. Why betray me now? Why follow Elijah, a useless Alpha?" My voice rose with every word.

Behind me, Elijah's laugh cracked like a whip. "You care so much for my pack, Victoria? The Golden Claws see how pathetically you cling to me. Now both packs despise you!"

His words hit me like a blow to the skull. I had been foolish-abandoning my own wolves for a man. Now ignored, humiliated, punished-it was what I deserved. But by my father's name, I swore I would earn their respect again.

I let them drag me into the dungeons.

Mason and the warriors shoved me forward roughly. Suddenly, one of them sneered and swung his fist toward my face.

I snarled, jerking my head aside. His blow grazed me, splitting my lip. Rage erupted in my chest. I lashed my elbow back, slamming into his jaw. He grunted, stumbling away. I couldn't shift, but I was still Alpha-blood. My strength was undeniable.

"You're weak," I taunted, my voice dripping with contempt.

He flushed with fury, hand flashing toward the blade at his waist. But another warrior-Jax-caught his wrist in a crushing grip.

"Enough!" Jax's voice rang like iron. "The Alpha ordered her locked up, not butchered. Cross that line, and you'll face his punishment."

The air tightened, warriors glancing at each other. The attacker's face went ashen, but he released the blade.

I lifted my eyes to Jax. He didn't look at me again, only turned coldly and continued the march. But my chest warmed faintly-because I remembered. His wife had been dying of illness, and it was I who saved her.

Maybe that was why he stopped the blade. He said nothing, but I knew: not everyone had forgotten what I'd done. Even shackled and disgraced, I still held a shard of respect in some hearts.

I would remember this moment.

--

I don't know how long it was. In the dungeon, silver shackles cut into my wrists, draining me of power. I wasn't even allowed to sit. Elijah meant me to suffer.

The air was damp, cold, lightless-like a coffin swallowing everything. With nothing to do, I could only lick the wounds of losing my mate, of losing Leia. If she were here, at least I wouldn't feel so utterly alone.

Time shredded apart. I couldn't tell night from day. No one came. No food. No water. Hunger and thirst sliced my insides. The silver drained me, and days of forced standing pushed me to collapse. I thought I was dying. I even wondered if death would be a mercy.

But just as I was ready to give in, a spark reached me-someone trying to connect. Familiar. Warm. Not malicious. I opened my barriers.

Felix. My old Beta. After White Claw merged with Golden Claw, he became Elijah's second Gamma.

"Luna, I can help you." His voice pierced the darkness, and I nearly cried. He'd sworn loyalty to Elijah, but now-I knew he hadn't forgotten our bond.

"Allison knows what's happened to you," he added.

Allison. My dearest friend. We'd met at a business summit, both heirs to our packs. Both bound by responsibility. We became allies. Sisters in spirit.

She was Evelyn's cousin, but always stood with me. She despised Evelyn, despised those shallow she-wolves who married Alphas just for bloodlines. She knew I could have survived alone, that I'd been heiress to a famous perfume empire. That I'd abandoned it all for love. For Elijah. Foolish, blinded.

But Allison had never doubted me.

"She's called on her father's pack," Felix whispered, voice burning with suppressed fire. "They're sending warriors to Golden Claw's borders. Demanding Elijah answer for this."

My heart clenched. Allison had chosen not to wait. She would tear the situation open with force.

And I knew what that meant-the council would be forced to intervene. Elijah would no longer be free to do whatever he pleased with me.