ALPHA CAMERON'S POV

　　The night I had been waiting for had finally arrived. The darkness outside seemed to echo the anticipation that thrummed through my veins. Judy's funeral had been a somber affair, filled with the empty mourning of a pack that had no idea their Luna's death was orchestrated by their Alpha. Judy had performed her duties exceptionally well, but she was too nosy, too jealous, and too annoying. She never understood what I felt for Lydia. She and Lydia could have coexisted—Lydia as my mistress and Judy as my Luna. But Judy didn't want that, and as her mate, I had to take care of her needs. So I removed her from my path.

　　Now, Judy would never have to face Lydia. I selected a beautiful dress for Lydia to wear tonight—a gown of pure white, adorned with lace and pearls. It was fitting for a queen, fitting for the woman who would stand beside me as I claimed the throne. Lydia was completely under my control now. I knew she would do anything I asked, even kill herself if I told her to.

　　I approached the chamber where Lydia was held, the dress draped over my arm. The guards stepped aside, their expressions carefully blank. They knew better than to question my orders. I pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside. Lydia was sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes empty, her spirit broken.

　　"Lydia," I said softly, holding up the dress. "I have something for you."

　　She looked up, her gaze dull and uncomprehending. I walked over to her, holding the dress out. "Put this on. Tonight, we will be married. You will be my queen."

　　Lydia, under my complete compulsion, nodded her head slightly but her eyes seemed to be looking for something else, so I had to compel her again, this time with more force. "Lydia, put the dress on now."

　　Her movements quickened, and she took the dress, slipping into it with a mechanical precision. I watched her, my mind racing. The demon magic should have been strong enough to work for the entire month, but why wasn't it working on Lydia as I had expected? It didn't matter, though. Once we were married, there wouldn't be anything she wouldn't be able to do anyway, whether my magic stayed or not.

　　As Lydia dressed, I marveled at her beauty. The white gown clung to her figure perfectly, the lace and pearls accentuating her regal appearance. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and despite the dullness in her eyes, she looked every bit the queen I intended her to be.

　　I took her hand and led her to the mirror. "Look at yourself, Lydia. You are magnificent."

　　She glanced at her reflection, but her expression remained blank. I frowned. The compulsion should have made her more responsive. Perhaps she was stronger than I had anticipated. No matter. I would bend her to my will soon enough.

　　I left her there for a moment, knowing that she would be mine tonight and there was no place she could run to. I just had to be done with all these funeral rituals.

　　As I made my way back to the memorial, the air was thick with the scent of incense and the low murmur of mourning. Pack members were gathered around, paying their respects to Luna Judy. I had to put on a convincing show of grief and reverence for the sake of appearances.

　　Standing before Judy's memorial, I let my gaze linger on her portrait, a serene smile captured forever. The crowd fell silent as I began to speak.

　　"We gather tonight to honor Luna Judy, a beacon of strength and grace in our pack. Her dedication to our people was unwavering, and her spirit will live on in our hearts."

　　The words felt hollow, but they served their purpose. The pack needed to see me as a grieving husband, a leader who felt the loss just as keenly as they did. It was all a facade, of course. My true focus was on Lydia, and the future I would build with her by my side.

　　I finished my speech and placed a single white rose on Judy's memorial, a final gesture of respect. As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Brandon and Evan among the crowd. Their presence was a reminder of the potential threat they posed. They were here under the pretense of mourning, but I knew they were searching for Lydia.

　　I couldn't afford to let them interfere. Lydia was mine now, bound by the compulsion and soon by marriage. They would have to be dealt with, but for now, I needed to maintain the illusion of normalcy.

　　Returning to the chamber where Lydia waited, I found her still seated, her gaze distant. Her beauty was breathtaking, even in her subdued state. I approached her, my pulse quickening with anticipation.

　　"Lydia," I said softly, taking her hand in mine. "The rituals are over. Now, it's time for us to begin our new life together."

　　She looked at me, her eyes momentarily flickering with a spark of defiance. It was intriguing, this fire within her. But it would be extinguished soon enough. I would make sure of it.

　　I led her to the bed, my mind racing with thoughts of the future. With Lydia as my queen, there was nothing I couldn't achieve. The throne, the kingdom, it would all be mine. And Lydia, she would learn to love me, to obey me.

　　As I held her close, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The compulsion wasn't as strong as it should have been. There was a resilience in her that I hadn't anticipated. It was a problem, but one I would deal with in time.

　　For now, I would savor my victory. Lydia was mine, and nothing could take that from me. I had full intentions of violating her and making her truly mine, whether she wanted it or not. Who cared about feelings anyway? But as I was about to undress her, I sensed a change in her. Her eyes flickered with a brief spark of recognition, a defiance that shouldn't have been possible under my compulsion.

　　My frustration grew. I couldn't resist tearing her dress, needing to assert my control, but I was stopped short. Just as I was about to go further, the door burst open with a deafening crash.

　　Brandon and Evan stormed in, their faces a mix of shock and fury. Brandon's eyes widened in horror as he took in the scene, while Evan's face contorted with rage.

　　"Lydia!" Brandon shouted, rushing forward.

　　I snarled, stepping back and pulling Lydia closer to me, my grip tightening. "You shouldn't have come here," I spat, trying to maintain control.

　　Evan's fists clenched at his sides, and his voice was a low growl. "Let her go, Cameron. Now."

　　I laughed, though it sounded hollow even to my ears. "You think you can just barge in here and take her from me? She's mine now."

　　Brandon's eyes flickered to Lydia, and I saw a glimmer of hope in his gaze. "Lydia, we're here. We're not going to let him hurt you."

　　She looked at them, her eyes clearing slightly, as if fighting against the compulsion. But I had to stop all of them.

　　"That's enough!" I roared, my frustration boiling over. I pushed Lydia to the ground and faced them, my body trembling with rage and the remnants of the demonic power I had used. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."

　　Evan stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with barely contained fury. "We know exactly what we're dealing with. And we will stop you."

　　I laughed, the sound echoing through the room. "You think you can stop me? You don't understand the power I wield."

　　Evan's eyes narrowed, and he mind linked someone. Moments later, the room was filled with the royal army, their weapons drawn, surrounding me.

　　But I was unfazed. With my power and strength, even they would have to bow down to me. I smiled, a sinister grin spreading across my face. "You think an army can stop me? Let me show you the true extent of my power."

　　I gestured grandly, summoning the demonic energy I had bargained for. The room darkened, and a chilling wind swept through, making the soldiers shift uneasily. The air grew thick with malevolent energy, and shadows danced along the walls.

　　"It's about time I introduce you to my special and magical guest," I said, my voice dripping with malice.