Amara’s POV.

We reached his pack in the morning, I swallowed nervously as we walked in.

They stared at me like I was dirt, even something less than that.

I stepped past the raven pack gates and the silence hit first. Eyes snapped to me like I was poison and I brought disease into their sacred place.

The whispers came next, loud and unapologetic whispers.

“That’s the one Karl dumped?”

“I can’t believe she’s here.”

“Is that what the Alpha brought home? Broken and rejected?”

I held my head high but it was harder than I thought it’ll be. Every stare felt like a slap, every word they said felt like a fresh wound.

Aiden didn’t flinch, he walked ahead of me, tall and unbothered, his presence alone silenced some of them, but not all.

“She’s not fit to be Luna,” a voice growled, “we need someone strong.”

“She lost her own pup, how is she supposed to protect a pack?”

That one hit low, the pain fresh again, I froze, stomach twisting. My wolf left out a low wounded growl in my chest, but I shoved it down.

I refused to break here, not again.

Aiden stopped mid-step, his voice didn’t rise but it sounded through the whole place, “you will respect her.”

“She’s not one of us.” Someone else snapped.

“She’s mine,” Aiden said, “by name, by choice and soon by title.”

Gasp rippled and my heart skipped as I stared at him.

“And whether you like it or not,” he continued, “Amara will be you Luna, you have no choice.”

He looked at me, not with pity but with quiet challenge, I could see him urging me on with his eyes.

I paused for a while, then I did what I did best, I walked past them without a word, spine straight and throat burning.

********

His packhouse was colder than Night Moon's. Stone walls, no warm colors, no sign of softness, but it was large, clean and orderly just like Aiden.

“There will be a celebration soon.” Aiden informed.

I blinked, “a celebration?”

He nodded, walking ahead without waiting for my reaction, “rogues attacked two of our border allies last week and we helped them push back, victory calls for wine and music.”

“Should I stay out of the way?” I asked unable to keep the sharpness out of my voice.

He stopped, turned and looked at me squarely, “No, you’ll be there at my side, as my Luna.”

My stomach twisted, Luna. The word felt strange now, sour and heavy. I nodded and faked a smile.

The celebration came faster than expected, the raven pack’s courtyard transformed overnight.

Torches lined the stone walls and the design was eyes catchy.

I stood beside Aiden, dressed in a black velvet dress someone had sent to my room. It’s bodice tight and sleeves long, hugging my arms, my hair was lose falling in waves.

I looked like a Luna, but felt like a ghost. As soon as we entered the courtyard, the noise dipped, not completely but enough to sting, the conversations, the laughter stopped.

It felt like my presence ruined the moment. They stared at me like I soured the wine they were drinking.

“She’s really here.”

“I thought it was a rumor.”

“Doesn’t she look too proud for someone who was discarded?”

My throat tightened, they said it with smiles while siping their wine, every word they said clawed at my heart.

Aiden stood close enough for his heat to soak into my skin, he leaned down once, whispering, “they’ll grow quiet eventually, wolves only bark when they feel threatened.”

“They should be,” I murmured.

That earned a rare smile from him, a warrior approached us, “Alpha Aiden, the celebration is worthy of the raven name.” He said.

“And this must be,” his eyes flicked to me.

“Amara,” Aiden said calmly, “my Luna.”

The warrior raised a brow. “The Amara?”

I held his gaze, “is there another one worth knowing?”

His lips twitched in something almost like amusement, but the steel in his gaze didn’t fade.

He bowed slightly, polite but distant, “Welcome Luna.” The word felt more like a test than a title.

The evening dragged on, laughter rose, drinks flowed, wolves sparred in friendly matches under the moolight, but the tension never left the air around me.

They didn’t want me here, it was so obvious they didn’t like me or trust me, and despite everything I’d done to stay upright, I couldn’t stop the ache building in my chest.

I slipped away when I thought no one would notice, ducking around the corner toward the hallway leading to my room.

The silence in the room was heavier than I liked, but I welcomed it, I needed it.

I peeled off the dress, letting it fall to the floor, putting on a cotton shirt and slipping beneath the sheets, I let my breath go.

I stared at the ceiling for a while, my mind thinking of all that happened recently.

I suddenly heard a soft scrape, I sat up instantly, my senses snapping into high alert.

My wolf stired, pacing beneath my skin, I grabbed the dagger Aiden kept beside the bed, moving silently toward the door.

The door wasn’t open, but it wasn’t locked either, I reached for the handle, my grip tightening.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, voice form.

No answer, just silence, “who’s there?”

I yanked the door open, my heart slamming in my chest, the hallway was empty.

I closed the door, locking it tight chest heaving, I wondered if I was being paranoid or I just imagined the scrape I heard.

A knock startled me and I held the dagger tightly, “Who is it?”

“I’m here to give you dinner Luna.” The voice replied

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’m a maid.” The voice replied.

I opened the door and the maid walked in looking down, “I brought wine and meat according to the Alpha’s request.”

I stared as her, still skeptical of what she said, “Drop it on the table.”

“Amara, you left early.” Aiden’s voice sounded in the hallway.

“Yeah, I wanted to rest, thank you for what you sent for me.” I sighed , relieved that he was here.

“Sent?” He asked.

“You asked the maid to bring me wine and meat.” I stared at the maid in the room.

“No, I brought something for you myself.” He opened the door.

“Then who is…” I turned to the maid who had come into my room with wine and meat.

“Who are you?” Aiden demanded immediately he had entered. His eyes landed on me and then the maid.