Chapter 2: A Luna's Disgrace

Ivy’s POV

I should have learned by now, learned that no matter how much I tried to blend into the background, I would always be a target.

The pack ceremony was supposed to be a night of honor, a celebration of our warriors, a reaffirmation of unity. But for me, it was just another reminder that I was nothing more than a title. Luna by name.

Not by love.

Not by respect.

I sat at the farthest end of the hall, my hands curled into my lap, keeping my gaze fixed on the flickering candlelight rather than the figures that filled the room. My mate.. my husband... Alpha Kael, sat at the head table, powerful and untouchable. His sharp features, the coldness in his eyes, the effortless dominance he exuded, it should have made me proud. Should have made me feel safe. But it didn’t. Because I wasn’t.

And then there was her.

Selena.

Draped in a crimson gown that clung to her curves, her golden hair cascading down her back like she was the fucking goddess of the night. She had no official title asides being one of the high ranking Warriors of Blackwood Pack, but everyone knew she was the one who stood beside Kael. I was just the inconvenience.

I had barely taken a sip of my wine when she turned toward me, her eyes gleaming with something sharp and wicked.

“Oh, Ivy,” she said sweetly, her voice carrying across the room, commanding attention. “Why are you all the way back there? A Luna should be at her Alpha’s side, don’t you think?”

I froze.

I could feel the weight of their gazes shifting onto me. Some amused. Some curious. But most held pity, a thousand times worse than outright mockery.

Slowly, I stood, my legs trembling beneath the pressure of existing in this moment. Every step I took toward the front of the room felt like dragging myself through quicksand. I could already hear the whispers rising like a slow-building storm.

But before I could reach them, Selena let out a dramatic gasp.

“Oh, Goddess! Everyone, look at this!”

Her perfectly manicured finger pointed downward.

I followed her gaze.

And the bottom of my stomach dropped.

A deep red stain stretched across my dress, a clumsy splash of wine I hadn’t even noticed until now. Had someone spilled it on me? Had I been so numb to my surroundings that I hadn’t felt it?

The laughter came in waves.

Not loud. Not raucous. Just a low murmur of amusement, like they were trying not to be too obvious about enjoying my humiliation.

Selena sighed, tilting her head with fake sympathy. “Oh, Ivy. You really should be more careful.” A pause. A smirk. “But then again, it’s kind of fitting, isn’t it? A filthy dress for a filthy Luna.”

I barely registered the burn in my cheeks as the laughter intensified.

I did, however, register him.

Kael.

Sitting there. Watching.

Doing nothing.

For a fleeting moment, I met his gaze, searching for something... anything.. a flicker of discomfort, an ounce of guilt.

But all I saw was indifference.

Like it wasn’t his wife being humiliated. Like I was a nobody.

I turned sharply on my heel and left before they could see the tears forming in my eyes.

---

The night air bit at my skin as I hurried back to my chambers, my arms wrapped tightly around myself.

I shouldn’t have let it get to me. I shouldn’t have expected anything different.

But Goddess, it still hurt.

I had barely made it to my hallway when I heard them.

Raised voices. Kael and Selena.

I froze, pressing myself against the wall, inching closer to the partially open door.

“You’re pushing too far, Selena.” Kael’s voice was tight, edged with irritation.

Selena let out a scoff. “Oh, please. You don’t get to lecture me about going too far, not when you let me humiliate your precious little Luna in front of the entire pack.”

My breath hitched.

“I told you to keep it subtle,” Kael gritted out.

“Why?” she shot back. “Because deep down, you still feel guilty?”

A dangerous silence stretched between them.

Then a crash... the unmistakable sound of something shattering against the wall.

The door burst open, and Selena stormed out, her face twisted in fury.

I barely had time to react before she caught sight of me.

Her lips curled into something cruel. “Well, well. Eavesdropping are we, Ivy? How pathetic.”

I opened my mouth, but my voice had abandoned me.

She didn’t wait for an answer. She brushed past me, her shoulder knocking into mine so hard I stumbled back a step.

“Enjoy your night, Luna,” she sneered before disappearing down the hall.

I turned back toward the open door.

Kael stood inside. His body tense, shirtless, his broad chest rising and falling as if trying to control something raging inside him.

I should have left. Should have run.

But I was stupid.

And then...

“Ivy,” he said, voice low, dangerous. “Get the hell in here.”

I didn’t move.

His eyes narrowed.

“Now.”

Swallowing hard, I stepped inside.

He was watching me, drinking in my hesitation, feeding off it.

“You enjoy this, don’t you?” he mused. “Lurking outside my door. Desperate to hear what we say. Desperate for my attention.”

I shook my head quickly. “N-no, I wasn’t...”

“Liar.”

Before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist, yanking me closer.

His scent... earthy and sharp, tinged with whiskey and heat wrapped around me like a noose.

“Kael,” I whispered. “You’re drunk.”

“And you’re my wife,” he murmured, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. “You keep acting like I’m supposed to care about you.” His fingers trailed down my arm, making me shudder. “But you forget, Ivy... I do what I want. And right now…” His grip tightened. “I want you.”

Panic shot through me.

“P...please,” I begged.

He didn’t listen.

The moment his mouth crashed onto mine, I knew... I had lost.

I fought, but it was useless. He was stronger. Overpowering. Unyielding.

When it was over, I lay there, trembling, shattered, empty.

He didn’t hold me like every mate would after such intense moments. He didn’t even look at me.

Instead, he stood, grabbing his discarded pants.

His voice was cold, emotionless.

“Get out.”

I flinched, forcing myself to sit up, my body aching as I scrambled to gather the remains of my torn dress.

“Kael... ”

“Get the fuck out, Ivy.”

Tears burned my vision as I stumbled toward the door.

But just before I stepped out, I turned.

Hoping foolishly that he would stop me. That he would say something to make this feel like more than just another humiliation.

He didn’t.

He had already turned away, reaching for a bottle of whiskey.

His back to me.

Like I was never there at all.

I stepped into the hall, closing the door behind me.

Alone.

As I had always been.

As I always would be.