The bright morning matched Mireya’s radiant face as she arrived at The Palace. The car carrying her stopped in the courtyard and a guard opened the door. Gracefully, Mireya stepped out, taking a moment to survey her surroundings with a smile before making her way forward.
Her arrival was greeted with the usual respect. People bowed their heads and greeted her politely. Her smile widened and she raised her chin in pride. Mireya felt on top of the world. Now, after everything that had happened, it seemed as if she could really go to The Palace in peace.
It was not as if Mireya ignored Vione. After all, the whole palace knew how Usher preferred her to Vione. But there was something that required her to restrain herself, at least in public-Vione’s position as Luna.
Mireya might mock or belittle Vione when they were alone, or at least in front of Usher and Garth. But beyond that it was out of the question. She had to keep her composure in front of others. At the very least, she had to show the beauty and grace she had developed over the years. Most of all, she didn’t want to tarnish her own name and face the condemnation of the pack if she ridiculed the former Luna.
Fortunately, Mireya didn’t have to do that anymore. She no longer had to pretend in front of so many people. Vione was no longer Usher’s mate and Luna. Most importantly for Mireya, Vione was now in the underground prison. Until the end of the world, Vione would stay there with no way out.
Mireya’s waiting was over. The moment she had been waiting for had arrived. The position as Usher’s companion and Luna was free. That meant that now she only had to wait. Usher would surely propose to her, marry her and make her the most powerful woman in the pack.
“Where is Usher? Is he still in his room?” Mireya asked a passing servant casually. She paused briefly, waiting for the answer.
“Yes, Miss.”
Mireya nodded. She realized that it was too early for Usher’s usual routines. But something else caught her attention and brought a small smile to her face.
Not for long. I won’t be called Miss anymore.
Mireya sighed. A pleasant thought filled her mind for a moment. People would call her Luna and show her respect. Besides, she would have Usher all to herself.
“Prepare breakfast and take it to his room. Usher must be very tired with all that has happened in the pack lately.”
The servant nodded. “Of course, Miss.”
Afterwards, Mireya left. She walked to an elevator that took her to the top floor of The Palace. A short time later she arrived at Usher’s room.
Mireya opened the door and found Usher just waking from his slumber.
“Good morning, Usher.”
Mireya approached Usher on the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and planted a morning kiss on Usher’s lips.
“Good morning, Mireya,” Usher replied, furrowing his brow, apparently still trying to come to. “You’re here early.”
Mireya smiled. She took Usher’s hands and stroked them gently. “Of course, I came early. You know? I really missed you, Usher. We haven’t seen each other for a few days after the High Court.”
“You’re right.”
Usher remembered. The High Court wasn’t the only important event he had to deal with this week. There were many things happening that kept him very busy. As a result, he and Mireya couldn’t spend time together as usual.
“Besides, you must know the reason for my early visit, right?”
Usher fell silent. Instead of answering the question, he looked into Mireya’s eyes. The sparkle in her eyes was more than enough to explain the happiness she felt.
“I would like us to discuss this matter further, Usher. There’s no Vione between us now. She’s no longer your Luna and mate. You’re free now and there’s only me in your life. I am the only woman in your heart,” Mireya said with real enthusiasm. She moved closer to Usher. “Do you understand what I mean?”
Usher still didn’t speak. Surely, he understood Mireya’s meaning and he realized that it wasn’t strange for her to come to The Palace so early.
Everything had to do with the continuation of their relationship. Vione’s absence had given them both hope. Now they could be together without any obstacles.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple. Everything wasn’t as simple as Usher had first thought. The cause of all this was the petition he had received last night, and Mireya was still unaware of it.
“Usher?”
Usher blinked awkwardly. He sighed and held Mireya’s fingers, making sure she wouldn’t flinch. “I have something to tell you, Mireya.”
“What is it?”
Usher took a deep breath. He was sure that Mireya wouldn’t like it and that was exactly what happened. Mireya was shocked and almost jumped out of bed.
“W-what did you say? A petition?”
“Yes,” Usher replied with a helpless expression. He stroked her face briefly, as if to emphasize to Mireya that he hadn’t expected this. “The pack has collected a petition and there’s nothing I can do.”
Mireya’s eyes widened. The joy in her face disappeared. The gleam of happiness in her eyes was replaced by disbelief. “There’s nothing you can do? What do you mean, Usher?”
“Mireya, don’t think badly. I-”
“How can I not think badly, Usher?” Mireya asked quickly. She cut Usher off as she pushed his hand away. “You love me, Usher. You promised to make me your mate, and now Vione is no longer your Luna. Isn’t it only fair that I become your mate and Luna now?”
Usher nodded as he took Mireya’s hand back. He held her hand tightly to his chest and planted comforting kisses on her fingers. “Yes, Mireya. I understand, and you must know that there’s nothing I want more than to make you my mate and Luna. I love you, Mireya, but please listen to me first.”
This time, it was Mireya who was silent. She took a deep breath and her mouth remained closed.
Usher waited, but Mireya didn’t speak. Nevertheless, her demeanor assured him that she would continue to explain the current situation.
Starting with his fervent wish, Usher discussed the possibility of Mireya replacing Vione in his life. He openly expressed his desire to make Mireya his mate and Luna in front of several werewolves. The news spread quickly through the packs.
Usher’s goal was clear. He deliberately emphasized his relationship with Mireya, regardless of the rumors that had circulated among the packs. Everyone knew about their secret relationship. He wanted to make sure that all werewolves understood the situation-that he would soon make Mireya the highest-ranking female werewolf in the Frostholm pack.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be. Usher’s intentions clashed with the pack’s reactions. Instead of congratulations, he received a petition.
There was nothing Usher could do. He admitted that he had been careless in such an important matter. He hadn’t had time to check The Rulebook, and it hadn’t occurred to him that his relationship with Mireya might face obstacles.
It seemed reasonable to Usher that there were no rules regarding the replacement of Luna. Apparently, it was the first time in the history of the Frostholm Pack that an Alpha wanted to replace his Luna. So even though the rule existed, it didn’t seem to exist because no one had ever used it.
Usher was impulsive. He was not meticulous, and the result was his own headache.
“I already called Ayla, but she couldn’t do anything,” Usher admitted.
Mireya was wide-eyed. “So, what are you going to do?” she asked with a thought that immediately crossed her mind. She shook her head with a horrified look on her face. “Don’t tell me you’re just going to give up, Usher. You can’t just sit back, can you? You promised to make me your Luna and your mate.”
Usher quickly calmed Mireya. He pulled her close and hugged her tightly when he felt her trying to pull away.
“Let me go, Usher. Don’t try to comfort me.”
Usher didn’t let go of Mireya. “I’m not comforting you, Mireya. I just want to assure you that I’m going to fix this as soon as possible.”
“How?”
Usher didn’t answer.
“Tell me, how are you going to resolve all this?”
Back again, Mireya received no answer from Usher. He remained silent, his mind spinning constantly, and Mireya decided to take action. She didn’t want to waste time in meaningless silence.
Mireya shoved Usher and then rose to her feet. “I’ve asked the servants to prepare breakfast for you.”
“Mireya.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I need a moment, and it seems the lounge is the right place for me to think.”
Usher closed his eyes dramatically as Mireya left the room, leaving him to curse in silence.
*