Alison’s POV
I hadn’t yet grown used to the weight of their stares.
Every glance that lingered a moment too long, every careful whisper behind cupped hands, it all felt like a constant reminder of the skepticism surrounding my place here. I told myself that they didn’t know me, that in time they’d see who I truly was and what I could offer the Nightfang Pack. But that didn’t make the icy receptions around me any easier to bear.
This morning was no exception.
Breakfast had barely begun when Caitlyn strolled into the room, her presence filling the space with an unspoken authority that most pack members seemed to respect and fear. She moved with a confidence that suggested she already considered herself the Luna of this pack. And why wouldn’t she? Katherine, Xander’s mother, had practically crowned her as the chosen one long before I’d arrived.
“Good morning, Alison,” she greeted me, flashing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I hope you’re settling in well. Adjusting can be so hard, especially when everything feels… foreign.”
I offered her a polite smile. “It’s a process, but I’m learning. Thanks for asking, Caitlyn.”
“Oh, you’re very welcome. I just want to make sure everything is… comfortable for you.” She gave a quick look around, as though expecting someone to catch her feigned sincerity. Her voice lowered as she leaned in slightly. “I can’t help but think how confusing all of this must be for you. New environment, new people, and… well, Xander and I have quite a bit of history together. I wouldn’t want be surprised if he ends up…. .”
I clenched my teeth, maintaining my composure as I interrupted her. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m not here to disrupt anything. I only want what’s best for the pack, and for Xander.”
Her smile grew, but it was anything but warm. “Of course,” she said, feigning innocence. “And I would expect nothing less. But, Alison… are you truly prepared for what being Luna entails? It’s not just about loyalty to Xander, you know.”
Just then, Xander entered the room, dressed and ready to begin his usual pack rounds. He flashed me a warm smile, unaware of the tension that had taken root.
“Morning, love,” he said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. My heart fluttered, but I made sure my face remained calm. Xander’s presence was reassuring, grounding me in a way nothing else could.
“Morning, Xander. Be safe today,” I replied, squeezing his hand.
“I will. And if you need anything…” he trailed off, casting a curious glance at Caitlyn, who was watching us intently. “Don’t hesitate to ask.” With a final nod, he left the room without recognizing Caitlyn presence.
The moment he disappeared down the hallway, Caitlyn’s pleasant facade evaporated, replaced by a sly smirk. “You know,” she began, her tone almost conversational, “I think you should know though. When we… well, Xander and I kissed… it was only out of familiarity. He and I have always shared a special bond. I thought you needed to understand that.”
I felt a pang of jealousy at her words as I remembered the view from that very day but pushed it down. “Thank you for the clarification, Caitlyn, but I don’t think that’s necessary or means much. Xander has made his choice, and I trust him.”
Her eyebrows lifted, clearly surprised by my composure. But she quickly recovered, her expression shifting to something almost pitying. “Trust is… admirable. But trust alone doesn’t make a Luna. You need the pack’s loyalty, their respect. And unfortunately, that doesn’t come just because Xander has chosen you. From what I see that loyalty doesn’t lie with you”
I looked her square in the eye, letting her know that I wasn’t intimidated. “I understand that, Caitlyn. And I’m prepared to earn their respect. I’m not looking to take anyone’s place, but I intend to be here for the long run.”
The smile on her face faltered, if only for a moment. She hadn’t expected me to stand my ground. It gave me a small, quiet sense of satisfaction, but I knew I couldn’t let my guard down. Caitlyn’s type of rivalry wasn’t one that would fade easily.
“Oh, I see,” she said, voice tinged with a subtle, condescending amusement. “Well, I do wish you luck, Alison. Truly. You’ll need it especially if you will be standing along side me in this struggle.”
With that, she sauntered out, leaving me alone at the table. I took a steadying breath, replaying our exchange in my mind. Her words stung, but they also fueled me. I wasn’t about to let her or anyone else intimidate me out of my place here.
The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, with the castle mostly empty. Today was a lesson-free day, so I found myself with time on my hands. And instead of retreating into my room to dwell on Caitlyn’s words, I decided to put them to use.
“Clara,” I called out to the young maid who had been assisting me since I arrived. “Do you have a moment?”
Clara nodded eagerly, sensing my newfound determination. “Of course, Miss Alison. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to get to know the pack better. I want to start with those who work here, in the castle. Could you introduce me to some of the others?”
She beamed, clearly pleased with my initiative. “Absolutely. Let’s go to the kitchen. Most of the maids are finishing up there.”
Following her down the winding halls, I felt a sense of purpose growing within me. If Caitlyn believed she held sway over everyone here, she was wrong. There were people who might be willing to give me a chance, if I gave them a reason to.
In the kitchen, a few maids were bustling around, preparing meals for the pack members. Clara gathered them, introducing me one by one. Most of them looked surprised but pleased that I was taking the time to talk with them.
Dahlia, the head maid, was a tall, older woman with a no-nonsense attitude. Her eyes held a spark of intelligence and curiosity as she looked at me. “So, you’re really looking to make this your home, then?” she asked.
I met her gaze steadily. “Yes, Dahlia. I know I have a lot to prove, but I’m here because I believe in Xander and his vision for this pack. I want to do my part.”
The maids exchanged glances, and I could sense a shift in the room. They weren’t warming to me immediately, but there was a hint of respect in their eyes that hadn’t been there before.
Dahlia nodded slowly, seeming to measure her words. “Then maybe it’s time you learn more about us, too. You can’t lead a pack you don’t understand.”
I smiled, grateful for her willingness to help. “That’s exactly what I want, Dahlia. Will you help me?”
With that, the tension in the room eased, and the maids began sharing stories about the pack’s history. They told me about the ancient rituals, the traditions that bonded them together, and the challenges they’d faced. I listened, absorbing every detail, feeling my connection to this place deepen.
One of the younger maids, Anna, shared how Xander had taken over the mantle of leadership from his father. “He was so young, but he was fierce. No one questioned his strength, even though he was barely more than a teenager,” she said, her eyes shining with admiration.
“He’s a good leader,” Dahlia added, a rare smile crossing her face. “Our pack has prospered under him. But he needs a Luna who can stand beside him, not behind him.”
Her words struck a chord within me. That’s exactly what I wanted to be: a partner, an equal. Someone who could face these challenges alongside Xander, even if it meant facing rivals like Caitlyn head-on.
As the afternoon drew on, Dahlia led me out into the pack grounds, introducing me to a few of the more receptive pack members. They welcomed me with cautious warmth, willing to give me a chance. But even as we talked, I noticed the way some of them looked over their shoulders, glancing warily around us.
One of the pack members, an older woman named Marla, pulled me aside after we’d exchanged pleasantries. “Listen, Miss Alison,” she said, her voice low. “You’ve got courage, I’ll give you that. But be careful around Miss Caitlyn. She’s more manipulative than you know.”
I frowned, curious. “How do you mean?”
Marla glanced back at the castle, her voice dropping even lower. “Caitlyn may seem polite and charming, but don’t be fooled. When Lady Katherine isn’t looking, she can be cruel, especially to the lesser pack members. She’s got everyone convinced she’s the perfect choice, but I’ve seen her true colors. She’s not above using people to get what she wants.”
I nodded, her warning echoing Caitlyn’s earlier attempts to intimidate me. If I was going to survive here, I needed to understand that Caitlyn was playing a game, one she’d mastered. But I wasn’t about to let her control the board.
As I made my way back to the castle, the words of the maids and pack members stayed with me. Caitlyn’s influence ran deep, but that didn’t mean she was invincible. There were cracks in her facade, and if I was patient enough, I’d find a way to prove myself to them.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Whatever Caitlyn threw my way, I would face it head-on. I was determined to show them that I belonged here… as Luna, as Xander’s equal, and as a protector of Nightfang.