Alison’s POV
The scent of roasted meat and fresh herbs filled the grand hall as the pack gathered, their voices a low hum of anticipation. I stood at the head of the room, watching the steady stream of pack members settle into their seats. My chest tightened, but I kept my chin high, masking my nerves. Tonight’s ceremony was crucial.. a chance to prove myself.
Katherine’s words from earlier echoed in my mind.
“This is your chance, Alison,” she had said, her icy tone unmistakable. “If you can’t handle the responsibility of a simple pack gathering, how will you ever manage as Luna?”
Her cold gaze was a weight I couldn’t shake. She’d made it clear: failure wasn’t an option. And I wouldn’t give her or Caitlyn the satisfaction of seeing me falter.
“Everything is ready,” I told myself, adjusting the silver bracelet Xander had gifted me. The decorations, the food, the seating arrangements, I had overseen it all. No one could accuse me of being unprepared.
As the ceremony began, I moved through the crowd, greeting pack members with polite smiles. The older ones remained wary, their expressions stiff. I overheard murmurs about Katherine’s disapproval and Caitlyn’s supposed competence. It stung, but I pushed it aside. Tonight would change their minds.
Or so I thought.
The trouble began with the first bite.
A loud cough erupted from one of the Elders tables, followed by another. Chairs screeched as people stood, clutching at their throats or spitting out food. A chorus of complaints quickly rose, panic spreading like wildfire.
“What is this?!” one elder growled, his face red.
“This tastes rotten!” another snapped, throwing down his fork.
I froze, my mind racing. This couldn’t be happening. Everything had been checked and double-checked. The dishes were perfect when I left the kitchen.
Katherine rose from her seat at the head table, her expression thunderous. “What is the meaning of this rubbish?” she demanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.
All eyes turned to me.
“I… I don’t know,” I stammered, stepping forward. “The food was fine during preparation. I made sure of it… ”
“Clearly, you didn’t,” Katherine interrupted sharply. “This level of incompetence is unacceptable, especially during such an important event. This is a complete waste of food and resources”
Heat rushed to my face as murmurs rippled through the room. My hands clenched at my sides, the sting of humiliation cutting deep.
“Please give me a minute, I’ll find out what happened,” I said, my voice barely steady.
“You should have done that before serving this filth,” Katherine snapped. “This is exactly why the pack doubts your ability to lead, this is why you would never be Luna of this Pack.”
I turned to Xander, silently pleading for his support. But he remained seated, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on the table. The weight of his silence crushed me.
As the ceremony descended into chaos, I retreated to the kitchen, desperate to find the source of the disaster. I combed through the trays of food, sniffing each dish, checking for anything amiss. And then I found it, a small vial tucked behind a stack of serving platters, its contents reeking of bitterness.
Before I could process the discovery, Caitlyn appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed and a satisfied smirk on her face.
“Rough night?” she drawled, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.
I held up the vial, my eyes narrowing. “You did this.”
She laughed, a soft, cruel sound. “If you can prove it.”
My grip tightened around the glass. “You did this just to humiliate me in front of the pack. You won, didn’t you? .”
“Humiliate you?” Caitlyn stepped closer, her gaze gleaming with malice. “You humiliate yourself every time you try to play Luna. No one believes you’re capable… Now not even Xander. I was raised for this role and I wouldn’t sit by and let a tiny weasel like you take my place.”
Her words hit like a slap. “You don’t get to chose this role, I may not seem worthy to you but the Moon Goddess deemed me worthy.”
“She obviously overestimated you?” She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Did you see Xander’s face out there? He didn’t even make an effort to defend you tonight, did he? He just sat there while his mother tore you apart. What does that say about his faith in you? It’s only a matter of time till he throws you out!”
Anger surged through me, hot and unrelenting. “You think this makes you stronger? Smearing my name, sabotaging my efforts, it only proves how weak you are, how scared you are that I’m better than you.”
Caitlyn’s smile widened. “Weak? I am an Omega, Every pack respects strength, Alison. And tonight, they saw exactly who has it and who doesn’t.”
Before I could respond, Katherine’s voice echoed down the hall.
“Alison! Where the hell are you?”
Caitlyn’s smirk deepened. “Better get out there, Luna-Wanna-be. Wouldn’t want to keep the pack waiting.”
With one swift glance at her smug expression, I dashed out. When I returned to the grand hall, Katherine was addressing the pack, her voice firm and authoritative.
“We will investigate this incident thoroughly,” she announced. “But it’s clear that tonight’s failure reflects poorly on those responsible.”
Her gaze landed on me, heavy with disdain. “it’s common knowledge that every Luna must be vigilant, capable, and above reproach. Alison has much to learn if she still hopes to fulfill that role.”
My heart sank as whispers filled the room. Doubts, Judgment. Everything I’d worked to proof felt like it was crumbling around me.
As the pack began to disperse, I saw Xander walking to his office. I hesitated but the anger boiling in me at Caitlyn’s words, I stood up and my feet carried me faster than I imagined and followed him. He entered his office and before the door could close I walked in as he sat on his seat obviously looking exhausted.
“You didn’t defend me,” I started calmly, my voice trembling.
His eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of frustration and guilt. “Alison, this isn’t the time… ”
“When exactly is the time, Xander?” I interrupted, my anger boiling over. “Your mother humiliated me in front of everyone, and you just sat there.”
“I didn’t want to make it worse,” he said, his tone sharp.
“Worse?” I laughed bitterly. “It couldn’t have been any worse. You could have stood up for me, shown them that at least you believed in me.”
“I do… believe in you,” he said, his voice softening. “But this…” He gestured to the room. “This is a battle you need to fight on your own, i can’t keep shielding you.”
The words stung more than I wanted to admit. “So, I’m on my own now? Is that what being your mate means?”
“Alison, don’t twist my words… ”
“I didn’t have to twist anything, Xander. Your silence said it all.”
With that being said I stormed out of his office, I nearly collided with Caitlyn, who leaned casually against the doorframe.
“Trouble in paradise?” she asked, her grin wicked.
“Stay out of it,” I snapped, pushing past her.
She followed, her laughter trailing behind me. “Oh, Alison, you’re making this way too easy. The pack sees it. Katherine sees it. Even Xander has began to see it. You don’t belong here, the earlier you left the better for us all.”
I spun around, my eyes blazing. “And you think you belong here? All you’ve proven tonight is that you’re a coward, hiding behind sabotage and lies because you know you can’t win any other way.”
Her smile faltered, just for a moment, before she recovered. “Believe what you want. But every time you stumble, every time you are being doubted, you’re giving me exactly what I need to take your place.”
She walked away, leaving me seething in the empty corridor. The echoes of her words lingered long after she disappeared.
As much as I hated to admit it, she’d planted a seed of doubt. And it was growing.