Alison’s POV
For the first time in weeks, my phone felt like a harmless distraction instead of a looming portal to chaos as Kendrick’s recent disturbing calls had been chaotic moments for me. I lay sprawled across the bed, scrolling aimlessly through my feed, laughing quietly at mundane memes and inspirational posts I knew I’d never apply to my life. A peaceful silence wrapped around me, thick and unbroken, a far cry from the usual tension that hung in the air. Breakfast had been peaceful, dinner the same. Even Katherine had seemed… dare I say it, amicable.
I couldn’t ignore how Katherine’s usual air of disdain had softened. Last night, she’d actually complimented my dress. I still wasn’t sure if she meant it or if it was some elaborate game to lure me into a false sense of security. Knowing Katherine, it could go either way. But part of me, the part that desperately wanted to believe in hope, clung to the possibility that things were finally changing.
I swiped to the next page on my screen, smiling faintly at a picture of Xander and me that Xander had tagged me in during a recent pack gathering. Then, a knock at the door shattered the quiet.
My chest tightened. Who could it be? I glanced at the clock, no meetings, no events, what now?. “Come in,” I called, voice steady but my mind racing.
The door creaked open, and there she was… Katherine. Graceful, poised, and utterly intimidating. She stepped inside with the elegance of someone who commanded attention without trying. I bolted upright, my bare feet hitting the floor in one swift movement.
“Good morning, Lady Katherine,” I greeted, my voice respectful, my heart thundering in my chest. “Do you need me for something?”
Her lips curled into a faint smile, amused by my formality. “Sit down, Alison,” she said, gesturing to the bed. “I came to check on you.”
I blinked. ‘Check on me?’ That wasn’t something she’d ever done. My mind raced to make sense of this new development. “Thank you for your concern,” I said cautiously, sitting back on the edge of the bed.
She sat beside me, her gaze appraising but softer than I’d ever seen it. “The staff mentioned you were resting today,” she began, her voice calm, almost conversational. “It’s unusual for you to take a break, so I thought I’d see if everything was all right.”
I swallowed hard, unsure of her intent. “I just thought I’d take a day to recharge,” I replied politely, offering a small smile.
She studied me for a moment before nodding. Then, her expression shifted, growing serious. “Also, I needed to speak with you about something important. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course,” I said quickly, my curiosity and nerves on high alert.
She exhaled, her gaze dropping to her hands before returning to mine. “When you first arrived here, I was… resistant to the idea of you as Luna with no background.”
I stiffened, the confession catching me off guard. “I know,” I said softly, unsure where this was going.
Her lips twitched into a faint smile. “I believed and I still do believe that being a Luna requires more than just being the Alpha’s fated mate. For generations, the Lunas of NightFang have been chosen strategically, for political alliances and strength. I was one of those choices. My marriage to Xander’s father was arranged from the time I was a child.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“I thought I was doing what was best for the pack by training Caitlyn from childhood to be Xander’s Luna. She had the pedigree, the upbringing, and the connections. But…” She paused, her eyes softening. “Watching you, I realized something. A true Luna isn’t just born, she’s forged. And you, Alison, have been forging yourself into someone remarkable from the first day you arrived.”
The breath caught in my throat. Was she saying what I thought she was saying?
“You’ve shown resilience, kindness, and an unwavering determination to belong here without resorting to underhanded tactics,” Katherine continued. “That speaks volumes about your character and personality. More than that, I’ve seen how happy you make my son. And I would never want to take that away from him.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I willed them back. Only one thing caught my attention in her words “You knew about Caitlyn’s… tactics?” I asked hesitantly.
Katherine let out a soft chuckle. “I know everything, Alison. Caitlyn has been playing her games for years. I simply allowed it because I thought it would help her prepare for the role. But I was wrong.”
A laugh escaped me despite myself, light and incredulous. “She had been an evil witch ever since I arrived”
Katherine’s lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. “Precisely.”
For a moment, we both laughed. The tension between us melted away, leaving behind something unfamiliar but welcome.
Then, Katherine’s tone grew serious again. “Alison, I want you to know that I fully support you as the future Luna of NightFang.”
I froze, her words hitting me like a bolt of lightning. “You mean it?” I whispered, tears spilling over despite my best efforts to contain them.
She nodded, her expression warm. “You’ve earned it, Alison. And I believe you’ll make history as one of the greatest Lunas this pack has ever seen.”
Unable to hold back, I threw my arms around her, sobbing into her shoulder. She stiffened for a moment before patting my back gently.
When I finally pulled away, she brushed the tears from my cheeks with her thumb. “There’s a full moon ceremony in a month,” she said. “You’ll be introduced to the pack officially as their future Luna. After that, we’ll begin preparations for your mating ceremony with Xander.”
The words felt surreal. I nodded, my voice breaking as I said, “Thank you. I promise I won’t let you or the pack down.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said with a faint smile before rising gracefully to her feet. “Now, I’ll leave you to your rest.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, I let out a scream of pure joy, spinning around the room like a child. My heart felt light, my soul alive with hope.
Grabbing a pair of jeans and a casual tee, I threw my curls into a ponytail and dashed out of the room, my excitement too big to contain. I needed to tell Xander.
I burst into his office without knocking, my voice rising with giddy excitement. “Xander! You won’t believe.. ”
My words faltered as I took in the sight of an elderly man, dressed in royal attire, standing across from Xander.
“I’m so sorry for interrupting,” I stammered, heat rushing to my cheeks.
The man gave a small smile. “It’s quite all right my dear child,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I was just leaving.”
He shook Xander’s hand firmly. “I expect to hear back from you soon,” he said before turning and walking past me with a polite nod.
As soon as the door closed, Xander leaned back in his chair, smirking. “So what’s got you jumping like a Five year old child?”
I launched into an excited retelling of my conversation with his mother, barely pausing for breath. When I finished, Xander didn’t look surprised.
“You…. You knew?” I accused, playfully swatting his chest.
He caught my hand, pulling me close. “I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said, his voice low and teasing.
My heart raced as his arms wrapped around me. “I’m so proud of you, Alison,” he murmured. “And I can’t wait to spend forever proving just how much you mean to me.”
Heat rose to my cheeks as his meaning sank in. “Xander!” I protested, laughing as I tried to push him away.
He laughed, his eyes shining with love. “I mean it, Alison. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion.
In that moment, everything felt right. For the first time in a long time, I felt like my world was finally falling into place.