Betrayal: Savage Luna

Nora Wyatt woke feeling light and refreshed. Sunlight cut through the sheer curtains and warmed her skin. The scent of expensive linen and Brad's cologne lingered in the air. It was a new day—a lovely one—and she was set to have fun, just as she always did.

She lived a healthy, carefree life.

This was how she'd been living for the past five years, ever since she'd left those who had once meant everything to her. People had proven to be nothing more than betrayal waiting to happen. So she'd chosen solitude instead—a life with no one to bother her, no complaints from others, no disputes to settle. This was the kind of life that soothed her restless soul.

Life was vanity, after all. If the people she'd loved, trusted, and protected could turn against her in an instant over fabricated lies, then anything was possible. Anything could be taken from her.

That's why she lived life on her own terms. Her romantic life was no exception. It was on her schedule, her rules.

The men? She had several of them—Brad, Steven, Mike, and Hilton. She'd chosen each one specifically, and they respected the agreement: honesty, no illusions of exclusivity, and devotion to her happiness. They were strong, attentive, and completely devoted.

If history's kings could have courts, why couldn't a queen?

She was beautiful, obscenely rich, and undeniably powerful. Her long, dark, silky hair fell like liquid night. Her dazzling gray-blue eyes were striking, her presence magnetic. She was exceptionally intelligent, clever, and talented—a truly great catch.

And that wasn't even accounting for the fact that she was a werewolf.

Not just any werewolf, but one with ancient magic running through her veins, gifts that set her apart. She was, by any measure, extraordinary.

"Any man who stumbles across me should feel honored," she often thought. But it was a pity that she'd been betrayed and rejected for the very thing that made her special. For being exactly who she was.

She no longer sought love. Love was what had destroyed her, what had shunned and humiliated her before her own people. Now, she understood love for what it truly was—a vulnerability. And she was no weakling.

She lived among ordinary humans now, having abandoned her werewolf world ages ago. As long as they didn't know what she was, she was content.

"What should I do today, Brad?" she asked, her voice soft and amused. She knew he was lying beside her.

All her men knew about each other. That was the agreement.

"Good morning, my queen," Brad greeted her, rolling onto his side. He wrapped an arm around her, careful and warm.

"Lovely morning, dear," she whispered, smiling.

"You have the Blue Hour fashion show today," Brad said, sitting up. His tone shifted to professional. "You're walking the runway at eight PM."

"Oh, that's right." Nora sat up against the headboard, excitement flickering in her chest. "I get to walk the catwalk for the world to see."

She lived for moments like these—the variety, the reinvention. CEO one week, model the next, waitress after that. Her companies across the globe gave her the freedom to appear and disappear, and somehow no one ever remembered she'd been there once she left.

Another one of her gifts.

Brad stood to get dressed, and Nora watched him, a slow smile spreading across her face. There was something about the quiet morning, the easy familiarity between them, that made her pulse quicken.

Brad caught her look. He knew they hadn't had time together yesterday. He also knew he might not see her again for days. So he didn't push. He never demanded. He simply let his presence ask the question.

Nora answered it.

She reached for him, pulled him close, and kissed him—slow at first, then with all the hunger she'd kept leashed. Brad responded, hands steady, reverent.

"More," she whispered against his mouth, and he gave it.

The world narrowed to warmth, touch, and the sound of their breathing. For a while, nothing else mattered.

After, they lay tangled in the sheets, both quiet, both sated. The morning felt different now—charged and alive.

Nora threw the covers back and stood. She would absolutely dominate that runway tonight. She had everything she needed—confidence, power, and the kind of satisfaction that put fire in her step.

---

Across the ocean, in a kingdom built of stone and moonlight, another fire was stirring. One that could burn the world down.

---

Part II: The Beast Stirred

Hunter Murray, the Alpha King of Bloodmoon Kingdom, gazed at his Beta and Gamma through heavy, tired eyes. They looked exhausted.

Ever since the news about the beast locked away for over a thousand years began stirring, the entire kingdom had been shaken to its core. Somehow, something—or someone—was awakening it. There were signs that the seal binding it was growing weak. And if it continued, people could die.

So they'd spent hours trying to piece together what was happening, dissecting every scrap of information they found. Answers remained elusive.

"Let's stop here for today. It's almost 2:00 AM. We'll continue tomorrow. Just let me know if you hear anything from the eastern pack, Julian." He looked at his Gamma and gave the order, deciding to let them rest while he did the same.

"Yes, Alpha," Julian replied with a slight bow, watching the Alpha King walk away, exhaustion evident in every step.

She exchanged a weary glance with Maverick, who mirrored her sigh as both leaned back in their chairs, utterly drained.

"Do you think the Moon Goddess is punishing us for abandoning our Luna?" Julian suddenly sat up straighter, an ominous edge to her voice as she looked at Maverick, who was already half-asleep.

Maverick jolted awake, shooting Julian a sharp look. "Don't sit there and spout nonsense. Go back to your chamber and sleep. Tomorrow we continue this investigation. What I know is that someone is deliberately stirring the beast, and we must discover who before it's too late."

With that, Maverick headed for the door, leaving a thoughtful Julian behind.

"I hope you're right," Julian murmured, rubbing her eyes as she stood. She didn't realize how badly she needed rest until her back hit her bed.

---

Hunter retired to his own wing of the palace. His bedroom was dimly lit when he entered, and he smiled instantly at the sight of the figure sleeping soundly on his bed. Moonlight streaming through the windows illuminated her face, and just one glance washed away the fatigue of the long hours spent on the kingdom's crisis.

Lisa remained the greatest gift the Moon Goddess had sent to him. He'd fallen for her at first sight, and she brought him a peace he'd never known. Thanks to her, he no longer needed to lose himself in meaningless encounters to forget the runaway Luna who had abandoned him years ago.

He slipped into bed and pulled her into his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Hmm..." Lisa stirred, eyes fluttering open as she smiled up at him. "You're back."

"Mhm," Hunter nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Did you wait for me?"

"I tried to, but I couldn't stay awake," she pouted softly.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, capturing her lips in a slow, deep kiss—an apology, a promise, a homecoming all at once. When they broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.

"How was the meeting? Any leads on who's behind the beast's awakening?" she asked, voice warm with concern.

"Hmm..." Hunter sighed, his expression darkening before he forced a reassuring smile. "No luck yet. Someone wants to see the end of werewolves. But we'll find out who."

"I hope so," Lisa said quietly. "If that beast wakes completely, I don't think all the werewolves together could fight it. The supernatural heads spent a thousand years ensuring it stayed asleep."

"It would be nearly impossible to defeat it now," Hunter agreed grimly. "Especially with the supernatural world fractured. That's why we have to stop whoever's behind this."

"Then don't think about it tonight," Lisa whispered, tracing his jaw. "You've done enough. Stay with me."

Hunter's tired eyes softened. "How could I resist you?"

The room dimmed further as they turned to each other, the weight of the kingdom momentarily forgotten in the safety of their arms. Whatever passed between them was private, heated, and exactly what they both needed—a reminder that even in war, there was still warmth.

Hours later, the palace was silent.

Hunter slept soundly, breathing deep and even.

Lisa watched him for a long moment, then a slow, dangerous smile curved her lips. "Always so satisfied," she whispered. "Now it's time you pay the price, my king."

She slipped from the bed, moving with practiced quiet. From the drawer beside the bed, she retrieved a small empty bottle. Taking Hunter's hand, she pricked his thumb just enough to draw blood and collected it carefully, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. With a soft breath, she watched the wound seal—werewolf healing at work.

She tucked him back under the quilt, tied her robe around herself, and slipped from the room, the bottle hidden in her palm.

Her expression was cold and calculating.

Whatever she was planning, it was far from innocent.

The meeting room in the palace was heavy with tension. Hunter sat at the head of the table, the Alpha King, while nine elders surrounded him in a semicircle. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken words, and he could already feel a headache forming. The way their eyes sparkled with barely concealed intent told him everything he needed to know—they were here to nag him about something, and he wasn't going to like it.

“Another lecture about finding my true mate or a second mate,” Hunter muttered, rubbing his temple, his gray eyes darkening with clear irritation.

How could he look for a second mate when he hadn't even rejected his first one? She'd practically begged him to release her, to let her go, but he'd refused. Part of him had still loved her then. Part of him—selfishly—had hoped she would somehow stay, despite everything he'd done to her.

"Your Highness, it's been three months since the news about the beast's sudden movement spread throughout the kingdom," one