Chapter 1

The moment the words left my mouth, the entire auction hall turned to look at me in eerie unison.

For a second, there was silence before the room erupted into laughter.

"Is she insane? She's actually challenging her own Alpha over a necklace?"

"She's not just crazy—she's brainless. A pretty little trophy Luna like her trying to compete with Alpha Kennard? What a joke."

"I heard rumors before… they said Alpha Kennard picked up some rogue and kept her at home. I didn't expect to actually see her in public."

I could feel my wolf bristling at the mockery, a low growl humming in my chest.

Alpha Kennard shot up from his seat, his face darkening with rage. "You're spending my money! How dare you compete with me?"

I leaned back lazily in my chair, my expression cool. My wolf, however, was ready to sink her teeth into something—or someone.

"Kennard," I said, tilting my head. "I am your Luna. Show a little respect when you talk to me."

His jaw tightened.

"If I like something, why should I step aside and let someone else have it?" I continued, my tone laced with boredom. "Besides, I've never spent a single dime of your family's money—so don't go making things up."

Alpha Kennard's face turned beet red.

"You're nothing but a mutt the Silver Fang Pack took in," he spat. "What right do you have to act so arrogant in front of me?"

I sighed, locking eyes with him. "Kennard, are you seriously fighting me over a necklace… for Joanna?"

And just like that, the tension in the room shattered into a thousand sharp-edged whispers.

I should've known something was off the moment I walked into the auction. As his Luna, I should've been seated right next to him—front and center. Instead, I was shoved into the farthest corner of the room, as if I were nothing more than an afterthought.

I let it slide. Barely out of respect for Old Alpha Tyrone. Old Alpha Tyrone had always treated me fairly well. Back when I was just a pup, he even taught me how to fight.

A good Luna should know how to tolerate a self-righteous Alpha now and then, right?

But after we're married and found Luna's office taken over by Beta Joanna, my official Luna duties conveniently stripped away?

She was a fresh-out-of-college pup with nothing going for her besides being younger than me. And yet, my idiot mate still insisted on standing up for her.

Just thinking about it sent flames of fury shooting up my spine.

Alpha Kennard's chest heaved as he continued, his temper boiling over.

"Queenie, who do you think you are? I'm Alpha Kennard! I don't need your opinion on anything."

"We've been married for years! You've lived off me, eaten my food, used my money—what do you have to compete with me?"

And then, just to twist the knife, he sneered:

"Let me make this clear—this ruby necklace? I'm buying it for Joanna."

For Joanna.

I could practically hear the snap of my wolf's patience snapping like a brittle bone.

Before I could even unleash the full force of my rage, Beta Joanna decided to cut in first, flipping her sleek blonde hair over one shoulder as she turned to me with a taunting smirk.

"Luna Queenie, you'd better just give up," she purred.

"If you make Alpha Kennard unhappy, I'm afraid things won't go well for you."

Halfway through, she giggled.

"Since you're just a trophy Luna, maybe try acting like one for once? Don't you think that would be best, Luna Queenie?"

I simply waved a hand dismissively, a slow smirk curling at my lips.

"So what you're saying, Beta Joanna, is that we're going to fight this out to the bitter end?"

Beta Joanna grinned wickedly, her eyes full of contempt.

"Not to be rude, Luna Queenie, but you don't even have a job. What exactly do you have to fight with?"

She leaned forward slightly, dropping her voice into something just low enough for the crowd to catch.

"Alpha Kennard just made the ceremonial bid for me—no spending limit. Can you keep up with that kind of money?"

I let out a soft chuckle.

Oh, sweetheart.

Slowly, I looked up, meeting her gaze with a smile that was all teeth.

"Beta Joanna," I said lightly, "you've got it all wrong."

"I'm not like you."

"When I buy something, I don't need a man to pay for it."

A dead silence fell over the room.

And then, like clockwork, the mockery started up again.

"Oh my god, this girl is so full of it."

"Without Alpha Kennard, she wouldn't even be here."

"She's only Luna because he lets her be. If he wanted to, he could replace her tomorrow."

But their words? Didn't faze me.

Because every single thing I said was true.

If I wasn't trying to save Kennard a little face, I'd be shouting from the rooftops that I could take over the entire Silver Fang Pack anytime I wanted.

Beta Joanna, however, wasn't done.

"See?" she cooed, turning to the audience. "Didn't I say it? A useless housewife like her should've stayed home. Now she's embarrassed herself in front of everyone."

Before she could finish, I slowly lifted my bidding paddle.

"Who said I'm out?"

Beta Joanna's eyes widened slightly.

I leaned forward, tapping my nails against the table.

"It's just money," I said, voice dripping with amusement.

"And I've got plenty of it."