The Alpha’s Substitute Luna

Chapter 1: The Night Meant for Another Woman

Maltida POV

I had been awake since before dawn.

Mating ceremony days were always like that. The pack house never truly slept, and neither did the omegas. There was too much to do, too much pressure to make everything perfect.

Today was not just any ceremony.

Today was the Alpha’s mating ceremony.

I adjusted the tray in my hands and walked carefully across the wide hall, my steps light, practiced. I had done this for years—serving food, refilling cups, cleaning after wolves who never noticed me unless I made a mistake.

I was an omega.

Invisible. Replaceable. Quiet.

The hall was already decorated in white and silver. Fresh flowers lined the walls. Candles burned low, their soft glow reflecting off the stone floor. Everything smelled of herbs, wine, and anticipation.

She deserved it.

The Luna, Calyra.

I had seen her always, even yesterday . She was breathtaking, as always. Long hair, soft smile, eyes that carried warmth and confidence. She had stood beside the Alpha for five years now. Five years of loyalty, love, and patience.

Everyone knew their story.

They were perfect.

I believed that too, yes, I do.

As I placed a plate down, my chest tightened—not with jealousy, but with something close to awe. Some people were born for greatness. She was one of them.

I wiped my hands on my apron and continued serving.

But something felt… wrong.

Wolves were moving too fast. Voices were too sharp. Council members kept whispering to one another, their faces tight with worry. A few times, I saw servants rushing past without trays, without purpose.

Things were not organized.

That never happened on ceremony days.

I leaned closer to another omega as we passed each other.

“Is something wrong?” I asked quietly.

She didn’t answer right away. Her eyes flicked toward the far end of the hall where the elders were gathered.

“The Luna is missing,” she whispered.

I stopped walking.

“What?” I breathed.

“She didn’t come out of her chambers this morning. No one has seen her since.”

My heart sank.

“That’s not possible,” I said. “She wouldn’t—”

“I know,” the omega said, her voice shaking. “But the Alpha is already here. The ceremony cannot be delayed.”

I forced my legs to move again, though they felt heavy.

Missing.

The word echoed in my head.

I carried a tray toward the council table, my ears catching broken pieces of conversation.

“…searched the west wing—nothing.”

“…if the packs find out—”

“…without a Luna, the mating ceremony—”

My hands trembled slightly as I poured wine.

This wasn’t just about love. It was about power. About balance. Without a Luna, the Alpha’s rule would be questioned. Challenged. Blood could follow.

Still, I told myself this had nothing to do with me.

I was only an omega.

Then the doors opened.

The Alpha entered.

The hall bowed as one.

I lowered my head immediately, my pulse quickening. Even without looking at him, I felt the shift in the air. His presence was heavy, commanding, impossible to ignore.

I moved when signaled, stepping forward to serve him.

As I approached, memories flooded my mind.

I had seen him countless times beside her. How he watched her. How his voice softened when he spoke to her. How his wolf leaned toward hers without effort.

That was what mates looked like.

I placed the goblet before him and stepped back.

Then he looked at me.

I felt it instantly.

Not desire.

Recognition.

My breath caught painfully in my throat.

His eyes narrowed slightly, scanning my face as if trying to place something that didn’t belong. The room seemed to hold its breath with us.

I wanted to disappear.

He turned away, and I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

But the tension only grew.

The council gathered around him, voices low but urgent.

“We are running out of time.”

“She has to be found.”

“The ceremony cannot proceed without—”

His voice cut through them.

“Enough.”

Silence fell.

I stood frozen near the wall, my tray forgotten.

He turned slowly, his gaze sweeping the hall.

Then it landed on me.

My stomach dropped.

“She will stand as my Luna,” he said.

The words didn’t make sense at first.

I looked around, confused.

Surely he meant someone else.

A noblewoman.

A she-wolf.

Anyone.

Then hands closed around my arms.

I gasped.

“No,” I whispered. “You must be mistaken.”

The elders hesitated.

“She is an omega,” one of them said carefully.

“She resembles her,” the Alpha replied. His voice was calm. Final.

Resembles… her?

My chest burned.

I shook my head, panic flooding me. “Please,” I said. “I’m not—she’s—she’s beautiful. She belongs here.”

My words broke.

I wasn’t fighting for myself.

I was fighting for her.

But no one listened.

The wolves bowed.

The decision was made.

As they pulled me forward, I looked back at the empty space beside the Alpha—the place meant for the woman he loved.

Tears blurred my vision.

This ceremony was never meant for me.

Yet fate had just called my name.