Burn in the Alpha Princess's Wrath novel Chapter 174

174 The Other Luna

Athena’s POV

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I stood quietly in the corner of the banquet hall, keeping my tea–scented pheromones carefully restrained to avoid drawing attention.

My mother was an Omega from one of the outlying clans of the Rogue Pack. It wasn’t until she remarried Leslie’s second uncle that I barely managed to squeeze into the circle of the Rogue Pack royal bloodline.

But no matter how hard I tried, the pureblood werewolves of the Rogue Pack never looked me in the eye. My halfblood wolf, Lia, growled low in my chest, filled with resentment. “Athena, you’re a daughter of the Dark Moon Clan. Why should you be the one crushed under Leslie’s heel?”

Tonight was Leslie’s birthday banquet. The honor of the Rogue Pack wrapped her in glory like the Moon Goddess herself, while I was nothing more than a background ornament in the crowd.

Lia bristled with frustration. “She has Lars’s affection. She has royal blood. And you have to claw for a single scrap of space with your wits alone!”

When Kirby presented those three relics–Moon’s Tear, Wolffang Belt, Bloodoath Blade–jealousy scorched through me like wildfire.

Moon’s Tear could strengthen a wolf spirit. Wolffang Belt was a symbol of Alpha glory. Bloodoath Blade was a sacred artifact used for mate bonding.

And yet Leslie just sneered and accepted them without a flicker of emotion.

“Why her?” Lia roared. “Kirby is the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack–strong, noble, and unattached. Athena, this is your chance!”

I clenched my jaw, eyes locked onto Kirby.

He stood at the center of the banquet hall, cedar pheromones swirling like a storm, handsome as a god beneath the moon.

I knew the mate bond between him and Leslie had already been severed. But his heart still lingered on her.

So what? If Leslie didn’t want what she was given, I could take it for myself.

I picked up a glass of red wine and drifted casually toward Kirby.

The moment he turned, I deliberately bumped into his chest. The wine tipped, and crimson

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15:54 Wed, Sep 17

Chapter 174 The Other Luna

liquid splashed across his jacket in a soft gleam.

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I immediately feigned panic and lowered my head. “Alpha, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t careful!”

I let my tea–scented pheromones ripple gently, trying to soften the weight of his

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presence.

Kirby frowned, glancing down at the stain. His cedar scent stirred slightly, edged with annoyance. “It’s fine.”

I seized the moment, speaking softly. “Your jacket’s ruined. Let me take you to the lounge to change–there’s a spare suit there. Oh, I’m Athena, by the way. Leslie’s cousin.”

Lia laughed gleefully in my head. “Well done, Athena! Get him alone, and use every advantage you’ve got. You’re the next Luna of Crimson Moon Pack!”

Kirby’s eyes were icy as he looked at me, but he didn’t say no. He simply gave a faint nod. “All right.”

I swallowed my excitement and led him toward the lounge.

Leslie’s POV

I left Kirby behind and headed toward Eric.

His suit fit him perfectly, the salty wildness of Frost Pack clinging to his scent.

His wicked smile glinted with a trace of provocation, his wolf spirit flickering just beneath the surface, and he was holding a bouquet of roses.

“Roses?!” Asphodel roared. “This guy’s getting bolder by the second. Leslie, brace yourself!”

My scalp tingled. The pheromones of nearby guests were fluctuating wildly, and murmurs surged like waves.

“Is Eric going to propose a mate bond to the Rogue Pack lady?”

“First Kirby’s sacred gifts, now roses–this party’s more dramatic than the Moon Goddess Festival!”

Not far off, Liana’s pungent pheromones curdled with jealousy. Her face was pale as bone under moonlight.

I sneered, keeping the regal composure of a queen, eyes locked on Eric as my royal Alpha pheromones stretched toward him with an unmistakable warning.

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