Nineteen

Rhea.

The hall was absolutely stunning, bathed in soft golden lights that made the room glow with warmth. The decorations were exactly how I'd imagined—luxurious yet understated, elegant yet comfortable.

Soft music played in the background, creating a serene atmosphere as guests mingled and chatted, sipping on champagne and enjoying the celebration of our union. It should have been perfect, but I couldn't shake the gnawing tautness in my chest.

I was sitting next to Remus at the head table, his hand resting over mine, his thumb occasionally brushing my skin as if to reassure me.

On the outside, everything seemed ideal. I was his wife now, officially Luna, yet there was an unsettled feeling in my heart. I couldn't fully relax, not with Elara sitting just a few seats away, her presence a constant reminder that peace was still fragile. The way she occasionally glanced at me, with a faint smirk playing on her lips, only added to my anxiety.

Across from me sat Rachel, her kind eyes offering silent support, and beside her was Aria, who was engrossed in a conversation with our mother. They seemed at ease, but I could tell they, too, were being careful, as if waiting for something to go wrong. And knowing Elara, something was bound to.

Remus leaned closer to me, his voice a soft whisper in my ear. "We've made it through the ceremony. Nothing else matters now," he said, his words soothing.

I appreciated his effort to comfort me, but I couldn't help but feel the burden of the situation pressing down on my shoulders. I smiled at him, squeezing his hand gently, but my attention kept drifting to the older woman seated just a few chairs away.

Elara's eyes sparkled with a glint of superiority, and though she wasn't saying much directly to me, every word that left her lips seemed to be designed to chip away at my confidence.

"The decor is lovely," she said, her voice loud enough for the entire table to hear. "I just can't help but think how much better it could have been if we'd gone with my original suggestions. But of course, it's Rhea's Day." The subtle insult stung, but I held my tongue, knowing better than to engage in a confrontation right now.

My mother, seated beside Aria, cast a quick glance my way. Her lips pressed into a thin line, signaling her disapproval of Elara's comments. She wanted to say something, but we both knew this wasn't the time for a family squabble.

Every now and then, I could hear Elara's sharp remarks—about the food, about the guests, even a subtle dig at how I was dressed. "A little too simple for a Luna, don't you think?" she remarked, her eyes flickering toward me briefly before focusing back on her plate.

Remus squeezed my hand a little tighter, sensing my discomfort. His jaw was clenched, the muscles in his neck tense, as if he, too, was on the verge of saying something. But instead, he kept quiet, his gaze shifting between his mother and me.

I tried to focus on the conversation happening around the table. Aria was discussing something with Rachel about the arrangements for later in the evening, and my mother was politely talking to Remus's father, who had been surprisingly quiet throughout the day.

 It was clear that the balance of power in the family didn't lie with him. He glanced at Elara from time to time but never interjected, almost as if he had long since accepted her dominating personality.

"You look a bit pale, Rhea. Is everything alright? Perhaps the pressure of being Luna is already too much," she said with mock concern, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. "It's a tough role, you know. Not everyone is cut out for it."

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping at her. I wanted so badly to throw her words back in her face, but I knew that's exactly what she wanted—a reaction.

I could feel Remus tense beside me, his patience wearing thin as well. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but I placed my hand on his arm, silently begging him not to escalate the situation. We didn't need a public argument, not tonight.

Instead, I turned to Rachel, focusing on her calming presence. "How's everything holding up?" I asked, trying to shift the conversation and move past Elara's taunts.

Rachel smiled warmly. "Everything's going smoothly. The guests are having a good time, and the food is perfect. You should be proud of how well everything has come together." She leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Don't let her ruin this for you. This is your day."

I gave her a grateful smile, but the tight knot in my chest wouldn't ease. I knew this battle wasn't over. Elara wasn't done, and as much as I wanted to enjoy the calm of the reception, I couldn't shake the feeling that she had more tricks up her sleeve.

Just then, my mother reached across the table, lightly touching my hand. "You've done well, my darling. Don't let anyone steal your joy tonight," she said softly, her eyes full of love and encouragement.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. I had to stay strong—for myself, for Remus, for my new role as Luna. I heaved a sigh and diverted from the table I was sitting on to the guests around.

The hall buzzed with soft laughter and quiet conversations, the delicate clinking of champagne glasses adding to the peaceful atmosphere. I had just begun to relax when the doors swung open, causing an odd hush to fall over the room. The energy shifted instantly.

I followed the line of sight from the guests, and my stomach twisted in knots when I saw them—Alpha Damien and Rosy, making their way toward us.

I thought inviting them would not move me but here I was dreading it. And why are they just coming when the wedding is already over?

I gripped Remus's hand, trying to steady the flood of memories rushing back to me—memories I'd spent so long trying to bury.

The way Damien had treated me like I was nothing more than dirt beneath his feet, the endless orders, the punishments. And Rosy, always mocking me just because I wasn't from their pack and I was just an omega. I could still feel the sting of humiliation whenever I thought about those days.

Maybe I should've listened to Remus when he suggested not inviting them.

I could sense the storm brewing within Remus, the anger rising beneath his calm exterior. I wasn't sure if it was directed at me for inviting them, or at Damien for daring to show up even though they were invited.

Alpha Damien strutted toward us, his chest puffed out like he owned the place. His presence was loud, almost suffocating, and he wore a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Rosy followed close behind him, her gaze flicking to me with that same infuriating smirk she always had.

"Congratulations, Alpha Remus... Rhea," Damien drawled, his voice oozing with false sincerity. His smirk grew wider as he looked directly at me, as though mocking my new title. "You've done quite well for yourself, haven't you?" The words were loaded, dripping with underlying malice, and I could feel everyone's eyes on us.

I kept my grip on Remus tight, as if holding on to him could anchor me to this moment, reminding me that I wasn't the same helpless girl I'd once been. I was Luna now. I had power, strength, and I had Remus.

But even as I tried to calm myself, that old fear resurfaced. The memory of their cruelty was like a shadow creeping over me. I forced a smile, but I knew it didn't reach my eyes.

Remus, on the other hand, wasn't even trying to hide his displeasure. His jaw was clenched tight, his face set in a hard, unreadable expression, but his eyes burned with anger. He stood, rising to his full height, towering over Damien. The tension in the room thickened, a visible shift in power as the two Alphas stood face-to-face.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Damien," Remus said coldly, his voice low but filled with unmistakable fury. "It's surprising you had the nerve to show up, given the way you treated my wife."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the air heavy with unspoken words and hidden animosity. Damien's smile faltered for a split second, a flash of anger passing through his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. He looked at Remus, and the two of them locked eyes, silently challenging one another.

"Water under the bridge, don't you think?" Damien said, his voice casual, but there was an edge to it that wasn't lost on anyone. "We're all part of the same community, after all. What's a little history between family?"

Family? The word made my skin crawl. There was no friendship here, only bad blood and unfinished business. I could feel Rosy's eyes on me, watching my every move, waiting for a reaction. I clenched my jaw, refusing to give her the satisfaction.

Remus didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his gaze never leaving Damien's. "Family don't treat people the way you did," he said, his voice dangerously low. "So, let's not pretend this is anything other than what it is."

Damien's smirk faded completely now, replaced with a cold, calculating stare. "You've got some nerve, Remus. But then again, you always were one for theatrics." He glanced around, clearly aware of the attention their confrontation was drawing. "Enjoy your night. I'm sure it'll be... memorable."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, Rosy following close behind, her eyes still fixed on me with that smug expression. I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath the entire time. My heart was still pounding in my chest, the adrenaline making my hands shake slightly.

Remus sat back down, his hand finding mine once more, but this time, it wasn't for comfort. It was a silent vow, a promise that no matter what, he would stand by me.

The rest of the night had been surprisingly fun. After all the nervousness earlier, I hadn't expected it, but things seemed to smooth out once Damien and Rosy left.

The music flowed through the reception hall, and I let myself relax, eating, dancing, and laughing with Remus and our family. Maybe it was because Elara had disappeared; I hadn't seen her since Alpha Damien left, which was a relief. It was almost like the weight of her presence had been lifted, letting me breathe for the first time that evening.

I found myself stealing glances at Remus, his smile genuine as he twirled me around the dance floor. For a while, I allowed myself to forget everything—the drama, the pressure, and the lingering fear that Elara wasn't done yet. But it all faded away in the warmth of the celebration, and I found myself laughing, truly enjoying the moment.

As the night wore on, the guests slowly began to leave, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. I leaned into him as we sat at our table, his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders. I could feel his love, his warmth, and for the first time in what felt like hours, I allowed myself to believe that everything was going to be okay.

But just as we were preparing to head home, I spotted Rachel rushing toward us, her face pale, eyes wide with alarm. My heart skipped a beat, knowing something was wrong before she even said a word.

"Remus," she whispered urgently, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. She leaned in closer, but I heard everything. My senses had been heightened ever since the ceremony, and her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "It's mom. She's planning to make Tessa contest Rhea's position as Luna... in front of the council."

My body froze. The blood drained from my face as my heart pounded in my ears. Contest my position?

I felt a surge of anger, hurt, and fear all at once. Why can't she just accept this fate and let us be? How could she go so far as to threaten my title—my place beside Remus? The place I had rightfully earned.

I glanced at Remus, watching the shift in his expression. His smile faded, his face hardening as her words registered. I could see the fury building behind his eyes, the betrayal settling in as he processed the full extent of his mother's actions. His jaw clenched, and I knew he was struggling to keep his temper in check.

"How do you know this?" Remus asked, his voice cold and sharp, though I could tell he was holding back the full force of his emotions.

Rachel swallowed hard, glancing nervously between us. "I went back to the pack house to get something I'd forgotten, and… I overheard her talking to the elders. She was with your father, too. She's planning to bring it up to the council first thing in the morning."

I felt like the ground was crumbling beneath my feet. Remus's father was involved, too? Elara's manipulations weren't just personal anymore; they were a direct attack on my place, on my role as Luna. I could barely keep my thoughts straight, the idea of being challenged by the council filling me with dread.

Remus stood abruptly, his hand slipping from mine as he paced for a moment, his breathing ragged. I could tell he was torn between fury and disbelief, but the way his fists clenched told me anger was winning out.

"Where is she?" he growled, his voice dark and filled with a barely controlled rage.

Rachel shook her head. "I'm not sure... but she's still at the pack house. I overheard her just before coming back here."

Without another word, Remus stormed off, his shoulders tense, his entire body radiating with anger. I watched him go, my heart sinking with every step he took away from me. I knew he was going to confront her, and I couldn't predict what would happen next.

What would Elara do? What would Remus say? Would this be the final breaking point between them?

I stayed rooted to the spot, staring at the door he had just rushed through. The guests around us continued to enjoy the evening, unaware of the storm that had just been set in motion. And all I could do was wait, my heart pounding in my chest, hoping and praying that this wouldn't be the moment everything fell apart.