CHAPTER 63: CANNOT DEFY DESTINY

Leia stood before a small gathering of she-wolves, many of them were omegas, and those the pack often overlooked. Their eyes held quiet hesitation, showing years of silence that they had to keep on.

She placed her hand gently over her chest and began,

"I am an omega too," Leia said, looking into their eyes one by one. "But being an omega doesn’t mean we have to accept being pushed aside or looked down upon."

"I may still be learning the ways of this pack, but there’s one truth I believe in every role in a pack is vital. Without the strength of the workers, the nurturers, the caretakers... the structure begins to crumble. If omegas refuse to serve, to support, or to care, even the strongest alphas will feel that loss. That’s why no rank, no matter how low it may seem, is lesser."

She lowered her hand and took a breath, allowing her words to settle.

"Stop letting others, especially male alphas, silence your voices or dictate your worth. You are strong in your own way. And you’re not alone. I, as the Pack Coordinator is there for you all."

Her eyes scanned the faces of those women, who started whispering among each other while admiring Leia to understand them.

"If anyone mistreats you, demeans you, or makes you feel unsafe, come to me. Speak to me. Call me, and I promise, I’ll come. No matter what. I will make sure each and everyone of you will be well-respected by the fellow pack people."

"Miss Solayne, may I ask a question?" one of the women seated in the center spoke up.

Leia turned toward her with a gentle expression. "Yes, of course. Please feel free to speak."

The woman hesitated, her fingers nervously tugging at the edge of her shawl. After a moment, she said,

"It’s not easy to speak against the wolves who hold higher ranks than us. We’re not even supposed to point out when something feels wrong. We’re just pack servants, orphans taken in by the stronger families. Because they gave us food and shelter, we’re expected to stay quiet, even when they hurt us."

A heavy silence settled in the room. Some of the women looked away, others nodded slightly, validating her words with their own silent pain.

Leia’s chest tightened. She had always imagined a pack to be a place of unity and protection, where every member was valued like family. But this place felt like something else entirely. It seemed like when the world moved forward, the pack still followed old rules, not one but every pack.

"That’s for what I’m here," Leia said, smiling. "I’m going to change the lives of yours."

Kieran watched her silently, thinking, ’What Leia will do is going to bring a chaos in the pack. Though I also want everyone to become equal, but it’s not going to be easy for her.’

~~~~~

Azalea turned to Elsa Harty and rose to her feet. With a warm smile, she stepped forward and placed her hands gently on the young woman’s shoulders before pulling her into a soft embrace. She patted her back with quiet affection.

"Thank you for coming so promptly, dear, just on my call," Azalea said as she drew back and looked at her. "The last time we spoke, you mentioned how strongly you felt about Lucien. Have you tried anything to catch his attention since then?"

Guiding her gently, Azalea led Elsa to the couch and motioned for her to sit.

Elsa shook her head, her expression downcast. "I couldn’t. Alpha Lucien clearly warned me to keep my distance," she admitted. "Though there was a dinner I attended with my father... and Miss Leia was there too. During that meal, Alpha Lucien declared Leia as the Luna. I couldn’t speak a word in front of him."

"He declared her as the Luna?!" Azalea’s brows furrowed deeply, and her grip around the cane tightened with visible agitation.

"Leia isn’t ready to take on the responsibilities of Luna," she further said. "But you, why don’t you try this time? Now that I’ve returned, I can guide you toward what your heart desires. To me, you are a far more suitable match for my eldest grandson."

Elsa looked at the elderly woman with hesitant confusion. "But... how, Madam Azalea?" she asked softly.

Azalea leaned in slightly. "Lucien is in rut. That gives you the perfect opportunity to be with him tonight. Take him to bed and complete the mating bond. Once it’s done, no one will question your place beside him. You’ll be the pack’s Luna as soon as you complete the mate bond by getting his mark."

Elsa’s eyes widened slightly, clearly startled by Azalea’s words. "But... how can I even do that?" she asked. "Alpha Lucien might get angry with me."

Azalea gave a slow shake of her head, her tone deceptively gentle. "No, dear. Why would he? An alpha never disrespects the matebond, especially when it comes from the will of the Moon Goddess."

She reached out, brushing Elsa’s hand reassuringly. "You are a hybrid Alpha she-wolf, from a proud and powerful Alpha lineage. There’s no reason Lucien would turn away from someone so fitting after getting mated with. He may be stubborn, but he cannot defy destiny forever."

Elsa looked down, her thoughts a tangle of uncertainty and deep yearning. She had longed to stand beside Lucien, not just in title but in heart. The idea of becoming his mate, his chosen one, had lived quietly inside her for years.

"Tell me, Elsa," Azalea pressed softly. "Are you ready for tonight?"

Elsa hesitated, heart pounding rapidly in her chest. But as her longing rose to the surface, the doubt began to dissolve.

"...I think I am," she finally said.

"Good girl," Azalea said, her expression darkening just for a breath before she composed herself again. "Tonight will change everything. You took the best decision of your life. I’ll send you to the cottage, where Lucien stays during his rut period."

Then, taking out a small bottle of porcelain, Azalea said, "Drink this before going inside. I’ll send the same for Lucien. After drinking it, he will not be able to resist your scent."

"Yes, Madam," Elsa said with a bright smile. ’If I acquire Lucien’s mark tonight and mate with him, he will definitely be mine.’