CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26 MISSION

Victoria

The grand oak-paneled classroom of Madam Hannah’s Luna Academy gleamed with early afternoon sunlight. The seven of us sat in a perfect semicircle facing our formidable instructor, whose ramrod-straight posture hadn’t wavered once in the past hour. I’d positioned myself strategically away from Lilith’s trio, who kept exchanging whispers and pointed glances in my direction.

"Proper protocol dictates that when addressing visiting Alphas, a Luna must always demonstrate deference while maintaining dignity," Madam Hannah explained, her crisp voice filling the room. "You are not merely decorative accessories to your mates—you are the spiritual centers of your packs, the nurturers of future generations, and the keepers of tradition."

I found myself taking furious notes, determined not to miss anything despite the sidelong glances from the other women.

*She knows her stuff,* Ava admitted reluctantly. *Even if she’s a prejudiced old wolf.*

The curriculum was far more intensive than I’d imagined—covering everything from formal dinner etiquette to conflict mediation between pack members. It wasn’t just about which fork to use; it was about wielding subtle power and influence in a world where brute strength typically determined hierarchy.

"The current power structure of the Northern Territories consists of five dominant packs," Madam Hannah continued, turning to a large map displayed on an electronic board. "The Shadow Pack, led by Alpha Moretti, controls the coastal regions and has expanded significantly in the last decade."

I felt a flutter of pride at Leo’s name, though I kept my expression neutral as Madam Hannah had instructed us—"A Luna’s face should reveal only what she wishes others to see."

She pointed to various colored territories. "The Silver Claw Pack maintains the mountain regions. The River Valley Pack, the eastern forests. The Urban Alliance holds the metropolitan areas. And finally, the Highland Pack controls the northern hunting grounds."

Her pointer then moved to a faded gray area on the map. I felt my heart sink before she even spoke.

"Formerly, the Howlthorne Pack held significant territory along the western ridge," Madam Hannah said, her eyes flicking briefly to me. "However, since Alpha Enzo Howlthorne’s succession, they no longer qualify as one of the five major packs due to... diminished resources and influence."

The words struck me like physical blows. My father’s legacy—our family’s proud history—reduced to a faded gray spot and a dismissive comment. I fought to maintain my composure, but inside I was drowning in grief and anger.

*Don’t let them see,* Ava cautioned. *Not here. Not now.*

I forced my breathing to remain steady, but my pen pressed so hard against my notebook that it tore through the paper. From across the room, I caught Lilith’s smug smile, clearly delighting in my discomfort.

"The decline of once-prominent packs serves as a cautionary tale," Madam Hannah continued, seemingly oblivious to my distress. "A Luna’s duty includes ensuring sustainable prosperity through wise counsel and strategic alliance-building."

*Our father’s pack wouldn’t have fallen if Enzo hadn’t gambled away half its resources,* Ava growled.

I wanted to stand up and defend my father’s memory, to explain that the Howlthorne Pack’s decline wasn’t due to poor leadership but betrayal and sabotage after his death. Instead, I swallowed my pride and continued taking notes, letting the pain fuel my determination to succeed.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of instruction on pack politics, protocol, and the intricate dance of inter-pack diplomacy. By four o’clock, my head was spinning with information, but I refused to show any weakness.

As we gathered our materials at the session’s end, Madam Hannah approached her lectern one final time.

"Ladies, your first assignment," she announced, holding up elegant cream-colored cards. "Each of you will plan a formal dinner for visiting dignitaries from allied packs. You will submit detailed plans including seating arrangements, menu selections appropriate to pack customs, and conversation topics to navigate potential political tensions."

She began distributing the cards, each containing specific scenarios. When she reached me, she paused.

"For Alpha Moretti’s mate, a particularly challenging scenario," she said, her tone neutral but her eyes assessing. "Your task involves hosting representatives from packs with historically contentious relationships with the Shadow Pack. I’m curious to see how you’ll navigate those... complexities."

I accepted the card with a respectful nod. "Thank you for the opportunity, Madam Hannah."

"It’s not an opportunity, Ms. Howlthorne," she replied coolly. "It’s a test. One that requires more than just theoretical knowledge."

As we filed out of the classroom, I felt a flicker of hope that I might escape without further confrontation. That hope died when Lilith and her two acolytes blocked my path in the mansion’s elegant hallway.

"Wasn’t that educational?" Lilith purred, her perfectly manicured hand resting on the ornate wall sconce beside her. "Learning how your daddy’s once-great pack has been reduced to nothing more than a historical footnote?"

"Move aside, Lilith," I said quietly, clutching my notebook against my chest like a shield.

The redhead—whose name I’d learned was Cassandra—smirked. "Your assignment sounds impossible. Hosting enemies of the Shadow Pack? Madam Hannah clearly doesn’t expect you to succeed."

"Unlike some," I replied evenly, "I don’t need others to have low expectations of me to exceed them."

Lilith’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t get cocky just because you’ve somehow tricked Alpha Moretti into a mating bond. We all know it won’t last." She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a venomous whisper. "Enzo told me everything about your pathetic human mother and how your father regretted ever touching her. The only reason Alpha Moretti even looked at you was because of your virgin status—a novelty that’s already worn off."

The cruel words struck deep, but I refused to flinch. "Is that what Enzo told you? Interesting that he never mentioned how my father left the majority of his personal fortune to me, not him."

"A mistake that will soon be corrected," Lilith hissed, her perfect composure cracking. She grabbed my wrist suddenly, her manicured nails digging into my skin. "Listen carefully, Victoria. You don’t belong here among real wolves. You’re playing at being Luna, but we all know what you really are—a half-breed charity case who spread her legs to escape her brother’s authority."

I yanked my arm away, feeling Ava rising dangerously close to the surface. "There was a time when I considered you a friend, Lilith. When you first mated with Enzo, I welcomed you with open arms. I even defended you when others questioned your intentions."

Something flickered in Lilith’s eyes—perhaps a momentary recollection of our former friendship—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"That was before I understood what a liability association with you would be," she replied coldly. "Your father’s death revealed the truth about your bloodline and your place in our world."

The memory of those early days twisted inside me like a knife. I remembered how Lilith had once brought me small gifts, how we’d shared secrets and laughter before my father’s death changed everything. Before Enzo’s true nature emerged and Lilith chose power over friendship.

"What happened to you?" I asked softly. "You weren’t always this cruel."