The Great Hall had been transformed beyond recognition. Cascading lights resembling stars hung from the vaulted ceiling, while strategically placed living trees created the illusion of an enchanted forest. The soft amber glow from hundreds of floating lanterns cast everyone in their most flattering light, and the subtle scent of moonflowers permeated the air.

It was exactly as I had envisioned it—a celebration of our dual nature as both wolves and humans.

I stood near the northern entrance, greeting arriving guests with practiced grace. My silver gown, custom-designed to reflect the moonlight theme, drew appreciative glances from the assembled dignitaries.

"Luna Aurora," purred the Alpha of the Silver Ridge Pack, bowing slightly. "This is magnificent. I've never seen the Great Hall look so enchanting."

Before I could thank him, Giana appeared at my side, resplendent in a gown that had clearly cost Raymond a small fortune.

"You're too kind, Alpha Peters," she said, accepting his compliment as if it had been directed at her. "I wanted to create something truly special for our honored guests."

I maintained my smile with effort as several nearby Alphas turned to congratulate Giana on her "vision" for the event. News of her impending appointment as Delta and her supposed role in organizing the Gala had spread quickly, just as Raymond intended.

"The woodland theme was inspired by my childhood in the northern territories," Giana continued, fabricating details with impressive confidence.

My childhood concept. My design. My endless hours of planning—all claimed without hesitation.

One of the visiting Lunas caught my eye, her sympathetic glance conveying that she, at least, wasn't fooled. The small solidarity was heartening, but did little to ease the sting.

Across the hall, Raymond stood surrounded by allied pack leaders, every inch the confident Alpha. Throughout the evening, he had remained firmly by Giana's side, effectively presenting her as his true partner while I fulfilled ceremonial duties alone.

"Your design is exquisite, Aurora," said a quiet voice beside me.

I turned to find Luna Elena, Raymond's mother, her eyes sharp with understanding. "I recognize your touch in every detail. No one with taste would believe otherwise."

"Thank you," I said softly, genuinely touched by her unexpected support.

Her expression softened briefly. "He isn't doing right by you. I just want you to know, that neither I nor his father approve of this... arrangement."

As the evening progressed, I circulated through the crowd, mediating minor disputes and maintaining the appearance of the perfect Luna. Years of training had prepared me for exactly this role, yet never had it felt more hollow.

From the opposite side of the hall came a burst of feminine laughter. My eyes were drawn to the sound before I could stop myself.

Kane stood at the center of a circle of admiring women, his dark formal wear accentuating his powerful build. He was smiling—that easy, charismatic smile that had drawn me to him despite my better judgment—while Lydia clung possessively to his arm.

As if sensing my gaze, Kane looked up, our eyes meeting across the crowded room. For a brief moment, something unguarded flashed across his features. Then Lydia whispered something in his ear, and he turned away.

"Luna Aurora," a deep voice interrupted my thoughts. "What a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

I turned to find Alpha Blackwell of the Western Ridge Pack standing before me. Though technically an ally, his pack had a reputation for aggressive expansion and political maneuvering.

"Alpha Blackwell," I acknowledged with a polite nod. "Welcome to our territory."

"Very much appreciated," he replied, his gaze traveling over me with inappropriate appreciation. "Though not as comfortable as the view I'm currently enjoying."

I kept my expression neutral despite his transparent attempt at flirtation. "If you'll excuse me, I should check on the other guests."

"Not so fast," he said, stepping closer than protocol allowed. "I've heard interesting rumors about your... situation with the Alpha. Perhaps we could discuss them privately?"

Two more Alphas from allied packs joined us, both clearly intoxicated and equally inappropriate in their attention.

A hand closed around my upper arm, pulling me back with unexpected force. Raymond stood there, his expression thunderous as he glared at the three Alphas.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, voice dangerously quiet.

Without waiting for my response, he pulled me away from the group, his anger palpable as he led me to a quiet alcove.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, finally releasing me.

I rubbed my arm where his fingers had dug in. "I was networking with allied Alphas, as is my duty."

"Networking?" Raymond scoffed. "You were flirting, encouraging their advances."

"I was doing no such thing," I said, indignation rising. "They were being inappropriate, and I was attempting to extricate myself without causing a diplomatic incident."

Raymond ran a hand through his hair. "You're my Luna. You're supposed to behave with dignity, not attract attention from every unmated Alpha in the room."

The hypocrisy was breathtaking. "Perhaps if my husband weren't openly parading his mistress as the true Luna, other men wouldn't get the impression that I'm available."

"This isn't about Giana," Raymond snapped. "It's about you drawing unnecessary attention when we're trying to focus on her appointment."

"Of course it's about Giana," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "Everything is about Giana. Her comfort, her status, her desires—while I'm expected to fade into the background except when performing ceremonial duties."

Raymond's expression hardened. "We had an agreement, Aurora. You knew what this marriage was when you accepted it."

"I knew it was a contract," I acknowledged quietly. "I didn't realize it would include public humiliation as a standard clause."

For a moment, something like guilt flickered across Raymond's features. Then his gaze shifted to something over my shoulder, and his expression softened immediately.

"Raymond?" Giana called, her voice deliberately small and vulnerable. "The Northern Pack Alpha is asking about trade routes, and I don't know what to tell him."

Raymond immediately turned toward her, all concern for my supposed inappropriate behavior forgotten. "I'll handle it."

But Giana pouted prettily, clutching his sleeve. "Please don't leave me alone. Everyone keeps asking me questions I can't answer."

Without even a backward glance at me, Raymond wrapped a protective arm around her waist. "Of course. Aurora, we'll finish this discussion later."

I watched them walk away, Giana nestled against him with practiced dependency. Only once did she look back, and when she did, her eyes held none of the uncertainty she displayed for Raymond—only cool calculation and the faintest trace of triumph.

---

Later, I noticed a commotion near the bar. One of the Alphas who had been harassing me earlier was now loudly complaining about Raymond.

"—calls himself Alpha, can't even control his own Luna," he was saying. "Everyone knows she's just a figurehead while he beds that rogue."

Before I could reach him, Kane intercepted the drunk Alpha.

"You seem confused," Kane said, his voice carrying just enough to be heard by those nearby. "Luna Aurora was not 'receptive' to your pathetic advances. She was being diplomatic to an ally who doesn't deserve her courtesy."

The Alpha drew himself up, alcohol making him brave. "Mind your business, Kane. Just because you're the Alpha King's nephew doesn't give you the right to interfere."

"When you insult the Luna of a pack under my protection, you make it my business," Kane replied, his smile never reaching his eyes.

---

As midnight approached and the ceremonial mating dance began, I found myself standing alone at the edge of the dance floor, watching unmated wolves circle one another in the ancient ritual. The music pulsed with primal energy, designed to awaken instincts older than civilization.

From across the room, I caught Raymond watching me, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Giana was deep in conversation with a group of younger pack members who hung on her every word—her influence already growing beyond what I'd anticipated.

And somewhere in the swirling crowd, Kane danced with Lydia, his strong hands guiding her through movements that should have been meaningless to me but somehow weren't.

I raised my chin, determined not to let any of them see how deeply their actions affected me. Tonight was about the pack, about tradition and diplomacy and the future of our kind.

Yet as I stood there, Luna in name but increasingly isolated in reality, I couldn't help wondering how much longer I could maintain this charade. How many more humiliations I would endure before finding the courage to break free.

The midnight moon shone through the skylights, bathing the dancers in silver light. In another life, this would have been my moment of triumph—the culmination of years of preparation, my debut as Luna of a strong, united pack.

Instead, I watched from the shadows, already planning my escape from the gilded cage I had willingly entered but now found increasingly intolerable.