Chapter 38
A week after Giana's appointment, I returned to my small office to find my belongings had been moved once again—this time to what amounted to little more than a cleaning closet, with no window and barely enough space for a small desk. The message was unmistakable: my position was being systematically diminished, my authority eroded with each passing day.
I didn't bother with outrage. Instead, I adapted, continuing to fulfill my ceremonial duties while quietly gathering information about Giana's activities.
Beyond the physical displacement, Giana had begun inserting herself into traditional Luna responsibilities. That morning, I'd discovered she had taken over negotiations with allied packs regarding the upcoming full moon ceremonies—a role exclusively reserved for the Luna since our pack's founding.
"It's at the Alpha's request," Beta Wilson had explained apologetically when I questioned the change. "Delta Giana has been... very persuasive about modernizing certain traditions."
I'd maintained my composure, but inside, my wolf snarled with indignation. This wasn't about modernization—it was about erasure.
That afternoon, I joined the official border patrol as scheduled in the Luna's traditional role of diplomatic observer. The patrol was meant to reinforce our territorial boundaries while maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring packs—a delicate balance of strength and diplomacy.
As we approached the eastern boundary—a valuable hunting ground rich with game—I noticed something odd about the markers. The ancient stones carved with our pack's symbols had been shifted, repositioned nearly fifty yards inward from their historical locations.
"Has there been a territorial adjustment I wasn't informed of?" I asked the patrol leader.
He looked confused. "Not that I'm aware of, Luna."
I examined the markers more closely, finding fresh soil around their bases. "These have been moved recently."
We continued our patrol, finding three more markers along the eastern border similarly repositioned—each change subtly ceding valuable territory to the neighboring pack. If left unchallenged, these changes would eventually establish new legal boundaries, weakening our territorial claim.
As we rounded a dense section of pine trees, I spotted a figure kneeling beside another boundary stone—Giana, accompanied by two of her loyal followers.
"Delta," I called out, making my presence known.
She startled, quickly standing and brushing dirt from her hands. "Luna," she acknowledged, her tone falsely pleasant. "What brings you to the border?"
"My scheduled patrol," I replied evenly. "May I ask what you're doing with our territorial markers?"
Giana's smile never wavered. "Simple maintenance. Some have shifted over time."
"Interesting," I said, approaching the stone she'd just handled. "They seem to be shifting consistently inward, ceding territory rather than maintaining it."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "The Alpha authorized these adjustments. We're establishing goodwill with neighboring packs."
The lie was obvious—Raymond would never willingly surrender hunting grounds, particularly before winter. Rather than confront her directly, I nodded as if accepting her explanation while discreetly signaling the patrol leader to document the location.
"How thoughtful," I replied. "I'm sure the council will be interested in discussing this new diplomatic approach."
The threat of council scrutiny was subtle but clear. Giana's expression hardened momentarily before she recovered her facade of innocence.
"Of course," she said sweetly. "I'm simply following the Alpha's vision for a more... progressive leadership."
After completing the patrol, I borrowed a camera from the archives and returned to photograph each repositioned marker, documenting their new locations compared to historical maps. The evidence was damning—a systematic surrender of our most resource-rich territories with no apparent benefit to our pack.
That evening, I sought out Kane, finding him in the security office reviewing patrol reports.
"We need to talk," I said, closing the door behind me.
He looked up, instantly alert at my tone. "What's happened?"
I spread the photographs across his desk, explaining what I'd discovered. "These changes would cede nearly twenty percent of our eastern hunting grounds to the Riverstone Pack."
Kane studied the evidence, his expression darkening. "This isn't isolated to the eastern border," he said, pulling out his own set of maps. "My security teams have reported similar marker adjustments along the northern and western boundaries as well."
He overlaid the reports, creating a comprehensive picture of the boundary changes. "Collectively, these adjustments create vulnerable points in our territorial defense—natural funnels where our borders would be indefensible in case of conflict."
"This isn't about goodwill," I murmured. "It's strategic weakening of our position."
Kane nodded grimly. "Exactly what I was thinking."
We agreed to present our findings at the council dinner that evening, where all elder members would be present to witness the evidence.
The council gathered in the formal dining room, with Raymond at the head of the table and Giana seated prominently at his right—my traditional position as Luna. I took my assigned seat further down, waiting for the appropriate moment to speak.
As the main course was served, I addressed Raymond formally. "Alpha, if I may, there's a territorial matter requiring the council's attention."
Raymond looked mildly annoyed at the interruption. "Can it wait until after dinner?"
"I'm afraid not," I replied, my voice carrying the authority of my Luna training. "It concerns active repositioning of our boundary markers."
This caught the attention of the council elders, territorial integrity being fundamental to pack survival. I laid out the photographs and maps, presenting the evidence methodically.
"These changes appear deliberate and unauthorized," I concluded. "They cede valuable hunting grounds and create defensive vulnerabilities along multiple borders."
Before the council could fully examine the evidence, Raymond turned to Giana. "You were at the eastern border today. What do you know about this?"
Giana's expression was perfectly calibrated to convey innocent confusion. "The adjustments are part of the diplomatic initiative we discussed," she said, her voice soft but carrying. "A gesture of cooperation with neighboring packs to ease historical tensions."
"You authorized this?" Elder Morris asked Raymond, clearly surprised.
Before Raymond could answer, I interjected, "These aren't minor adjustments. They surrender key hunting grounds without compensation and create tactical weaknesses in our territory."
Raymond's expression hardened. "Are you suggesting I don't understand the strategic implications of territorial boundaries, Aurora?"
"I'm suggesting," I replied carefully, "that the full extent of these changes may not have been clearly presented when approval was sought."
"What my mate approves doesn't require your validation," Giana inserted smoothly, the word 'mate' deliberately emphasized to diminish my position.
Raymond placed his hand over Giana's possessively. "Aurora, your concern for territorial matters is noted, but unnecessary. These adjustments fall under Delta Giana's diplomatic initiatives, which I've fully authorized."
The blunt dismissal in front of the entire council was a calculated humiliation. I maintained my composure, though internally my wolf howled with frustration.
"With respect, Alpha," Kane spoke up unexpectedly, "these particular changes create significant security vulnerabilities. As head of security, I have serious concerns about the defensive implications."
Raymond's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Your role is to implement security measures, not question territorial policy," he said coldly. Then, his voice dropping to a more threatening tone, he added, "Your unusual interest in supporting the Luna's position raises questions about your... professional objectivity."
The implication was clear and deliberately public. Several council members shifted uncomfortably at the accusation.
"My interest is pack security," Kane replied evenly, though I could see the tension in his jawline. "Nothing more."
Before Raymond could escalate further, Giana suddenly straightened in her chair, her expression transforming to one of alarm.
"I sense something," she announced, her voice carrying urgency. "Rogue wolves, at the northern perimeter. They're moving quickly."
The council immediately shifted focus, security concerns taking precedence over boundary disputes. Raymond ordered an immediate patrol, effectively ending my attempt to expose Giana's unauthorized actions.
As the council dispersed, Elder Thorpe—one of the pack's most respected historians—approached me discreetly.
"Your concerns are valid, Luna," he murmured, his aged eyes sharp with understanding. "These boundary changes follow a troubling historical pattern. I've seen similar tactics before, during the Eastern Territory Conflicts."
"You believe this is deliberate undermining of our defenses?" I asked quietly.
He nodded, glancing around to ensure we weren't overheard. "The Delta is gathering support among certain council members. Many find her... persuasive. Be cautious, Luna. History suggests these territorial manipulations often precede more aggressive power plays."
As he shuffled away, I was left with the chilling realization that Giana's ambitions extended far beyond simply replacing me as Raymond's partner. Whatever she was planning threatened not just my position, but potentially the entire pack structure.
And worse, she was successfully isolating me from those who might otherwise hear my warnings.
