It's been a month. A month since Zyon and I have spoken. A month since I've spent even a moment alone with him.

He doesn't come to the Alpha's wing anymore. He has been avoiding me at all costs. I welcomed the distance. But the fact that he initiated it, infuriates me. Yes, it's what I wanted- to be away from him. But it also bothers me that he chooses to completely disregard me after putting me through hell. I don't understand why it bothers me. He's put me through hell since he found out I was his mate. There's a part of me that knows my actions aren't excusable either, but he has reacted horribly to everything.

I should be completely overjoyed that he chooses to ignore me. And there's a part of me that is so grateful for the distance. If Zyon had chosen to force his opinion on me via the second mark at every point that I disagreed with it, I'm pretty sure I would have lost my mind. I don't even mean that metaphorically. I truly would have lost my mind. So the distance should be great, right? Except, there's a part of me that hates that he ignores me.

The only time I see him is at dinner when I sit next to him. Even then, we don't speak to each other. He does not look at me nor I at him. Just because I am frustrated by the fact that he ignores me, does not mean that I will give in that easy or let him know that it bothers me.

In the past month, I had been training rigorously with Sara. I had almost returned to my former glory. Even she was surprised by how fast my strength had picked up. My relationship with my wolf was considerably healed as well.

I had developed fast and strong friendships with the woman of the pack, sparring with them often. I had slowly become one of the strongest female warriors in the pack. The healing, growth, and strength that I had acquired over the last month was unprecedented and left most pack members surprised.

My relationship with Violet had slowly blossomed. She had begun to trust me again as she saw the dedication with which I took on my responsibilities. Most of the in-pack responsibilities were mine: taking care of the cubs left without parents due to the countless battles Zyon's pack fought, schooling and education, improving facilities within the pack, handling roles and occupations of the pack and countless more. Since I worked in HR previously, I was also heading the department at a few of Midnight's business ventures.

This kept me more than occupied. I had formed small committees with people skilled in management to keep track of everything I had to do. I really had fulfilled the role of a Luna quite well. To a certain extent, I began to understand why the moon goddess chose to mate me to an Alpha. Albeit, an Alpha that didn't speak to me.

I'm truly surprised he managed to keep his distance for so long.

My train of thoughts is broken by Violet.

She says.

Violet had seen that I had taken on my duties with sheer dedication. I always saw a little bit of sympathy in her eyes for me. Being the beta's mate, she knew my relationship with my mate was less than ideal. Being one of the highest-ranking wolves, she also did not address me as Luna in private settings, as I had asked her too. She only addressed me as Luna in public.

I say.

We had a few wolves coming to visit from a pack that Zyon had attacked and taken over. Though Zyon was basically the prime leader, he allowed the Alpha and Luna to continue leading their pack, but they were meant to report back to him. However, their son was now taking over that pack. This is why this dinner was taking place: so the son could swear allegiance to Zyon. With news that Zyon had found his mate, some high-ranking female wolves were also going to be in attendance.

I went upstairs to change into a formal mini skirt and blazer set. Letting Lita and Rita style my hair, I knew today was going to be no different to any other day.

Zyon waits for me at the bottom of the stairs, with his back to me. He knows I'm there. As I descend, he begins to walk forward, knowing I will follow. A tinge of irritation goes up my spine and I swear that I can feel him smirk.

We stand inside the building in complete silence. Outside, our packs high ranking wolves stand to greet the arriving pack. We hear cars draw up, people arrive and greet each other. That's when the doors are opened, and we walk out.

I don't fully understand the need for dramatics. We could have just stood outside with everyone else. But I don't question Zyon's methods. It's not like he would answer me.

We meet the old Alpha and Luna and that's when another car drives up. The car door is swung open and a man, seemingly about our age steps out. Standing tall, with sharp features, brown hair, and green eyes that strikingly stood out on his face, he was one of the most good-looking wolves, I'd ever seen. And that's saying something. Because most wolves were blessed with good genes.

Not better looking than Zyon, but good looking all the same. I must have let out some sort of feeling or emotion, because I felt Zyon's head snap to look at me for the first time in a month and a feeling of indignation hit me that was not my own.

I don't turn to look at him but draw my eyes away from the handsome new stranger. Jealousy was not an emotion I wanted to evoke in Zyon. We all know what happens when he gets jealous. He locks people up in dungeons.

The son walks up to us. He bows only slightly, almost reluctantly, then holds out his hand.

He says.

Zyon says, as he shakes his hand.

I see Hunter grimace a little, as he subtly squints an eye, but he regains his composure immediately after.

He says.

I step forward, wanting this awkward interaction to be over.

I hold out my hand.

He directs his attention towards me and he grasps my hand but brings it to his lips. I feel Zyon's emotions hit me like bricks. Fury, jealousy, irritation.

He speaks.

I give him a small smile.

The beta ushers us into the main hall, where I spend time conversing with the old Luna, until we are called in for dinner. As always, I'm seated next to Zyon, at the head of the table. Hunter sits across me on the other end.

My mind wanders, as out guests delve into their meals. I catch Hunter looking at me multiple times but do as much as I can to avoid his gaze. As good-looking as he was, there was something eerie about his gaze. As if something dangerous was lurking right around the corner.

A couple times later, I felt that perhaps I wasn't being very welcoming by continuously avoiding his gaze, so I look up and smile a small but genuine smile. All at once, I feel a hand being placed onto the bare skin of my leg. Sparks and tingles explode onto my skin with such intensity that my back jerks forward and I jump in my seat.

This catches the attention of people around me. Hunter asks.

I notice that he does not address me by my title, the way that he should. Disregarding my title was a sign of informality, but in this case, disrespect. Zyon's hand digs harder into my thigh, his nails scraping my skin slightly, causing discomfort.

He says, with emphasis on the Luna.

I say with a smile.

Zyon grips harder onto my leg, his hold turning painful. My hand moves down to try and remove his hand. I push it off as hard as I can while I try to remain subtle, so that the rest of the table does not catch onto what's happening but it is to no avail. His hand remains on my leg but his grip loosens. I don't push it off after that. The sparks send a feeling of warmth through me that I missed a little.

Just as we finish our meals, Zyon speaks,

Hunter picks up his glass, takes a sip, and then sets it down. Then he lifts his head to make eye contact with Zyon. A lop-sided smirk takes over his features.

He sneers,

Zyon lets out a snarl, and the atmosphere in the room grows threatening. Zyon's male wolves look feral and ready to pounce. It was the first time I was seeing them in this light.

The old Alpha and Luna are up from their seats, almost stuttering. The old Alpha exclaims.

But his words do nothing to deter Zyon.

Hunter spits back.

Zyon's eyes have now turned golden. And the wolves in the room let out soft, but feral growls, ready to pounce.

Zyon speaks. His beta and gamma let out little chuckles to mock Hunter.

Zyon's voice booms.

Hunter snarls.

I'm out of my seat, almost in shock. How did he know? The pack till now had assumed we had mated because of a change in my aura when I got my wolf back. I can see surprise take over some of the features of our own pack members, but they stand still staring at the opposing pack with predatory glances.

It's enough for Zyon to pounce. He jumps over the table and lunges straight at Hunter, who adopts a defensive posture. Plates and cutlery fly all over the room, as the packs attack each other.

The only people who remain still are the old Alpha and Luna. Within a minute, Zyon has Hunter held up by his throat. Hunter's pack members stop their attacks to see their Alpha held up.

Zyon spits.

He lets go off Hunter, who adjusts his shirt and with a glint in his eye says,

His pack members walk out, and the old Alpha and Luna follow silently. We listen to the cars drive off.

Our highest-ranking officers stand in the entirely cluttered room, looking at each other. Zyon's continued feral gaze turns to me. My breath gets caught in my throat with the intensity that he looks at me with.

I can tell pack members are a little disoriented with the news they have just heard. He booms in Alpha command.

He speaks.

His face spreads out into a smirk, his irises still golden.

He addresses me for the first time in a month. Overwhelmed with the prospect of war, I decide to do as he says.

A/N- Hello everyone! I'm sorry i disapeared and left this book on hold for so long. I was dealing with some personal stuff, but am doing much better. I'm back to right with regular updates and will be starting another new book soon as well. Stay tuned and let me know what you think! xx