Claiming the Last Alpha She-Wolf
Chapter 31: Andromeda

Chapter 31: Andromeda

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Chapter 31

~Rhiannon’s POV~

The reception followed in full swing—laughter, cheers, and the clinking of glasses echoing across the moonlit courtyard just outside the ceremonial hall.

Light from the chandeliers spilled out through the archways, mingling with the soft glow of enchanted lanterns that hovered in the air like floating stars.

Music from a live string ensemble swirled across the gathering, subtle enough not to overwhelm but elegant enough to remind everyone this wasn’t just a celebration—it was a political spectacle.

Pack members milled about, dressed in their finest. Most approached us with congratulations, bowing low before the Alphas and murmuring their approval.

"To think, our Luna is a wolf after all," one older woman said, patting my hand with trembling fingers. "The Goddess does have a sense of timing."

"Stronger bloodline," a younger male added with a low nod. "Unshakeable pack bond now. No one can challenge us."

I gave polite nods, thanked them with the kind of regal grace I’d been taught in rehearsal, but I never wanted to attend.

To them, I was an outsider, just a breeding bag to strengthen them and make them more feared. I did not kow whether o rnot to feel offended or embrace it.

Through it all, the Alphas remained scattered—Kael deep in conversation with the High Priestess, Riven by the drinks table speaking to a foreign envoy, Lucien charming the noble daughters like he didn’t just seal a lifelong union, and Darian and Talon fielding tactical questions from warriors and envoys alike.

I stood alone, glass of sparkling wine in hand, nodding and smiling and answering every pleasantry like I’d done it a thousand times before.

And when I thought this day would slip away peacefully, she appeared.

Seraphina.

Draped in a sheer crimson gown that clung to her like a second skin, her hair pinned up with golden combs, she walked toward us like she owned the ground she stepped on.

Mira trailed her like a shadow.

She bowed before the Alphas first, her smile sweet but distant. "Congratulations, My Lords."

Kael’s eyes flicked toward her with a bored nod. Talon didn’t even look up. Darian, the most civil of them, muttered a polite "thank you" before his gaze shifted elsewhere.

But Seraphina’s eyes... they locked onto me with surgical precision.

She turned to face me where I stood. "And congratulations to you as well, Luna," she said. The way she curled the word around her tongue was venom dipped in honey.

I didn’t answer, and that made her close the gap between us.

She leaned in slightly, voice low enough for just me to hear. "You do know this is just for the heir, right? They may have kissed you, wed you... but when they fuck me..." her eyes glittered, "...it’s for pleasure."

A flicker of rage twisted in my chest, sharp and blinding. I may nit have wanted to be close to them, but they were my mates, not hers and though I had no say in their past, the fact that they let their fly, roach still parade around annoyed me.

But I smiled.

"Oh, thank the Moon Goddess you know," I said smoothly, lifting my glass to my lips. "They fuck you because that’s all you are, Seraphina. A fuck toy. A mouthpiece. Something soft to touch when the real thing’s too far."

Her pupils dilated with fury.

I didn’t stop there as I stepped closer. "But tell me... how long has it been since you were last used? Before I came or..."

Seraphina’s nostrils flared.

I took a slow step toward her, my smile never faltering. "Thanks for warming their beds until now, but that’s all you were ever meant to be. To be used and discarded. And if you take pride in that, then I bet the heavens wept the day you were born."

I tutted like I was scolding a child and added, "I pity your existence."

Mira’s eyes widened beside her. Seraphina looked like she might explode—face burning, mouth twitching, nails digging into her palm. She opened her mouth to speak...

But a soft chuckle echoed from behind her.

We both turned our gaze to see who it was.

A woman stood behind us, her shoulder leaning against a marble column, a champagne flute dangling carelessly in her fingers.

She was stunning.

Her burgundy hair shimmered in the light, swept into a high, cascading twist with jewelled pins.

Her dress was black silk, simple but commanding. And her eyes... they held mischief, authority and amusement.

Seraphina froze. Her spine straightened. "Lady Andromeda."

She bowed.

Actually bowed to someone other than the Alphas.

I blinked, caught off guard. The difference in Seraphina’s posture told me more than any whispered rumour could.

The woman didn’t return the gesture.

"I heard my brothers finally took a bride," the stranger said, voice lilting, almost musical. "I assumed it was one of those... puny humans. Or a halfbreed with no spine, tripping over pearls and titles."

Her eyes, light brown with golden flecks, landed on me.

"But you?" She smirked. "My oh my... that was a classic response."

Brothers?

My gaze flicked between her and the Alphas. When and how did they have a sister? There was so much I did not know about them and I felt something burn in me for not knowing.

Before I could dwell on it, her voice came off lightly again.

"Seraphina, looks like you’ve found your match."

Without sparing her another glance, she walked past Seraphina and approached me.

Standing face to face, she tilted her head slightly, assessing.

Then she inclined it in a slight bow, just enough to acknowledge me without submitting.

"Happy wedded life." Her smile was sharp, and I could not mistake the mischief in it. And when she turned to walk away, I caught the faintest scent of jasmine and power.

I didn’t get a chance to follow her path with my eyes. Not when Kael suddenly appeared at my side again, nodding to someone in the crowd before placing a gentle hand on my lower back.

"You handled that well," he murmured in a flat tone.

"I didn’t know you had a sister."

"You never asked," he said before moving away to greet another guest.