Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna
Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Aria’s POV.

I sat beside Kael in the event hall, the charity event for the homeless pack members buzzing around us.

The hall was bright, chandeliers glowing, tables draped in white cloth, flowers everywhere, the air filled with the scent of food and laughter.

Kael’s presence was warm, his black suit sharp, his onyx eyes scanning the crowd, but his silence weighed heavy on me.

My heart raced, my mind spinning with Seraphina’s threat—"Leave the Alpha. He’s mine."

She’d heard Celeste call me the wrong Luna, knew I was Aria, and demanded I ignore Kael tonight, let her dance with him, or she’d expose me.

My hands trembled in my lap, my blue dress tight, my wolf Kyra whining, her fear mixing with mine.

The event was peaceful, pack members smiling, their voices soft as they ate, but my thoughts were loud.

Kael’s coldness that morning, "Go to the room. Don’t cause a scene" still stung, his grip on my wrists a faint ache.

Seraphina’s blackmail, Celeste’s words in the hall, "You know who isn’t supposed to be Luna?" choked me with fear.

If the pack knew I was Aria, not Celeste, I’d lose everything, Kael, my place, probably my life.

My chest tightened, my breath short, my eyes scanning the crowd for Seraphina, for Celeste, for anyone who might ruin me.

A pack elder stood, his voice loud, calling me and Kael to the dance floor. "Luna, Alpha, honor us with the first dance!" he said, his smile wide, the crowd clapping, their eyes on us.

My heart stopped, my hands clenching, panic rising. I couldn’t dance with Kael, not with Seraphina watching, her threat hanging over me.

I shook my head, my voice small. "No, I’m fine," I said, my eyes dropping, my hands twisting in my lap.

Kael’s eyes flicked to me, his brow furrowing, his voice low. "It’s tradition," he said, his hand brushing mine, warm but firm.

The crowd cheered, their voices louder, and I swallowed hard, my heart racing.

Kyra whined, urging me to stay strong, but Seraphina’s words echoed, "Ignore him tonight." I had no choice.

I nodded, my smile forced, and stood, my dress swishing, my legs shaky as we walked to the dance floor, the music soft, a slow waltz starting.

Kael’s hand rested on my waist, his other holding mine, his touch strong, grounding, but my heart pounded with fear.

The crowd watched, their smiles warm, but I felt their eyes like knives. I glanced to the corner, spotting Seraphina, her red dress bright, her green eyes dark, her frown sharp.

My stomach twisted, her threat loud in my mind. "I’ll tell everyone you’re Aria." I couldn’t risk it, couldn’t let her expose me.

As Kael spun me, his eyes soft, searching, I forced a smile, my heart aching. I wanted to stay, to feel his warmth, but I had to obey her, had to keep my secret safe.

The music slowed, the crowd clapping, and I saw my chance. I bowed, my voice shaky. "I need a moment," I said, pulling away before Kael could stop me, his hand lingering, his eyes narrowing with confusion.

My heart raced, my breath short as I hurried to the side door, the crowd’s whispers loud, "Why’s the Luna leaving?" their eyes following me, curious, judging.

I pushed through the door, my hands trembling, and stopped in the quiet hallway, the stone walls cold, the air cool.

I leaned against the wall, my chest heaving, my eyes burning with tears. I glanced back, seeing Seraphina already by Kael, her smile sly, her hand on his arm, ready to dance.

My heart sank, pain sharp, but if ignoring him kept me alive, kept my secret hidden, I’d do it.

I moved to the back of the hall, a shadowed corner near the tables, my hands shaking, tears welling up.

I wiped them away, my breath shaky, forcing myself to act tough. Kyra whined, her sadness heavy, hating Seraphina’s control, hating my lie.

I wanted to tell Kael the truth, to stop pretending, but the fear of losing him, of the pack’s punishment, kept me silent.

My chest ached, my tears close, but I stood tall, my eyes scanning the hall, watching Seraphina dance with Kael, her laugh loud, his face blank and curious.

A voice broke my thoughts, soft and playful. "A crying Luna? Now that’s weird." I snapped my head around, my heart jumping, my hands wiping my eyes fast.

It was Lila, one of Jeffery’s twin sisters, her dark hair loose, her green dress simple, her smile kind but teasing.

My breath caught, my body tensing. I hadn’t expected anyone to find me here, hidden in the shadows, my tears a secret.

My cheeks burned, embarrassment mixing with my fear, and I stepped back, ready to leave.

"I should go," I said, my voice small, my hands clenching my dress, my eyes dropping to the floor. I didn’t want her to see me weak, didn’t want anyone to know how scared I was.

Lila’s smile softened, her hand reaching out, gentle. "Wait, don’t go," she said, her voice warm, her eyes bright.

"I’m not here to judge. I saw you in the hall today, standing up to your sister. That was brave. I admire you." Her words were kind, her tone honest, and my heart slowed, my shoulders relaxing.

Kyra stirred, wary but curious, sensing no threat.

I hesitated, my eyes searching hers, my breath still shaky. "You don’t know me," I said, my voice low, my hands unclenching slowly.

I wasn’t sure I could trust her, not with Seraphina’s threat, Celeste’s hate, my secret hanging over me. But her smile was real, her eyes soft, and I was tired, so tired of hiding, of being alone.

"I’d like to," she said, her voice gentle, her hand dropping.

"I’m Lila, Jeffery’s sister. I’m not like my mother, Clara, or Seraphina. I just want to be your friend." Her words were warm, her smile small, and my chest ached, a flicker of hope sparking.

I hadn’t had a friend, not really, not since I’d taken Celeste’s place and be accused of killing my sister at birth, and the thought of someone kind, someone safe, made my tears burn again.

We talked, her voice light, telling stories about the pack, her brother’s silly jokes, the event. My smile grew, small but real, my heart lighter as we laughed, the hall’s noise fading.

I trusted her, just a little, her kindness easing my fear, Kyra purring softly, her warmth spreading.

Lila was different, not cruel like Celeste or manipulative like Seraphina. I felt safe, for the first time in days, my tears drying, my hands steady.

"I should get back," I said, my voice soft, my smile warm.

Lila nodded, her eyes bright, her hand squeezing mine gently.

I turned to leave, my heart lighter, my steps firm, ready to face the event, to keep up my act as Luna, to hide from Seraphina’s threat.

But as I walked away, my smile faded, Celeste’s words, Seraphina’s blackmail, echoing in my mind, the fear creeping back.