The entire council hall fell dead silent.
Behind me, my beta, Marcus, walked into the hall.
He carried an ancient parchment scroll, a contract consecrated with the holy water of the Moon Goddess.

“Elders,” Marcus’s voice echoed through the hall, clear and solemn. “I will now read Article Three of the Royal Mating Contract.”
He unrolled the parchment. Silver runes shimmered on the page.
“The contract states: As the mate of a Royal, all power and status held by Zane of the Dark Moon pack are derived from the blessing of the Royal bloodline.”
A low murmur went through the hall.
Marcus continued, “This includes, but is not limited to: the Alpha title, leadership of the pack, all property and assets, and his standing within the Wolf Alliance.”
The color was draining from Zane's face.

“Upon breaking the vow of fidelity, all these powers and privileges are hereby and immediately revoked.”
Marcus paused, his eyes sweeping across the hall.
“It is hereby declared: due to Zane of the Dark Moon pack’s infidelity and his attempt to name a new Luna—a vile breach of the sacred vow—his Alpha title is immediately forfeit.”
The hall erupted in gasps.

The elders who had supported Zane moments ago were now silent.
Money could buy loyalty, but it couldn’t fight ancient, binding law.
Zane stood in the center of the hall, his face ashen.
After a few seconds of silence, he laughed.
It was a sarcastic, scornful sound.
“Do you feel proud of yourself, Cassia?” he sneered. “Making a huge scene over something so small?”
“Small?” I shot back.
“Yes, small,” Zane said, lifting his chin. “You should learn from a real Queen. Learn how to graciously handle a mate’s… indiscretions.”
The murmuring in the hall started again.
Some were shocked by his audacity. Others whispered about his disrespect.
“A strong leader never makes a big deal about one or two flings,” Zane went on. “It just makes you look petty. Unfit to lead.”
He had just finished speaking when I started to laugh.
“You're right, Zane,” I nodded. “I should learn how to be a real leader.”
I walked slowly toward him, each step a silent threat.
“And the most important duty of a true leader... is to purge the pack of its traitors.”
Zane's smile froze on his face.
Just then, the back doors of the hall burst open.
Dahlia stumbled in.
Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. She wore a lavish fur coat and a glittering diamond collar.
“Wait!” she shrieked. “You can’t do this to him!”
All heads turned to her.
Dahlia threw herself at Zane, clinging to his arm.
“I don’t love him for his power or his status!” she cried, tears streaming down her face. “I love Zane for who he is! I’ll follow him even if he loses everything!”
She looked up at him, her eyes full of devotion.
“Our love doesn’t need anything material to prove it!”
Such a touching performance.
I slowly walked toward her, my gaze sweeping over her expensive accessories.
“A very moving speech,” I nodded. “But before you continue your little show, I'd like to settle a bill with you.”
Dahlia froze. “What bill?”
I pointed to the coat on her shoulders.
“This fur coat, from the Northern Snow Wolf clan, is worth two hundred thousand gold pieces.”
Then to the collar on her neck.
“This diamond and moonstone collar, five hundred thousand.”
Then to her bracelet.
“This deep-sea pearl bracelet, one hundred and fifty thousand.”
With every price I named, a new gasp went through the crowd of elders.
“Those dragon-hide boots you’re wearing, eighty thousand.”
“And that gemstone ring on your finger, one hundred and twenty thousand.”
Dahlia’s face grew paler and paler.
“For a grand total of one million and fifty thousand gold pieces,” I said with a cold smile. “All of which was paid for with the pack's public funds.”
The hall was silent.
“And you, a homeless Omega, how exactly do you plan to repay that debt?”
Dahlia’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.
She tried to back away, but Zane gripped her hand, holding her in place.
“I… I didn’t know they were so expensive…” she stammered. “Zane said they were gifts…”
“Gifts?” My voice was pure ice. “Gifts bought with public money?”
I turned to the assembled elders.
“You all heard her. This Omega, who would be your Luna, has squandered over a million of your pack's funds.”
The elders shook their heads, their eyes filled with contempt.
I turned back to Dahlia. My voice softened, but the malice in it made her tremble.
“But I am merciful,” I smiled. “Since you can't pay the money back, I'll give you another way.”
“What… what way?” Dahlia asked, shaking.
“You can work as a cleaner in the royal latrines. At ten gold a day, it should only take you… oh, let’s see… about two hundred and eighty-seven thousand days. Roughly seven hundred and sixty years. Give or take.”
Snickers echoed through the hall.
Seven hundred and sixty years was a lifetime, even for a werewolf.
“Of course,” I added, “working in the gold-plated royal latrines is a special honor. A gift, from me to you.”