The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Nina pushed open the double doors of the music hall in the east wing of the pack house, her feet coming to a stop just inside the entrance. The girls who had been gathered in groups of twos throughout the hall turned at the sound of the doors opening and immediately lowered their heads.

"Luna," they greeted.

Nina’s eyes moved through the room until they landed on Emory. The woman smiled. Nina held her gaze for another moment, then stepped further into the hall.

Sunlight streamed through tall windows into the spacious music hall, illuminating a gleaming golden harp. Instruments—violins, flutes, and lutes—were arranged neatly on tables and along walls for practice, while a polished dark-wood pianoforte anchored the far end of the room.

"We have been waiting for you, Luna," Emory said as she approached Nina.

"Before the Alpha’s final performance, the Lunas will have to choose a craft to present," Emory explained. "The ladies of the court are here to assist you with that, since we know you do not have any particular skill you are versed in."

A low murmur rippled through the girls at her words as they exchanged hushed whispers among themselves. Nina glanced in their direction, but said nothing.

"Please, pick any of the musical instruments you can play and choose which of the ladies of the court you want to stand in for you."

The hall fell quiet as the girls looked among themselves, their eyes moving from one person to another. Nina remained silent for a moment before walking toward the array of instruments, her gaze slowly passing over each one.

"Lady Joanne can play the harp very well," one of the ladies suddenly offered. "She can play in your place."

Nina’s eyes remained fixed on the harp as she reached out and lightly brushed her fingers over its strings.

"Is that so?" she asked.

Only then did she turn to look at the girl who had spoken. Abigail. The woman immediately lowered her head. Nina’s gaze moved through the room until it landed on Joanne, who was standing slightly ahead of the rest of the girls. Ruri was absent.

Nina frowned and turned toward Lady Emory. "Where is Ruri? She’s not here?"

"No, she isn’t. Like you, she can’t play any instrument."

Nina’s gaze shifted back toward the women. So that left her only with Joanne’s minions.

She was quiet for a moment, studying the girls in front of her, before a faint smile touched her lips. "Anyone else who can play?"

No one answered. One by one, their eyes shifted toward Joanne, as though they were all waiting to see if she would permit them to speak before daring to step forward.

Nina’s smile deepened. Interesting.

She pointed toward the girl who had spoken earlier. "You. Abigail, is it?"

The girl looked startled that Nina had remembered her name before quickly nodding. "Yes, Luna."

"What can you play?"

Abigail hesitated. Her eyes flickered toward Joanne for the briefest moment, but this time, instead of waiting for her approval, she looked away from her.

"I can play the harp, too," she replied.

Joanne slowly turned her head toward her. As Joanne’s gaze bore daggers into her skin, Abigail lowered her eyes to the ground. Nina looked between the two women for a moment before turning her attention back to Abigail.

"Good. You’ll practice alongside Joanne."

Abigail’s head lifted in surprise.

Nina then shifted her gaze toward Joanne. "Then, on the day of the performance, I’ll choose which of you will perform in my place. Is that all right?"

Joanne’s expression barely changed; she held Nina’s gaze and offered a smooth smile. "Your wish is our command, Luna."

Abigail, on the other hand, looked delighted. "Yes, my lady," she bowed excitedly.

Nina gave her a small smile before cutting another glance toward Joanne, who maintained her pleasant facade. Nina scoffed softly under her breath.

"The rest of you can also practice. In case neither of them gets to perform, you will all be prepared."

"Yes, Luna," they replied in unison.

Nina turned toward the doors immediately. "Lady Emory, a word, please."

She walked out of the hall. Joanne’s eyes remained fixed on her for a moment, and then the smile plastered on her face turned to ice.

Nina didn’t stop walking until she had reached a considerable distance from the music hall, far enough that no one inside would be able to overhear their conversation. Only then did she slow her steps and turn around to face Lady Emory, who had followed closely behind her.

"I take it you’re ready to meet your people," Emory said, glancing toward the windows at the end of the corridor. The light outside had already begun to fade, the last traces of daylight disappearing behind thick winter clouds. "It’s almost time. The sun is almost setting."

Nina looked at her. "I went to the Field of Lilies right before coming here, but there was no black oak tree."

A faint smile touched Emory’s lips. "Return to the Field of Lilies, and you will see the black oak tree when it is time to go."

Nina frowned, wondering what she meant. She wanted to push for answers, but decided against it.

"Very well then. That will be all," she said instead, turning back toward the field.

Her pace slowed as she approached. The sun had begun to set behind the thick winter clouds, casting the field in a dim, gray light. The cold wind swept through the flowers, making the white lilies sway gently from side to side, their delicate petals brushing against one another.

Nina stopped and looked around. There was no one in sight.

And there was certainly no oak tree.

Nina’s brows drew together. She turned slowly, searching everywhere, but there was still nothing. She scoffed under her breath. Were the witches playing games with her?

Folding her arms across her chest, she shook her head, growing increasingly impatient. "This better be worth the wait."

"You’re early."

The familiar voice of Freya suddenly sounded from behind her.

Nina immediately turned around. Her eyes landed on the woman standing by a bush of lilies several feet away. For a moment, Nina wondered if she had been there all along or if she had just materialized out of thin air.

Freya was dressed in a black dress with a black shawl over her shoulders—a sharp contrast to the white dress she’d been wearing the last two times Nina had seen her. She stood calmly among the lilies, watching Nina with an unreadable expression before walking toward her.

"You are here. Is the black oak tree a symbol of something?" Nina asked, thoroughly confused.

"No, it is not."

Nina looked around to be sure she wasn’t losing her mind. Clearing her throat, she turned toward the pack’s gate. "That is fine. Since you are here, let us go. I need to return to the pack house before it’s dark."

Freya smiled, but she did not move.

Nina stopped and glanced back at her. "What are you waiting for?"

"The black oak tree," Freya said softly.

Nina blinked, staring at her in utter confusion.

Freya closed her eyes briefly. A moment passed, and then she opened them.

"It is time now," she said, looking past Nina’s shoulder.

Nina followed her gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.

Looming directly behind her was a massive, pitch-black oak tree with an ornate wooden door carved right into its trunk.

All color drained from Nina’s face as she stumbled back.

Freya smiled, stepping forward. "Let’s go."