The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Aria’s POV

"Ethan told me fifty percent," I said calmly. "That’s why I came back. That’s why I brought this with me."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a leather portfolio, placing it gently on the desk between us.

Both Alpha Gerald and Ethan leaned forward instinctively, and I watched their eyes widen as they recognized the logo on the cover.

The Thornfield Project.

Ten years in the making. A billion-dollar development deal that every major company in the region had fought for and lost.

Silver Creek Pack had tried three times to secure it and failed every time.

But I’d gotten it.

Alpha Gerald’s hand actually trembled as he reached for the portfolio.

I pulled it back before his fingers could touch it.

"Unfortunately," I said with a small sigh, "it seems like we’re not on the same page about this partnership. If the terms aren’t what we agreed on, then there’s really no point in moving forward."

I stood up, pulling my employee badge and access card from my bag and placing them neatly on Alpha Gerald’s desk.

"Effective immediately, I resign from Silver Creek Pack. Thank you for the opportunity."

Alpha Gerald’s face went sheet-white.

I turned and started walking toward the door.

"Aria, wait!" Ethan’s voice cracked as he lunged after me, grabbing my arm.

"What the hell are you doing? Can’t we talk about this like adults? We’re family, for God’s sake! You’re really going to embarrass me in front of my father like this?"

I turned slowly, meeting his eyes with a coldness I didn’t have to fake.

"Family?" I repeated. "You want to talk about family, Ethan? You lied to me. You promised me fifty percent, and now you’re trying to short me ten points. If I let that slide, what’s next? "

"How do I know you won’t screw me over again the second it’s convenient?"

My words hung in the air like knives.

"That’s not fair!" Ethan’s voice rose, desperation bleeding through. "We would never—"

"Enough."

Alpha Gerald’s fist slammed down on the desk with a crack that made me flinch.

He stood there, breathing hard, his jaw working like he was chewing on glass. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight with barely controlled fury.

"Fine. You win, Aria. I’ll find the other ten percent. But it’s going to take time."

He jabbed a finger at the contract on his desk. "You sign the forty percent transfer now. I’ll get the paperwork filed today. And then you get your ass back to work."

I didn’t move.

Alpha Gerald’s eyes flashed. "Well? Sit down."

Slowly, deliberately, I walked back to the desk and sat.

Alpha Gerald snapped his fingers, and his assistant appeared with a notary. They went through the formalities quickly—verified the document, confirmed it was legally binding, waited for my signature.

I signed.

The moment the ink dried, Alpha Gerald reached for the Thornfield portfolio again.

I closed it and pulled it back into my lap.

"I’ll present the project details once the full fifty percent is transferred and registered," I said sweetly. "I’m sure you understand, Alpha Holt. Trust, but verify."

The vein in Alpha Gerald’s temple looked ready to burst.

"You’re threatening me," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous low.

"I’m protecting my interests," I corrected. "Just like you taught me."

The air in the room felt like it might ignite.

Ethan stepped between us, his face a mask of panic and frustration. He leaned down close to my ear, his voice barely a whisper.

"Aria, please. Dad’s giving you everything you asked for. Just hand over the project. You’ll have your shares. You’ll have power in the company. Isn’t that what you wanted?"

I turned my head slightly, just enough to meet his eyes.

"What I want," I said softly, "is for people to stop lying to me."

Ethan flinched.

I ignored him and looked back at Alpha Gerald. "Alpha Holt, I’m not asking for fifty percent out of spite. Silver Creek Pack has multiple stalled projects right now. We need decisive leadership and clear authority.

"If decision-making power is split, if every move requires committee approval and endless back-and-forth, we’ll miss every opportunity that comes our way."

I leaned forward slightly. "I need absolute control to execute the strategy that will save this company. The Thornfield Project alone is worth a billion dollars. "

"It deserves that level of commitment. So the question is: are you willing to make the investment? Or should I take this somewhere else?"

Silence.

Alpha Gerald’s knuckles were white where they gripped the edge of his desk.

Ethan looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.

And I sat there, calm as still water, waiting.

Finally, Ethan exploded. "Jesus Christ, Aria! Have I really spoiled you this much? You’re willing to burn everything down over ten percent? You’re willing to destroy this family over money?"

I rose to my feet so fast my chair scraped back.

"I have done nothing but sacrifice for this company and this family," I said, my voice like ice.

"But if this is how you see me—if you think I’m some gold-digging bitch who’s just here for the money—then there’s no point in me staying."

I turned back toward the door.

"Fine!" Alpha Gerald’s voice cracked through the room like a whip. "Fifty percent. You’ll get your fifty percent."

I paused, hand on the doorknob, and glanced back over my shoulder.

"I’m glad we could come to an understanding, Alpha Holt." I smiled, cool and professional. "Let me know when the paperwork is ready. Until then, I’ll be waiting."

He didn’t take it. Just stared at me with cold fury. "You’ve made a powerful enemy today, girl."

"I’ve made an equal," I corrected. "There’s a difference."

I gathered my copies of the documents, tucked them into my bag, and headed for the door.

"Aria," Ethan called after me. "When are you coming back? To the house? To—"

"I’m not," I said without turning around. "I’ll be in touch about the final share transfer. Until then, consider me officially on leave."

"You can’t just—"

"Watch me."

I walked out of that conference room with my head high and my heart pounding.

I’d done it. I’d actually done it.