The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Vivian’s POV

The hallway opened up to the hotel cafeteria, which might very well become my absolute favorite spot here. It was spacious and bright, with green and earthy tones on the walls that reminded me oddly of the deep forest. The air smelled of grilled meat, fresh baked bread, and something sweet I could not quite place.

Since we were here for the summit, meals were apparently complimentary for visiting alphas and lunas. I only realized this when I saw a few alphas try to pay, only to be waved off with a smile and a polite explanation that the hotel had everything fully covered.

With that in mind, I picked what I wanted, grabbed a Naked drink from the cooler, and sat down without bothering with the long cashier line. But the moment I twisted the cap open... total chaos.

A sudden blur of motion caught my attention. Wolves specifically the ones stationed near the cashier bolted toward me like I had just pulled a fire alarm. I blinked, startled, and instinctively set the bottle right back on the tray, watching them close in with a mix of alarm and... guilt?

They surrounded me in seconds, eyes wide and movements rushed as they inspected the tray like it was a ticking time bomb.

"Uh... is something wrong?" I asked, genuinely confused.

A blond cashier with warm brown eyes stepped forward, clearly the one in charge of the group.

"Luna," she said carefully, "did you drink or eat anything from this tray yet?"

I shook my head slowly. "Not yet."

She exhaled in deep relief, bringing a wrist communicator up to her lips.

"Snow has not taken a bite out of the apple. I repeat, Snow has not taken a bite out of the apple. Proceed to retrieve the food," she said, calm but efficient.

I stared in silence as they whisked my tray away including my poor, unopened Naked drink. Around the wide room, a few lunas who had been watching began eyeing their own meals with suspicion, the atmosphere shifting just slightly.

"I wanted that," I muttered mournfully, watching my tray disappear through the swing doors of the kitchen like it had betrayed me.

The blond woman gave me a sheepish smile. "I am so sorry, Luna. Alpha Azrala gave explicit instructions. We are to follow strict food safety protocol for you. Everything you eat or drink while staying here must come directly from a guarded, secure fridge. Even things you grab on your own."

I blinked in surprise. "Oh."

A few minutes later, the same staff returned carrying what looked like the exact same meal. Only now, the Naked bottle was sealed tight again, and everything had been repackaged nicely. They set it down in front of me with relieved smiles before returning to their posts like nothing had happened.

She lingered for a moment, adding gently, "It is for your safety. To prevent poisoning or anything that might harm your health. Didn’t the Alpha tell you?"

I stared down at my replacement tray, my stomach growling softly.

"No," I said, lifting the drink to my lips. "No, he did not."

Poison.

That single heavy word echoed through my mind as I gave the she-wolf who had handed me the tray a tense smile and quietly sat down. My movements were careful and deliberate. I did not want to startle anyone, especially not her.

"Thank you anyway," I said calmly, watching as she gave a short nod and retreated to her post.

Around the table, the other lunas were slowly resuming their meals, though the overall atmosphere had shifted. They chewed with far-off looks in their eyes, clearly piecing together what had just happened. The only one who remained completely unfazed was the warrior from the earlier meeting he was already halfway through his second sandwich, eating like it was just another normal day.

I reached out directly to Zahliver through our bond, keeping my expression totally neutral.

You have been having my food tested?

His response was immediate, even though he was likely still deep in council discussions.

Always. Why?

His tone was casual, but I could feel a faint flicker of concern threading through it.

I frowned slightly, picking absently at the chips on my tray.

We are immortal, Zal. Even if I am poisoned, I won’t die. Why go through all the trouble? What if one of them does die? Just for me?

There was a pause just long enough for me to feel the heavy weight of his thoughts as he considered what to say next.

That may be true, he finally answered, his voice much gentler now, but the very idea of you in pain? That is unbearable. And I do not force anyone to do it. The wolves who test your food? They volunteer, Vivian. Willingly. Just like I would. They would give their lives for you without a second thought. Please... do not carry the weight of that guilt.

I let his sweet words wash over me, warm and heavy all at once.

Hmmm.

It was all I could manage as I gently pulled away from the mind bond and reached for a slice of pizza. The intense moment had passed, but its echo lingered softly in my chest.

Next to me, Melly shifted nervously in her seat. I turned slightly to glance at her and caught the nervous look in her soft eyes.

"You okay?" I asked after taking a bite. She tried to smile, and while it was soft, it held immense gratitude.

"I wanted to thank you," she began, her voice hushed, "for what you did last night."

She glanced around quickly as if making sure no one else was listening. I gave her my full, undivided attention.

"Our previous alpha... after his mate left him, he changed completely. Became cruel. Abusive. For years." Her voice wavered, but she did not stop talking. "Theo became beta by bloodline, and he... he saw firsthand how terrible things had gotten. But he was trapped. We all were. No one was allowed to speak a word of it."

I felt the air go completely still between us.

"When we found out we were mates, I was overjoyed. But he tried to distance himself from me. I thought he did not want me. I thought he was rejecting me. But when I finally forced my way into the pack house to confront him, I realized the full truth." Her eyes turned glassy with tears. "The alpha found out I was Theo’s mate... and he punished him by hurting me. He beat me." She blinked rapidly, the memory clearly painful. "Theo tried to stop him... he always tried. But sometimes..." She broke off, swallowing hard.

My gut twisted violently. Pure fury churned low in my belly. I wanted to find that former alpha right now, drag him back by the scruff of his neck, and make him feel every single bruise and scar he had ever left behind. But I knew that stripping him of his rank had already done something far deeper. And it would only continue from here.

"But last night," she whispered softly, her voice steadier now, "you gave us the strength... the freedom to finally make things right. To tear down what he built and help the ones who have been quietly suffering for years. Thank you, Luna Vivian."

She hesitated for a second, then reached out and clasped my hands tightly between hers. Her grip was warm and firm.

"We will make you proud," she promised with conviction.

I held onto her hands tightly and met her gaze, letting my voice carry the full truth I felt.

"You already have."

Her breath caught slightly, and for the very first time since I had met her, Melly smiled a full, radiant smile that bloomed straight from her soul.

And in that quiet moment, I knew... they were going to be totally okay. All of them.