Chapter 3 The Chosen Luna

• **Hannah’s Point of View:**
• Maria Cot was, in my eyes, the most repugnant person I had ever encountered, both inside and out. To everyone else, she was the epitome of beauty—tall, blonde, athletic, with bronzed skin that shimmered in the sunlight and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see everything. But I knew better. Beneath that flawless exterior lay a heart filled with cruelty and arrogance. Maria was a bitch, plain and simple—arrogant, full of herself, and reveling in the misery of others. She especially loved to torment the Omegas in her father’s pack, Sacred Heart, located just five miles north of Crescent Howler, my pack.
• Maria's father, Alpha Jon, was a close friend of Alpha Jackson, Adam’s father, which meant that Maria was a frequent visitor whenever her father came for business. Each visit was a nightmare for me. Maria always found some way to abuse, bully, or get me in trouble with Alpha Jackson. It seemed like Maria had a special vendetta against me, an intense hatred that I could never quite understand.
• Maria was everything I wasn’t: tall, statuesque, and dripping with confidence. In comparison, I felt like a shadow. At only five feet tall, with pale skin that never seemed to tan, silver long hair that hung limp around my face, and hazel eyes that were more muted than vibrant, I felt invisible beside her. My body was curvy but in a sickly, undernourished way, the result of my life as an Omega.
• The Cots were about to achieve their dream of uniting with the Dogmans, cementing their place in the power structure of the packs. Maria was destined to become the standing Luna of Crescent Howler, a role that suited her perfectly in every way—except for the one that mattered most. Despite her beauty and status, Maria's soul was ugly, her heart blackened by years of cruelty and entitlement. The idea of Maria as Luna terrified me. I knew that if she became Luna, my life would only become more unbearable.
• The thought of Maria standing beside Alpha Adam, ruling over the pack with an iron fist, sent a chill down my spine. But what could I do? I was just an Omega, weak and powerless, with no wolf to protect me, no strength to fight back. All I could do was watch as the nightmare unfolded, dreading the day when Maria would finally claim her place as Luna—and make my life a living hell.
• Maria's POV:
• "Hey, come here, Omega," I called out, my voice laced with the kind of sickly sweetness that made it clear I meant business. The way I walked down the hallway, hand in hand with Alpha Adam, felt like a victory march. We were the epitome of power and beauty—two forces to be reckoned with. The way people watched us, the way they moved aside to let us pass, it was exhilarating. Behind us, our fathers, Alpha Jon and Alpha Jackson, strolled with the easy confidence of men who had the world at their feet, accompanied by a few well-trained Omegas in royal form. They were waiting for the next command, just like that pathetic little Omega who dared to ignore me.
• I saw her freeze the moment I spoke, that useless, wolfless waste of space. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, and it made my blood boil. Does she think she can just ignore me? My eyes locked onto her, daring her to make a move. She glanced up at Adam, like a scared little puppy hoping for some mercy. But Adam wasn’t in the mood for games. His eyes were set on the path ahead, completely indifferent. I could practically feel her desperation, her silent plea for him to intervene. But why would he? She was nothing. Less than nothing.
• "Are you deaf?" I snapped, the fake sweetness in my voice vanishing like mist. That got her attention. But before she could even think about moving, I was already there, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. My hand flew out before I even realized I was doing it, the slap resonating through the hallway with a satisfying crack. The force sent her sprawling to the ground, and I felt a rush of satisfaction as I watched her crumple at my feet.
• "You useless, wolfless Omega," I spat, towering over her, feeling the surge of my wolf's power rippling just beneath my skin. I wanted to make her feel small, to remind her of her place beneath me—beneath us. She dared to look up at Adam again, as if he would save her. But his eyes were as cold as mine, and he didn’t even flinch. She was nothing to him, just like she was nothing to me.
• "Sorry, my lady," she whispered, barely audible. Her voice trembled, and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Good. Let her cry. Let her feel the sting of her worthlessness. But before she could stand, I pressed my foot down on her back, keeping her where she belonged—on her hands and knees. The thrill of dominance, of absolute control, sent a shiver of pleasure through me.
• "Stay down, dog," I sneered, pressing harder, relishing the way her body trembled beneath me. I could feel Adam watching, his chuckle a low, satisfied sound that only spurred me on. Our fathers didn’t even bat an eye, continuing their conversation about wedding plans as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
• Wedding. The word echoed in my mind like a sweet melody. Soon, it would all be official. Soon, I’d be Luna Maria, standing by Adam’s side, ruling over this pack with the iron fist they deserved. I looked down at the pathetic creature beneath me and couldn’t help but smile. She was just a reminder of what I would never be—weak, powerless, and utterly insignificant.
• "Come on, my love," Adam said, his voice soft as he finally spoke to me, pulling me out of my reverie. His hand on my arm was warm, reassuring. He kissed me, and for a moment, the world was perfect. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the strength in his embrace. "Let’s go get something to eat," he suggested, and I couldn’t help but agree.
• But I wasn’t done with the Omega just yet. I glanced down at her, my voice dripping with fake sweetness once more. "Let’s get this Omega to serve us, shall we?"
• "Yes, that will be fine," Adam replied, completely disinterested. I loved that about him—the way he could dismiss her so easily, as if she were less than the dirt beneath his feet. He glanced down at her, his eyes hard and unforgiving. "Go get us some breakfast, Omega."
• And just like that, he walked away, pulling me along with him. Our fathers followed, still talking, still oblivious to the world around them. We were a perfect picture of power, beauty, and control.
• Behind us, I knew the Omega was still on the ground, probably crying, probably wondering what she had done to deserve this. But the truth was, she didn’t need to do anything. She was simply born inferior, born to serve those of us who were truly worthy.
• As we headed towards the dining area, I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing through the hallway like a victory cry. I was on top, and she was beneath me—exactly where she belonged.