Chapter 13
"The Courtroom Whip"
Rosa's POV
The moment Paige whispered that I'd been summoned to the Royal Family Court Meeting, my heart skipped a beat.
Luna Annie… the former Luna...
Everyone spoke of her sharp tongue and stricter adherence to tradition. I wasn't sure what to expect—but I would face it.
Soon, a Court Lady entered my chambers, holding a gown that took my breath away.
It was made of deep emerald velvet, smooth to the touch and trimmed with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered like moonlight. The sleeves were off-the-shoulder, cascading into delicate lace that brushed my arms, and the bodice hugged me gracefully, cinched with a silver belt carved with the crest of the royal pack. The skirt fanned out, soft but heavy, like a cascade of green waves.
She helped me into the gown and painted my face with bold, royal makeup—darkened lashes, rose-glazed lips, and a golden dust shimmer that lit up my cheekbones. I barely recognize myself in the mirror. I looked regal. Powerful. Like someone's Luna.
But when I stepped into the courtroom, I knew something was off.
The other noblewomen sat calmly, dressed in plain, soft-colored gowns, their faces untouched by makeup. The contrast between me and them was... blinding.
And then she entered.
Luna Annie.
Her eyes swept over the room and locked onto mine.
Her gaze ignited like wildfire.
"How dare you!!!" she thundered, pointing directly at me. "How dare you disgrace the tradition of the pack!"
Silence gripped the hall. The other women's heads bowed quickly.
"Get me a whip," she barked.
One of her maids silently stepped forward and handed her a long, sleek leather whip.
"Raise your gown," she ordered coldly, her voice echoing.
I froze.
What did I do wrong? Why would they set me up like this?
She raised her hand, the whip cracking slightly in the air—
Then—
"Don't you dare."
A deep, commanding voice rolled into the hall like thunder.
Gasps rang out.
Heads turned. Knees bent.
Bryant.
He strode into the room, his presence dominating everything, his silver eyes glowing with a fury I had never seen before. Annie's eyes darkened, lips parting slightly in disbelief.
"Your Majesty," the noblewomen whispered as they curtsied.
The tension in the room was choking.
Bryant didn't even glance at the others. His eyes were fixed on me—then on the whip in Annie's hand.
At that moment, the guards walked in, dragging two court maids—the very ones who had dressed and painted me.
"This was a setup," Bryant growled. His voice was low but laced with rage. "A damn setup."
He stepped closer to the trembling maids.
"Who sent you?" he asked, his tone deadly calm.
One of them collapsed to her knees. "No one—please—no one! I did it on my own!"
Lies.
Bryant's arm rose, glowing with alpha power. A sharp arrow of energy formed from his palm and with a snap, it struck her neck cleanly.
The maid gasped, her eyes widening before she dropped lifelessly to the floor.
"In your next life," Bryant said coldly, "do not betray."
Cries escaped some of the court women. Even Annie took a step back, shocked.
I stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened. Was this real?
"Clear the body," Bryant instructed the guards, who immediately dragged the corpse out.
He turned to me, grabbed my hand, and without saying another word, dragged me out of the courtroom.
My heart was racing.
Behind us, silence.
Shock.
Fear.
I didn't know what awaited me outside that door…
But in that moment, I knew I wasn't just anyone.
I was his Luna.