Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna-Chapter 36

Celeste POV.

The car screeched to a stop outside our house, the tires crunching on the gravel, the evening air cool against my skin as I shoved money into the driver’s hand.

My heart pounded, my chest tight with rage, my eyes still burning from tears. Kael’s words echoed in my head, "You’re not my mate!" his grip on my neck, his angry eyes cutting deep.

My hands shook, my nails digging into my palms as I stormed up the steps, the wooden door slamming open, the sound loud in the quiet house.

My mother, Marissa, stood in the living room, her dark hair pulled back, her green eyes narrowing as she saw me.

"Celeste, what’s wrong?" she asked, her voice sharp, her hands on her hips.

She stepped closer, her eyes scanning my face, my red eyes, my crumpled red dress.

"Are you okay?" Her tone softened, but I could feel her worry, her need to know.

I shrugged, folding my arms tight, tears spilling down my cheeks. My chest ached, anger and hurt mixing, my voice breaking.

"It’s Aria," I said, my words loud, bitter.

"She took him from me, Mother. Kael was mine, and she stole him. I went to his study, to get close to him, to make him want me, and he grabbed my neck. He almost killed me!" My voice cracked, my hands clenching, my body trembling as I sank onto the couch, the cushions soft under me, my tears hot.

Mother knelt beside me, her hand on my shoulder, her touch firm but gentle. "Calm down, Celeste," she said, her voice steady, her eyes serious.

"You shouldn’t have gone to him yet. We have a plan, remember? You’re supposed to act like Aria, let him think you’re her, let him hate her name. You moved too fast." Her words were calm, but they stung, my anger flaring hotter.

I shook my head, my voice loud, sharp. "She stole him, Mother!" I cried, my hands slamming the couch, my heart racing.

"That hurts! He was supposed to be mine, my own, my Alpha. Aria doesn’t deserve him!" My chest heaved, my tears falling faster, my inner wolf, Alaska, growling low, her rage burning through me, jealousy twisting like a knife.

I’d planned everything, make Kael hate Aria, take back my place, claim him, but his rejection, his anger, made me feel small, unwanted.

Mother sighed, her eyes narrowing, her hand tightening on my shoulder. "I know it hurts," she said, her voice firm, low.

"But do you know what hurts more? Ruining our plan. If Kael doesn’t send Aria away, if he finds out you tried to harm his Luna, he might kill you, Celeste. We need to stay calm. Let him think Aria is you, let him fall deeply for her, thinking she’s Celeste. Then, when he hates the name Aria, you switch. You become the real Celeste, his true mate." Her words were sharp, her plan clear, her eyes glinting with determination.

I paused, my breath shaky, my tears slowing. Her words made sense, sinking into me, calming Alaska’s growl.

She was right.

If I pushed too hard, Kael might see through my act, might hurt me worse. I had to play the long game, let Aria take the fall, let him hate her name while I waited.

I nodded, my voice small. "Okay," I said, my hands unclenching, my heart still heavy but focused.

"I’ll stick to the plan."

Mother smiled, her hand patting my arm, her voice softer. "Good girl," she said.

"Now, let’s clean you up." We spent the day together, her voice soothing, talking about the pack, the plan, how we’d win.

She made tea, the steam warm, the cups clinking as we sat by the fire, the room cozy but my mind restless.

As night fell, the sky dark, she stood, her eyes firm. "It’s time to go back to the packhouse," she said, her voice urgent. "They need you there, as Aria. Hurry."

I nodded, my chest tight, my hands grabbing my coat. I didn’t want to go back, not after Kael’s rejection, but I had to, had to keep up the act.

I climbed into a car, the driver silent, the road dark as we sped toward the packhouse, the trees a blur, the stars bright above.

My heart raced, Kael’s words still stinging, my anger simmering, Alaska growling low, ready to fight. I’d make him see me, make him want me, no matter what it took.

The car stopped at the packhouse, the stone walls tall, the windows glowing softly. I stepped out, my heels clicking, the night air cold on my skin.

The halls were quiet, empty, the torches flickering as I headed to my room, my steps quick, my mind spinning.

I just wanted to hide, to plan my next move, but as I turned into the lonely hallway, Beta Brian appeared, his broad shoulders blocking my path, his brown eyes hard.

My heart jumped, my hands clenching, Alaska stirring, wary.

I tried to walk past, my head down, but he grabbed my arm, pushing me against the wall, his grip firm, my back hitting the stone, cold and rough.

I gasped, my eyes wide, struggling to pull free, my breath short. "Let me go!" I said, my voice shaky, my hands pushing at his chest.

He leaned closer, his voice low, sharp. "Shut up, Aria," he snarled, thinking I was my sister, his eyes burning.

"I don’t know what you tried to do in Kael’s study, but it was stupid. Alpha Kael is Luna Celeste’s mate. Your sister’s mate. Don’t pull any silly tricks on your sister’s husband!" His words were like a punch, my chest tightening, rage flooding me.

He thought I was Aria, thought I was trying to steal Kael from myself.

My blood boiled, Alaska growling loud, her claws itching to lash out, to tell him I was Celeste, the real Luna, the one who deserved Kael.

I wanted to scream, to attack, to expose everything, but Mother’s words echoed, "Stay calm. Let him think she’s you."

I took a shaky breath, my hands trembling, my eyes locked on Brian’s. "I understand," I said, my voice low, forced, my heart pounding with rage.

I had to play along, had to keep the act, but it hurt, burned, made me want to claw his eyes out.

Brian nodded, his grip loosening, his voice cold. "Good. Now go get ready for tomorrow’s event. You maids need to clean the packhouse."

He snarled, stepping back, his boots heavy as he walked away, leaving me against the wall, my chest heaving, my rage hot.

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