Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 74 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 74

Chapter 74 The Perfect Alpha

Alpha Harold’s POV

The ceremonial silver robes fit perfectly.

Finished

As I adjusted the cuff around my wrist and glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I had to admit that I looked exactly as an Alpha should on the day of his Luna Rite.

My hair had been styled neatly.

The golden embroidery woven throughout the traditional garments shimmered beneath the lights.

Outwardly, I appeared calm, unbothered, and completely composed.

Yet if someone looked closely enough, they would probably notice the faint excitement hidden beneath the surface.

After all, a Luna Rite was supposed to be a joyous occasion.

And despite everything that had happened recently, the day had finally arrived.

The only thing that dissatisfied me was Flourish’s refusal to allow a proper ceremonial

entrance.

Every Luna dreamed of one.

At least, most of them did.

Yet she had stubbornly insisted on keeping things simple.

The dressing room door opened behind me.

I looked up through the mirror. Phina stepped inside.

She wore a flowing white dress paired with delicate makeup that highlighted her already beautiful features. For a moment, she simply stared at me through the reflection.

Then she smiled. “Harold.”

I turned toward her. “Hm?”

“You look really handsome today.”

A grin tugged at my lips, and I raised an eyebrow. “So I’m handsome to you, huh?”

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Finished

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She walked a little closer before stopping in front of me. “Of course.”

Her voice softened. Then her gaze dropped to our clothing. “Harold…”

She smiled shyly. “I’m wearing white today, and you’re wearing silver.”

Her eyes lifted to mine. “We’re really matching, aren’t we?”

The sharp edges of my expression softened immediately. Sometimes Phina worried over the strangest things. “Of course we’re matching.”

I reached over and lightly tapped her forehead. “Don’t overthink things.”

Her smile widened, and I continued casually. “I’ll spoil you rotten even after I have a mate.”

The warmth that entered her eyes made me look away for a second. “Really?”

“Really.”

Her shoulders visibly relaxed. Then she glanced toward the clock.

“What time are we leaving?” A brief hesitation crossed her face. “Can I ride with you?”

I understood immediately.

Traditionally, the lead vehicle belonged to the Alpha and his Luna.

Phina knew that. Which was why she sounded so uncertain asking.

Her eyes shimmered hopefully. For a moment, I almost said no. Then I looked at her expression.

“Alright.”

Her face lit up instantly.

“We’ll ride together.”

By the time we arrived at the ceremony grounds, the venue was already overflowing with

guests.

Pack leaders. Business partners. Influential families.

Every important figure in Stonehedge seemed to have gathered tonight.

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Phina remained by my side as we moved through the crowd. Not long afterward, Selene approached.

Her gaze immediately landed on Phina. “Phina!”

She smiled brightly. “You look gorgeous today.”

Phina laughed softly. “So do you.”

Then her eyes drifted across the crowd. “By the way…”

She paused. “Where’s Flourish?”

pausing

Her voice wasn’t loud. Yet somehow it carried far enough for my mother and father to hear. “She isn’t going to be late for her own Luna Rite, is she?”

Mother’s expression changed instantly. A flicker of displeasure flashed through her eyes. She turned toward Lydia.

“Lydia.” Her voice sharpened. “Where is Flourish?”

“She hasn’t arrived yet?”

Lydia smiled awkwardly. “Well… The makeup artist got stuck in traffic.” Her laughter sounded forced. “She should be here any minute now.”

I frowned, because something felt off. Apparently, nobody had been able to reach Flourish all day.

Every time someone called, her phone remained unreachable. As the evening progressed, tension slowly spread through both families.

By the time the clock edged closer to eleven, even Alpha Magnus looked uneasy. Guests had already begun taking their seats.

My father leaned closer to me. “What the hell is going on?” His voice was low. “Where is your

Luna?”

Across from us, Grandfather Magnus looked equally troubled. He immediately turned toward Selene.

“Call Flourish again.” His tone left no room for argument. “I don’t care how, but find her.”

I didn’t understand why, but irritation began rising inside me. Flourish had promised she would come. She said she would be here.

There was no way she would simply disappear.

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Sosted

Right?

The possibility crossed my mind anyway. And the instant it did, my expression darkened.

Twenty minutes remained before eleven. If the ceremony didn’t begin soon, the whispers would become impossible to contain.

In fact, they already had.

“What’s happening?”

“I haven’t even seen the Luna.”

“Who knows?”

“I heard Flourish follows Alpha Harold everywhere.”

“There’s no way she’d skip her own Luna Rite.”

Exactly. That was what everyone believed.

Including me.

Finally, I sent several guards to find her the old-fashioned way.

Using a direct summoning call through the pack bonds, the same way she had once summoned

The answer came back moments later, rejected. My jaw tightened.

Rejected?

The murmurs throughout the venue intensified, then suddenly, someone near the entrance gasped.

“She’s here!”

Another voice immediately followed.

“Oh my God!”

“Look!”

All eyes turned toward the grand staircase, including mine. And then I saw her.

Flourish descended slowly from the upper landing, a dark green gown flowed around her

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Chapter 74 The Perfect Alpha

figure.

Finished

Her long hair had been pinned elegantly atop her head, and a single pearl necklace rested against her collarbone.

White bandages wrapped around one shoulder beneath the dress.

She looked beautiful.

Beautiful.

And completely wrong for a Luna Rite.

The crowd immediately erupted into whispers.

“What is she wearing?”

“I’ve never seen a Luna dressed like that.”

“This can’t be appropriate.”

“I heard she lost her mother when she was young.”

“Even so, this is disrespectful.”

“This Luna Rite is turning into a spectacle.”

My expression darkened instantly. Without thinking, I strode onto the stage and met her halfway.

“Flourish.” My voice dropped. “You’re late, which is fine.” Then my gaze swept over her outfit. “But what is this?”

I lowered my voice further. “People who know you probably think you’re here to get revenge on me.” A muscle ticked in my jaw. “And people who don’t know you probably think you’re attending a funeral.”

The corner of her mouth lifted into a cold smile. “Relax.” Her eyes met mine. “At your funeral, I’d dress much better than this.”

Something inside me snapped, and my wolf surged forward.

At the exact same moment, hers answered. The invisible clash stopped both of us.

A warning.

Not now.

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เรย

Finished

Not here.

Not in front of everyone.

I inhaled sharply. “Enough.” I reached for her.

“Let’s start the ceremony. Whatever this is, it can wait.”

But the second my hand moved toward her, she stepped aside effortlessly, avoiding my touch.

My frustration spiked. “Flourish.” My voice hardened. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

A strange smile touched her lips. “Are you not interested in Phina?” Her gaze drifted toward the crowd below.

I followed it.

Phina stood near the front row, watching us with a pale expression. “I can practically feel her wolf scraping its claws raw from down here.”

Then Flourish looked back at me. “I’m a generous person.”

The smile on her face widened. “Since we already had one Luna Rite rehearsal, I figured I’d give you something bigger.”

My stomach dropped immediately, and a terrible feeling swept through me.”Flourish.”

My voice lowered. “What are you planning?”

Before she could answer, every light inside the ceremonial grounds went dark. Gasps erupted throughout the crowd, then the massive screen behind the stage flickered to life.

My heart stopped.

Because the voice that echoed through the speakers belonged to me. “My perfect Phina.”

The recording played across the entire venue. “Today is your twenty-third birthday.” A pause.

Then my own voice continued. “Happy birthday.” The blood drained from my face.

“I will always be here for you.”

匪

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