Banished By The Alpha, Claimed By The Lycan King

•CASSANDRA•

The pack house was louder than usual.

Servants moved through the halls carrying trays, flowers, and boxes of wine while guards checked every entrance before the anniversary banquet began.

I stood near the dining hall entrance with a guest list in my hand while Kira adjusted the placement cards on the long tables.

“The elders from the Northern Ridge pack just arrived,” Kira informed me.

“Make sure they’re seated near the council members,” I replied. “Alpha Mason wants them close to the front.”

Kira nodded before lowering her voice. “You’ve been working since dawn, Luna. You should rest before the guests arrive.”

“I’ll rest after tonight.”

I checked the hall one last time. The silver candles were lit, the musicians were preparing near the stage, and the guards stood at every corner of the room.

Everything looked perfect.

It had to be perfect.

Tonight marked fourteen years since Mason became Alpha of Silvercrest pack. Important guests from neighboring territories were attending, including Alphas who once refused to stand in the same room together.

One mistake tonight would spread through every pack by morning.

Kira stepped closer. “Do you think Alpha Mason will finally announce the royal alliance tonight?”

I paused.

For six years, I had stood beside Mason as his Luna, but he still avoided public discussions about our mate bond. The pack respected me because of my title, not because Mason openly claimed me.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.

Kira looked uncomfortable after hearing my response.

I handed her the guest list. “Go help the kitchen prepare the final course.”

“Yes, Luna,” she replied before leaving.

The moment she disappeared down the hallway, two servants entered through the side doors whispering to each other.

“She actually came.”

“I heard Alpha Mason personally invited her.”

I slowed my steps.

“Why would he invite her after all these years?” the second servant asked.

“Because she’s the woman he wanted before he married the Luna.”

Both women froze when they noticed me standing there. Fear crossed their faces immediately.

“Luna,” one of them murmured.

I looked at them calmly. “If you have enough free time to gossip, then you have enough free time to help in the kitchens.”

“Yes, Luna,” they answered quickly before rushing away.

My chest tightened.

Mason had been distant for months. He spent more nights in his office than in our bedroom. Sometimes he stopped talking the moment I entered the room.

I told myself it was stress from pack matters. But now I wasn’t so sure.

I headed upstairs toward our bedroom, and the doors were slightly open.

Mason stood near the window with his back facing me while speaking on the phone.

“No one can know before tonight,” he murmured.

Silence followed before he answered again. “I already handled Cassandra.”

My stomach dropped.

The floor creaked beneath my foot, and Mason turned immediately. He ended the call before I could speak.

For a second, neither of us moved.

“You’re preparing early,” I finally replied.

Mason placed his phone into his pocket. “There’s still a lot to do before the banquet.”

His expression remained calm, but something felt off.

I walked closer. “The hall is ready. The council members have already arrived.”

“Good.”

“That’s all?” I asked.

Mason looked away for a moment before answering, “What do you want me to say, Cassandra?”

I swallowed the ache in my throat. “You’ve barely spoken to me all week.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“You’ve also been avoiding me.”

“That’s not true.”

I stared at him for a long moment. “Who were you talking to?”

“A council member,” he replied without looking at me, and I knew at that moment that he was lying to me.

Before I could question him again, a knock interrupted us. Kira stepped inside carefully. “Luna, Rowan is asking for you downstairs.”

The tension in the room broke instantly.

“I’ll come now,” I answered.

Mason picked up a file from the desk. “I need to meet the elders before the ceremony.”

Without another word, he walked past me and left the room. I stood there for several seconds before forcing myself to move.

Rowan waited near the staircase wearing a small black suit. His tie hung loosely around his neck.

The moment he saw me, his face brightened. “Mom!” he shouted before running toward me.

I smiled immediately and crouched in front of him. “You’re supposed to walk like a future Alpha, remember?”

“I forgot,” he replied with a grin.

I fixed his tie while he continued talking excitedly about the dancers and desserts waiting downstairs.

Rowan always filled the empty parts of the pack house with life.

He wasn’t my biological child, but I stopped thinking about that years ago. To me, he was my son.

“Do I look strong?” Rowan asked proudly.

“You look terrifying,” I answered dramatically.

He laughed loudly before grabbing my hand.

“Come on. Uncle Theo promised to teach me sword tricks before dinner.”

“You are definitely not learning sword tricks before dinner.”

“But Mom.”

“No.”

Rowan sighed heavily. “You sound like Dad.”

The comment made my smile fade slightly.

Before Rowan could notice, I squeezed his hand gently and walked with him toward the banquet hall.

The room was already full.

Music echoed through the hall while servants carried glasses between tables. Several Alphas stood near the center discussing trade agreements.

The moment Mason stepped onto the stage, silence spread across the room.

He looked powerful in black ceremonial clothing with the Silvercrest crest across his chest.

“Thank you all for attending tonight,” Mason began. “Fourteen years ago, this pack was divided by war and betrayal. Today, Silvercrest stands stronger than ever because of the loyalty of its people.”

The crowd applauded and Rowan smiled proudly beside me. Then the large entrance doors opened.

Every voice in the hall disappeared.

A woman walked inside wearing a dark blue dress with silver embroidery along the sleeves. Her long black hair fell over one shoulder while guards followed behind her.

She walked confidently through the crowd like she already belonged there.

Mason stopped speaking, and the entire hall noticed. Whispers spread immediately.

“That’s Nadia Dean.”

“She came back?”

“I thought she left the territories years ago.”

My stomach twisted when I saw the look on Mason’s face. He looked shocked, and as if the moment was surreal.

I realized that he had never looked at me like that.

Selena’s eyes locked onto Mason, and a slow smile appeared on her lips.

Then she spoke the words that shattered the room. “Hello, Mason.”