BRITTANY'S POV

I popped the champagne cork, and Queen Rosina let out a delighted squeal. We were alone in the palace, freely sharing our joy and happiness with what had happened.

We had achieved what we set out to do – get rid of Wendy.

“To us,” Queen Rosina said, raising her glass. “To our perfect plan,”

I clinked my glass against hers, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid. It was sweet, just like our victory.

“Finally,” I murmured.

Queen Rosina’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. “That Wendy bitch is out of the way, as she should’ve been from the start.”

Wendy.

The name alone was enough to send a ripple of resentment through me. For years, I had stood by, forced to watch her take everything that should have been mine. And for what? Because George had some stupid attachment to his childhood sweetheart? It was pathetic.

“She never belonged here,” I said, my voice sharp and bitter. “The pack didn’t want her, the council didn’t respect her, and George…” I paused, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat. “he only choose her out of pity. He deserved better.”

“And better is exactly what he’ll have,” Rosina said, her tone firm. “You’ve proven yourself time and again, Brittany. You’re strong, capable, great enough to be Luna. The pack sees it. George will see it too — soon enough.”

I couldn't help but think back to how it all started.

Queen Rosina had always believed I was the perfect person to be the Luna and wife of her son and she'd never gotten over the fact that he hadn't picked me but had gone instead for Wendy — that human parading to be one of us.

My stepsister had remained wolfless, not even showing a single sign of being a wolf, yet George had chosen her, ignoring the words and warnings everyone gave to him. I had kept on hoping, praying and thinking that he would change his mind later on but he had stuck fast to her and they had gotten married. It was then that I knew something had to be done, and luckily, the Queen agreed with me.

She hated Wendy too, and together we had made the perfect plan.

Wendy had stolen my position and all I did was take it back from her. She hadn't deserved it. She didn't deserve anything.

The memory of Wendy’s smug face flashed in my mind, her delicate features always carrying that look of innocence that George seemed to worship. It made me sick.

From the moment they announced their engagement, it had felt like a huge part of me was being taken away from me and I knew I had to get it back.

I had had no choice but to act.

“It was perfect,” I said, turning to Queen Rosina. “Wendy fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The fool.”

Queen Rosina smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Yes, she did. And now, she's out of the way, and George is free to marry you.”

“I still couldn't believe it worked,” I said

“She walked right into it,” the Queen said, swirling the champagne in her glass. “All we had to do was sit back and let our plans come into motion.”

She leaned forward, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes, and said in a victory-filled whisper, “And now she’s gone. Out of George’s life, out of the pack. For good.”

The thought of Wendy’s downfall was intoxicating, a scene that I kept replaying in my head.

I could still see her tear-streaked face as she packed her things, the disbelief and heartbreak in her eyes when George told her it was over.

I smiled when I remembered how she had turned to me and asked me to explain things to George.

Nope, not me, dear sister. You turned to the wrong person.

I sighed blissfully. All that was in the past now. What I had to do was wait patiently for George to come to his senses and realize what he had been missing with me.

I felt a surge of excitement at the thought. I would finally get what I deserved – the position of Luna and the love of George.

But I still felt a bit doubtful. Wendy had blinded him for a very long time.

“Do you think he’ll…” I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “Do you think he will choose me?”

Queen Rosina set her glass down and turned to face me, her expression softening slightly. “George is a man of duty. He knows he'll need a Luna quickly if he wants to stay Alpha,” she said. “He’ll do what’s best for the pack, even if it takes him time to see it. And you, my dear, are what’s best for the pack.”

Her words were reassuring, but the doubts still stayed.

But there was no turning back now. Wendy was gone, and I was here.

“Do you regret it?” Rosina asked suddenly, her sharp eyes studying me.

I met her gaze, my resolve hardening. “No,” I said firmly. “I don’t regret it. She never belonged here. This is my place. It always has been.”

Rosina smiled, a glint of approval in her eyes. “That’s my girl. This is the rightful place you belong to and I can't wait to see you beside him on the throne.”

I smiled at the thought of it. “I can't wait too.”

“You were brilliant with that voice note,” Queen Rosina said, interrupting my thoughts. Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she continued, “I would have thought it was George himself speaking if I hadn't been beside you when you sent it to her.”

I laughed softly, the sound dark and low. “It was easier than I had expected as well,”

I couldn't help but feel a thrill of satisfaction about the voice note I had sent to Wendy, pretending to be George, saying he never loved Wendy and that he only choose her out of pity.

It had been the final nail in the coffin, the thing that had sealed it all.

And now, Wendy was gone, and I was one step closer to getting what I wanted.