Chapter 30 The Spark Of Jealousy
Chapter 30 — Mina’s POV
The Spark of Jealousy
I sank into the large armchair in the corner of the living room, my fingers drumming softly against the polished wood of the table. My heart still raced, anger and disbelief battling in equal measure. I had watched it all unfold—Aria standing there in front of the women of the pack, smiling, speaking, claiming a place that should have been mine. My fingers clenched into fists.
How could she? How could she waltz into our pack, into our home, and take everything I had wanted? My parents’ love, the respect of the pack women, Aiden… my Aiden. Every smile she had given, every word of courage and poise, it had been a calculated move, and yet, part of me hated to admit it—part of me feared she might be naturally… talented.
I tried to calm myself, telling myself it was nothing more than a public display, that behind closed doors, she would stumble, falter, reveal herself for the girl she truly was. But as I replayed her words, the way she faced the elders, the women… I felt it. The sting. She had already started winning.
I pressed my hand to my forehead and leaned back, letting out a sharp breath. I could feel my mother’s gaze on me, soft and hesitant, almost as if she didn’t want to see me break. She didn’t say anything, just sat beside me, quiet, watching. My mother had always been my safe harbor, my ally—but now… even she seemed uncertain. Perhaps she could see Aria’s power, her charm, and even she felt the shift in the balance.
I closed my eyes and let the memories of the morning flood back—the way Aria had spoken, her voice firm yet gentle, commanding yet sincere. The women of the pack, who had whispered and watched with doubt, had softened, had listened. They had respected her. And the worst part… the worst part was the way my stomach twisted when I saw Aiden’s eyes following her, full of pride, admiration, and… love.
No. This could not happen. She cannot take him from me.
I opened my eyes, my chest heaving slightly, and I started plotting, silently, carefully. I would not allow Aria to take everything that should have been mine. My family, Aiden, the pack’s admiration—it was mine. She might have walked into their respect, but she had not yet touched the threads of loyalty and obedience. Those could be manipulated. Those could be broken.
I leaned forward, fingers still clenched, a dangerous smile tugging at my lips. First, I would secure my parents. They had to see me as the rightful daughter, the loyal child who had grown up loving them, protecting the family. Aria had returned, yes, but the family’s foundation—my foundation—still belonged to me. I could make them doubt her. I could remind them that she was new, unfamiliar, and maybe… maybe not ready for such power.
Next, Aiden. I would not confront him directly yet—he was too cold, too focused on her. No, I would work subtly. I could plant doubts, make small comments, bring memories of our interactions to the forefront. I could remind him that she was unpredictable, inexperienced, that she was not the kind of Luna who could manage the subtle politics of our pack.
And Aria herself… oh, how I hated to admit it, but she was clever. She had strategy, confidence, charm—but that could be twisted. I would push her to overreach, make her misstep, make her falter in front of the pack. Then, I would step in, pretending to be the loyal, caring sister, the one who had always loved and protected the family. That would be enough to turn the tide.
I took a deep breath, letting the simmering anger and jealousy fuel my plan. “She thinks she can have it all,” I whispered to myself, voice low and steady, though my heart pounded. “But she cannot. I will make sure of it. No matter what it takes.”
My mother reached out and lightly touched my hand, soft and hesitant. “Mina…” she said, her voice gentle, almost pleading. “Don’t let your anger control you. Be smart.”
I looked at her, my eyes sharp, calculating. “I know, mother,” I said smoothly. “I will be smart. But I will also protect what is mine. That girl… Aria… she does not belong here. Not fully. And I will remind everyone of that.”
I leaned back in my chair, letting my thoughts race. There were meetings to arrange, whispers to plant, doubts to seed. Elders, relatives, the women of the pack—I would speak to them softly, subtly. I didn’t need proof, not yet. Just questions. Hints. Little doubts about her past, her strength, her ability to lead. Rumors of past loves, of weaknesses. Nothing direct, nothing obvious—just enough to make the pack hesitate.
And if that failed… then I would find other ways.
I closed my eyes, visualizing every step, every move, every word. Each whisper, each conversation, each subtle glance would be part of the plan. Aria had entered the pack and charmed the women, yes—but she had underestimated me. She had underestimated how far I would go to claim what was mine.
I felt a thrill run through me as the first pieces of the puzzle fell into place in my mind. I would not be defeated—not by her, not by her charm, not by her title as Luna.
The storm had begun.
And I was ready.