Chapter 119 Elara's POV
When I got back to the pack house, I heard voices in the main sitting room laughing at female voices.
I walked closer and peered around the doorway.
Selena sat surrounded by three other women I didn't recognize. They were drinking tea, eating pastries, and acting like this was a social visit.
"I'm just saying, it's embarrassing for the pack," One woman said. "An omega as Luna? What message does that send?"
"That the Alpha has terrible judgment," another replied. "Choosing some nobody servant girl over perfectly qualified candidates."
"And she's so awkward about it too," Selena added. "Trying to give orders like she has authority. It's painful to watch."
They all laughed.
I felt rage building but I didn't confront them. Instead, I went to find Kara. She was in the laundry room, folding linens.
"I need to ask you something," I said. "What does Selena fear most?"
Kara looked up, surprised. "What?"
"What is Selena most afraid of? What terrifies her?"
Kara thought for a moment. "Well, she's terrified of losing her status. Of being publicly humiliated. And..."
She paused. "She's absolutely terrified of spiders. Has been since we were young. She screams if she even sees a small one."
"Spiders," I repeated. "You're sure?"
"Positive. Why?"
"Because I'm done being nice and being a bigger person. Done letting her walk all over me without consequences."
I looked at Kara seriously. "Can you gather the servants? I have instructions for them."
"What kind of instructions?"
"The kind that are going to make it very clear who the Luna of this pack is."
Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the assembled household staff.
"I need a room prepared," I said.
"The old storage room in the basement, the one that hasn't been used in years. Clean it minimally. I want it uncomfortable but not dangerous. And I need every spider you can find gathered and placed in that room."
The servants exchanged glances.
"Miss Elara," the head maid said carefully. "What exactly are you planning?"
"To teach someone a lesson about respect. Will you help me?"
They looked at each other then, one by one, they nodded.
"What about Miss Selena?" one asked. "She won't like this-"
"I don't care what Selena likes, she is not in charge here. I am."
I looked around at all of them. "I need two strong servants to escort Selena to that room. Can I count on volunteers?"
Several hands went up immediately more than I needed.
It took an hour to prepare everything the servants worked quickly, efficiently, with an enthusiasm that told me how much they would be wanting to see Selena face consequences.
When everything was ready, I went back to the sitting room where Selena was still entertaining her guests.
"Selena," I said from the doorway. "I need to speak with you privately."
She looked annoyed. "I'm busy, whatever it is can wait."
"It can't come with me now."
"You can't just order me around-"
"I'm Luna. I can absolutely order you around. You can come willingly or I'll have the servants escort you to your choice."
Her friends were watching now, curious.
Selena stood, trying to maintain her dignity. "Fine, this better be important."
I led her through the pack house, down the stairs to the basement. Two large male servants followed at a discrete distance.
"Where are we going?" Selena demanded.
"You will see."
We reached the storage room. I opened the door.
"Inside."
"Why? What's in there?"
"Inside, Selena. Now."
She stepped through the doorway reluctantly. I followed, and the two servants blocked the exit behind us.
The room was dim, dusty and full of spiders.
They were everywhere. On the walls. On the ceiling. Crawling across the floor. Hundreds of them, carefully collected and placed here.
Selena saw them and froze. "What is this?"
"A lesson."
"You can'tthere are spiders I can't-"
"Yes, you can and you will until you understand that I'm done with your games."
I slapped her hard across the face.
She stumbled back, shock and rage warring in her expression. "How dare you!"
"How dare I? How dare YOU. Breaking into my mate's room naked. Spreading lies about me to your friends. Undermining my authority at every turn. Trying to poison me. Trying to have me killed."
My voice was rising. "I've been patient. I've been understanding. I've tried to give you chances to change. But you refuse so now you get consequences."
"You can't keep me in here-"
"I can. I'm Luna. This is my pack house. And you've pushed me too far."
I nodded to the servants. They stepped out and closed the door, locking it from the outside.
Leaving Selena alone in a room full of her worst nightmare.
Her scream was immediate and piercing. "LET ME OUT! PLEASE! THE SPIDERS!"
I listened for a moment then walked away.
Her screams followed me up the stairs. Growing more desperate. More terrified, the servants I passed were trying not to smile. Some weren't even trying to hide it.
"How long are you leaving her there?" Kara asked when I reached the main floor.
"Until she understands until she breaks. Until she's too terrified to ever challenge me again."
I looked at Kara. "Is that cruel?"
"Probably but after everything she's done? She deserves it."
Selena's screams echoed through the pack house.
And I felt no guilt at all.