Astrid's POV
Caspian suddenly mindlinked me to go to the pack house, I was surprised at first because he didn't tell me when we were together that he wanted to make an announcement, so I was suprised when I went there and I saw the pack members there, I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there, tho our relationship over the past week has been great, they no longer look at me with disgust, hatred or envy, instead they looked at me with either fear or respect, it was still awkward for me, this was the same people who ignored me and acted like I didn't exist, tho majority of them didn't physically maltreat me but that doesn't me they were not a part of what I went through here.
Suddenly Caspian's gamma and delta whom I learnt were his best friends from childhood suddenly came in with the warriors and alpha johns mistresses and children, that was when I knew something must be wrong for Caspian to summon all of us here. Not long after, he walked in with the Alpha Alfred the new alpha and the Luna.
The mistresses were so shocked to see them there that they mistakenly let out a loud gasp, after all they've been hiding from Caspian ever since he banished alpha John, and I also found out that they were the ones who made the former head made Agnes's beat me because they found out alpha John took a liking to me so they didn't want me to get close to him. Right from the start I never liked alpha john, the way he looked at me was disgusting and made me want to puke.
I had no ideas he harbor such disgusting thoughts about me, waiting for me to turn 18 so he could officially claim me and take me as one of his mistresses. Tho Agnes hit me but I know it wasn't only because they ordered her to but because she didn't like me, so she was also guilty and she deserved whatever punishment Caspian gave to her.
"On your knees " I heard Caspian order the mistress to go on their knees, his voice deep and absolute. The mistresses went on their knees immediately. Their children stiffened, fear clawing up their throats as the pack warriors closed in behind them.
"Bring me the crest," he ordered.
A warrior stepped forward, carrying a velvet tray. On it lay the crest pendants that marked the Alpha's household, and this was also the symbols the mistresses had worn proudly for years.
His voice was sharp enough to cut stone.
And then I heard Caspian say to them. "You are no longer connected to the Alpha line. You are no longer the privileged women of this pack."
The pendant was ripped from their neck by his gamma, and they let out a loud sob, they knew their life of living lavishly has come to an end. Then Caspian called out the new head omega anna.
Agnes who tormented me was gone so Anna was the new head maid.
"Assign them labor duties. Kitchens. Laundry halls. Public cleaning. Whatever the pack requires." Caspian said.
After announcing their punishment, he told them to rise and horror dawned on them, they've always been served by others now they would be the ones serving the pack. And then caspian announced that the children's punishment was discipline, they had to train with the warriors. After announcing their punishment, the new Alpha came up to speak, and I felt for him, even tho his father was the alpha of this pack , he and his mother both lived a live where they were been ridiculed by everyone in the pack, a mate who didn't love her, pack members who didn't respect her because of the was she was treated by the alpha, even tho she did most of the works in this pack.
All eyes turned when the Luna stepped forward.
She had been silent since the beginning, watching, observing, her presence radiating quiet strength.
She didn't need power to command the room.
She didn't need to shout. Her voice flowed like calm water, steady and warm.
"I don't hate you," she said softly.
The children stared at her through their tears.
"I never wanted you to suffer. You were children caught in the middle. You were taught the wrong things, and you believed them because you didn't know better."
Her gaze fell on the youngest boy, the one now trembling in his mother's arms.
"I forgive you," she said gently. Gasps rose.
The mistresses stiffened, guilt and shame hitting harder than any punishment.
"But forgiveness," she continued, "does not erase consequences. You will learn your place in this pack. You will learn respect. You will learn kindness. And if you ever choose greed or cruelty again…"
She stepped closer, her aura glowing, her power awakening fully.
"…I will protect this pack, and I will protect my family. No matter what it takes."
Her words were soft. But her presence, was that of a Luna. The hall bowed instinctively.
Even the children lowered their heads, not out of fear, but out of something new. Respect. The Luna turned away, her gaze falling upon the King's, with a smile that showed appreciation.
For the red mist pack, A new era had begun.