Chapter seven

Bound by Duty

The journey to the Blackstone Pack was silent.

Lynnek rode her horse several paces ahead of Miguel, refusing to look at him. Behind them, Blackstone warriors escorted the group through the dense forest while the Lucaster elders had already turned back.

The marriage had been agreed to.

Now all that remained was the ceremony.

Lynnek hated how quickly her life had changed.

Three days ago, she had been the future Luna of Lucaster.

Now she was riding toward the territory of the most feared Alpha in the werewolf kingdom.

"You're unusually quiet," Miguel said as he guided his horse beside hers.

"I'm trying to decide whether marrying you is a worse punishment than being banished."

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"You'll survive."

"You sound confident."

"I am."

She shot him a glare.

"I don't need your confidence."

"No," he replied calmly. "You need honesty."

Before she could respond, one of his warriors galloped toward them.

"Alpha!"

Miguel's expression turned serious.

"What is it?"

"We received a message from Blackstone."

The warrior handed him a sealed letter.

Miguel broke the wax seal and read it.

His jaw tightened.

"What happened?" Lynnek asked.

"Our borders were attacked last night."

Her eyes widened.

"By rogues?"

Miguel folded the letter.

"No."

"Then who?"

He looked straight ahead.

"Someone wants a war."

---

Hours later, towering black gates came into view.

Beyond them stood Blackstone Pack.

It was unlike anything Lynnek had imagined.

Instead of a gloomy fortress, the territory was alive. Warriors trained in the open fields, children laughed as they ran between stone houses, and merchants filled the market square.

The moment Miguel entered, everyone stopped.

Every wolf bowed.

"Welcome home, Alpha."

Miguel acknowledged them with a nod.

Then something unexpected happened.

The people noticed Lynnek.

"Is that her?"

"The future Luna?"

"The Alpha's chosen mate?"

Curious whispers spread through the crowd.

Lynnek shifted uncomfortably under their stares.

Miguel noticed.

Without a word, he moved his horse closer to hers.

It was a small gesture, but it placed her under his protection.

For the first time, no one looked at her with pity.

Only respect.

---

Inside the Blackstone manor, an elderly woman waited at the entrance.

Her silver hair was tied neatly behind her head, and despite her age, her posture was straight.

She smiled warmly.

"So, this is Lynnek."

Miguel climbed off his horse.

"Grandmother."

Lynnek blinked.

Grandmother?

The elderly woman walked over and gently held Lynnek's hands.

"My name is Evelyn."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Lynnek said politely.

Evelyn smiled.

"I've been waiting a long time to meet the woman stubborn enough to argue with my grandson."

Miguel sighed.

"Grandmother..."

"What?" Evelyn chuckled. "It's true."

Lynnek couldn't stop herself from smiling.

It was the first genuine smile she'd worn since her mother's death.

Miguel noticed.

For a brief moment, he found himself smiling too.

---

That evening, as Lynnek settled into her room, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

One of the maids entered, looking nervous.

"My Lady..."

"What is it?"

"The Alpha has requested your presence in the council chamber."

Lynnek frowned.

"Now?"

"Yes."

She followed the maid through the manor until they reached a large wooden door.

Inside, Miguel stood with several of his generals around a map.

The room fell silent as she entered.

Miguel looked up.

"We've found something."

He slid a parchment across the table.

Lynnek picked it up.

Her breath caught.

It was a list of names.

At the top...

Lynnek Lucaster.

Below it...

Miguel Blackstone.

And beneath both names was a single sentence written in blood-red ink:

Kill them before the next full moon.