Luna

The meeting room in the palace was heavy with tension. Hunter sat at the head of the table, the Alpha King, while nine elders surrounded him in a semicircle. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken words, and he could already feel a headache forming. The way their eyes sparkled with barely concealed intent told him everything he needed to know—they were here to nag him about something, and he wasn't going to like it.

“Another lecture about finding my true mate or a second mate,” Hunter muttered, rubbing his temple, his gray eyes darkening with clear irritation.

How could he look for a second mate when he hadn't even rejected his first one? She'd practically begged him to release her, to let her go, but he'd refused. Part of him had still loved her then. Part of him—selfishly—had hoped she would somehow stay, despite everything he'd done to her.

"Your Highness, it's been three months since the news about the beast's sudden movement spread throughout the kingdom," one of the elders finally spoke. The man had white hair and the weathered face of someone ancient.  

"And so?" Hunter leaned forward slightly, placing his arms on the table. "What exactly are you insinuating, Elder Richmond?" Elder Richmond was closest to the previous Alpha King, and Hunter knew he still harbored resentment toward him for letting Nora escape.

All these elders were formidable—each possessed different powers, making them guardians of the land itself. But once an Alpha was declared, they rendered absolute allegiance and support.

"We suggest you meet with the great seer, Marilyn," another elder spoke up. "It's true she transferred most of her powers to her daughter due to grief over her husband's death, but she retains considerable ability."

"I'm still unclear, Elder Sun," Hunter said, fighting to keep his irritation in check. "Why do you believe I should meet her?"

Elder Silas cleared his throat before speaking carefully. "Your Highness, while it's true that you and Her Highness didn't part on good terms, we need her now. The only way to locate her is through her mother's powers. That's why you must meet with Marilyn yourself, Your Highness."

Hunter hadn't expected this. The thought of facing his mate's mother made his chest tighten. He'd deliberately avoided her, unsure how to explain his actions. Not that he wanted reconciliation or to apologize—he simply needed to find Nora to break their bond properly. Only then could he make Lisa his Luna.

"We understand your reluctance," Elder Anderson continued, apparently unconcerned with Richmond's cold glare directed at him. "But consider this: meeting Marilyn serves multiple purposes. You can locate your mate, properly reject her, and begin the search for a suitable second mate. As Alpha King, you require an heir, Your Highness. It's strategic efficiency."

Hunter smiled to himself, actually satisfied with their logic. "The issue is how to convince my mate's mother to help me."

The elders exchanged uncomfortable glances. They understood the predicament. Convincing Marilyn would be far from simple.

"That is your challenge to overcome, Your Highness," Elder Collins said firmly. "We have presented a solution. As our King, it falls to you to execute it and save our kingdom from the impending danger."

The elders stood in unison, bowed respectfully, and filed out of the room.

"Old fools," Hunter muttered under his breath once they'd gone. "As if I don't know you're trying to save your own hides."

He mind-linked his beta. “Maverick, my office. Now.”

Moments later, Maverick entered, bowing slightly. "Your Highness?"

"Make preparations," Hunter commanded, rubbing his temples as he stared at nothing in particular. "We need to visit Marilyn."

"Are you certain you're ready to meet her now?" Maverick asked quietly.

"What choice do I have?" Hunter paused, his gray eyes focusing on his beta. "Those old fools insist it's necessary. Besides, we need my mate if we're going to understand what's happening with the beast."

"Understood," Maverick nodded.

"Her mother can help us locate her quickly," Hunter continued, his voice cold and businesslike. "That's all that matters."

"Are you going to reject her?" Maverick pressed gently.

"Isn't that what she wants?" Hunter spat, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk.

Maverick hesitated. "Have your feelings changed after all these years?"

Hunter stopped, turning to face his beta with an expression of ice. "The sooner you accept Lisa as your future Luna, the better for you, Maverick."  

Hunter practically growled at his beta, his eyes blazing with fury before stomping out of the room. Sometimes, he wondered how Maverick could choose Nora over his own feelings all the time to the extent that he dared to challenge him.  

Hunter had made up his mind to never forget that day, and he still kept him in that position because of their previous friendship.  

Maverick was silent. He just bared his neck in submission. He would forever regret his impulsive action back then.

**

**

Meanwhile, on a private beach...

Nora Wyatt lay stretched across a luxurious lounging chair, soaking in the sun after her morning swim. Her pink and white striped bikini hugged her curves perfectly, and her milk-white skin glowed luminously in the sunlight. A wide-brimmed hat protected her face, and dark sunglasses completed the picture of effortless elegance.

She was the embodiment of a woman who genuinely didn't give a damn about the world and its complications.

To Nora, every day was a gift—another opportunity to experience life to its fullest as she traveled the globe. She'd learned long ago that freedom was the only thing worth pursuing. Money? Men? Luxury? She had all of it within reach. So why waste precious time on anything—or anyone—not worth her energy?

When fate had dealt her a difficult hand, Nora had simply punched back. She'd taken the easiest path available: complete and utter peace of mind.

"Ah, be gentle," she suddenly twitched, sending Hilton a warning glare as he worked the knots from her legs.  

"Sorry, my queen," Hilton apologized immediately, reducing the pressure of his massage.

"Oh, I love that, Mike," she murmured, tilting her head to appreciate the man behind her who worked his magic on her neck and shoulders.  

Hilton shot Mike a jealous look, which Mike returned with a smug smirk.  

Nora just smiled. It felt so good watching her men practically bicker like kids because of her.  

While Mike had a lighter build, dark curly hair, and warm brown eyes, Hilton was gym-built, tan with dark hair and smirked a lot.  

Mike was soft and paid attention to Nora's favorite needs—unlike the rest—and because those intentional acts filled the void sex couldn't, he was the one she went to when she wanted to cuddle.  

Hilton, on the other hand, was her banter mate. He teased her a lot. The one who flirted back and could handle her sharp tongue.

"I've been to so many places," Nora mused, eyes closed behind her sunglasses. "The USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia... I've traveled nearly everywhere. Where else should I visit?"

"Where exactly are you from, my queen?" Mike asked, curious as always.

Nora's eyes opened slightly, and she seemed to consider the question. "Where am I from? Where do I come from?"

The two men exchanged puzzled glances at her repetition.

"I'm from a place you wouldn't believe exists. Somewhere in all directions—north, south, east, west. Nowhere that can be easily described."

She paused, then continued more cryptically. "You wouldn't understand, so there's no point asking. Just know that your queen comes from a kingdom most of you would never believe still exists alongside your human world."

Before either man could respond, a commotion erupted from the beach path.

"Luna! Luna!!!"

"Oh, fuck!" Nora cursed, sitting up sharply. "How did they find me again? I was so careful to cover my tracks!"

She tilted her head and spotted five men rushing toward her with clear excitement and purpose written across their faces. Without hesitation, she shoved the hands away from her body, jumped to her feet, and broke into a sprint, gripping her hat firmly to keep it in place.

Mike and Hilton stood frozen, speechless, as they watched their queen run down the beach with a group of men in hot pursuit. Neither could process what was happening or why their queen was fleeing like this.

All they could do was stand and stare as Nora disappeared in a cloud of sand and sea spray, the sounds of her footsteps getting louder as they chased her down the shoreline.