Chapter 7

A knock at my door startled me from my thoughts.

“Luna?” A voice called. “May I enter?”

My heart skipped because I knew that voice too well. Whenever he visited the pack house, his voice always rang out in the dining hall. But I was never face-to-face with him. 

Beckoning on me meant one thing. I was going to be with the Alpha’s nephew who was almost the same age as him, alone. 

Could the ground open, so I’d fall in?

“Come in,” I said hesitantly.

The door opened, revealing the familiar yet revered face of a man with the same dark hair and strong features that marked him as Blackthorne blood. But where Zane’s face was all hard edges and cold authority, this man’s expression was open. Friendly even. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, as if he were a complete natural at it.

“Forgive the intrusion,” he said with an almost theatrical bow. “I’m Kaius. Alpha Zane’s nephew.” He straightened, his grin widening. “I was around the pack house, so I came to pay special greetings to the latest and most glorious Luna in the wolf world.”

The flattery. I was going to fall for it, except that he was of the same blood as Zane and I had learnt better than expecting anything from anyone of that bloodline.

“Thank you. I am Tiana,” I simply replied, hoping that Kaius would make a turn and leave, but he walked past me and crossing the room with easy confidence, dropped into one of the chairs as if we were old friends. 

My face distorted in confusion, and as he caught it, a small smile spread on his lips. “I am sorry, was I interrupting anything?”
“Umm… no. I–” Before I could finish, he continued.

“I’m just curious about the woman who finally got my uncle to settle down.” He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. “Though ‘settle down’ might not be the right phrase, considering his actions at the bonding ceremony. I did not want to think much about it, but the gossip in the pack was disturbing.”

Intentionally acting like I had not heard his last statement, I probed. “You were at the ceremony?” 

“Arrived late. Missed the actual vows, but caught the very romantic moment where he abandoned you at the altar and stormed off.” Kaius’s tone was light, but his eyes had sharpened. “But I guess it’s not my business.”

“Mmmm…” I subtly replied. I did not want to be a scapegoat by saying anything treasonous about the Alpha because in the worst case, the Alpha blood flowing through Kaius could save him, but I won’t be spared.

“Luna, you see, I had heard from the pack of how the Alpha mated with a mere servant, but I wonder how they failed to mention what beautiful brown eyes you have.”

“Oh…” the words slipped from my throat. I was not sure what to, or how to respond to Kaius.

“Thank you.” I added.

He leaned forward. “Listen, I know my uncle can be a bit… difficult. But it does not in any way describe the Blackthorne family or the entirety of him.

Also, I wanted to introduce myself properly and let you know that if you ever need anything, at least for the time I am around, you can ask me. I’d be glad to be of help.”

I shook my head softly. “Thank you!”

“If I may ask though,” I continued. “Why?”

“I mean…” Just as I tried to throw more depth and clear the confusion to my innocent question, Zane’s voice followed, cutting through the air like a blade. 

“Kaius.”

Almost at the same time, we turned our heads to find Zane standing in the doorway, specifically, the one that connected our chambers.

His eyes locked on his nephew. “I don’t remember the Luna asking for your help.”

“Why are you here?” Zane’s voice was deceptively quiet.

“Meeting my new aunt,” Kaius said easily, though I noticed he’d straightened in his chair, some of the casual warmth leaving his posture. “Is it wrong to do that too?”

The muscle in Zane’s jaw ticked. “No, but I don’t appreciate it. So get out.”

“Uncle—”

“Now.”

Kaius held his gaze for a moment. Then he stood, offering me an apologetic smile.

“It was nice meeting you, Luna Tiana. I’m sure we’ll talk again soon.”

He left, and then it was just the two of us. Zane and I.

Now, Zane’s strategy became even clearer. Isolate me. But why?

I did not even have any family, so that was enough isolation. Just at the start of a potential friendship, he was nipping it in the bud. 

The isolation he caused me was it not already enough?

Zane stared at me as soon as Kaius left “What did he want?”

“Just to introduce himself,” I said carefully. 

He moved further into the room, and I resisted the urge to step back. “I’d prefer if you kept your interactions with Kaius… minimal. He may be family, but you are my mate. I won’t have the pack gossiping about impropriety.”

The irony of that statement—coming from a man who couldn’t even bear to look at me—was staggering.

“There’s nothing improper about—”

“I don’t care what there is or isn’t,” he cut me off. “I care about appearances. You’re Luna now. Act like it.”

He turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. “The healers will be here at dawn. Be ready.”

Then he was gone, the door shutting firmly behind him.

I stood alone in my chambers, my head spinning.

In the span of ten minutes, I’d met someone who’d shown me more genuine kindness than my own mate had in days.

And Zane’s response was to forbid me from speaking to him, noting his preferences.

I looked at the glass wall separating us and wondered—not for the first time—how I was supposed to survive this.