Chapter 2

BRIE’S POV

It had been months—maybe longer—since I’d done anything reckless.

In a while, I hadn’t done anything that made my pulse race or my wolf stretch inside me and howl in delight. I was Luna now. I had to be composed and obedient.

But tonight, I wasn’t going to be any of those things.

“Zel” I hissed, crouching low behind one of the columns near the east garden gate. “Tell me again why I agreed to this insanity.”

My best friend smirked as she nudged me with her elbow. “Because you always pretend you don’t want to, and then you’re the one dragging me headfirst into trouble.”

I grinned.. The guards at the gate leaned lazily on their spears, clearly half-asleep, clearly uninterested. We didn’t need to sneak past them. I could have walked out proudly as Luna, and no one would dare question me.

But where was the thrill in that?

“Alright,” I whispered. “On my count. Three. Two—”

“Now!” Zelda cut in, and together we ran across the hedges like children breaking rules for the fun of it. Our laughter filled the night.

The wind ran through my hair, and for the first time in too long, I felt alive.

And goddess, I needed that.

-

The city at night was a different world.

Zelda and I slipped through side streets and shadowy alleys. We ducked around drunks who staggered in confusion and guards who barely gave us a second glance.

“You needed this,” Zelda said, linking her arm through mine. “I mean it, Brie. You’ve been locked up for too long.”

She wasn’t wrong. My days had become nothing but endless cycles of meetings, treaties, fake smiles, and suffocating expectations. Not once had I laughed in a genuine way.

But tonight wasn’t one of those days.

“I want cookies,” I blurted suddenly.

Zelda blinked at me. “Cookies?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “Warm, fat, gooey, chocolate-stuffed cookies. The kind Alex’s diet rules wouldn’t allow within a mile of me. Let’s find some.”

It didn’t take us long.

A vendor was closing up near the old square when I convinced him with a smile and a few sweet words to stay open just a little longer.

Moments later, Zelda and I sat on a bench with a bag of fresh cookies between us. I bit into one and nearly groaned.

“This cookie,” I said through a mouthful, “I would marry this cookie.”

She laughed. “Alex’s going to be jealous.”

At his name, my smile faltered, but I forced myself to push it away. Not tonight. Tonight wasn’t about him. Tonight was mine.

We wandered further and came across a rowdy group clustered around barrels, shouting over some kind of game. Zelda tugged my arm. “Babe, no. Let’s go another way.”

“Wait.” I narrowed my eyes. “They’re arm wrestling.”

She groaned “Brie. Don’t you dare—”

“Excuse me!” I called out, stepping forward.

The men turned. Their eyebrows lifted as they looked me up and down. Smirks spread across their faces.

“I wanna arm wrestle” I said.

“You want a match with Gorn?” one of them laughed. “He breaks logs in half for fun.”

“Perfect,” I said, slipping off my cloak. “Let’s make this interesting.”

The crowd cheered as I clasped hands with Gorn. After the count of three, I pushed. And within seconds, his arm slammed against the table.

The crowd erupted. The cheers were loud. Money was thrown in the air. A drink was shoved into my hand. I laughed. I could feel my blood racing, my wolf howling with glee.

“Brie,” Zelda hissed, gripping my sleeve. “You’ve lost your mind!”

I grinned at her “I’ve missed this. Missed feeling like myself.”

She shook her head, though her lips twitched like she wanted to laugh. “Alexs is going to smell all of this on you.”

That sobered me. When another man offered me ale, Zelda nudged me teasingly. “Come on. Just one sip.”

I hesitated, then shook my head firmly. “No. He’ll know. He always knows. And he hates it.”

“Since when do you care what he hates?” she asked softly.

I didn’t reply. The truth was too heavy.

-

We made it back to the palace just before dawn. We slipped past the same guards who never noticed we were gone. I hugged Zelda tightly outside her chambers.

“That was the most fun I’ve had in years,” I whispered.

She grinned. “Then let’s not wait years again.”

I smiled  and slipped into my room.

I had just pulled off my boots and let myself sink into the bed when a hard knock rattled my door.

I groaned, dragging myself up to open it. “What—”

Alex walked in.

He glared at me as he stepped closer to me.. “You smell like… cookies.”

I froze.

“And smoke,” he went on. “And sweat.”

I crossed my arms. “Is there a reason you’re barging into my room at this hour?”

“Where were you?” His voice was flat, dangerous.

“That’s not your concern,” I answered.

“You’re Luna,” he snapped. “Everything you do is my concern. People watch you.”

“They watch you more than they watch me,” I muttered.

His eyes narrowed. “Zelda was with you.”

I didn’t respond.

“You went into the city,” he said. “You disobeyed me. You disgraced your position.”

My fists clenched. “I didn’t drink.”

“That isn’t the point!” he exploded, stepping forward. “Do you know what people would say if they saw their Luna out there acting like some… commoner?”

My voice shook as I whispered, “You mean acting free?”

There was silence for a while. We both stared at each other, breathing heavily.

Finally, he turned his back. “The ball is in three days. Don’t shame us again.”

And just like that, he was gone. I stood frozen until the anger cracked me open.

I screamed out loud. I slammed my fist into the wall, again and again. I could feel pain in my knuckles, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing would ever be enough.

“You bastard,” I spat. “You goddess damned bastard.”

Then came the dizziness. The world tilted. My wolf stirred inside me, restless, whispering names that weren’t mine. I didn’t understand what was going on.

“Tyler. Tristan. Kane.” She whispered.

Three names. Before I could catch myself, three faces blurred in my mind. I had a vision of sharp jawlines, strong shoulders, beauty that didn’t seem real.

“What is this?” I whispered, trembling.

-

Morning came too soon.

The sunlight was cruel. The  routine was even crueller. Another tea with noblewomen awaited me, all fake smiles and meaningless talk.  I hated every second before it even began.

I smoothed the pale blue gown I’d been dressed in. my make up was flawless. My hair was perfect. I walked away to the courtroom.

Until I heard it.

A sound from Alex’s wing. The sound was a little faint but I was a warrior once. My hearing was sharper than most.

I heard a moan. I froze. No. Not again.

I told myself to walk away. I begged myself not to listen. But my legs carried me down the corridor anyway.  The sounds grew clearer. I could hear loud laughter, sounds of moans and the creak of his bed.

I reached the half-open door. My hand trembled.

“Don’t look,” I whispered. “Don’t you dare—”

But I pushed it open anyway. And there he was. Alex. My husband.

He was in between Mia’s thighs. His hands gripped her as his mouth pressed into her neck. He panted her name like she was the only thing he craved.

Goddess help me.