The Rules Of This Marriage

I stood in the center of the unfamiliar bedroom for several long moments after Edwin quietly excused himself, listening to the silence that settled around me. The room was elegant enough to rival those of royal families, yet it lacked the warmth that transformed a house into a home. Fresh flowers filled crystal vases, the fireplace burned with steady flames despite the cool mountain air, and every piece of furniture had been polished until it reflected the soft glow of the lanterns. Everything was perfect, everything except the reason I was here.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in.”

Two young maids entered, each carrying folded dresses and neatly arranged boxes “My Luna,” the older of the two said with a respectful bow, “I am Iris, and this is Nina. We have been assigned as your personal attendants.”

Both women looked nervous and I offered them a reassuring smile “It is nice to meet both of you.”

Their surprise was immediate because most noblewomen expected servants to remain invisible, speaking only when spoken to. My greeting seemed to catch them completely off guard.

Nina, who looked no older than eighteen, smiled shyly “It is an honor to serve you.”

I gestured toward the sitting area “You have both been working all day. Please, sit for a moment before you continue.”

The two women exchanged alarmed glances “My Luna,” Iris said carefully, “if the Alpha discovers that we…”

“He will discover that I asked you to rest for a few minutes.”

Neither of them moved but Instead, Iris lowered her head even further “The Alpha does not permit servants to neglect their duties.”

There was no resentment in her voice onlycaution. I immediately realized I had unknowingly placed them in a difficult position “I understand.”

 I smiled gently to ease their worries “Then let us work together.”

The tension in the room eased almost instantly, While they unpacked my belongings, I walked toward the large window overlooking Shadowfang City. Lanterns illuminated the streets below, where merchants still welcomed late customers despite the approaching night. Warriors patrolled in organized groups while families strolled through the market square without fear.

The city felt alive and safe, there was a sense of order here that Silvercrest had lost years ago.

“Shadowfang is beautiful.” The words escaped before I realized I had spoken aloud.

“It is,” Iris replied with quiet pride “The Alpha rebuilt much of the city after becoming leader.”

I turned toward her.

“Rebuilt?”

She nodded “There was once a terrible fire in the southern district. Many families lost everything.”

“And what happened?”

“The Alpha used most of the treasury to rebuild their homes before repairing the Alpha Manor.”

That surprised me because a selfish ruler would have restored his own residence first. Perhaps Gabriel had been telling the truth or perhaps Damon truly was not cruel. Unfortunately, kindness toward his people did not seem to extend to his wife.

Another knock echoed through the suite and this time it was Edwin “My Luna, the Alpha requests your presence for dinner.”

Dinner, at least we would speak, maybe perhaps today had simply been overwhelming or perhaps once we were alone, things would become… easier.

Hope was dangerous but still, I could not stop it from rising. Edwin escorted me through the expansive corridors until we reached a private dining room overlooking the western cliffs. The long table could easily seat twenty people, yet only two places had been prepared.

Damon was already there, he had changed out of his ceremonial clothing and now wore a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. Without the elaborate attire expected of an Alpha during public ceremonies, he looked younger than before, though no less intimidating.

He rose politely when I entered “You may leave,” he told the servants.

Within moments, the room belonged only to us as I took my seat across from him. The silence that followed stretched between us while servants outside quietly closed the doors.

“I hope your chambers are satisfactory,” Damon finally said.

“They are beautiful.”

“But?”

I met his gaze “I was surprised.”

His expression remained unreadable “Because we are not sharing them.”

“So it was intentional.”

“Yes.”

The honesty should have been refreshing but instead, it hurt.

He picked up his glass before continuing “I think it is best that we establish clear expectations from the beginning.”

I folded my hands together “I’m listening.”

“This marriage exists because our packs require it.”

“I know.”

“We are mates.”

“I know that as well.”

His jaw tightened “I did not ask the Moon Goddess for this bond.”

“Neither did I.”

A flicker of frustration crossed his face, though it vanished almost immediately “I have spent my entire life making my own choices.”

“And now you feel that choice has been taken away.” He looked genuinely surprised.

“You understand.”

“I understand what it feels like to have your future decided by someone else.”

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke and the servants entered carrying the first course before quietly withdrawing once more.

Damon waited until they were gone “I will never prevent you from carrying out your duties as Luna.”

“I appreciate that.”

“You will have full authority over the healing sanctuary, charitable work, education, and internal welfare.”

I blinked “You trust me with all of that already?”

“It is your responsibility.” His answer was practical rather than generous “I will oversee military matters, external politics, and territorial defense.”

It was a sensible division and maybe in another life, we might have made an excellent team. Then came the sentence that extinguished whatever hope remained.

“Our private lives will remain separate.”

The words settled heavily over the table.

“I see.”

“You will have complete freedom within the manor.” He paused before continuing “I expect the same in return.”

I looked at him carefully “What exactly are you asking?”

“I will not question how you spend your time.” His golden eyes remained steady “And you will not question mine.”

The meaning became painfully clear, he wanted the freedom to continue living exactly as he always had, the rumors, the women, everything even after marriage, even after discovering I was his mate.

The ache in my chest sharpened “You intend to continue seeing other women.”

He did not answer immediately “I have no intention of pretending to be someone I am not.”

I lowered my gaze to the untouched food before me “I understand.”

“I would rather be honest than make promises I cannot keep.”

There was something almost admirable about his bluntness, almost. It did not lessen the humiliation.

“When we appear before the pack,” he continued, “we will present a united front.”

“As Alpha and Luna.”

“Exactly.”

“And behind closed doors?”

His silence answered before his words did “We will respect each other’s space.”

A quiet laugh escaped me, not because anything was amusing but because I suddenly realized how strange fate could be. The Moon Goddess had paired me with the one man determined never to accept the gift she had given him.

“I agreed to this marriage to save my mother’s pack.” My voice remained calm despite the pain pressing against my ribs “I never expected love.”

He watched me carefully.

“But I did expect respect.”

His expression hardened ever so slightly “You have my respect.”

“Then allow me to ask one thing.”

He nodded.

“If you choose to continue your… relationships…” The word almost caught in my throat. “…please do not humiliate me publicly.”

For the first time since we had met, something resembling guilt flickered across his face. “I have no interest in embarrassing you.”

I thought of the lipstick on his collar, the kiss marks beneath his jaw, the whispers that had followed me through my own wedding but I chose not to remind him.

“There is one more matter.” He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and placed a heavy ring of keys upon the table.

“The east wing, the library, the gardens, the healing sanctuary, and the household records are now under your authority.”

I looked at the keys in surprise “You are giving me control over the manor?”

“Over its domestic affairs.” He slid them closer “The servants will answer to you.”

I picked them up slowly and the cold metal rested heavily in my palm. It was both a responsibility and a test “I won’t disappoint you.”

“I hope not.”

Dinner ended soon afterward. neither of us had eaten much. As I stood to leave, Damon remained by the window overlooking the city. For just a second, I thought he might say something else, perhaps apologize or perhaps wish me goodnight.

Instead, he simply said, “You should get some rest. Tomorrow the pack will formally welcome its new Luna.”

I inclined my head “Goodnight, Alpha.”

“Goodnight… Samantha.”

It was the first time he had spoken my name without indifference. It should have meant something but instead, I returned alone to the east wing carrying a ring of keys that granted me authority over an entire household, while the one door I truly wished had been opened remained firmly closed.

Somewhere in the western wing of the manor, my husband retired to a life that did not include me, and as I lay awake beneath unfamiliar ceilings that night, I silently promised myself that if I could not have his love, I would earn something far more important.

The respect of the people who had become my responsibility.