004

(Lana POV)

He just called me mate?

I felt the mate bond again? How?

His voice still lingered in the air and refused to fade, deep and resonant enough to make the very bones of the palace.

“The king….had a mate?”

“It's impossible!”

“He's never taken one before.”

“Why her?”

Murmurs ripped through and chaos started.

Why me, indeed. Why sapphire?

Ashton's gaze didn't wafer, instead, it pinned me where I stood, commanding, as if the rest of the world ceased to exist. My heart hammered so loud I thought everyone could hear it.

This — this change, I didn't think was coming.

My lips parted, but no sound came. I was speechless because how could there be words for a force like this?

This wasn't the raw, possessive pull Diego's wolf had forced upon me, this was different. Purely different.

Ashton's slow steps broke the silence as the crowd parted ways while he passed nobles, guards, even Diego himself, his chest still heaving from the pain of my rejection.

He stopped only when he stood before me and his whole body fell over my face, taller, broader, darker than any man I had ever known.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me as though he was checking me out. “You heard me,” he said in a low tone. “You're mine.”

Somewhere behind us, I heard Diego snarl, sound ripped from his chest and Amethyst gasped his name, trying to hold him back, but no one dared move.

I should've been terrified, I should've protested, denied, begged the goddess for mercy.

Instead….I smiled.

Because deep down, I understood what fate had just handed me power.

The Lycan king's mate. The woman in history chosen by an Immortal wolf.

If I played this right, Ashton Blackthorne wouldn't just be my mate but my weapon for my revenge.

I dropped my gaze in feigned humility, the way I had seen sapphire do in the memories that flickered in me. “My king,” I whispered, letting my voice tremble, “I….I don't understand.”

He reached out, his gloved hand brushed my chin, forcing my gaze back to his face. His touch was gentle. “You don't have to,” he murmured. “Your soul knows mine.”

No one, absolutely no one dared to make a sound but surprisingly, someone did.

“I don't accept this!” Diego's roar shattered the trance. He pushes past his guards, rage coursing his face. “This is madness! She…she's the sapphire of the Aster pack! She can't be yours! She's mine. She's my mate! I respect you enough for you to do this. Sapphire cannot do this, you have to reject him. She…”

The sound that came from Ashton stopped him. “Watch your tone, Alpha,” He said softly, deadly calm. “Do not presume to challenge what the moon has decreed. It's such a pain Luna Lana stooped so low to a man like you.”

At the sound of my name slipping out of his lips, I couldn't help but feel a sharp pain ripping through my chest.

Diego's wolf whined, submitting despite his fury. Even his power was nothing in comparison to the Lycan King's and he knew his jaw.

“Bring her forward,” Ashton commanded.

Two attendants approached me but didn't touch, they simply guided me closer to him.

Ashton looked down at me once more. “Do you accept me, Sapphire?” He asked.

For a moment, Lana, the woman I had been, the woman that knew him since childhood, screamed inside me. She wanted to spit, to rage, to tell him I wasn't Sapphire and tell him about my vengeance.

But I knew vengeance had patience. Nothing needs to be done rashly.

And Ashton Blackthorne was the key.

So I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “I do,” I said softly. “I accept you.”

The crowds cheered even if it didn't reach their heart and they were all still in shock. I didn't miss the crumpled face of Amethyst.

Ashton turned to his advisor, “Prepare the Ceremonial rites,” he ordered. “Luna shall be crowned before dawn.”

The words struck in my heart and my eyes widened in shock.

No delay, no council approval, no ceremony weeks away?

Was this planned before? I…everything was shocking.

Before anyone could recover, the attendants rushed to obey and the music's returned their instruments.

“By the Moon's decree,” the priest began, “the king and his mate are bound in blood, power, and eternity. Rise, Ashton Blackthorne, and claim your Luna.”

He turned toward me, lifting my hand to his lips. “Luna Sapphire Blackthorne,” he said.

The name came out strong— and it felt resounding.

The celebration that followed was filled with wine, musicians playing trembling notes, and every noble tried to mask their fear behind empty congratulations.

Ashton stood beside me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. “You're quiet,” he murmured after a while, his voice close to my ear.

I forced a soft smile. “Just overwhelmed, my king.”

His eyes flickered with amusement. “You don't seem overwhelmed. You seem calculating.”

My pulse stuttered. “Pardon?”

His mouth curved faintly dangerously. “I've lived a long time, little wolf. I know when someone hides their truth. But I'll allow your secrets for now ... .Luna Lana.”