005

LANA

What? Did he just call me by my name? By my real name? Did he just call me Lana? How did he know?

"Are you alright, Sapphire?" Ashton asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He called me sapphire... not Lana. I must have misheard.

"Y—yes. I'm fine," I answered, playing a small smile on my lips.

“Luna Sapphire.”

Hearing the Lycan King call me that sent a chill down my spine.

It was strange. Strange and thrilling in a way I did not want to admit. The name did not belong to me, not truly, yet the way it sounded on his tongue made it feel real… dangerous, even. Like I had stepped into someone else’s destiny and the world had already accepted the lie.

But then his next words echoed in my mind again. "Allow your secrets."

My heart skipped once, only once. I refused to allow it do a second stumble.

I cleared my throat softly and lowered my gaze, folding my hands together the way I remembered Sapphire used to do.

"I have no secrets, my king,” I said, keeping my voice gentle. “I am only trying to learn how to be worthy of you. It is natural for me to be careful. I must become a proper Luna.”

It sounded reasonable, innocent and safe.

Inside, I watched him carefully.

He didn’t answer immediately. He only smiled.

The expression wasn't warm but it wasn’t not cold either. It was the kind of smile a hunter wore when he spotted movement in the grass but chose not to strike yet. It made my skin prickle.

Did he believe me? I couldn’t tell.

That unsettled me more than if he had accused me outright.

I lowered my eyes again, reminding myself to breathe slowly. I had to be careful now.

Lana was a bold and she had spoken her thoughts freely, trusted easily, loved foolishly. Sapphire, however, was nothing like that. The Sapphire I knew had always been quiet, timid, almost invisible beside her radiant sister, Amethyst.

If I suddenly acted strong, sharp, or fearless like I did earlier before Ashton walked in, people would notice... if they hadn't already.

So I needed to do was act shy, soft even. For now.

The scrape of a chair pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked up in time to see Ashton rise from his chair and the entire hall fell silent immediately.

It was not forced silence. It was not even ordered. It simply happened. His presence alone demanded it. Nobles straightened. Guards stiffened and everyone paused to listen.

I watched him from beneath my lashes, wondering again what kind of game the Moon Goddess was playing to bind me to a man like this. He was not merely powerful. He was authority itself, carved into flesh and bone.

He picked up a glass of champagne from a passing servant and turned toward the crowd.

“My people,” he began.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried to every corner of the hall.

He spoke of unity and strength. He then started talking about loyalty among packs. He spoke like a ruler who had seen wars and buried enemies. Each word was steady amd filled with certainty. No one dared interrupt.

Then his gaze shifted and landed to me.

“And tonight,” he continued, “we welcome our Luna. The one the moon goddess herself blessed me with on this fateful day. Luna Sapphire.”

Dozens of eyes snapped toward me at once.

I lowered my head quickly, letting my lashes hide my expression. I clasped my hands tighter and forced a small, nervous smile, playing the role of Sapphire. A few nobles nodded approvingly, clearly pleased that their new queen looked harmless.

They were fools if they believed that.

A prickle crawled along my skin and I glanced up slightly.

Across the hall, Diego stared at me.

His jaw was tight. His eyes were burning with ealousy, rage, and something wounded twisted across his face. Beside him, Amethyst’s fingers clutched his arm so hard her knuckles had turned white.

Good. Very good.

I dropped my gaze again before anyone noticed and let my lips curve faintly.

"Feel it," I told him silently. "Feel even a fraction of what you made me feel."

The ceremony continued, and before long I found myself surrounded.

Noblewomen gathered around me in a soft circle, their jeweled dresses were brushing against mine, their perfumes mixed in the air. They smiled too brightly, bowed too often and spoke too sweetly.

“A blessing from the Moon Goddess,” one of them said, clasping her hands.

“A miracle,” another agreed. “His Majesty has never taken a mate. Never! And yet he chose you.”

If only they knew how many miracles had truly happened today.

I nodded shyly, lowering my gaze as Sapphire would have done.

“You flatter me,” I murmured.

Behind them, I heard hushed whispers.

“Did you see Alpha Diego’s face?”

“I know right? This ceremony was supposed to be his tonight too.”

“Imagine being overshadowed by the King himself.”

Soft giggles followed.

“And that girl… wasn’t she invisible before? Quiet little Sapphire?”

“Yes! And now she’s the King’s mate. How strange.”

I kept my expression gentle, though inside I was listening to every word. Good. Let them talk. Rumors were useful things. They spread faster than truth and lasted longer.

Two royal guards approached and bowed.

“Your Majesty,” one said respectfully. “The car is ready. We have been ordered to escort you.”

I inclined my head. “Thank you.”

So it was time. I followed them out, feeling dozens of eyes trail after me. Outside, a sleek black car waited beneath the lantern lights.

Ashton stood tall and majestically beside the car and then, he open the door when I approached.

The gesture was simple yet it caught me off guard..

The Lycan King himself opened a door for me.

“Thank you,” I said softly, stepping inside. The seat was smooth and soft beneath me

He entered after me and shut the door.

Silence settled for a moment as the car began to move. Then he spoke.

“You’re quite interesting.” he said with a straight face.

I turned slightly. “Interesting how?”

“I was told you were quiet and reserved. Nearly invisible.” His eyes rested on me, calm and sharp at once. “Tell me, little wolf… why would the Moon Goddess choose someone unremarkable as my mate, if she were not interesting?”

I did not know how to answer that so I stayed silent.

After a moment, I asked softly, “Where are we going?”

“The King’s Estate.”