007

Lana

Fabricated? Did he just say that?

The word rang in my ears as I stared at the councillor who had spoken, disbelief was rising fast inside me. How could a man of rank ask such a thing? His tone was NOT curious. It was accusing and it was insulting as well.

How could anyone fabricate a mate bond?

I wanted to speak. I wanted to question him sharply and demand sense from his foolish mouth. But I stopped myself.

I was not Lana anymore, I was supposed Sapphire. Sapphire wouldn't speak at all since she was was quiet and gentle. Sapphire wouldn't even think to challenge powerful men in council chambers.

So I stayed silent.

Beside me, Ashton turned his head slowly toward the speaker. “Explain,” he ordered.

That single word carried weight. The room seemed to tighten around it.

The councillor straightened in his seat before replying. “Your Majesty, I meant no offense. It is only… unusual. You have lived for thirty one without a mate. Then suddenly, you find one and it didn’t even happen during a full moon. It is just a normal day.”

He spread his hands carefully. “It is… unlikely.”

A few council members nodded. One murmured in agreement and nother leaned forward as if curious to hear more.

The air shifted when Ashton stood. The movement was simple, but it silenced the room at once. His presence pressed down on everyone like a storm cloud. Even the men who had nodded now stiffened.

“You will now start choosing your words carefully,” he said. “The Moon Goddess does not require your approval to act.”

No one spoke at first, then a noblewoman lifted her chin slightly. “Your Majesty, we only wish to understand. There must be an explanation. Such things do not simply happen.”

The sound that followed shocked the room.

Bang!

Ashton’s palm struck the table and his eyes flared bright red.

The glow was sudden and fierce, like embers bursting into flame. Several council members flinched. One even pushed his chair back slightly.

“Do not question the will of the Moon Goddess!” Ashton growled. “And do not question my mate bond.”

“Sapphire is my Luna,” he continued. “She will rule beside me from this day forward. If any of you find fault with that… learn to live with it.”

No one dared reply.

The red glow faded from his eyes. The tension slowly loosened, but the fear remained. Then he turned to me.

His voice softened. “Are you alright?”

For a moment I could only look at him. No one had ever defended me like that before. No one had ever spoken for me with such certainty. I didn’t fully understand the feeling that rose in my chest, but I knew one thing.

It felt… good.

“Yes, I'm okay," I replied.

He offered his hand. I placed mine in it, and he helped me stand. Warmth spread from where our skin touched.

“This meeting is adjourned,” he announced.

Chairs shifted as we walked out. I could feel their stares on my back, but none of them spoke.

We moved through the corridor in silence until we reached the stairs. Ashton glanced down at me. “You were quiet.”

I lowered my gaze as I replied. “All of this still feels new to me. I'm simply trying to understand it.”

He nodded once, as if that answer made perfect sense. “You will stay in my chambers for now,” he said. “I will sleep elsewhere until you grow used to me. When you are comfortable, we will share a room.”

Heat rushed to my face instantly.

I was certain my cheeks had turned red.

Ashton escorted me to his chamber door and stopped.

“This will be your room for now,” he said.

I nodded softly. “Thank you.”

He studied me for a brief second, his gaze was calm but watchful.

“Tomorrow morning, I will be sparring. Join me.” he asked. He may be asking, but I knew it wasn't a question.

“I will,” I replied.

“Good night, Luna.” he whispered.

“Good night.”

He turned and walked away, his footsteps were steady until they faded down the corridor. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

I stood there for a moment, letting everything settle in my mind. So much had changed in a single day. Yesterday, I had been dying on a cold floor, betrayed by the man I loved and the woman I trusted. Today, I stood inside the King’s Estate as his Luna.

The Moon Goddess had given me another life. I wasn't going waste it.

I would move carefully. Slowly. I would build my power piece by piece until the day came when Diego and Amethyst would have nowhere left to run.

But that was for later.

Right now, I needed rest.

When I woke, sunlight was already pouring through the tall curtains, warm and bright. I rose quickly, washed, and dressed. I had barely finished when there was a knock.

A servant stepped inside carrying folded clothing. Uniform to be specific.

“Luna," she bowed. "His Majesty requests your presence in the training hall.”

He handed me the garments. They were training clothes, simple and fitted.

“I understand,” I said.

After changing, I made my way outside. The air was quite cool today. I walked through the stone path that later led to a wide open training ground.

Ashton was already there. He stood in the center with his sleeves rolled and his posture relaxed but ready. When he saw me, he inclined his head slightly.

“You came.”

“You asked me to,” I answered.

“I will train you myself,” he said. “A Luna should be able to defend herself.”

Ashton showed me how to stand, where to place my feet, even how to hold my balance. When my stance shifted wrong, he stepped behind me and adjusted it and all the while, his hand rested briefly on my waist to guide me.

Heat rushed through me at the contact.

“Like this,” he said quietly.

I nodded, forcing my focus back to the lesson. We moved again. I blocked hsi strikes and game mine in return.

“You learn fast… little wolf.” he said, chuckling.

We circled each other once more, and I reacted to his movement without thinking, dodging and countering smoothly.

He stopped, watching me with unreadable eyes.

“Who taught you to fight like that?” he asked suddenly.

Suspicion flickered in his gaze. My heart skipped a beat at his inquiry. Had I given myself away?