"Of course I'm back," I said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "Told you I wouldn’t be long."She caught my hand and held it against her cheek, her eyes closing for a brief moment as if soaking me in.“I wanted to rest a bit after taking my bath. I didn’t know when I slept off.”“Understandable. You were tired from the journey.” "Did you see your alpha?" she asked softly.I nodded. "Yeah. Jaxon and his wife, Calista. They’re good people. You’ll like them."A small smile tugged at her lips. "I’m glad."In fact, they have invited us to dinner tonight.”“Really?” she asked, surprise noticeable in her voice. “Do I have to see them tonight?”“Yes, Calista can’t wait to meet you.”She kept quiet for a bit.“Come on,” I teased her."Fine," she said dramatically, sitting up and stretching like a cat. "Let’s go meet the scary Alpha and his terrifying Luna."I threw a pillow at her lightly, making her squeal and duck."They’re not scary," I said. "You’ll love them.""And i
"Three perimeter guards were injured," Jaxon said. "One almost didn’t make it. They went after our supply lines. Whoever led them knew exactly where to strike to cause the most disruption."“That’s terrible,” I said.“And they came again the next day,” Jaxon continued. “But this time they didn’t come to fight but to pass a message.”“What message?” I asked.“We don’t know yet,” Jaxon replied in a low voice. “We were hoping you would help us in this regard.”“Me?”“Yes, the ...the message they dropped was Tricia. Hey body was mutilated. I tried to contact you but when I couldn’t get through, I asked Calista to inform Lyra so she can get through to you. She promised to tell you.”“Yes, she did,” I answered by scratching my jaw.“I’m really sorry, Luke,” Calista said, extending a hand to touch my hand. “I know how much she meant to you, at least in the past.”“In the past, Luna. She is my past. So no need to feel sorry about her death. Besides, it's not your fault,” I told her. “But I ap
I turned to see Denise walking toward me, her arm linked with Luke’s. They were laughing about something, a warm, easy happiness in their steps.Despite the tension coiling in my gut, a smile tugged at my mouth."Leaving already?" I asked as they reached me.Denise gave me a mock glare. "You sound like Mother. 'Don't leave yet, stay another hour!'"Luke chuckled. "We've been here since yesterday, Alpha. Besides, some of us have duties at home too.""Right," I said, folding my arms. "And here I thought you were just eager to steal my sister away."Denise elbowed me lightly. "As if you didn’t spend half the ceremony glued to your mate’s side.""Guilty," I admitted with a grin.Luke's eyes softened. "You’re lucky to have her, Damien. It’s not often the Goddess blesses us twice.""Believe me, I know," I said, my voice quieting. I looked between them. "I’m glad you found each other, too."Luke squeezed Denise’s hand. "We’ll be heading back to our pack immediately. I just wanted to say good
Damien’s pov I scratched my jaw for a bit. She is right. She should go see her mother. I wonder why she didn’t make it to the ceremony. “I think you should. We can’t keep running forever,” I told her. “Besides, we have achieved our aim by getting you and Leo safely back to Axelland. I don’t think your father can do anything now.”“Oh, thank you, Damien,” she gushed with happiness. “I really wanted to see my mother.”“Don’t worry about it. I’ll send two guards with you, just to keep you safe.”“I’m tired,” she admitted softly, smiling. “I just want to go inside and rest. It’s getting late.”I wrapped my arms around her briefly, grounding her with my warmth. Then I planted a soft kiss on her lips.“Go,” I said. “You’ve done enough for today. I’ll stay and make sure the rest of the guests leave without any trouble.”She pulled back enough to look up at me. “You sure?”I smiled, that slow, confident smile that made her heart flip. “Positive. Go get some sleep my Luna.”She smiled back,
I scoffed. “Don’t play games with me, girl. I want more than that. What’s his name? His lineage? Who brought him here?”She turned back to me with a calm that was infuriating. “All I know is that he’s Denise’s mate. If you want more information, maybe you can ask them.”I blinked at her, stunned by the edge in her tone. And also stunned by the new knowledge.“Her mate.”“Yes,” she answered.“Denise never mentioned having a mate when she came to see me the other day,” I said thoughtfully.“That’s because she hadn't met him by then. They just saw each other days ago.”“And she told you this?”“Of course, she is my sister-in-law. Who else will she tell?”“You’ve grown bold,” I said. “Since when have you talked back to me like this?”She lifted her chin. “Since the world tried to break me and I survived. I’ve had time to grow, Father. To see things clearly. I’m no longer the pawn you moved around the board.”“You’re still my daughter.”“Yes,” she said, “but I’m also the Luna now. And I wi
“He went off this way,” I said pointing towards a corner. “But I doubt we’ll find him easily in this crowd. I’ll let him know that you are looking for him when he comes around.”“It's okay. We have to retire for the night as my mate graciously reminded me.”“Ah yes, Denise. She is hell-bent on following you back.”I nodded and she smiled.“Take good care of her.”“I will,” I assured her and went back to our side of the pavilion.***Marcus povThe music dulled behind me as I stepped away from the crowd, my eyes following her. My daughter, Lyra, the Luna of Axelland. I wonder if she is on to my plans. But that is not possible. As I only let Garret know what I’m doing. Even at that I don’t tell him everything.But there are some questions I need answers about. I have to meet with her and ask her some things that are confusing me.She looked radiant, just the way I had planned for her to be when I sealed her fate years ago. I wanted my daughter to be the Luna, even if I had some ulterior