LOGINEveryone rose, including me. The ballroom bowed as one as the sea of nobles lowered their heads before their rulers. Then, the monarchs descended.Claude looked every bit the Alpha King, looking composed, powerful, and effortlessly commanding. Beside him walked Rachelle, looking radiant, elegant, and dangerous. The air of the General was still within her and was mixed with her Luna Queen aura.The entire ballroom watched their arrival. They were the current rulers of the Waevalon Kingdom. Every eye followed them. Every noble expected them to begin greeting dignitaries, acknowledge the influential houses, mingle with aristocrats, and fulfill the duties expected of monarchs.Rachelle's gaze immediately found me. Oh, no... I knew that look. It was the exact same one she wore whenever she was about to create chaos.I found Lucretius' gaze across the crowds and had the same look as me. We both know what was bound to happen as I caught him sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. I coul
The silence lingered after my question. It was heavy and uncomfortable that neither Marcelo nor Seraphine answered.Because they couldn't.Not without walking directly into the trap they had created for themselves.I watched Marcelo's jaw tighten ever so slightly, which was only for a second. Then, the expression vanished, but I saw it.A soft laugh escaped me. The sound seemed strangely loud amidst the silence surrounding us. Then, I shook my head. "Oh, Moon Goddess..." My fingers lifted toward my neck.Immediately, Marcelo's eyes followed the movement. So did Seraphine's, and so did everyone else's. The noblewomen around me visibly leaned forward, looking curious and confused. Slowly, I brushed my hair aside and exposed the mark my Lucretius left. The room fell silent, and it was the shocked kind. Several noblewomen gasped outright. One nearly dropped her champagne glass. Another's fan snapped shut. And there it was. It was clear as day. A mate mark. Not hidden and concealed. No
The conversation around our little circle had finally begun flowing naturally. At least, as naturally as it could after I practically invited myself into it.A few of the ladies had relaxed enough to laugh at my remarks. Others were still cautiously observing me, likely trying to decide whether I was dangerous, scandalous, or simply strange. Perhaps, all three. I was in the middle of listening to Lady Cordelia complain about her fiancé's obsession with hunting when the atmosphere around us shifted. It was subtle at first and it was the kind of change most people wouldn't notice immediately.The conversation died one voice at a time until nothing remained. The hairs at the back of my neck rose. Slowly, I lowered the champagne glass from my lips.I didn't need to turn around. Because somehow, I already knew. My fingers tightened slightly around the stem of the glass before relaxing again. Across from me, one of the younger noblewomen looked visibly uncomfortable. Another glanced away
I almost regretted the idea immediately. Almost. Because convincing Lucretius to leave my side was somehow harder than surviving assassination attempts."Hubby.""No."I blinked. "You don't even know what I'm going to say.""I do."I narrowed my eyes. "You don't.""I do."The audacity.Around us, the banquet had gradually returned to life after our arrival. Music flowed through the ballroom once more while nobles resumed their conversations, though I could still feel curious glances drifting in our direction every now and then.The military officers who had greeted Lucretius earlier were still hovering nearby, waiting patiently like a group of abandoned soldiers hoping their commander would finally return to them.Meanwhile, several noble ladies had begun stealing glances toward me from across the ballroom. Some were curious and cautious. Some were openly intrigued.Perfect.Exactly what I wanted.The problem was my husband. Or rather, the fact that he refused to move."Hubby," I tri
By the time Lucretius and I left the guest chamber, the Autumn Moon Banquet had already begun.We were late. Not terribly late, but late enough for the ballroom to have already settled into the rhythm of music, wine, laughter, and whispers.And perhaps, that was better.Father and Enoch had gone ahead of us earlier to observe the situation first after they fetched us to our chamber. At least, that was what Father said. As for Enoch, I was quite certain he only agreed because he wanted to see Marcelo before I did.That was exactly why I had stopped him before we parted ways."Enoch," I had warned him, my voice low but firm as he adjusted the cuffs of his formal coat, looking far too composed for someone I knew very well.He glanced at me. "What?""Do not punch Marcelo to death."He stared at me for a moment. Then, his brows slowly lifted as if I had just offended him. "I know how to control myself."I gave him a look. He looked away first.That alone answered enough."Enoch."A sigh es
By the time the preparations were finished, the sun had already begun its descent beyond the palace gardens. The servants had spent what felt like hours preparing me for the Autumn Moon Banquet.My hair had been arranged, jewelry carefully chosen, and the midnight-colored gown Rachelle selected had finally been fitted properly. Somewhere within the palace, I knew Lucretius was undergoing the same torture. A faint smile tugged at my lips at the thought. Servants moved in and out of the chamber one final time before giving their approval. Then, one by one, they excused themselves. The room gradually emptied. And the moment the last servant closed the doors behind them, silence followed as I lifted my gaze, when at the exact same time, Lucretius lifted his. My breath caught. For a moment, neither of us spoke. We simply stared. Seeing him like this felt entirely different. The black formal coat fit him perfectly, emphasizing the broadness of his shoulders and the powerful build hid
I woke up the next morning feeling something kissing my stomach, only to see that Lucretius and his naughty hands were already under my nightdress. A gasp escaped from my lips when his lips landed on my inner thigh, his warm breath breathing the apex of my thighs.He raised his head to meet my eyes
There were things I had been questioning myself lately. It was how my body was able to allow this man to touch me sensually. Not only that, I had let him own and brand me, and even my wolf was trusting him more than she trusted our former mate.I still remember that time when Redmund had attempted
When Lucretius brought us to his private chamber, I was starting to feel my eyes getting heavier, my head already leaning on his shoulder. As soon as he gently lay me down on his bed, I struggled to fight off the drowsiness threatening to take over.His faint scent of sandalwood and smoke lingered
"My, my, the newlywed lovebirds have finally shown themselves."That was Romina's statement as soon as Lucretius and I showed up in the dining hall with our hands intertwined. This wasn't my idea, but Lucretius's. It was right after the maids had finished their business with me that he demanded I s







