Se connecterA ripple of laughter lingered around the table. Lady Cordelia was still fanning herself dramatically while several noblewomen had completely abandoned any attempt to hide their amusement.Meanwhile, the subject of the conversation was finally reaching his limit. I noticed it before anyone else. Perhaps, because I knew him too well.Across the ballroom, Lucretius suddenly stopped pretending to pay attention to the officers surrounding him. Commander Blitzard was speaking. At least, I assumed he was.Because my husband wasn't listening. Not anymore. His gaze remained fixed on me. Completely and dangerously.One of the commanders followed his line of sight before groaning loudly. "Oh, for the love of the Moon Goddess." Several officers immediately laughed. Another slapped Lucretius on the shoulder and told him, "Go."A second one rolled his eyes. "Please."A third pointed directly toward me. "Your wife is right there."The surrounding officers looked thoroughly exasperated. Meanwhile
Marcelo's smile finally returned, not because he was comfortable, but because he had no other choice. I watched him straighten his posture slightly before taking a slow sip of wine, buying himself time, thinking, and calculating.The same way he always did whenever negotiations turned unfavorable.Unfortunately for him, this wasn't a negotiation anymore."Your Majesties are correct."The ballroom immediately quieted again. Everyone turned toward him. Even Rachelle looked interested.Marcelo inclined his head respectfully. "The attempt on Lady Euphyllia's life is a serious matter," he paused. "But that is precisely why I was concerned."There it was.The recovery attempt.Several nobles exchanged glances, listening, and Marcelo continued smoothly. "Lady Euphyllia endured a traumatic event." His gaze shifted toward me. It was the same expression he used to wear whenever guests were watching. "She nearly lost her life."I remained silent, letting him speak."Afterward, she disappeared fr
Everyone 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
"I should have known..." I murmured again, and another chuckle broke in me as I brushed off the grass from my dress. I still had Lucretius's coat in my arms, and his scent still lingered on it, calming my nerves."Did something amuse you while I was gone?" he asked, his expression looking curious.
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
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







