LOGINDavian’s POVThe Council chamber felt colder than it should have, all marble designed to intimidate anyone who walked through those doors. Twelve Council members sat in their raised seats watching us with blank expressions. I’d been in this room hundreds of times. Knew every face, every alliance, every grudge that simmered beneath the surface of civility.Astrid hadn’t.I felt her tense beside me when we entered, her hand tightening on my arm. “Steady.” I murmured too quiet for anyone else to hear.She nodded once and I felt her straighten beside me. She understood the game even if she’d never played at this level before.My attention cut across the room to where Skylar sat with her legal team and beside her sat a man I recognized from intelligence reports but had never met in person.Lance Silvermist. Skylar’s son, the one who’d been quietly building support for their claim while staying out of direct spotlight.He was bigger than his mom, built like a warrior. Nis eyes tracked ove
Astrid’s POVI laid the burgundy suit out on the bed and just stared at it for a moment. Marie had chosen simple accessories, a thin gold chain and small earrings that wouldn’t distract. The shoes were practical heels. Now I’m grateful for the lessons Anthony made me go through when I first became his Luna. I didn’t use to wear high heels. I showered quickly, the hot water helping ease tension I’d been carrying since this morning. Since watching Davian train and feeling my body react in ways I wasn’t ready to deal with. Then in his car debating music and feeling more comfortable than I had in years.And also realizing this marriage of convenience was becoming something neither of us had planned for.I dried off and started getting ready with more care than usual. Makeup that made my eyes pop and keeping everything else natural. I pulled my hair back in a way that looked effortless but took twenty minutes to perfect, showing my neck and the mark that sat there.I dressed carefully,
Astrid’s POVThe boutique was nothing like the places I’d shopped with Anthony. Those had been stuffy and pretentious with staff members hovering with fake smiles while he made decisions about what I should wear.This felt different. The woman who greeted us took one look at Davian and her entire demeanor shifted to professional efficiency without the performance.“Your Majesty.” She dipped her head respectfully. “How can we assist you today?”“My wife needs an outfit for a Council appearance.” Davian’s hand settled briefly on my lower back, a gesture that looked casual but felt moee. “Something that projects authority.”The woman’s eyes cut to me with new interest, assessing quickly. Nobody knows about the wife title in the outside world but she does now. “Of course. I have several options that would work beautifully. If you’ll follow me?”She led me to a private dressing area while Davian settled into a chair positioned to see the modeling platform. His posture was relaxed but his
Davian’s POVShe came downstairs wearing jeans and a simple shirt, her hair still damp from the shower. She was beautiful in that effortless way she probably didn’t even realize but completely wrong for what we needed today.“We’re going into the city,” I announced grabbing my keys from the counter.Astrid blinked. “What? The hearing is in three hours.”“Two and a half now. Which gives us just enough time.” I gestured toward the door. “You need an outfit that screams Alpha, not…” I trailed off taking in her casual clothes.Understanding dawned on her face, followed quickly by embarrassment. “I didn’t think about that. When I left Riftclaw I just grabbed whatever was in the room. Jeans and shirts, nothing —”“Nothing appropriate for facing the Council as the Silvermist heir.” I finished with a nod. “I know. That’s why we’re fixing it now.”She hesitated and I saw the conflict play across her expression. “I don’t have money for —”“I do.” I cut her off before she could finish that tho
Astrid’s POVI woke up early to sunlight streaming through the curtains and the unfamiliar feeling of having slept through the night without nightmares.The house was quiet when I came downstairs that I thought Davian might still be asleep. Then I heard sounds coming from the training room. I should have gone to the kitchen and taken coffee and give him privacy.Instead I found myself moving toward the half-open door, drawn by curiosity I didn’t want to examine too closely. Davian was in the center of the room, shirtless and focused entirely on the heavy bag in front of him. His movements were powerful, each strike landing with force that made the bag swing despite its weight.I stopped in the doorway and just watched.He was built differently than Anthony, leaner but with muscle that came from actual use rather than just aesthetics or even pills. He doesn’t look like he’s ever seen steroids in his life. Scars marked his skin, faded white lines that told stories of fights I’d never
Astrid’s POV“You will.” Davian’s voice was firm. “Silvermist has a history. When you reclaim it, you’ll find pieces of your family there. Things Anthony couldn’t steal or destroy.”The certainty in his tone made something in my chest tighten. He actually believed I’d succeed and there was no possibility of failure.“What if I’m not ready?” The confession slipped out. “What if I stand before the Council tomorrow and they see right through me?”“Then you stand anyway.” He met my eyes. “Being ready is overrated. Most important things happen when you’re terrified and unprepared. You just have to do them anyway.”“Is that what you did? When you became Alpha King?”His expression went distant for a moment. “I became Alpha King by killing my father when he went feral. There’s no amount of preparation that makes you ready for that.”The raw honesty of it stole my breath. “I’m sorry.”“Don’t be.” He took the spoon from my hand and tested the risotto. “It made me who I needed to be. Sometimes
“You’ve been busy” he added.My wolf stirred the moment his scent reached me — cedar and something darker, heavier.I forced it down before it could rise any further.“Enjoying the show?” I asked.“Educational I’ll say.” he said lightly. “You held your ground longer than I expected.”My jaw tighten
Astrid’s POV I needed air! The room felt too small after Mira left, the walls pressing in with the weight of what I now knew. So I did what I always did when my mind raced too fast, I went to check on training. The yard was busy with warriors running drills, the clang of practice weapons and sho
My pulse spiked.Oh no he heard.I turned the water higher, scrubbing the sink quickly, forcing my breathing to steady.“I’m fine,” I called out, but my voice came out rougher than I wanted.“I didn’t ask if you were fine.”Another cough tried to rise—I swallowed it down hard, gripping the edge of
Astrid’s POVPain woke me from my nap. It was not the dull kind that I have been ignoring or the ache from training that makes your muscles weak. This was sharp and burning like my blood was on fire. My hand flew to my neck before I was even fully awake. It was the mark! It felt all shades of wro







