Three

Astrid’s POV

I sat across from Anthony on the dining table with fork in hand watching him butter his toast like he hadn’t planned my death three weeks from now. Like he wasn’t planning to feed me to rogues while his real family inherited everything I’d built with him for more than a decade.

Mira poured his coffee. Her hand brushed his shoulde r and something ugly twisted in my chest. He had the nerve to smile at her with a look of desire knowing I was sitting at the table like that.

It was not heartbreak because I’d burned through that in my last life. This was cold fury that made me see red for a second.

My hands curl around my fork for a moment trying to keep it at bay. I must learn to not react for the next three weeks.

“Thank you Mira.” Anthony’s smile was warm.

My wolf snarled inside my head. “Rip his throat out.”

“Not yet. We need him to think I’m still his devoted little Luna.” I told her calmly.

I took a bite of eggs I couldn’t taste. So I forced my expression into something soft and wifely and dumb.

“How are you feeling this morning babe? Better?”

“Much better.” He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. His touch made my skin crawl but I didn’t flinch. “Mira’s healing abilities are remarkable. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Footsteps thundered down the hallway and Calix burst into the room like a small cute tornado. My heart clenched despite everything. Despite knowing he wasn’t mine and knowing Anthony had stolen even this from me.

“Mom! Dad!” He scrambled into his chair grinning. “Can we train today? You promised!”

The word Mom hit different now.

“After breakfast sweetheart.” I kept my voice loving.

The same voice I’d used every morning for four years while Anthony played house with his real family behind my back.

Calix grabbed a pancake then frowned. His wide eyes that I realize looks like Anthony’s eyes darted between his father and Mira.

“Why did Mira sleep in Dad’s room last night?” He asked and the table went silent.

Anthony’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. Mira’s face flushed pink, her gaze dropping to her plate. And me? I smiled while taking another bite of eggs because I won’t rescue whatever this is. I want to see how they play it out.

“I—” Mira started but Anthony cut her off smoothly.

“Mira was using her healing abilities to help with my wolf.” It was Alpha command wrapped in casual words. “The connection works better when we’re in close proximity. You understand, don’t you Astrid?”

He looked at me waiting for something and I realised that this was a test. He wanted to see if I suspected him cheating or anything at all. If I’d fight and become the jealous, irrational mate he could discard without guilt. I met his eyes and let my smile widen.

“Of course. Your health comes first always.” I turned to Mira and it took everything in me not to let my new Alpha power leak into my voice. “You should stay as long as he needs you.”

Relief flooded Anthony’s expression and Mira’s shoulders relaxed.

Idiots.

They thought I was still the naive Luna who believed in fairy tales and fake mate bonds. I wasn’t her anymore.

“I don’t mind you sleeping together.” Calix grinned toothily at them and then dove into his breakfast chattering about warrior training.

Don’t mind?

My fingers tightened slightly.

Did he already know who his real parents were?

My chest felt tight as I watched him, searching his face for any sign. But he only kept talking, carefree, like nothing was wrong.

I blinked then remembered the calendar again. 3 weeks until the Winter Solstice. Three weeks until Anthony let rogues tear me apart. Three weeks to burn his entire world down. Anthony cleared his throat drawing my attention.

“Actually, there’s something important I need to discuss.” He set down his coffee his expression shifting into business mode. “We’re hosting the Alpha King for the Winter Solstice celebration this year.”

My fork clattered against my plate. The Winter Solstice was the eve of the night I died. The night Anthony watched from his tower while rogues ripped into me because I’d become inconvenient and was about to bring his precious pack to the ground.

“The Alpha King himself?” My voice came out steady much to my shock. “That’s quite an honor.”

“King Davian Thornevale himself.” Pride colored Anthony’s tone. “It’s a massive opportunity for the pack. For our political standing.” He reached across the table again fingers curling around mine.

“I’ll need you to plan everything, of course. You’re so good at these things.”

Of course. Let Astrid do the work. Let Astrid organize and negotiate and build while Anthony fucked his real mate and plotted my murder if I don’t cooperate.

I squeezed his hand back with a loving smile. “I’m honored you trust me with something so important.”

“You’re my Luna. I trust you with everything.” His smile was affectionate.

Liar. Liar. LIAR!

“When does he arrive?” I asked, already knowing the answer would gut me.

“Three weeks from today.”

There it was. Three weeks. The Alpha King would arrive to a celebration covered in my blood and Anthony would probably spin it as a tragic accident.

[Poor Luna Astrid killed by rogues during a border breach. So sad and unexpected.]

And he’d have Davian Thornevale as a witness to his grief. My wolf growled inside of me with newfound anger. I forced myself to take a slow breath.

“That’s wonderful. I’ll make sure everything is perfect.”

Mira shifted in her seat and I caught the flash of something in her expression. Jealousy? Resentment? Hard to tell when she was so busy pretending to be the devoted servant. And her hand is holding his other hand under the table!

“Will Mira be staying through the celebration?” I asked innocently. “It would be helpful to have extra hands.”

Anthony’s jaw tightened for a second “If her services are still needed, yes.”

I can see the way he was weighing whether having his mate and his fake mate under the same roof during a royal visit was worth the risk. If this is gong to create a political issue for him in front of the Alpha King.

“Perfect.” I rose from my chair, smoothing my dress. “I should start planning immediately. This is going to require considerable preparation.”

“Astrid.” Anthony caught my wrist as I passed. His grip was gentle but I felt the possession in it that I used to love. “Thank you. For always understanding.”

I looked down at him. This is the man I’d loved, this man I’d help build kingdom, the man who’d marked me with fake magic and stolen years of my life then I smiled innocently. He is the same man that killed me in the most ruthless way known to a wolf.

“Of course, love. I’d do anything for you and you know that.” 

Anything to destroy you! I added silently.

I pulled away and headed for the door. Behind me, Calix was asking Mira about her healing stuff. The sound of his childish voice used to make me happy. Now it just reminded me of everything I’d lost. Everything I’d never really had.

I made it to the hallway before my composure cracked. My hand flew to my neck pressing against the false mark that burned like acid against my skin.

Three weeks to plan a celebration for an Alpha King. Three weeks to stay alive. Three weeks to figure out how to take everything Anthony loved and grind it into dust.

My wolf stirred, that new deeper voice rumbling through my consciousness.

“Or we should should go and claim the Silvermist Pack now.”

“No. He needs to watch it all fall apart. He needs to know exactly who destroyed him.” My fingers curled into fists.

A thought whispered through my mind but it was not mine, sharper and clearer than it should be.

“She’s going to ruin everything. She is a fucking bitch that is getting too comfortable. Acting all fucking Luna and prim!”

I froze.

That wasn’t my thought!! That was - I spun around to see Mira was walking down the opposite hallway, her expression calm but something in the set of her shoulders was tense.

Did I just -

“Luna? Are you alright? You look pale.” One of the maids appeared beside me.

“Just tired. It’s going to be a busy few weeks.” I forved a smile.

She nodded and hurried pass but I stayed rooted to the spot.

Is this really mind reading??? The letter had mentioned trusting my instincts and I was never powerless. But is it possible to? I didn’t hear them at the dining room? Is there a setting meant for me to hear?

Dammit I need to find out whatever this is.