Chapter 10

"Well, well, look who finally showed her face," Ella’s voice rang out, syrupy sweet but laced with venom.

Lydia turned slowly, her expression neutral. Standing before her were twin she-wolves with blonde hair. Both of them were striking—tall, with flowing chestnut locks and sharp green eyes—but the smug smiles on their faces made them far less appealing.

Lydia studied them. She hadn't seen them when she first arrived, or maybe they weren't around, but whoever they were, she was sure they weren’t up to any good. She had expected this to happen, just not so soon.

“And who are you?” Lydia asked, assessing them both with a curious look, trying to differentiate them. They were the same height and had the same hair, but there had to be something they didn’t share.

“I’m Kate, and she’s Ella,” the one on the right said. There it was. They were twins and hard to tell apart, but Kate had a mole at the side of her mouth, though she seemed unaware of it, while Ella’s skin was clear.

Kate folded her arms. “Are you really Knox’s mate, or are you just playing some kind of game?”

Lydia blinked, stunned by the bluntness of the question. “Excuse me?”

Ella tilted her head. “You heard her. It’s just a little hard to believe that Knox would have a mate. Especially someone like you.”

“Well, do you expect him to be mateless? I can’t blame you, and if you think I’m some kind of ride-along, then I guess you’re wrong. We are a mate-blessed bond from the Moon Goddess. I’m sorry—there’s nothing you can do.” Lydia threw in the remark, which earned a scowl. She knew she’d hit the spot, but they were at a party, so obviously, they could do nothing.

Lydia’s back straightened. The insult was clear, and their eyes glittered with challenge. Their disdain wasn’t subtle—it dripped from every syllable.

“I didn’t realize you two were the official gatekeepers for Knox’s love life,” Lydia continued coolly, folding her arms in return.

Kate’s lips twitched—not in amusement, but irritation. “We’ve known him forever. Everyone assumed he’d never take a mate after… well, everything.”

That cryptic statement sank like a rock into Lydia’s stomach. After everything? What had happened that would make people believe he was incapable—or unworthy—of love?

She wasn’t sure why the words stung, but they did.

She’d also heard it from Emily when she first arrived. They talked as if it was a taboo for him, which almost made her lose herself.

Lydia kept her tone even. “Well, maybe that’s why the Moon Goddess doesn’t consult gossipers when making decisions.”

Ella’s smirk dropped slightly, and Kate narrowed her eyes.

“We’re just saying,” Kate said, a little more sharply now, “don’t think for a second that people are going to welcome you with open arms just because Knox says you’re his mate.”

“No,” Lydia said softly. “But if he does, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

The she-wolves were momentarily stunned into silence.

Then Kate spoke again. “Then explain why, even though you’re his mate, he’s stuck over there.” She pointed to the end of the room.

Lydia’s gaze was pulled to a gathering across the room.

Knox stood in the middle of a small circle of wolves, his expression unreadable. He nodded at something someone said, but there was a stiffness in his stance Lydia recognized. And standing a little too close to him was a woman Lydia had never seen before.

Tall. Elegant. Silver-blonde hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her laugh was soft but overly sweet as she leaned into Knox, touching his arm lightly.

Something cold curled in Lydia’s chest.

“Excuse us,” Kate murmured, snapping Lydia’s attention back. The twins shared a glance and walked off, leaving her alone.

They knew what they were doing—forcing Lydia to watch Knox talk to another female and being touched by her.

Truth be told, if it were a fated mate, she’d be angry and speechless—either confront them or be broken—but in her case, it was different. She wasn’t his fated mate, and it didn’t affect her—not a little. She just stood there and watched them, but instead of Knox feeling free, he was uneasy. Lydia could see it. Not that she cared, but she watched carefully.

“Lydia?”

She turned to find Brian approaching. He looked apologetic, raking a hand through his messy dark hair. He wore black blazers and was handsome. Maybe unnoticeably so. Lydia wondered if he had a mate yet, despite his cuteness.

She tried slapping her thoughts away. What was she thinking?

“I’m sorry about my sisters,” he said, glancing in the direction Ella and Kate had gone. “They’re not usually that… aggressive.”

Lydia was lost for words. “They’re your sisters?”

Brian nodded. “Yeah, we’re triplets. But I’ve got nothing to show for it. While they’re copies of my dad, I’m the image of my mom. So people think they’re just twins.”

It was true. Brian had black hair and completely black eyes, while the girls had chestnut hair and green eyes. They looked nothing alike.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Lydia said.

“It’s okay. Well, you couldn’t possibly know. Their behavior doesn’t even match mine—it’s hard to pick up the blood tie.”

Lydia laughed. “I guess so.”

“They’ve been in love with Knox ever since we were kids—always trying to get him to bed. Just a one-night stand kind of thing. You know, the typical crush. But he’s not the type. He sees them as sisters and nothing more. So when he brought his mate home, I guess jealousy ate them alive.”

“They didn’t scare me,” Lydia said.

Brian chuckled. “Didn’t think they would. You’ve got more fire in your eyes than most warriors I know.”

Lydia tried to smile, but her mind was still on the girl with Knox. She nodded toward them. “Who’s she?”

Brian followed her gaze. “That? Oh… that’s Nina. She’s a distant cousin of Knox. From the Lycan kingdom.”

“A cousin?”

“No, not actually. Some political blood tie. Her mother is related to one of the royal branches. She’s actually Knox’s betrothed from the Lycan kingdom. She was in love—well, they had a rough start, as Knox’s pack didn’t quite agree with hers. But you know King Arthur. Not someone you say no to. And since her family’s high-status, she was betrothed to him. But Knox broke her heart—in a man’s way.”

“What?” Lydia gasped. “And now she’s here to support him?”

Brian snorted. “Hardly. She’s here to see his new Luna—I guess that’s you—and also to mock him. Her whole family thinks Lycans born outside the capital aren’t worthy of the same respect. And since Knox broke her heart, she took on her family’s hatred and bullying.”

Lydia’s blood simmered. “Then why is she touching him like that? She knows he has a mate.”

Brian looked at her sidelong. “Because she knows he won’t push her away in public. Not without stirring something worse.”

Lydia’s jaw clenched. She could see Knox shift uncomfortably now, nodding absently at Nina, but his eyes weren’t engaged. His body language screamed detachment. Still, Nina leaned closer, all predatory charm and glossy confidence.

Something snapped inside Lydia.

“I’m going over there.”

Brian blinked. “Are you sure? She’ll—”

“I’m done watching,” Lydia said. Her voice was low, fierce, but not reckless. “If she wants to play status games, she picked the wrong girl. And I also got to help my mate.”

Actually, she didn’t know why she’d said that—but it felt right. She had to. And she knew he would do the same for her if she were in that situation.

With her head held high, Lydia crossed the room, weaving through conversations and groups of wolves until she was close enough to catch Knox’s scent—fresh cedar and that faint spice that always made her stomach twist. Nina’s high laugh rang again, and this time Knox didn’t even fake a smile.

“Knox,” Lydia said.

He turned instantly, a flash of relief crossing his face.

“Lydia.”

She stepped beside him and slid her hand into the crook of his arm. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to keep my Alpha waiting.”

Nina’s smile faltered. “And you are?”

“I’m Lydia,” she said sweetly. “Knox’s mate. His Luna. I think you’ve heard of me—or is something else the matter?”

There was a pause—thick, uncomfortable silence as the word Luna settled into the space between them.

Nina blinked. Then she recovered quickly, her smile sharp and feline. “How charming. I didn’t think Knox had the temperament to manage a mate. Let alone someone with your… interesting presence.”

Lydia smiled wider. “Interesting is better than forgettable, isn’t it?”

Knox coughed into his hand, clearly stifling a laugh.

Nina’s eyes flashed. “Well, I suppose it makes sense. Some of us are chosen by birth. Others… settle where they can.”

Lydia tilted her head. “And some people just orbit where they’re not needed.”

She knew this kind of challenge. It was something a Luna had to face daily. Her mom had taught her that—and she’d seen her do it, talking to other Lunas back home. She always found something sharp to say that gave her the upper hand. Her mother’s lessons paid off—at least, the abusive part.

Nina’s face hardened, but Lydia didn’t give her time to strike again.

She turned to Knox and said, “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Maybe we could step away? And give the always-elegant Miss Nina the space she needs—or would always need, if she doesn’t watch her ways.”

Nina was speechless. Her eyes said it. The hatred she now wore on her face was clear, and Lydia knew she was on her bad list. Not that she cared. But making enemies on her first day—in a strange land—was the last thing she wanted. She was far from home.

Knox looked relieved. “Actually, that’s a great idea.”

He turned to Brian, who was already watching with wide, impressed eyes.

“Brian,” Knox said, “would you mind showing Nina the guest suites? I think she’ll want to freshen up after her… long trip.”

Nina opened her mouth to protest, but Brian was already moving forward.

“Of course,” he said cheerfully. “Come on, princess, I’ll make sure you get the one with the lake view.”

Nina shot Lydia a last glance—furious but tight-lipped—then followed Brian.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Knox took Lydia’s hand in both of his.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

Lydia looked up at him. “For what?”

“For not letting me drown back there.”

“You looked uncomfortable.”

“I was. She always pushes boundaries. But today was worse. Because of you.”

Lydia frowned. “Because of me?”

Knox nodded. “You’re a threat to everything she thinks she can control.”

Lydia’s heart thumped. “So I’m just a pawn in some royal power play?”

“No,” he said, his voice deepening. “You’re the reason I didn’t get swallowed right now. And I’m grateful.”

Her breath caught. The warmth in his eyes, the gravity of his tone—it stripped her bare.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles gently.

“But we’re not done yet,” he added, straightening.

Before she could ask what he meant, he gently pulled her down the hall, his hand secure around hers.

The corridor behind them buzzed with whispers and stares, but Lydia barely noticed.

She walked beside her fake Alpha—her mate—but for something worth it, she felt safe in his. Though she didn’t know why, she guessed she’d find out with time.