FAZER LOGINGianna left Pietra's room with her mind spinning.She needed to reach Nolan. She needed to understand why he'd issued that declaration without warning and to convince him to reverse it.But how?She couldn't just show up at the palace again. The guards would turn her away, and even if she made it inside, Nolan might refuse to see her.A servant passed her in the hallway. The young woman slowed as Gianna approached, her eyes lowering.Gianna nodded at her and kept walking.Further down, a guard stood at his post near the staircase. When he saw Gianna coming, he straightened and bowed.Gianna stopped.Guards didn't bow to her. They bowed to Cyrus. He was their Alpha but this guard had bowed to her, like she was someone worth acknowledging.She looked at him more closely. He kept his head down, respectful."Thank you," she said quietly."Luna." He nodded once more.She continued walking, a strange warmth settling in her chest.They were finally seeing her as their Luna, not just Cyrus's
Gianna was in her room tending to her plant when she heard Pietra's high pitched scream, coming from somewhere downstairs.Before Gianna could move, Evelyn burst through the door, her face flushed."Luna, you need to hear this.""What happened?""A private message was delivered to Alpha Cyrus. From the Lycan King." Evelyn's eyes were wide. "He's demanding the removal of Pietra from Valemont."Gianna's stomach dropped. "What?""The King sent a royal declaration. Pietra has to leave. Immediately.""No." Gianna stood. "No, that's not – that's the opposite of what I want."Evelyn blinked. "Luna, I don't understand. This is good news. Your competition is leaving.""She was never my competition." Gianna moved to her wardrobe and started pulling out clothes. "Pietra and Cyrus deserve each other. I don't want her gone. I want to be gone.""But –""I need to fix this." Gianna dressed quickly, her hands shaking slightly. "This isn't right. The mate bond is sacred. It's more important than any t
Nolan broke contact first.He released her wrist gently and pressed his thumb against the wound. Heat radiated from his touch and within seconds, the cut sealed itself. The skin knit together, leaving only a faint pink line that faded as she watched."It'll get easier," he said quietly. "Once you get used to it."His voice was different. It was stronger and the rasp was gone.He stood straighter too. The gray tint had left his skin. His eyes were bright and focused.He looked like himself again, like a king.Gianna stared at him, unable to look away. The transformation was startling. Minutes ago he'd been dying and now he stood before her completely restored."Why are you staring?" Nolan asked.She didn't answer. Instead, she moved without thinking. Her body acted on instinct, rising onto her toes as her hand lifted to his face.Her thumb brushed the corner of his mouth where a trace of blood still lingered.Nolan's hand shot up and caught her wrist.Gianna froze.He held her there fo
"She's here to help with the King's treatment."The guard looked skeptical. "We weren't informed of any assistant.""It's a recent addition. His Majesty's condition requires additional hands."The guard's expression shifted at the mention of the King's condition. He stepped aside. "Go ahead."Gianna kept her hood low as they walked through.The palace was different during the day. It was busier. People moved through the corridors with purpose, though there was an undercurrent of tension she hadn't noticed before."Stay close," the healer murmured. "And don't speak unless I tell you to."Gianna nodded.They climbed the stairs to Nolan's chambers. The healer knocked once, then entered without waiting.The room was dark. The curtains drawn and the air was stale.Nolan was in bed, propped up against pillows. His skin had a grayish tint. He looked like he was dying.His eyes opened when they entered. Dull at first. Then they focused on Gianna and sharpened."What is she doing here?" His v
Outside the pack house, Gianna stood among the crowd, thanking people and accepting their gifts.An older woman stepped forward, her face kind but her eyes sharp. "Luna, may I ask you something?""Of course.""Why are you sharing your mate with another woman?"The crowd went quiet.Gianna's smile didn't falter. "It's complicated.""But you're the Luna," another woman said. "You shouldn't have to share. It's not right.""I know." Gianna kept her voice gentle. "I'm working on it.""Working on it how?" the first woman pressed. "If you need help, Luna, we'll help you. You've done so much for us. Let us do something for you."The crowd murmured in agreement.Gianna felt something warm settle in her chest. "Thank you. Truly. But this is something I have to handle myself."They didn't look satisfied but they nodded.Slowly, the crowd began to disperse. The guards helped Gianna carry the gifts inside.As she passed through the entryway, she saw Cyrus and Pietra standing near the sitting room
Gianna didn't think. She lunged forward and grabbed the letter from the flames.Pain shot through her hand immediately. The fire bit into her palm, searing her skin.She pulled back, clutching what was left of the letter. Most of it was already ash. Only a corner remained, her father's signature barely visible."Luna!" Evelyn rushed forward. "Your hand—"Gianna stared at the burned paper in her palm, her eyes stinging.Cyrus watched from the doorway. Then he turned and left.Evelyn gently took Gianna's wrist. "Come. Let me treat this."In Gianna's room, Evelyn cleaned the burn and wrapped it in clean cloth. Her hands were gentle, her expression apologetic."The doorman gave it to him," Evelyn said quietly. "He saw the Highmoon seal and thought it was important correspondence for the Alpha. He didn't know it was personal. I'm so sorry, Luna. If I'd gotten to it first—""It's not your fault." Gianna's voice was flat."Still, I should have—""Evelyn. It's fine. I forgive you." She looked
Cyrus followed Evelyn reluctantly, his expression already annoyed before he even reached the training yard. Then he saw Gianna. She was on the ground, a guard hovering over her with his sword raised. Her own weapon had fallen a few feet away. Dust covered her clothes and streaked her face. "What
Chapter 0007. Gianna woke up with her hand pressed flat against her chest. Her heart had been racing, for the last few minutes before she opened her eyes. IsaGianna was awake too and alert in a way she hadn't been since the banquet. She sat up slowly and pressed her fingers to her temples. The
Gianna moved through the corridor on silent feet. The temple's restricted section was darker and narrower than the main hall. Nolan was twenty paces ahead. His hood was still up. He walked quickly despite the unsteadiness she'd noticed earlier. She kept to the shadows, pressing herself agains
Chapter SixThe table was silent.Every Alpha, every Beta, every carefully dressed wolf in that banquet hall was looking at their plate, their glass, the middle distance – anywhere except at Cyrus, or at Gianna, or at the head of the table where Nolan sat with his hand resting flat on the cloth an







