A day to remember

Diego’s POV

Klaus’s voice brushed through my mind before Kendrick could say another word.

“She’s awake,” he said, his tone strained. “What do I do?”

I swallowed hard, my heart slamming hard against my chest. My pulse quickened, my wolf alert again.

“Bring her up,” I ordered. “Find a back door. No one should see her.”

Klaus’s link faded, leaving silence behind.

The tension between Kendrick and me hung heavy in the air. The night wind from the balcony carried the scent of wine. Kendrick leaned against the railing again, eyes sharp and bored, his patience running thin.

“I’m done discussing this,” he said at last, voice lazy but laced with finality. “If you’re so interested in the girl, then have her. I’m least interested in a burden.”

I felt the words hit like a slap.

Before I could stop myself, my hand shot forward and I grabbed his wrist, dragging him backward. His wine glass shattered against the floor, the wine spilling like blood across marble.

He turned sharply, his eyes locking on mine. The easy charm vanished.

“If you ever do that again,” he said, his tone suddenly low, dangerous, “I won’t mind turning this peace treaty into a war zone. And since we’re both Alphas, the outcome would be highly debated.”

My jaw tightened. I leaned closer until our breaths mingled. “Careful what you start,” I muttered.

He smirked, fearless, but before either of us could take another step, the door burst open.

Klaus stumbled in, breathless, his grip on the girl’s arm too harsh.

“She wouldn’t walk—” he started, but didn’t finish, because she was already falling.

I moved before thought caught up. My arms were around her, breaking her fall before she hit the floor. She was light, trembling, the scent of lilacs flooding my senses again.

“Klaus,” I snapped, glaring up at him. “If you ever push her like that again, you’ll lose your hand.”

He looked down, guilt flickering in his eyes, but said nothing.

Kendrick rolled his eyes and sighed as if the entire scene bored him.

The girl stirred weakly in my arms. Her voice broke through the silence, fragile and uncertain.

“Kendrick?”

Her head turned toward the sound of his breathing, eyes unfocused, blank. Her fingers trembled as she reached forward, feeling the air. I froze.

She sniffed once. Her brows drew together.

“You’re not Kendrick,” she whispered, voice shaking. Then, panic flooded her tone. “Where is he? Kendrick, please…”

I stayed still, my chest tight as I watched her struggle to find him.

“I’m sorry,” she said suddenly, her voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to cause you pain. I thought if I left, if I ended it, you’d be free. I just wanted to stop being a burden.”

The words hit something deep inside me. My wolf whimpered, restless.

“I’m too useless to be your Luna,” she choked. “Too broken. Too sick.”

Her knees buckled, and she knelt on the floor, turning in circles as if searching for him. Her hands swept across the marble until her fingers brushed the edge of Kendrick’s shoe. Relief flashed across her face.

“Kendrick,” she whispered. “I can’t see you, but I know you’re here.”

Kendrick didn’t move. He stared down at her with an unreadable expression. Then, coldly, he kicked her hand away. She lost balance and hit her head hard on the floor. The sound echoed.

I flinched.

She whimpered, small and broken.

I crouched beside her, reaching to help, but she pushed me back blindly, her fingers clawing at empty air.

“Kendrick, please,” she cried. “Help me. I can’t see or hear you, but I can smell you. Please.”

My throat tightened. I couldn’t look away.

Kendrick laughed under his breath, the sound sharp and cruel. “You’re getting soft, Hunter,” he said, looking at me. “How are you even the Alpha of a pack?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

Because now I understood.

This girl,this fragile, trembling soul,was his Luna.

My wolf stirred again, low and angry.

“How could you?” I whispered.

He arched a brow. “In a game like this, the weak and useless are often discarded.”

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

He smirked. “What’s a Luna worth if she can’t even see? A curse, not a blessing. If you’ll have her, Hunter, I’ll count it as a favor. Take her. And let’s toast to peace.”

My jaw clenched. I hated every word. The idea of using her as a bargaining chip made my stomach twist. But my wolf… my wolf growled low in my chest, desperate to claim her.

A bitter laugh escaped me. “So this is what the Moon Goddess gives me,” I murmured. “A broken Luna.”

Kendrick ignored the words. He reached for her and pulled her up by the arms. She trembled violently but didn’t resist. Instead, she clung to him, pressing her face into his chest, sobbing softly.

“Please,” she whispered again. “Don’t leave me.”

Kendrick smiled then,a smile that didn’t reach his eyes,and patted her back gently, almost mockingly. Then he looked at me.

“Well, Hunter,” he said smoothly, “make your choice.”

My fists curled. Every part of me screamed to refuse, but my wolf’s voice thundered in my mind. Ours.

I swallowed the rage burning in my throat. “Fine,” I said, the word bitter as ash.

Kendrick’s smirk widened. He pushed her off him carelessly. She stumbled, fell hard, her head striking the marble again with a dull thud.

“Lyra!” I shouted, moving forward, but Klaus blocked me, his arm against my chest. I'd wanted Kendrick to have a taste of my fury.

“She’s fine,” Kendrick said calmly, adjusting his cuffs.

Lyra whimpered once. Then she went still.

The world narrowed. My vision blurred with fury.

Kendrick turned toward me, calm as ever. “Don’t mention this to anyone,” he said. “The pack won’t notice. Her replacement’s already here. Her stepsister. Striking resemblance, I must say. Her father had impressive genes, creating two of the same face.”

He smirked again, then turned and walked out, leaving silence in his wake.

I stood there, staring at the girl on the cold marble floor. Her tears had dried on her cheeks.

“Take her home. Start the engines. ” I mumbled, walking out.