The Lycan king's Unwanted Luna

“Tighter,” Aunt Helena said.The corset strings dug in hard. I grabbed the edge of the dressing table and held my breath. Pain flared across my ribs, but I stayed quiet.“Hold still, Seraphina,” a servant muttered. “We don’t have all day.”Another one whispered, “The dress barely closes. How’s she supposed to stand next to the future Alpha?”My face burned. I stared down at the floorboards and counted them. Seven from the table to the door. I counted them twice. Anything to drown out their voices.Aunt Helena stepped back and looked me over. “You’ve put on more weight since the last fitting.” She sighed. “Your cousin warned us.”“I tried to watch what I ate,” I said.“Trying wasn’t enough.” She tugged at the neckline. “Look at yourself. The pack already talks enough. Don’t give them more reasons.”The servants glanced at each other. One hid a smirk. I pretended not to see it.The door opened and Selene walked in. My cousin moved like the room belonged to her. Her silver gown sat perfe

The tears had dried. My face felt stiff. When I finally stood, my legs nearly gave out beneath me. The bond still throbbed with every move, dull and heavy in my chest.I pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. The pack house had gone quiet. Distant music and laughter drifted from the main hall. Lucien and Selene were probably celebrating without me.I walked slowly. Discarded white flowers lay trampled on the floor. Someone had already started cleaning up the mess from the ceremony.“Seraphina.”Aunt Helena’s voice stopped me near the elder chambers. She stood with two elders. Elder Marcus gestured for me to come inside. I followed. What was the point of fighting?The room smelled of old wood and fireplace smoke. A fire crackled in the corner. It still felt cold.“You overheard us earlier,” Elder Marcus said. No sympathy in his voice. “The situation is dire. Your rejection has created cracks we cannot ignore. Neighboring packs are watching. Weakness invites attack.”I st

I couldn't sleep. I lay in the big bed staring at the canopy above me. The fire had burned low and thrown long shadows across the room.My arm still tingled where Kael had touched me. The warmth wouldn't leave. It dulled some of the sharp ache from the broken bond, but it left me restless.I kept thinking about that moment. The way his gray eyes locked on mine and the look in them before he shut it down. He looked shaken. Why? I was merely the unwanted bride brought in for a political arrangement, nothing more.The Citadel stayed too quiet. No distant laughs or whispers about my size or failures. Only silence and the occasional footsteps of guards outside.Morning came gray and cold. A soft knock pulled me from a light doze. I sat up fast, heart racing, and smoothed my hair.A middle-aged woman entered with a tray. She wore a neat uniform and moved with quiet efficiency.“Good morning, my lady. I’m Mara, head housekeeper. His Majesty asked me to make sure you’re comfortable.”The titl

I couldn’t stop thinking about the signing. Not the contract itself. Not even the way my name now sat next to his on that paper. It was the way Kael had spoken up for me. Twice now. Nobody had ever done that before. I hated how much it stuck with me.Mara found me in the library the next morning. “Would you like to see more of the Citadel, my lady? It might help you settle in.”I nodded. Anything beat sitting alone with my thoughts.She led me through the halls and out into the main courtyard. The mountain air hit sharp and cold, carrying the clean scent of pine and damp stone. Soldiers trained in neat rows, their boots scraping against the packed dirt, metal clanging as blades met. When Kael walked by on the far side, they straightened without him saying a word. One older worker carrying tools called out a greeting, his voice rough but easy. Kael gave a short nod. The man actually smiled after, shoulders relaxed.Nobody rushed to get out of his way. Nobody looked terrified. They simp

The next morning I woke with one question stuck in my head. What wasn’t Kael telling me? I rubbed my wrist before I even opened my eyes. Nothing. No symbol. No strange warmth. Just ordinary skin. Somehow that bothered me more than seeing it.I got dressed and tried to push the thoughts away. Sitting around wondering wouldn’t change anything. When Mara knocked with breakfast, I asked if there was anything useful I could do around the Citadel. She looked pleased.“The village could use extra hands distributing winter supplies today,” she said. “If you’re willing.”I nodded. Anything beat pacing my rooms thinking about locked doors and secrets.The mountain air felt crisp as we walked down to the village. Snow dusted the rooftops and the stone streets. Mara carried a list while I helped push a small cart loaded with blankets, sacks of grain, and bundles of dried herbs. My arms ached after a while, but it felt good to do something.At the first house an older woman opened the door. She to