LOGINARIA I had barely left the dining hall when Maya caught up with me, still carrying the small plate of fruit she had somehow managed to sneak out of breakfast. I didn't even bother asking how she got it because, at this point, I had accepted that my personal maid had a special talent for taking things from the palace kitchen without anyone stopping her. “You are walking like someone who has just escaped a crime scene,” Maya said, matching my pace with a grin. “Should I be worried that Lady Isolde finally attacked you with a teacup?” I looked at her and shook my head. “No, but if you keep talking about her, I might attack you with one.” She laughed as she popped another piece of fruit into her mouth. “See, that is exactly why I enjoy being around you. You threaten me with violence, but somehow I know it is your way of showing affection.” I rolled my eyes, although I couldn't stop the smile trying to form on my lips. Maya had a way of making everything feel less serious. Even Isol
ARIA I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. Isolde turned her attention back to Xavier, and I thought she would leave the subject alone, but apparently she wasn't finished proving her point. “You still take your tea without sugar, don't you?” she asked Xavier with a knowing smile. I paused. There it was again, another little piece of information from the Xavier she had known before me. I didn't even realize I had started staring at him until Maya spoke. “Careful, Lady Isolde,” she said lightly. “At this rate, Lady Aria might start thinking you have a whole book about the Alpha tucked under your pillow.” I almost laughed as Xavier glanced at Maya, then at me. His eyes moved briefly toward the sugar bowl. For a second, he looked like someone deciding whether his next move would save his breakfast or destroy it completely. Then he reached for the sugar bowl. He slowly added one spoonful to his tea. I blinked and Maya's lips twitched. It didn't end there
ARIAI had barely finished my second helping of fries when the dining hall doors opened again, and I immediately regretted thinking breakfast could remain peaceful for more than five minutes.Speaking of the she-wolfy devil, and she walks in with her perfect claws.Isolde's dress was elegant, her hair was perfectly arranged, and that warm smile she always seemed to have appeared the moment her eyes found Xavier, as usual.I looked down at my plate, after all, my meals hadn't done anything wrong." Don't look at her, Aria. She is not worth a spoiler."Vin stirred lazily inside me. "You are already looking at her."I picked up a fry, taking the time in the world to drown in its crispy taste. " Vin, I am simply observing a bee sting."I could hear Vin's chuckle." Yeah, you are observing very angrily."I rolled my eyes at Vin, the betrayer. " There is a difference."Vin laughed, and I reached for another pie
ARIAThe first morning of being the Luna of Blackwood, I discovered that apparently a crown came with free entertainment because half the palace seemed to have nothing better to do than stare at me.I could feel their eyes following me as I walked through the corridor, and I didn't need Vin's sharp senses to know what they were thinking. Some looked away the moment I caught them, while others weren't even trying to hide their disapproval. I had seen those looks before, so many times that I could probably identify each one without turning around.Apparently, becoming Luna had not magically given me a smaller body, longer legs or whatever else these people had decided a Luna needed to possess. What it had given me was a title, a crown and a palace full of people who looked like they wanted to return all three to the Moon Goddess because they clearly didn't approve of the woman wearing them.Well, that was unfortunate for them. I wasn't going anywher
XAVIERI felt frustrated watching Ronan trying hard to hide the sheepish grin on his face. The dude was practically forgetting how to behave at the sight of the person who had almost bumped into me.Maya.She had nearly walked straight into me but stopped at the last moment, looking up with an expression that suggested she had been expecting anyone except me. Great. I understood that feeling because I would probably have the same reaction if I had opened a door and found myself staring at the person I had spent the previous night insulting.“Good morning, Alpha,” she said politely, although her eyes immediately moved toward Ronan before she added, “Good morning, Beta.”Ronan straightened almost instantly, and I caught the way his eyes followed her before he answered. “Good morning, Maya.”Surprisingly, Maya smiled at him.I sighed inwardly because I was beginning to understand why my Beta had been behaving like an idiot lately. It also came as a surprise because Ronan had sworn at eve
XAVIERBy the time I reached the council chamber the following morning, I was already regretting every decision that had led me there. The Elders had requested an early meeting, which usually meant they had either discovered a problem or created one and wanted me to solve it before breakfast. Judging by the number of serious faces waiting around the table, I suspected it was the second option.Ronan walked in behind me carrying several documents, but he looked distracted enough that I almost asked him whether he had slept at all. He placed the papers on the table, glanced toward the door, and then seemed to remember that he was supposed to be paying attention to me instead of whatever had caught his interest outside.I watched him carefully before taking my seat. “You have been staring at that door since we entered the room, Ronan, and unless you suddenly expect the wood to deliver a report, I suggest you bring your attention back here.”Ronan cleared his throat and pulled out a chair







