LOGINThe atmosphere in the drawing room had changed enough that the formality from earlier no longer felt quite so rigid. Adrian reached for his teacup, taking an unhurried sip before setting it carefully back onto its saucer. "I nearly forgot." He slipped a hand inside his jacket. "For someone who has unintentionally become the most persuasive voice in the room." Aurelia blinked. "Me?" A faint smile touched his lips. "You." He withdrew a small velvet pouch and held it toward her. "I brought this with me." Aurelia didn't move. Instead, she looked instinctively at Kael. Her father gave a small nod. "You may accept it." Only then did she step forward, taking the pouch with both hands. "Thank you, Alpha Ashbourne." "You're very welcome." She loosened the drawstring with carefully before tipping the contents into her palm. A delicate silver pendant rested there. It was shaped like a crescent moon, its surface engraved with tiny patterns that shimmered wh
The conversation drifted naturally from one subject to another. Trade routes. Border patrols. The late spring harvest. For the most part, I listened. Occasionally, one of them would explain something I didn't yet understand, but I found myself learning more simply by watching the two Alphas speak. Neither wasted words, or tried to dominate the conversation. There were no raised voices. No hidden insults disguised as politeness. Just two leaders discussing matters that affected hundreds of lives beyond the walls of this estate. At one point, Adrian set his teacup down. "I understand you've begun attending council meetings, Luna." "I have." "And how have you found them?" I smiled faintly. "Intimidating." A quiet chuckle escaped him. "An honest answer." "It seemed the safest one." "I imagine Rowan has already begun educating you." "He has." "And Kael?" I glanced briefly at my husband. "He answers every question I ask." Kael looked at me.
The following morning... The estate seemed to wake earlier than usual. By the time I came downstairs, servants were already moving quietly through the entrance hall. Fresh flowers had replaced those arranged only yesterday. Silver fixtures gleamed beneath the morning light. Even the guards stationed outside the front entrance appeared more formal than usual. No one seemed nervous. Simply... Prepared. I paused near one of the tall windows overlooking the front drive. Beyond the gates, the long road disappeared into the trees. "You've been standing there for almost five minutes." Kael's voice came from behind me. I turned. He looked exactly as he always did. Dark suit. Calm expression. Those unmistakable blue eyes. Only the small Blackwood crest fastened neatly to his lapel hinted that today was different. "I didn't realise." " I've noticed." I smiled faintly. "Is it that obvious?" "Only to someone looking." He stopped beside me, following
The next morning... I woke with only one thought. Tomorrow. It seemed absurd that a single word could occupy so much space in my mind. Tomorrow, Alpha Adrian Ashbourne would arrive. Tomorrow, another Alpha would form his own opinion of Blackwood's new Luna. Tomorrow... The title I'd accepted only days ago would begin to feel real. After dressing, I made my way downstairs. The estate was already awake. Footsteps echoed through the hallways. Fresh flowers were being arranged in polished vases. Servants moved with efficiency, carrying trays and folded linens from one room to another. Nothing felt frantic. Only... deliberate. I had barely reached the breakfast room when Agatha appeared beside me. "Good morning, Luna." "Good morning." She glanced briefly toward the entrance hall. "The guest suites are being prepared." "So soon?" "The Ashbourne delegation will arrive tomorrow morning." Delegation. I hadn't even considered that Alpha Adrian would
Kael and I had scarcely left the administrative office when Rowan appeared once again. For a man of his age... He moved with remarkable purpose. "Alpha." Kael stopped. "What is it?" Elder Rowan held a cream-coloured envelope sealed with dark blue wax. "It arrived about twenty minutes ago." He handed it to Kael. "The messenger insisted it be placed directly into your hands." Kael broke the seal without comment. His eyes moved steadily across the page. Nothing in his expression changed. Yet... Somehow, I knew the contents were not ordinary. He folded the letter carefully. "When?" "The day after tomorrow." "That soon?" "Yes." A brief silence followed. Finally, I asked, "Is something wrong?" Kael looked at me. "No." Then, after the smallest pause— "Something expected." Rowan answered before I could ask another question. "Alpha Adrian Ashbourne has requested an official visit to Blackwood." The name meant nothing to me. I must hav
The following morning arrived far sooner than I would have liked. By the time I reached the breakfast room, Kael was already there. A newspaper lay folded beside his plate. He looked up as I entered. "Good morning." "Good morning." "Did you sleep well?" "I think so." "I'll assume that's better than 'not at all.'" A small smile escaped me. "It is." Breakfast passed quietly. Aurelia chatted happily about a butterfly she'd decided was following her. Kael listened with remarkable seriousness, asking questions as though the butterfly were a matter of great importance. When the meal came to an end, Rowan appeared in the doorway. "Luna." I stood instinctively. "I believe we're expected." Kael rose as well. "I'll join you for the first part." Rowan led us through a section of the estate I hadn't visited before. The corridors gradually became less ornate. The walls simpler. The atmosphere quieter. He stopped before a pair of oak doors. Above th
"It's time" my newly found friend Mira informed me. I've waited for this night for so long, I've been on a strict diet, having to eat those very tasteless meals. I carefully stood up, so as not to ruin my pretty white dress, specially selected for this night, everything I was putting on was caref
I stepped into the bathroom, and washed away the whole stress of the day. My mind wandered back to Lucas, I couldn't help it. We would have completed the ceremony now, and gone to his chambers. I won't have had to be alone. My face darkened, imagining him with Manda. I was feeling uneasy, I'm sur
"Aurelia, we're leaving" Kael said to his daughter. "Already, but I don't want to leave Aria" Aurelia said looking at me. "Let's take her along, can't she come with us? our house is big enough for all of us". she added. I expected Kael to refuse, he didn't know me, a common stranger rejected
I was all alone outside, sitting on the cold floor, with my white dress now brown. On a night I should have been with my mate, the future Alpha. A night my fate was supposed to change, I guess it did change after all, but not for the better. I had been publicly humiliated in front of the pack , a







