All Chapters of From Slave to Queen, Yet Never His Luna: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The closer I drew to Ruby’s palace, the heavier my chest became.Dark green hedges wound thickly around the path, ivy curling like cold fingers around my ankles.Every step felt like I was walking into the jaws of something waiting to devour me.The air here was the same as the Blood Wash Grounds—suffocating, oppressive.And I was afraid.Afraid that if I crossed that threshold, I would never leave again.Afraid this palace would swallow me whole.I stood in the snow, my breath freezing in the air.Ruby did not invite me in.That, too, was part of the message. A warning to me, and to Silver Ridge Pack:anyone who defied the Pope would be punished.At last, Ruby emerged from the shadows of her chamber.I dropped instantly to one knee, bowing low.“Cleaner Nina, greets Handmaiden Ruby.”Three years as a slave had carved that title into my bones.Even back here in Silver Ridge Pack, the words slipped from my lips without thought.Ruby studied me in silence, her gaze sharp and unreadable.

I yanked my hand back, fleeing Cole’s warmth as if burned.Even when I reached the Grand Hall, the ache in my chest lingered.—Cole.The boy I had once loved with all the reckless devotion of my youth.But some fates are not meant to be.Mya’s PalaceShe looked well that day, her smile easing the tightness in my chest.“Back already?”I sat by her side, pressing gently at her shoulders.“Mm. Ruby didn’t make things hard for me.”Her fingers brushed my hair, tender as always.“My Nina is so kind… I heard you fell into the lake. Are you well? No sickness?”Her face was lined with worry.I quickly shook my head.“Don’t worry, Elder. I’ve already taken medicine.”The truth was, after three years in the Blood Wash Grounds, I had grown used to cold that gnawed at bone.A plunge in icy water couldn’t bring me down.But I would never tell her that. I would not add to her pain.She changed the subject.“Tonight is Moon Festival. Will you go with them?”Them.I froze, then understood.She meant

Cole’s breath stalled. In his eyes flashed a shard of hunger—expectation, even. He wanted to marry both me and Lily.“Fuck you.” Liam didn’t wait to hear what else he had to say. Fire roared through his chest. He shifted into a wolf and lunged straight at Cole.Cole moved faster. He slipped to the side; Liam’s strike hit nothing. Liam crashed over the table with a grunt.“Damn.” He wiped his mouth, glaring daggers at the thief who had stolen his treasure.Cole’s dark brows drew together. His voice went cold. “What’s wrong with you?” He could see the fury raging under Liam’s skin, a hatred that wanted to tear him to pieces.Liam pushed to his feet, a rip across his shirt he didn’t even seem to notice. His voice came out low and gritted. “I’m warning you, Cole. If you dare treat Lily badly, I’ll rip you apart with my own hands.”Cole’s blue eyes flashed. He let out a humorless laugh. “You’ve said that before, Liam.” Back then the name on Liam’s tongue hadn’t been Lily—it had been me. Wh

Vetle.That name is the corner of my heart I least wish to touch.He is Ruby’s son.Because Evelyn and Ruby are close, I met him often as a child. At that time, he always seemed like a gentle big brother.When I fell, he reached out to pull me out of the mud; when I cried, he used a handkerchief to wipe my tears.We once raised a little bird together. Every day, we took turns feeding it, watching it flap its wings and fly in the sunlight.I thought that period of time would always be bright.Until that day.I clearly saw him holding the little bird in his hands.The feathers were covered in blood, its wings trembling weakly, on the verge of death.I didn't ask why. I just ran.Since then, I haven't said a word to him.Now, seeing him again, he looks down at me, pity clouding his eyes.I hate that kind of look.It seems as if I am the most pitiful person in the world.But clearly, that's not the case.“Come here.”Ruby’s voice was warm and affectionate. She took my hand and smiled.“Ev

I panicked and yanked my hand back with all my might.Vetle’s face darkened instantly. He stepped forward, blocking me from Cole.“Cole, what are you doing grabbing my fiancée?”Cole’s low laugh carried a razor’s edge of mockery. “Look at her face... Nina, you really don’t know anything, do you? Don’t let him fool you.”Fool me?I froze. My heart sank sharply, an uneasy dread spreading through my chest.The gentle mask on Vetle’s face cracked completely; the smile vanished from his lips, his gaze turning dark and dangerous. “Cole, you’re just a servant of our Holy Church. Remember your place.”Then he turned toward me, eyes steady, voice firm and commanding. “Nina, go first.”In that moment, my heart tightened for no reason.Uneasy as I was, I could only nod.Behind me came Cole’s low growl. “This is what you call a sham marriage... tricking her when she knows nothing.”My steps faltered. My breath went uneven.Sham marriage? What?A vein pulsed at Vetle’s temple; his face twisted in