All Chapters of Luna Maya: Destined as the Alpha's Desire: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Maya's POVThe morning sun peeked over the hills, soft and warm like honey through the sky. The castle walls glowed gold, and the air smelled of bread and damp earth after last night’s rain. I stood at the tall window in my chambers, brushing my fingers over the curtains, looking at the smoke that curled from the town chimneys below. It was a perfect day to go to the market. I hadn’t stepped outside the castle gates in weeks. My handmaid, Serin, had reminded me at least five times that I needed “fresh air and normal people.” I laughed every time she said it. “Normal people?” I asked her once. “Do they still know what that means when every conversation stops the moment I walk by?” She just smiled her soft smile and said, “Then smile louder than their silence.” So that morning, I did. When we walked out through the market gate, four guards followed us, big men in dark tactical uniforms. They kept their distance, as I had asked, but I could still feel their eyes watching even wh

Maya’s POVEverything felt warm and quiet after Lucien asked that question.“Maya… will you marry me?”His voice stayed in my head even though he wasn’t speaking anymore. The air felt thick, like it was holding its breath. My heart beat so loudly I was sure he could hear it.I didn’t run nor hide. I just stood there, shaking a little, staring at the silver moon‑ring glowing inside the velvet box.Lucien watched me with soft eyes, waiting, not pushing.He could have ordered me or demanded it. He could have tried to charm or tease or force me.But he didn’t but waited patiently and gently.“Maya,” he whispered, “you don’t have to say anything yet.”I swallowed hard. “I…I want to answer. I just… don’t know how.”That’s when Lyra’s voice rose inside me, sweet and calm like a soft wind in a forest.“Maya,” she whispered in my mind, “you’re safe. Breathe.”My chest loosened a little. “I don’t know what to say.”“Then talk to me,” Lyra said kindly. “Let’s understand what you feel.”Lucien s

Lucien’s POVThe training yard was suddenly too quiet.The air still smelled like Maya, warm, soft, and sweet but she was gone. She had run so fast the dust hadn’t even settled yet. My lips still tingled from the kiss, and my heart felt full and confused.Very confused.I stood there like some frozen statue, staring at the empty space where she had been just moments ago. The sun shined on the training ground, the wind brushed the trees, but all I could hear was the light echo of her footsteps running away.She had kissed me back, fully, soft and warm.And then suddenly, she wasn’t here. I dragged a hand through my hair.“What happened?” I whispered to myself.But there was no answer just wind.Then Kade nudged the back of my mind, huffing softly.“You scared her,” he said.“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I told him.“She ran,” Kade said. “That means fear.”“No,” I said firmly. “I know fear. She wasn’t afraid of me. It felt different.”Kade paced in my mind. “Then what was it?”I sighed

Lucien’s POVRachel stepped into my office with a seriousness I rarely saw from her. She closed the door softly, her healer’s pouch at her side, her eyes focused on me.“Lucien,” she said, “I came because there’s something you need to understand about Maya.”My heart skipped, not because she knew anything specific but because Rachel rarely spoke without purpose.“Is she hurt?” I asked immediately.“No,” Rachel said. “But she’s unsettled.”Of course she was. I had seen the panic in her eyes when she ran from the training grounds. But Rachel didn’t know that. No one did.Rachel moved closer and sat in the chair across from me, her posture was steady and calm.“I’ve been observing her for weeks,” she said. “Quietly. As a healer, as someone who understands trauma patterns and I want to offer you advice before you take any major steps with her.”I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Go on.”Rachel folded her hands. “Maya has survived more emotional injury than physical. Her wounds won’t

Maya’s POV Three days before the kingdom wedding.Three days before I stood in front of the entire Lycan world beside Lucien.Three days before I became his bride. His Luna. His forever.My hands shook as I stood by the tall window of my room. The palace gardens stretched below, filled with bright colors and soft wind. Everything looked perfect. Beautiful. Peaceful.But inside me?A storm of feelings.My heart fluttered like frightened wings. Excited. Terrified. Warm. Cold. All at once.“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered to myself.Lyra’s voice stirred softly. “You love him.”“Yes,” I breathed. “So much.”“Then you can do this,” she said gently. “But it’s okay to be afraid.”I pressed a hand to my chest.Why did love feel so big?Why did happiness make me tremble?Fourteen years of being nothing… And now I was about to become queen to a kingdom of Lycans.It didn’t feel real. Some moments, it didn’t feel allowed.I touched the smooth silk of my dress. Lucien had orde