Lucas’s POV:
The next moming, I was already on my feet by the time the sun crept over the Aethon mountains. I didn’t sleep–again. The events of the last few days lingered like ash in my lungs. But I showed up like I always did. Because that’s what knights do.”
Maunne didn’t even greet me when I arrived at her door.
She tossed a bag at me instead–a glittering thing full of perfume bottles, lipsticks, half–open chocolate wrappers, and what smelled suspiciously like vampire–scented incense.
“Carry this. We’re going shopping. And then we’re hitting the clubs tonight. It’s girls‘ night,” she said, flicking her hair over one shoulder and flashing her fangs in the mirror
“And I’m coming because….?” I asked, already slinging the bag over my shoulder.
“Because you’re my knight” she purred. “And I don’t like being around drunk strangers without my personal wolf wall. What if some loser tries to hit on me?”
“You could handle him yourself,” I muttered.
I?
“I could. But why should 17? That’s what you’re for
She said it like she was joking, but I wasn’t laughing. Still, I didn’t protest. I followed her like a good hound, tail between my legs and pride buried somewhere deep beneath my ribs.
The shopping district was already packed with mid–moming hustle–humans mingling unknowingly beside wolves and other half–bloods. The Aethon territory was more blended than others, but even here. Maurine stood out like a goddess striding through mortals. Everyone noticed her. She loved it.
“Hold these,” she said for the fifth time, shoving more bags into my arms. Moonstone–studded heels. A velvet clutch in blood red. A new phone case shaped like a fox’s face
We moved from store to store, and she never looked at me once unless she needed something. She laughed, flirted with the cashier, complained about the lighting, and bragged loudly about the jewels Beta Reid delivered last week–as if I hadn’t been the one who ordered him to give those to her. Of course, she didn’t know that fact
My jaw clenched more than once, but I said nothing
“You’re being quiet today, she finally said when we stopped for lunch at an open–air café. “Missing your old post?”
“No” I said flatly.
Her eyes twinkled. “Good. She was always too boring for you.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I scanned the crowd, letting my senses expand. I could smell a few lesser wolves in the area–young, restless, their scents heavy with drink and lust. No threats. But I stayed alert anyway. It was easier than talking.X
“Tonight,” Maurine said, chewing delicately on a sugar–dusted croissant, “we’re going to Club Argent. You know it?”
“Yeah,” I said. “It’s loud.”
“Perfect” she smirked. “I want to dance. And you can watch. Or brood. Whatever it is you do these days.”
That night, Club Argent was all strobe lights, pounding bass, and pheromones. The kind of place where drunk wolves picked fights in the back alley and unmated werewolves hooked up by the bar, I hated it.
Maurine, on the other hand, was in her element. She was in a silver dress that shimmered with every
ery movement, her hair twisted into a loose braid that showed off the claim mark she left on my neck.
“Stay close,” she said, brushing her fingers against my arm. “But not too close. You’re not supposed to cramp my style.”
I stood by the velvet rope like a statue while she disappeared into the crowd, already surrounded by a swarm of admirers–pack members, rouges, and probably a vampire or two. She flirted, laughed, flipped her hair. I watched it all from a comer table, arms crossed, eyes never leaving her.
I didn’t even flinch when a drunk hybrid stumbled into me.”
“You look miserable said someone beside me.
I turned, surprised. It was a she–wolf I didn’t recognize. Her scent was soft but sharp, like pine and pepper. She tilted her head at me. amused
“Is she worth it?” the stranger asked, nodding toward Maurine.
I didn’t answer.
“She’s got you leashed tight. I can smell it from here,70
“I’m her knight.“)
“You don’t smell like a knight,” she said, sipping something dark. “You smell like a trapped dog pretending not to howl,”
I turned away.
When Maurine came back around midnight, she was glowing from attention. “Ready to leave?” she asked, like I’d been waiting on her whims all night
“Yes”
In the car ride back, she scrolled through her phone, giggling at photos. “You should’ve danced with me.“%
“You didn’t ask ”
“Yes.“.
In the car ride back, she scrolled through her phone, giggling at photos. “You should’ve danced with me.”
“You didn’t ask.
She shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d say yes. You’re so stiff nowadays.”
Tm your wolf knight”
“Oh please, Lucas,” she snapped. “You used to do everything I asked with a smile.“”
I didn’t respond. The silence stretched between us.)
“Maybe I should get a new knight,” she said coolly S
“You could try,” I said. “But none of them will bleed for you like I will.”
That shut her up. We arrived at the estate and she got out without another word, leaving through the mirror, but I ignored it.
I leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes.
on me
alone in the car. The driver gave me a glance
