Chapter 10%
Lucas’s POVE
The music was too boring for my taste–flowing violins, delicate piano, all laced with the scent of aristocracy and the rot of political alliances. The neighboring pack’s banquet hall shimmered with golden lights, crystal chandeliers overhead, and wolves dressed in silk and status. I was there not to mingle or feast, but to guard Maurine.
Well, even when I was busy with Alpha duties at Silvana Pack, I didn’t even bother attending such events. We remained as mysterious as everyone claimed us to be.
Her dress tonight was woven moon–silk, flowing like starlight over her frame. I stood two paces behind her, like a knight s perfume reached me like a chain, keeping me tethered even when something deep in my chest itched to pull away.
“Lucas,” she said suddenly, voice sharp as a whip wrapped in velvet. “You’re staring again.”
I snapped out of it. “Apologies.”
should. Her
She turned, fluttering her lashes. “Since you’re already drawing attention, at least make yourself useful. Dance with me. Just once. For appearances.”
I stepped forward, offering my hand with the deference expected of a knight. She took it, her fingers cool and feather–light. As we joined the swirling waltz of the pack elites, I caught the way other wolves looked at us–some curious, some judgmental. Maurine wasn’t smiling. She never really smiled at me whenever we’re in public. But she allowed me to lead, her body stiff against mine.”
“I can hear your heart pounding,” she muttered close to my ear. “Don’t be nervous.”
know,” I said. “Tm just alert. I want to protect you”
Maurine scoffed lightly. “You say that like I need protecting in events like this, I’m safe here.”
No. She was wrong. Danger could come at her even at times like this. She didn’t know how important she was. Especially to the vampires right now. That’s why I had to stay by her side. That’s why I had to keep her alive!
The music faded, and we stepped apart, She was already dabbing her temple with a silk cloth, as if the mere idea of being seen dancing with a knight had exhausted her
“Go fetch me something cold,” she said without looking at me. “Lemon water. No ice. You remember how I hate ice, don’t you?”
I turned toward the refreshment table, weaving past warriors and nobles, all locked in the same charade of smiles and small talk. I caught whispers on the way
…Another werewolf found poisoned… vampire venom, most likely…”
“Thane Pack hasn’t sent envoys in weeks. Something’s wrong over there.”
*…Heard the vegetative Alpha is engaged now. To that girl from the Aethon Pack. What’s her name again? Rebecca?”
Rebecca.
The name struck me like a silver–tipped arrow. My breath caught, and for a moment, I forgot Maurine’s lemon water. They were talking about her. Rebecca.
She moved away? Got engaged? To the Thane Pack Alpha?!
I grabbed the edge of the table to steady myself, the polished wood groaning under my grip. A marriage alliance–of course. It made sense politically. But the Rebecca I knew, the one with fire in her voice and steeljn her spine… she wouldn’t let herself be bartered like that!
I forced myself to move. Got the damn lemon water, no ice. Walked back to Maurine, handed it to her with my head bowed so she wouldn’t see the storm in my eyes.
She took the drink, sipping delicately. “Took you long enough.”
“I ran into some gossip,” I said. “About poisoned wolves. Vampires.1
Her lips tightened around the rim of the glass. “I’ve heard the rumors too. Nothing we can prove. Besides, let the vampires clan deal with their own problems.2
“They say Rebecca moved away to marry Thane Pack’s vegetative Alpha,” I said softly.
She didn’t even blink. “Oh, did she? Took her long enough. You know, for someone so full of pride, she was always just a shadow trailing
after me”
That was the first time I wanted to bare my teeth at Maurine. But I didn’t I stood there, composed, loyal. Because that’s what I was supposed to be.
“Have you spoken to her?” I asked.
Maurine smiled, too sweetly. “Why would I? She’s inelevant now”
I didn’t believe that Couldn’t. There was still something between me and Rebecca that refused to die. I didn’t what it was. But it mattered.X
Later that evening, while Maurine chatted with another Alpha’s daughter about moonstone jewelry and interpack festivals, I stepped away
and tried to call Rebecca
No answer!
Again X
And again.!!
13 AM
No answer.
Again.
And again..
Each ning was like a claw dragging across my chest. I hadn’t realized how loud silence could be until I heard it ringing through the bond we once shared.
I
I told myself it didn’t matter. That I had chosen this path. Maurine was my purpose. My priority. She was the key and my fated mate; according to the prophecy.
But as I watched her laugh–loud, fake, and cruel–I couldn’t help but wonder..!
Had I made a mistake?!
