I stood before the banner of the Aethon Pack, its silver sigil–a howling wolf encircled by crescent blades–fluttering against the wind The scent of old stone and iron filled the air!
“You’ve been reassigned,” Alpha Rowan had told me with a tight–lipped grin. “You’re now officially Maurine’s wolf knight”
The words echoed in my skull like a war drum. Knight. Her knight.
I should’ve felt pride. Honor. After all, being Maurine’s knight was sacred. To be chosen as a woman’s shield and sword was no small thing.
It meant I no longer belonged to Rebecca
A dull throb pulsed behind my ribs. My wolf stirred uneasily, pacing beneath my skin, confused. Agitated.
“Lucas!” Maurine’s voice cut through the fog of my thoughts, high and honeyed. I turned and saw her walking toward me across marble courtyard, hips swaying, hair flowing behind her like sunlight
She slipped her arms around mine, clutching me tightly as though afraid I’d vanish.
“Finally,” she said, her tone thick with satisfaction. “You’re where you should’ve always been. With me.”%
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I didn’t answer right away. My instincts told me to push her away, to bare my teeth and snarl, This isn’t right. But I forced a smile instead, letting the words lie between my lips.
“I’m glad if you are,” I murmured.
She beamed, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “No more wasting time with her. Rebecca’s a bit headache, Lucas. You see that now, don’t you?”
A snarl threatened to rise in my throat, but I swallowed it down. My hands clenched into fists at my sides.
Rebecca.E
That day, Maurine paraded me through the pack halls like I was her prized hound. Everyone looked. Everyone whispered. I caught the gazes of other wolves–Betas, warriors, even omegas–and their eyes carried confusion. Everyone was wondering why I was with Maurine when I dedicated my life to Rebecca for years.!
They all knew I used to be hers–Rebecca’s.
“I’ll have my knight escort me to the lunar chambers tonight,” Maurine said loudly, running her fingers down my arm. “Oh, and bring me the moonstone circlet. It matches the gown I picked for tonight’s ceremony.”
I nodded. I was trained not to disobey. Not when in service 8,
But inside, everything felt wrong. I was a knight. I had swom loyalty, yes. And I was doing everything to keep Maurine safe… for years I had keep an eye on her while I was pretending to be Rebecca’s knight, and yet now that I was here… I didn’t know anymore.
Later, I found myself staring at my own reflection in the mirrored walls of the east wing. My jaw was clenched, my eyes bloodshot. The scent of silver ink still lingered on my neck where I let her mark me an ownership–just three days ago. I told my Beta it was nothing. Just fulfilling a promise. A shallow wish. A joke, almost
But every time I saw that mark, I felt so confused. I should be fucking happy, right?!
“I’m happy” I told my reflection.
I leaned against the wall and let out a low growl. My wolf was restless–he wanted out. It was obvious he was looking for another person. Her scent. But we were not here for Rebecca. She’s not my duty from the very start.
“Lucas,” Maurine called again, this time from behind. She was wearing a deep violet dress that clung to her body like a second skin. Her aura pulsed with dominance, and beauty, “Let’s take a walk in the moon gardens.”
She didn’t wait for my answer–just took my hand and led me. I followed, numb.}
The garden was still, moonlight casting long shadows through white blossoms. We stopped near the stone fountain shaped like a wolf mid–howl.!
She turned to face me. “Do you remember years ago? You used to say you’d always protect me. That I was your moon.”
I did remember. She was in her twenties. And Rebecca was always watching from the trees, quiet and observant!!
“I remember” I said flatly.
Maurine stepped closer, brushing her lips across my jaw. “You’ve always belonged to me, Lucas.”
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t respond.
“Say it she whispered “Say I’m your moon,
My breath caught.
But instead of replying, I looked up at the silver night sky. Rebecca never made me say it. She never demanded anything. And yet, why the heck was I thinking about her?
Maunne’s grip tightened. “Say it.“)
I looked into her eyes, and for the first time, I saw what was always there Control.
But still, I said it. Because I had to. Because this was my new role. She had me wrapped around my neck and she knew how to use it against me.X
“You’re my moon,” I said quietly
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My wolf howled in my chest, full of rage and imitation.
Maurine smiled like she’d won the war. She kissed my cheek, longer this time, claiming me like territory.
And I let her.
But inside, something was wrong. She was supposed to be the woman i need to protect and keep. I couldn’t understand why I was feeling this way.
Later that night, I sat alone in the knight’s quarters. My chest burned–not from heartbreak, but from everything I couldn’t say. I pulled the pendant Rebecca once gave me when I first started as her wolf knight from beneath my shirt. It was old, chipped at the edges, but I kep it close.X
DE
