My jaw ached from holding a polite, practiced smile for far too long. Every part of today had drained me–mind, body, and spirit. From the moment Killian and I arrived back in Moonveil, we hadn’t had a moment to ourselves. We were swept straight from the flight into a grand press gathering, held in the ceremonial amphitheater of the Neutral Lands.
Killian had announced our mating ceremony to the entire realm. The Elders, envoys, pack head: -they all heard it from his lips. The questions from the pack scribes had rained down like a hailstorm, demanding to know the how and why. But Killian had already told me–we owe them nothing. So, I stayed silent.
Now, as we rode in his midnight–black chariot–an enchanted beast–drawn vehicle shielded with rune–cloaked glass–I glanced sideways at him. His head leaned back against the seat, silver lashes brushing his cheeks, but his jaw was tense and a faint growl vibrated from his chest.
We approached his estate, and my breath caught. Calling it a mansion would be insulting. This was a stronghold, built into the side of a forested mountain. The perimeter glowed with protective sigils etched into obsidian stone. Elite warriors, cloaked in moonsteel armor, flanked the path, some in wolf form, others humanoid. Their eyes tracked us like we were prey–or
treasure.
The chariot halted before the obsidian gates. A guard stepped forward and bowed low. I stepped out cautiously, my boots touching the etched moonstone steps. I eyed the massive guardian beside me, noting the silver–forged axe strapped to his back and the quiver of silver–tipped arrows across his chest.
‘Welcome home, Alpha Killian,” the guard said with reverence, nodding his head.
‘Enzo,” Killian acknowledged with a curt nod. “Reinforce the wards. We may receive… visitors soon.”
Visitors? My heart stuttered, but I held my composure. My eyes darted to another sentry who held a rune–bow, glowing faintly with elemental charge.
turned to Killian, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why all this security? Wards, guards. ‘une–weapons… what are you expecting?”
He placed a firm hand on the small of my back and guided me toward the towering entrance. ‘Protection,” he said simply.
I stopped just before the enchanted door. “What kind of Alpha needs this level of protection?” Killian’s lips curled into a knowing smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach his steely eyes. “Not al Alphas run my kind of pack, amore.”
My brow arched. “This your way of telling me you’re the head of a secret faction?”
His smirk deepened. “Not so secret. I lead the Shadowfang Syndicate.”
I blinked. “That’s… another name for the Rogue Court, isn’t it?”
He chuckled lowly, stepping past me to key in a blood rune. The door creaked open with a whisper of ancient magic. “Correct. And I’m its High Fang. The Alpha of Alphas.”
4:38 am G D D D
I stared at him, torn between awe and alarm. “You’re the Rogue King?”
He nodded without shame. “Capo dei Lupi. The Wolf Lord of the Forgotten Clans.”
I exhaled slowly, frustration building in my chest. “And you didn’t think this was important to tell me before we made our mating vow public?”
Killian stepped aside to let me in, a flicker of heat in his gaze. “You never asked,” he said smoothly. “Besides, now you’re under my protection. That means Ronan can’t lay a claw on you -not unless he wants to start a war with wolves even the Elders fear.”
A shiver ran down my spine, not entirely from fear.
I hesitated. “Did Ashira know?”
Killian’s expression darkened. “No. To her, I was just a wealthy merchant of enchanted relics.” He turned away. “Come. We have much to plan.”
I stood at the threshold, the weight of my choices pressing down on me. Stay here, allied with a king of rogues… or return to Ronan’s world–one that had already crushed me once.
No. I stepped inside.I’d made my choice. There was no turning back now.
Later…
“Moonblossoms or Bloodroses?” I asked, scanning the ceremonial checklist.
Killian barely looked up from the crystal scroll hovering before him. “Whichever you like.”
“Bloodroses it is.” I murmured, marking it off.
We sat together in a sunlit chamber layered with arcane veils for privacy. I was trying to focus on ceremony preparations, while Killian reviewed tactical reports from his outer sentries.
“Sky altar or forest glade?”
“Whichever is easier,” he mumbled.
I stopped and stared at him. “Killian. Look at me.”
He sighed and raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re treating this like a battle strategy. This might be a fake mating ceremony to you, but to me… it’s something I never had. Ronan and I didn’t get a celebration. Just a rushed union rite at the shrine with barely five wolves attending. If this is my only chance to have a real ceremony, then I want to enjoy it.”
Killian’s gaze softened–just a little. Then he nodded.
“Sky altar,” he said after a pause. “It’ll be easier for the perimeter wards.”
I smiled faintly and ticked it off. Suddenly, a low chime echoed through the room. Killian’s shoulders stiffened.
He checked a glowing rune–stone embedded in his gauntlet and released a quiet, humorless laugh.
“Well. The visitors have arrived.”
I tilted my head. “What visitors?”
He rose from his seat, eyes sharp and cold. “Ronan and Ashira. They’ve come.”
4:38 am G
Lunara’s POV
