“Already?” I asked, standing up, my heart thrumming in alarm. “But the announcement was only two nights ago. How did they cross the border so quickly?”
Killian’s expression was unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with shadowed anticipation. “Honestly, I expected them yesterday. Come on, amore, let’s not keep our honored guests waiting.”
He walked toward the obsidian–carved door of the stronghold, and I followed, my palms slick with sweat. I wasn’t ready. Not for them.
The moment Killian opened the door, a blur of movement rushed past him. The next thing I knew, strong arms wrapped around me and a familiar scent–a blend of pinewood and deceit–hit my
nose.
“Lunara, oh my moon, t’ve missed you.” Ronan’s voice was a broken whisper in my ear. “Please.. I’m sorry. I was a fool.”
I stood frozen, my arms limp at my sides. Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Ashira, trying to approach Killian. She reached out to touch him, but he growled low–a sound that could chill bone–and she stopped, visibly trembling.
I gave Killian a pleading glance. Ronan’s embrace felt like being strangled by ghosts.
“Step away from my mate,” Killian’s voice sliced through the air like a blade of ice.
Ronan’s muscles tensed as he turned toward Killian, his eyes glowing a stormy gold. “You’ve got some damn nerve claiming her. She’s mine.”
Killian raised an eyebrow, his silver gaze sharp as a dagger. “Is that so?” He extended his hand toward me, and without hesitation, I took it. He pulled me to his side and wrapped his arm around my waist–claiming me in the ancient werewolf way.
Ronan’s eyes narrowed, his jaw ticking. “Lunara… this isn’t funny. What kind of sick game are you two playing?”
Killian stepped forward, subtly shifting me behind him. “And since when do wolves look for comedy in betrayal?” he replied, voice like rolling thunder.
I’m
Ashira stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. “Killian, please. Whatever you saw, whatever you think happened–it’s not what it looks like. We can fix this. Don’t throw us away. carrying your child.”
1 stared at her, dumbfounded. Killian, however, didn’t flinch.
“We’re done, Ashira,” he said coldly. “You can leave.”
Her knees buckled and she dropped to the ground, sobbing. “Please, Killian! I have no one else. You’re my mate! My bonded Alpha! If not for me, then for our pup!”
Killian’s face hardened to granite. “That creature growing in your womb isn’t mine. And you know
it.”
A deafening silence blanketed the air.
Ashira looked up, horror dawning in her eyes. “What are you talking about?”
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“I’m infertile,” Killian said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. “A curse from the Moon Trials. The Elders declared it years ago. No matter how many times I rut, I’ll never sire a pup. You knew
that.”
My breath caught.Infertile. So… the child she carried couldn’t be his. Which meant…
My gaze shifted to Ronan, and the pieces fell into place.
Ashira’s lips trembled. “You never told me.”
“And thank the Moon I didn’t,” Killian spat. “Because it brought your lies to light.”
She reached for him again, but he snarled, a warning that made even the guards shift uncomfortably.
“Don’t. Touch. Me.”
Ronan turned to me, desperation carved into his face. “Lunara, please. You know how much I love you. This… this was a mistake. We can heal. Our bond can survive this.”
I crossed my arms tightly, my expression hard as stone. “You betrayed me. With my sister. And now she’s carrying your bastard.”
He inched closer, ignoring the fact that Killian stood between us. “Don’t do this, Lunara. What about Rael? He wouldn’t want this. He’d want his parents to stay together.”
My wolf rose in fury.
“How dare you speak his name?” I hissed, stepping out from behind Killian. My voice dropped into a growl. “You don’t get to speak of my son.”
Ronan froze, his face a mix of confusion and guilt. “Lunara… he was our son.”
I jabbed a finger into his chest, fury pulsing through me. “You lost the right to say that the moment you traded his life!”
His eyes widened slightly. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you lie to me,” I snapped, my voice laced with venom. “I heard you and Lucan, that day in the council chamber. You bartered my son’s life–his wolf essence–for Ashira’s cursed womb You offered him to the Blood Mages for a healing ritual to save her!”
Tears streamed down my face now, my wolf keening in grief.
Ronan looked panicked. “I didn’t have a choice, Lunara! Ashira was dying. The Blood Mages demanded the pure essence of an Alpha–born heir. It was the only way!”
Disgust churned in my stomach. “You chose her over your own pup.”
He reached for me, but I stepped back. “You disgust me, Ronan. And let me make one thing clea -I will never forgive you. I will make sure you pay for what you did to my son.”
Chant T
