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Chapter 14
Saela wiped away her tears, her sadness transforming into something colder, more calculated. She laughed a harsh, mocking sound.
“God, you’re delusional. What makes you so damn confident she’ll come running back? Her eyes narrowed to predatory slits. “Do you even realize what you’ve put her through all these years because of your obsession with
me?”
She began ticking points off on her manicured claws, each one deliberately chosen to inflict maximum damage
“Let’s see… You stood her up on your mating anniversary to attend my birthday party. Remember? She waited at that fancy restaurant for three hours before the staff asked her to leave.” Saela’s smile turned cruel. “She will paid for the bottle of champagne she’d ordered for you.”
“Then there was the time I said I didn’t like her at the pack gathering, and you never brought your own Luna to another family event again. Six years together, and she’s met your parents what, twice?”
“Oh, and my personal favorite–when I smashed two bottles over her head and nearly killed her? Your punishment was making me stay in my room for one whole day.” She mimicked a pout. “Such harsh discipline from the mighty Alpha.”
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Face reality, Luc. She’s gone. Really gone. And this time, your pathetic Alpha command won’t bring her back.”
Lucien’s face remained impassive, though his scent betrayed the turmoil beneath–anxiety, denial, and something dangerously close to fear.
“Tomorrow,” he said with forced calm, “the pack guards will escort you back to the main den. Ellis is expecting you” His voice hardened. “You will meet the potential mate he’s selected.”
Saela’s eyes widened, genuine shock breaking through her smug facade. “You’re actually throwing me away? After everything?”
Something tired flickered in Lucien’s eyes. “Isn’t this what you really wanted all along, Saela? The privilege of being an Ashmorne without any real sacrifice?”
“I’m giving you exactly what you asked for.”
“Everything goes back to how it should be.”
“I’ll find my mate.”
“And you’ll be my sister. Nothing more.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his Alpha presence filling the corridor even as his shoulders carried the weight of realization.
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Chapter 14
In his SUV, Lucien immediately called Ryder. “Find Mira. Now.”
There was an uncharacteristic pause on the other end. “With all respect, Alpha, maybe you should let her go.”
Lucien’s wolf surged forward, his eyes flashing gold in the rearview mirror. “Are you forgetting your place in this pack, Ryder?”
“I’m your Beta, yes.” Ryder’s voice carried an edge Lucien had never heard before. “But I’m also someone who’s watched you systematically destroy the best thing that ever happened to you.”
Lucien’s claws extended involuntarily, scraping against the leather steering wheel. “What are you implying?”
“Half the unmated males in three territories have been silently in love with Mira for years.” The raw emotion in Ryder’s voice was unmistakable now. “You think you’re the only one who noticed her? That fiery laugh? The way she lights up a room just by entering it?”
“Every Alpha at the Moonstone Summit would have killed for a chance with her. But she only had eyes for you. Always you.”
“Do you know what they call her behind your back? “The Fire Wolf trapped in ice.‘ Because that’s what you did to her–took someone wild and vibrant and slowly froze her spirit day after day.”
“What was she to you, really? A shield against your inappropriate feelings? A convenient political mate? A prop to maintain your perfect Alpha image while you pined for your sister?”
Ryder’s bitter laugh carried through the speaker. “You might as well rip my throat out now, because I’m not done. She deserves someone who sees her–really sees her. Not someone who looks through her while fantasizing about someone else.”
Lucien’s voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Find. Her.”
“If you
won’t, I’ll find someone who will.”
After ending the call, Lucien lit cigarette after cigarette, the SUV filling with acrid smoke that couldn’t mask the scent of his own distress. His wolf paced restlessly beneath his skin, whining with an anxiety he refused to acknowledge.
Through blue–gray haze, memories of Mira surfaced unbidden.
Twenty–year–old Mira in that bloodred dress that had every unmated wolf drooling, her laughter carrying across the clearing like music. The way she’d approached him directly–fearless when everyone else kept their distance–tilting her head with that challenging smile: “So you’re the famous Lucien Ashmorne? The Alpha raised by Moon Priests? They say you’ve never given in to your wolf’s desires. Want to test that theory?”
And later?
Later she became his Luna, deliberately dimming her light, transforming herself into what she thought he wanted. Her world shrinking until it revolved entirely around him. Always waiting, always hoping for even the smallest acknowledgment.
She memorized exactly how he took his herbal tea–temperature never too hot, never too cold. She’d warm his
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Chapter 14
leather jacket before rainy pack runs. She even sat outside his meditation chamber through entire moon cycles, never once complaining when he emerged and walked past her without a word.
And he had never treasured any of it.
So many nights, when he’d coldly dismissed her, she’d curl up on their sofa, whispering to herself when she thought he couldn’t hear: “Lucien, when will you actually see me?”
At dawn, Ryder’s message arrived: [Luna Mira has relocated to the Mooncrag Pack in European Territory.]
Lucien stared at the screen, his brow furrowing. European Territory?
She’d gone to… Elias Solvienne’s pack? Her brother, the Alpha of Mooncrag?
His former ally.
He crushed out his cigarette, the ember burning his fingertip as he dialed Ellis Ashmorne, the former Alpha and his
father.
“Father, I’ll handle Saela’s mating arrangements personally.”
Ellis sounded surprised but pleased. “Perfect timing. I have dossiers on potential matches from several prominent packs. When can you review them?”
“Soon,” Lucien answered curtly, then ended the call and immediately booked the earliest flight to European
Territory.
At the Ashmorne estate later that day, Ellis spread several photographs across the polished oak table. “All exceptional candidates–strong bloodlines, respectable packs, each worthy of carrying our family name.”
Lucien’s expression remained stone–cold as he scanned the photos. His long fingers selected one decisively.
“The youngest son from the Monroe Pack. Even–tempered. Traditional. He’ll treat her appropriately.”
Ellis nodded approvingly. “Excellent choice. His pack has an impeccable reputation for loyalty.”
Lucien stood to leave. “I have matters to attend to.”
“Wait,” Ellis called after him, genuine concern in his voice. “Where’s Mira? We haven’t seen your Luna at family gatherings in quite some time.”
