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In the days following Mira’s departure, Saela clung to Lucien like a territorial mark, never allowing him beyond arm’s reach. Her triumph showed in a hundred small ways the possessive touch on his arm when other females approached, the smug smile she wore like a crown, the way she commanded his attention as if it were her birthright.
She dragged him through’exclusive boutiques, her finger lazily pointing at items with price tags that would feed an entire pack for months. “This one,” she’d announce, not even bothering to phrase it as a question. Lucien would silently pass over his platinum card, his face as expressionless as carved marble.
When she demanded they visit Howl, the new reservation–impossible restaurant with a six–month waiting list, a single call from Lucien cleared their path. They sat at the best table while Saela preened under the envious glares of wolves who’d been waiting for their chance for months.
On a whim, she declared she needed to visit Moonlight Shores Amusement Park–during a critical territory negotiation Lucien had been preparing for weeks. Without hesitation, he rescheduled the meeting and spent four hours watching her ride attractions designed for wolf pups, his golden eyes distant as if seeing something–or someone–far beyond the park’s boundaries.
She wanted to be treated like royalty, demanded it. And Lucien obliged with mechanical precision.
When she pointed at stars, he opened his vault. When she mentioned the moon, he commissioned artists to capture it for her. There was nothing she couldn’t have with a simple word.
Yet for all her apparent victory, one thing remained beyond her grasp–the warmth in his eyes that she’d glimpsed only when he looked at Mira.
“This dessert is divine,” Saela gushed one evening at Eclipse, the new couples–only restaurant that had opened in the territory’s most exclusive district. “You have to try it.”
Before Lucien could respond, his phone vibrated. “Pack business,” he said, his tone flat. “I’ll take this outside.”
The moment he stepped away, Saela relaxed, dropping the adoring expression she maintained in his presence. She flagged down a waiter for another glass of champagne, reveling in the knowledge that she was being served by wolves who would normally never gain entry to such an establishment.
As she finished her dessert, a familiar voice called out.
“Saela? Oh my goddess, it is you!”
Jade Crystalmoon, daughter of an influential business wolf from the neighboring Crystal Moon Pack, app her table with a look of surprise.
“I thought that was you! What are you doing in a place like this?” Jade’s eyes flickered past Saela, widening appreciatively. “And who is that absolutely gorgeous guy you’re with? He carries himself like an Alpha.”
Saela’s chin lifted, unable to contain her pride. “My brother, Lucien Ashmorne.”
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- Forbidden Love
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Chapter 12
“Your brother?” Jade’s eyebrows shot up. “The Alpha of Shadowpine? You never mentioned he looked like that.” She fanned herself. “I’ve been watching you two, and honestly? The way he treats you is ridiculous. He literally peeled your lobster for you. My father doesn’t even do that for my mother, and they’ve been mated for thirty years.”
Saela’s smile widened with each word of praise, drinking it in like fine wine.
“And those eyes,” Jade continued, lowering her voice. “The way he looks at you is… intense. Almost like-”
“Like what?” Saela pressell, hungry for validation.
Jade hesitated before leaning closer. “Like you’re more than siblings. I mean, you’re not blood–related, right? Are you two actually…?”
Reality crashed back into Saela’s consciousness. Her eyes darted around the restaurant, suddenly aware of who might be listening. Some of these diners were from influential packs–packs with Alphas seeking mates, packs whose alliances she might need someday.
“No,” she cut in sharply, her voice cooling several degrees. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s my brother. My actual brother.”
Jade blinked at the sudden shift. “Oh! Sorry, I just thought–the way you two were together—”
“You thought wrong,” Saela snapped, then immediately softened her tone. “But it’s sweet you’d think someone as powerful as the Alpha of Shadowpine would look at me that way.”
The comment was just enough to leave the door open while maintaining plausible deniability. After all, why limit herself to just Lucien when she could potentially have her pick of powerful males? A smart wolf always kept her
options open.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jade finally departed. Saela turned to gather her things–only to find Lucien standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable.
/
Her heart stuttered. How long had he been there? What had he heard? A flash of panic crossed her face before she masked it with a brilliant smile.
“You’re back!” she chirped, her voice pitched higher than normal. “Call all done?”
Lucien’s gaze was steady, penetrating. “Yes.”
She swallowed, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. “Did you… happen to hear my conversation just now?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in what might have been amusement or disdain–with Lucien, it was often impossible to tell. “Should I have been listening?”
Relief flooded through her. Of course he didn’t hear. And even if he did, he’s too in love with me to care, she reassured herself. After all, hadn’t he chosen her over Mira? Hadn’t he stayed when Mira fled?
“Nothing worth repeating,” she laughed, gathering her purse. “Just boring girl talk. Ready to go?”
Lucien reached for her hand–a gesture that would have once sent thrills through her. But instead of accepting it proudly, she flinched back, eyes darting to nearby tables.
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“Maybe wait until we’re in the car?” she suggested with a nervous laugh. “There are too many important people here. You know how wolves talk.”
Something flickered in Lucien’s eyes–a momentary break in his perfect mask–before he withdrew his hand without comment and turned toward the exit.
Before following, he paused at the doorway, his gaze lingering on the restaurant’s entrance.
Saela stepped beside him, following his line of sight. “What are you looking at?”
After a long silence, he answered quietly. “Nothing.”
But it wasn’t nothing. He was remembering how, when Eclipse first opened, Mira had talked about it for weeks. She’d made reservations three months in advance, counting down the days with childlike excitement.
That night, he’d arrived two hours late, having “forgotten” their plans. When he finally showed up, she’d already ordered a full spread, afraid the kitchen would close. She’d worn that midnight blue dress–the only item of clothing he’d ever complimented–and despite his tardiness, her eyes had lit up at his arrival as if he’d hung the moon just for
her.
She hadn’t complained about his lateness. She hadn’t demanded an apology. She’d simply been grateful he’d come at all, as if his mere presence was gift enough.
The memory was like a splinter he couldn’t remove.
“Brother?” Saela’s impatient voice pulled him back.
Lucien turned away and headed for the car, the comparison between the two females in his life growing more pronounced with each passing day.
That evening, they returned to his parents‘ estate for the monthly pack dinner–a tradition started by his father, the former Alpha, to maintain family bonds even after passing leadership to his son.
The elder Ashmornes had yet to learn of the divorce. When they noticed Mira’s absence, his mother frowned slightly.
“Where’s our Luna tonight?” she asked, her emphasis on the title making it clear who she considered to hold that position. “Is she feeling unwell?”
Before Lucien could respond, Saela jumped in with practiced brightness: “She had some urgent business to attend to! Couldn’t make it tonight, unfortunately.”
Ellis Ashmorne, the former Alpha and Lucien’s father, accepted this with a nod before turning his attention to Saela.
u–the “You’re well into maturity now, Saela. I’ve spoken with several pack leaders about potential matches 1 Crystal Moon Pack’s heir is particularly interested. Strong bloodline, excellent territory. You should meet him soon.”
Saela’s smile remained fixed in place, though Lucien caught the slight narrowing of her eyes. “Of course, Father. I trust your judgment completely.”
Under the table, her hand found Lucien’s thigh, squeezing possessively, the message clear: I already have what I
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Chapter 12
Lucien remained silent, his face betraying nothing.
The conversation shifted to pack matters, but Lucien found his thoughts drifting. Every few minutes, his mother would say, “Mira would love this,” or “Mira mentioned she wanted to try that,” as if his mate were merely delayed rather than gone.
Each reference made Saela’s grip on his thigh tighten painfully.
On the drive home, she pressed against his side, her voice honey–sweet. “I was just humoring Father with all that mating talk. You know you’re the only one I want, right? Don’t be jealous.”
Lucien’s expression remained neutral. “I’m not.”
His lack of reaction seemed to irritate her more than any argument would have.
Later that night, after his shower, Lucien pulled back the covers of his bed to find Saela lying there in a revealing silk nightgown.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
