bChapter /bb33 /b

There was a beat of silence. Heavy Suffocating

No one dared speak

The warriors from ckpine exchanged confused nces, unsure if they should how, move, or their gaze instinctively, the primal instinct of submission too strong to resist.

even breathe in front of the Lycan Alpha. Some dropped

Francesco stopped only a few feet in front of Ruben and Kaitlyn. His grip around me remained secure, even as he finally set me down gently, keeping one protective arm at my back as steadied myself,

It was Ruben who broke the silence first.

“Alpha Lycaon,” he said with a slight bow, his voice tight, formal. “It’s an honor to have you here. My bpack /bwees you.”

Francesco didn’t move. Didn’t blink

“Thank you, Alpha Ruben,” he repliedb, /bvoice low bbut /bdeep,manding without trying. “I came to pay my respects to Alpha Gregor. A true leader. One of the few ever trusted.”

Ruben nodded, jaw light. “We’re grateful for your presence.”

Then his eyes flicked to me.

The mask cracked.

“Eine.” His voice sohened, barely above a whisper. Like the sound of a ghost. “You look… well

I stared at h

at him, not unkindly, but not with the warmth he might’ve hoped for either. “I am,” I said simply.

Kaitlyn’s smile twitched at the corners. She stepped forward slightly. “It’s been a long time, Eine, Wee home.”

Home.

It didn’t feel like home anymore.

But I nodded politely. “Thank you, Luna Kaitlyn”

She blinked at the word “Luna.” It hit her before anyone else, thad acknowledged her as the pack’s Luna, which meant I had let go. Fully. Irrevocably.

Francesco’s hand slid lower to rest at the bsmall /bof my bback /bas if anchoring me

The small gesture didn’t go unnoticed

bAnd /bthen Ruben finally asked the question everyone had been dying to say aloud.

-She is your…?”

Francesco didn’t hesitate. “My bmate/b.”

A hush fell over the entire crowd. Even the night bair /bseemed to bpause/b.

Mate. Not guest. Not consort. Not ally. But Mate

Ruben’s throat

moved as he swallowed hard. He wasn’t ready. None of them were.

“I didn’t know,” he murmured, eyes clouding. “I didn’t think..

b1/3 /b

Frou didn’t bask/b, Francesco sand coldly, the sharp edge in lifs voice sitering any furtherment. “But if no longer matter whee protection now. I expect that to be respected,”

There was no rooin for argument in that voice. The Lyran had spoken.

Marlow approached from behind us, stepping forward to present the papers and formal preetings on behalf of the in territory. He bowed foul handing the ckpine beta a sealed envelope. His eyes flicked to Huben once, then away

The weing ceremony proceeded quietly after that, subdued and cautious, fut the ripple effect had already begun

Whispers would spread, Questions would be basked /b

Eine Rollin, the girl they once pitied, had returned as the male of the most feared Alpha lycan in existence.

And Ruben? Ruben would have to stand beside his Luna and pretend it didn’t kill him to watch the woman he rejected, now treated like a queen by the one man no one dared dely.

Too long standing made my knees buckle slightly, almost fell.

Luckily, we had just begun moving out of the airport.

Francesco noticed it instantly. In one swift motion, he scooped me up again in a bridal carry, drawing gasps from several onlookers Shocked murmurs rippled through the ckpine pack members who followed the procession.

“Seriously?” I heard someone whisper behind us.

Ruben’s voice cut through the tension, smooth butced with mockery.

“I didn’t know you were that spoiled, Eine. Making your mate carry you all the time.”

It was framed bas /bba /bjoke. A light jab. But the bitterness behind it was unmistakable. I opened my mouth, ready to respond, but I wasn’t fast enough.

Someone else beat us to it.

“Our Luna isn’t well,” Audrey’s voice rang out, clear and proud, “but as herst act of respect to Alpha Gregor, she insisted oning here. Even if it meant pushing herself–and our Alpha–to do so. I’m sorry if her condition isn’t what you expected.”

bShe /bdidn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to

Every word carried weight. Especially one.

Luna

it echoed in the air like a soft drumbeat.

She had called me Luna.

Not Miss. Not Eine. Not the Alpha’s mate Luna.

Ruben’s beyes /bwidened just slightly. Kaitlyn’s lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers tightening around his arm. The entire ckpine weing up seemed to freeze, like time had stalled for ba /bbreath,

Before anyone could respond, Francesco stepped forward.

“We should move,” he said coldly, bhis /bvoice making even the wind pause. “Let your Beta show us to the ce we’ll stay. Thank you for the wee- we’ll speak again tomorrow.”

11:03 Mon, b14 /bJul

Beta bMason /bquickly stepped forward, giving a sharp, and turned to guide us

I simply nodded at the gathered group, barely lifting my head, before resting it back against

Let him take me away hom it all.

From their judgmentsi stares. From the past I left behind.

| released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My limbs felt too my

Damn, I really

y wasn’t okay…

“You bokay/b?” Francesco’s voice was low, worried.

Topened my eyes and looked up to meet his gaze. “Just tired,” I whispered.

“I’ll make thevender tea with a little potion, Monica bsaid /bas she walked past us, always alert. “She needs a real rest tonight.”

The difference in treatment from the ckpine pack and my own people… it was night and day. Here, I bwas /ba burden. There, I was cherished

I didn’t know what ckpine was thinking now, watching all of this. Watching Francesco hold me like I was the most precious thing in the world. Watching warriors call me Luna like I already wore the title on my skin.

Francesco’s arms tightened around me, just a little.

Like he felt my thoughts.

Like he wanted to tell the world that I was his, and he wouldn’t let me fall. Ever.

I leaned my head closer to his chest, letting the rhythm of his heartbeat drown out the whispers behind us.

I didn’t care what they thought anymore.

Thad found my ce. And bit /bwasn’t here

?

AD

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