CHAPTER 159: SELENA GOMEZ - SAME OLD LOVE

The last time she had been in this room...

She closed her eyes.

It was the day Damien marked her.

The day she had been torn from everything she knew—her title, her kingdom, her mother’s embrace, her father’s scolding. The day Damien had saved her life from Morvakar’s curse and willingly taken that torment into himself.

"Everything’s... the same," she whispered, eyes scanning the room.

Jane remained silent by the doorway, arms crossed, but the tension was unmistakable.

Luna turned to Jane. "Thank you."

It was a simple offering—one part gratitude, one part courtesy. But instead of accepting it, Jane stepped forward. The politeness in the air evaporated instantly.

"Why are you here?" Jane asked, each word dipped in venom.

"Am I supposed to answer that?" she asked, arching one brow. She turned slightly toward her vanity mirror, inspecting her wind-tossed hair.

"Kyllian is doing fine without you bringing your troubles into his life. He is finally getting over you and now you come back to mess with his head."

Luna turned back toward her slowly, her lips curling into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Oh," she said. "You think I came back here for Kyllian."

"Well, why else would you be here?" Jane snapped, stepping closer. "You think you can just show up and tug at his heartstrings again?"

"You know," Luna said, "I finally remember where it was I saw you. You were at the Crescent Moon pack when I came to visit. I saw you during the young pups’ training—throwing yourself all over him shamelessly. It was impressive, in a tragic sort of way."

Jane’s cheeks flushed scarlet, but Luna pressed on.

"I have tried to be civil with you," Luna continued, chin high. "But I need you to remember something—this kingdom is mine by blood. My ancestors built these walls from war and sacrifice. Whatever claim Alpha Kyllian grants you to it is because my father allowed it. Don’t mistake his kindness for permission to walk all over me."

"You disrespect me once more," she said slowly, "and I will rain hell so intense down on you, you’ll be clawing through the darkness, begging for the light with every breath."

Jane’s eyes widened, the bravado draining from her expression. A chill ran down her spine as the raw force of Luna’s lineage seemed to echo through the very stones of the palace walls.

Luna turned away like she’d just dismissed a servant.

"Now get out of my room."

Jane’s pride told her to respond, but her instincts recognised the alpha blood in Luna.

She turned stiffly and walked out, shutting the door with the politest slam her pride would allow.

Alone again, Luna let out a long, shaky breath and pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing from sorrow. Memories of her father flooded in all at once.

She walked slowly to her vanity and sat down, staring at her reflection.

She saw a girl torn between kingdoms.

*****

Ravena knocked calmly on the door to Kyllian’s study, her knuckles sharp against the carved sigil of House Sinclair. On the other side, she heard his familiar voice.

"Come in."

She turned the handle, the door creaking slightly as she stepped into the room. The fire crackled softly in the hearth. He was seated behind the desk, head bowed, fingers pressed against his temple.

"Kyllian... what are you doing?" Ravena demanded, closing the door behind her with a purposeful click.

"You spoke to the council," he said. More... disappointed. Like he already knew the answer and just didn’t want to hear it confirmed.

"Yes, I did!" Ravena snapped, crossing the room in four strides.

"Your Highness—" he started, rising from his seat, but she cut him off with a look. One that could freeze lava.

"I know what you’re doing, Kyllian," she said. "Or rather, I know what you are hoping for."

She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "You think because Damien is dying, she will return to you someday."

Kyllian looked away, jaw clenched, the muscles in his cheek twitching.

"That’s not all of it," he said finally. "But yes... she needs to return to her throne."

"She’s the rightful heir," Kyllian argued, stepping around the desk now, running a hand through his hair. "She was born of Royal blood."

"Kyllian..."

He turned to her, his eyes searching hers for understanding, or maybe permission to keep believing in impossible things. "Please trust me on this, Your Highness. Please. Luna will be queen when the time comes. And everything will return to as it should be."

Ravena sighed and softened, just a little. "I hope you’re right." She stepped toward the door, pausing just before she left. "Get some sleep, Kyllian. Tomorrow is a big day for you."

She left without waiting for a response, the door closing gently behind her.

Kyllian stood in the silence, the flickering fire the only witness to the war inside him. He turned to the window overlooking the expanse of the werewolf kingdom.

Tomorrow, he would be crowned.

Tomorrow, he would become king of a kingdom he hadn’t earned.

A kingdom that had been handed to him.

*****

Luna stood quietly at the back of the ceremonial chamber. The banners of House Sinclair draped from the towering stone pillars, dancing slightly in the breeze that slipped through the stained-glass windows. It warmed her heart to know that Kyllian planned on retaining her family name.

Before her, Kyllian knelt beneath the altar stone, his head bowed in solemn reverence as the High Seeress anointed his forehead with moon-blessed oil.

The sacred chants echoed through the chamber.

Luna watched as the final silver crown was held high above Kyllian’s head.

She blinked back the tears threatening to spill.

Her mother, Queen Ravena, stood beside her with regal stillness, her hands clasped in front of her. The council members surrounded the king to be.

Luna leaned toward her. "Why is Jane not being ordained too?"

"Kyllian doesn’t plan on making her his queen."