“And I trusted you,” Seth says, turning his glare on Astra. “I came to you in confidence, and you betrayed that by bringing Lucian into this.”
Astra’s expression turns defensive. She straightens but doesn’t leave Lucian’s side. “This isn’t an interrogation, Seth. And I didn’t tell Lucian anything. Leon did.”
Lucian leans back in his chair, his gaze moving between Astra and Seth with measured precision. “What didn’t you tell me?”
The silence stretches taut as a bowstring. Seth’s teeth grind together, emotions flickering across his face—anger, frustration, resignation.
“Selene and I exchanged mating marks last night,” he says finally, his voice flat but steady.
The words fall into the room like a stone dropping into still water.
Lucian’s expression shifts—surprise flickering across his features before settling into something more thoughtful. He glances at Astra, then back at Seth. “I see.” His voice is deliberate now, the dangerous edge fading. “So, the bond is complete.”
“Yes,” Seth says tersely.
“And you didn’t think to inform me that you’d claimed your fated mate while she was being courted by Zane Radrick?” Lucian’s tone sharpens again, but with concern rather than anger. “That changes everything, Seth. If Zane was planning to mark her himself, and he discovers you’ve already claimed her—”
“It wasn’t planned,” Seth explains, cutting him off. “The wine was drugged. Selene and I both drank it before I knew. Things got out of control.” He shakes his head back and forth. “But I’m not sorry it happened. At leastnow Zane can’t—”
He stops abruptly, his jaw clenching so hard I can see the muscle tick.
“Drugged?” I hear myself say, confused. “What do you mean, ‘drugged’?”
Astra’s expression softens as she looks at me. “The wine Zane gave you. Seth brought the bottle to me this morning for testing.” She hesitates, her fingers tightening on Lucian’s chair. “It contained an aphrodisiac, Selene. But not just any aphrodisiac—this one was specifically designed to suppress your wolf while heightening physical desire.”
My mind races, trying to process what she’s saying. The wine! The way my body felt last night—the overwhelming heat, the desperate need that felt both like me and not like me at all…But then I remember Zane’s words, clear as day.
“This doesn’t make sense,” I say slowly, looking between all three of them. “Zane said we would drink it together. Why would he drug wine he was planning to share with me? And why would he want to suppress my wolf?”
Astra moves around Lucian’s chair to face me more directly. “I believe it’s because he knew your wolf would have realized you two were not fated mates and would have resisted. Your human mind was already convinced due to whatever manipulation he’d used. But your wolf would have known the truth. Your wolf would have fought it when he tried to mark you.”
Horror crawls up my spine as the truth reveals itself to me. The pieces click together with terrifying clarity, and my legs suddenly feel weak. Every kind word. Every gentle touch. Every moment I thought Zane cared about me—it was all calculated. He never wanted me. He wanted something from me.
“Sit down,” Astra says, coming to guide me to one of the chairs near Lucian’s desk. “Breathe, Selene.”
But I can’t breathe. Can’t think past the realization of how close I came to—
“You’re under my protection now,” Seth says, his voice dropping to a fierce and possessive tone as he moves closer. “You’re my mate. He can’t touch you now.”
Lucian’s fingers drum against his desk in a deliberate rhythm. “Perhaps not.”
The words hang in the air, drawing everyone’s attention. Even Seth goes still, his protective stance faltering slightly.
“What do you mean?” Astra asks cautiously.
“If we can hide Selene’s mated status,” Lucian says slowly, his eyes moving from Seth to me, “we may be able to figure out what Zane is really after. If we keep him thinking he still has a chance, and let him make his next move—”
“Absolutely not,” Seth snarls, the words exploding from him before Lucian can finish. He steps over to me, his whole body radiating fury. “You are not using her as bait.”
“I’m not suggesting—” Lucian starts, but Astra cuts him off.
“No.” Her voice is harsh, final. She stands protectively on the other side of my chair from Seth. “Lucian, no. We’re not putting Selene in danger like that.”
“I’m not suggesting we put her in danger,” Lucian says, his tone still measured despite the protests. “Just that we continue as if nothing has changed. Selene goes about her duties, Zane believes he still has an opportunity—”
“And then what?” Seth’s voice rises, angry and raw. “He tries whatever he was planning? We sit around, waiting to see what he’ll do next?” He takes a step forward, facing down the King. “She’s my mate, Lucian. I won’t let you use her to catch a Council member.”
“I’ll do it,” I say quietly.
