“Commander Rowan,” she says slowly. “What can I do for you?”
I pull out the chair across from her and sit, reaching into my pocket as I do so. Her wariness increases as I produce a small notepad and pen, setting them on the table in front of me.
“I need to ask you some questions.”
“About what?” Daciana stares at the notepad like it might bite her.
I flip it open to a blank page, my pen poised. “About Selene.”
Her posture straightens immediately to a defensive pose. “Why are you asking about Selene?”
“That’s none of your business.”
The words come out sharper than I mean them to, but Daciana doesn’t flinch. Instead, she leans back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. There’s something almost protective in the gesture, loyalty to Selene written clearly across her face.
“She’s my friend,” Daciana says, her voice taking on an edge of bravado despite the rank difference between us. “And unless I know what your intentions are, Commander, I’m not saying anything.”
I grit my teeth, irritation building in my chest. “I’m her mate,” I say finally. “And I’m trying to woo her.”
Daciana lets out a sharp laugh, the sound cutting and disbelieving. “Her mate? That’s a good one, Commander.” She picks up her fork again, turning her attention back to her food. “Selene’s being courted by Lord Zane Radrick. Everyone knows that.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Right.” She doesn’t even look up. “And I’m the queen of the Eastern Isles.”
Frustration boils over. Without thinking, I yank down the collar of my shirt, exposing my shoulder. The mating mark sits there, dark and unmistakable—the bite Selene’s wolf left on my skin.
Daciana’s fork clatters to her plate. Her eyes go wide, fixed on the mark.
“That’s—” She stops, swallows hard. “That’s amating mark.”
“Yes.” I release my collar, straightening it back into place. “Check Selene’s neck if you don’t believe me. Or ask her yourself.”
Daciana stares at me, her whole body having gone still with shock. “But Zane…She’s been spending all her time with him. She said—” She stops herself, shaking her head. Suspicion replaces the shock, and her jaw tightens. “Wait. Selene doesn’t even like you, Commander.”
The words land like a slap in my face, but I keep my expression neutral.
“She’s made that pretty clear,” Daciana continues, her voice hardening. “It’s hard to see you two as mates when she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
“Things are complicated,” I say tightly.
“Clearly.” Daciana’s gaze bores into mine. “If you’re really her mate, why is she spending all her time with Zane? Why would she choose to be with him instead of you?”
“That’s not—” I stop myself, realizing I’m about to reveal too much. “That’s not relevant to what I came here for.”
Recognition dawns in Daciana’s eyes, and her whole demeanor changes. “This is part of some mission, isn’t it?” She leans forward with new interest. “Or is it that she doesn’t want you? Did she reject you?”
“As I said, it’s complicated,” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
“Complicated because you’re using her for something? Or complicated because she wants nothing to do with you?” Daciana is too curious to give up now. “Which is it, Commander?”
I force myself to take a breath, to rein in my temper. “I didn’t come here to discuss my relationship with Selene with you. I came for information so I can woo her properly. Are you going to help me or not?”
She holds my gaze for several seconds, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she picks up her fork again, stabbing a piece of chicken with more force than necessary.
“Fine,” she says tightly. “But you should know something, Commander. Selene has spent her whole life being overlooked by her family. They never put her first. Never made her feel like shemattered.” Her voice drops to a dangerous level. “So, if you’re planning to treat her that way, too, mate or not, you may as well walk away now and save her the trouble.”
I close my eyes briefly, thinking of all the ways I’ve already done exactly that—made her feel like she didn’t matter, like she wasn’t enough.
