She flinches slightly. My words hit, but I won’t apologize for them. I’m not being cruel, I’m just honest.
“I didn’t need your love,” she says suddenly, louder. Stronger. “I gave you mine anyway.” Her palm slams against her chest. “And I’m ready to serve. I know what it means to be Luna of the Royal Pack. I’ve trained for it. I’ve earned it.”
Her voice breaks again. “Can she even do it?” she whispers. “Can she stand beside you in the eyes of all the Prime Packs? Of the world? Does she even want you?”
That one lands. Hard.
But not enough to shake me.
I’ve spent years believing I didn’t have a mate. I hardened myself around that truth. And now — when I thought it would never happen — I’ve been given something sacred. My soul’s match. My other half. She may not want me right now. But that doesn’t matter.
Because I will earn her back. She will always be mine.
I square my shoulders. My tone turns cold.
“It’s done, Amira. And I won’t have you speaking of my mate like that again.”
She blinks at me, stunned.
“I understand this hurts. I do. But questioning her place beside me? That’s a line you don’t cross. Not if you want to leave this palace with your dignity intact.”
I pause, let the words settle.
“I’ve already sent word to your father,” I finish. “You’ll be returning to Mirenwulf tomorrow.”
I sigh and push up from the desk.
Amira’s still sitting there, eyes wide and glassy. Full of tears.
“I’m sure you understand why you need to return to your pack,” I say, keeping my voice even. It sucks for her, I know. But I can’t have a woman I slept with and presented as my chosenLuna to the public anywhere near my true mate. It will hurt Kassira and I won’t allow that.
Amira rises slowly from the chair, head bowed. Her voice is a whisper. “It’s not fair.”
She lifts her gaze, chin trembling. “I wish I’d known that was our last kiss.”
Hell, this is stretching too long.
“You’ll be fine, Amira,” I tell her, voice clipped. “You’re strong enough to get through this.”
She takes a step toward me, hand lifting — a reflex, maybe. Or a willing mistake.
A warning growl rolls out of me before I can stop it.
She gasps and goes still, arm frozen mid-air.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My voice drops to a snarl. “You know better. You don’t touch a shifter after he’s found his mate.” My eyes narrow on her. “You barely made it out alive earlier. And that was because I knew you didn’t have all the facts yet.”
“I’m sorry,” she breathes. “I didn’t think. I just wanted to hug you. Just once more.”
She steps back. Two paces. Hands up. Retreating.
“I’ll go now,” she whispers. “Goodbye, Ven.”
I don’t answer.
My eyes stay locked on the door long after it closes.
This whole leash situation is eating at my instincts. Making me suspicious of everyone. Paranoid. The kind of ancient magicthat can cage a creature like Draxis? That takes a pure-blooded witch — not just power, but heritage.
