Page 33 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"I simply find..." Theodore gauged my expression before continuing, "the timing... rather too coincidental."

"Coincidental?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

Theodore's voice grew colder. "Since Your Majesty's wedding to the Queen, disasters have plagued the kingdom continuously. First floods destroyed Oleith's territory. Then locust swarms. Earthquakes. Perhaps those rumors are true—that birthmark on the Queen's face is proof of a curse! She's an ill omen!"

The other elders exchanged glances but no one dared voice support.

I fixed Theodore with a deadly stare, fury barely contained.

"Theodore," my fists clenched, voice dangerously slow, "are you questioning the Moon Goddess's choice?"

Theodore paled. "Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare! I only think the coincidences are suspicious..."

I slammed my hand on the table and stood. "Without evidence, you dare speculate about the Queen? Do you know what crime that is?"

"Your Majesty, forgive me, please." Theodore dropped to his knees.

"Enough!" My gaze swept across every face as I released my Alpha pressure. "If I hear anyone speak ill of the Queen again, there will be consequences!"

The elders bowed their heads in unison. "Yes!"

I breathed deep, forcing down my rage. "What matters now is strengthening our defenses. Caspar, mobilize elite troops to guard the borders immediately. Establish checkpoints every ten miles. Report any suspicious individuals at once. Also, have the White Witch teams set up barrier spells to prevent dark magic infiltration."

"Yes!" Caspar acknowledged immediately.

"One more thing," I continued. "Send our best scouts to pinpoint the Black Witches' exact location and numbers. In three days, I'll inspect the border situation personally."

"Your Majesty!" Edwin exclaimed. "You're going yourself? That's too dangerous!"

"That's exactly why I must go." My voice was firm. "This is my kingdom. My people. I have a duty to protect them!"

Chapter Eight

Alice

The sound of Cedric's footsteps faded, and my taut nerves finally eased. That fight with him had nearly broken me.

I closed my eyes, but my mind dragged up the voice I'd heard before passing out—Cedric calling my name, his voice raw with a panic I'd never heard before...

My eyes snapped open. I shook my head hard.

No. Don't go there.

He wasn't worried about me. He was worried about his tool. His vessel for an heir. Victoria was the one he loved.

But my wolf whimpered in my chest. She'd felt our mate's concern.

"It's not real!" I screamed inwardly. "He never cared!"

But my heart still raced. I remembered how his hands shook when he carried me back to the palace, barely conscious.

And the worry in his eyes when I woke. His explanation. He'd said his care for Victoria was just duty.

No! Don't fall for it again, Alice. You can't.

Last time was the same—I'd clung to every tiny moment that looked like he cared, lied to myself that he loved me...

And I'd burned. My baby and I both died in those flames while he carried Victoria away and never looked back.