The sun dipped low over Stone Haven as Lucian rode beside Bella through the quiet forest lining the western cliffs.
It should have been a perfect evening with golden light threading through the leaves, a warm breeze stirring pine and salt in the air, the sky bruised in shades of violet as the ocean murmured far below.
Bella had arranged the outing herself.
A picnic by the cliffs.
Wine.
Candied berries.
A blanket embroidered in ruby thread.
A soft attempt at rekindling whatever they were losing.
Lucian knew he should appreciate the gesture.
He didn't.
Because every word Bella uttered about pack events, ceremonies, dresses, rumors and their future together echoed around the one thing he couldn't escape:
Elara. His mate.
His curse.
The Moon Goddess must have been laughing when She bound them.
Of all wolves… a Siberian?
The Siberians had never threatened Stone Haven.
They weren't dangerous, treacherous, or even considered enemies.
For years, Stone Haven had dismissed them as weak and fragile wolves unworthy of respect.
A symbol of softness in a world ruled by strength and cunning.
Harmless, forgettable, beneath consideration.
And yet, their perceived weakness had been their doom.
Lucian could not be the Alpha who took a "weak" Luna.
Stone Haven would never forgive him.
He clenched his jaw, trying to force the thoughts away, but they circled like vultures.
Even breathing became a betrayal because Elara's faint scent lingering in the edges of memory.
This bond was a punishment.
A cruel joke from the heavens.
Bella finally noticed his silence. She placed her hand over his on the blanket, soft fingers brushing his knuckles.
"Lucian?" Her voice trembled with hurt. "Are you even listening to me?"
He blinked out of his spiraling thoughts. "Yes. I heard you."
"No." She shook her head, eyes tightening. "You didn't. What's wrong with you lately? You've been cold. Distant. You barely look at me."
Lucian exhaled slowly. "I don't want to talk about this here."
"Well, I do." Bella edged closer, voice sharpening. "If something is bothering you, then say it. I'm your partner. You've been acting strange ever since.."
"Bella." The warning in his tone was sharp.
She didn't stop.
"Ever since I got healed. You think I don't notice? You've fallen for someone else.."
"Enough."
His voice cracked like thunder.
Bella froze.
The forest fell still, wind suspended mid-breath.
Lucian never raised his voice. His dominance was quiet, cold and controlled. But the frustration, the pressure, the guilt, the spiraling confusion, all of it tore through the cracks.
Bella swallowed. "Why are you shouting at me?"
"Because," he growled, "you won't stop pushing."
She flinched, pain flickering across her eyes.
Lucian raked a hand across his face, shame burning beneath his skin. He wanted to apologize, but the words knotted in his throat. How could he explain what he could never admit? That fate had tied him to someone else entirely.
"Take me home," Bella whispered.
He nodded, unable to look at her .
Elara sat by her window, the night breeze brushing her hair as the moon climbed the sky. A soft knock sounded.
"Elara? It's Harvey."
She opened the door, surprised to see warmth in his smile. He held out a small pouch of dried moonroot as an offering for her studies.
"I wanted to check on you," he said gently. "Yesterday was… rough."
"That's an understatement," she murmured.
Harvey stepped inside, leaning against her desk. "You came here to help, and they punished you for their own prejudice. You deserved better."
She twisted her fingers. "I still want to help. But… I'm not sure Stone Haven wants me here."
"Stay," he said firmly. "They'll see your worth eventually."
She hesitated, shadows flickering across her expression. Then she nodded.
"I'll stay. But if they treat me like that again… I don't know if I can remain."
Harvey stepped closer, protective heat in his stance. "Then I'll make sure they don't."
Elara blinked, startled by the fierceness in his tone.
"Harvey… you might get in trouble."
"You're not alone here," he said softly.
Warmth bloomed in her chest—steady, reassuring. So unlike the chaos Lucian brought.
And yet, her heart still ached for the man who wanted nothing to do with her.
"Thank you Harvey for everything you done for me since I arrived your pack," She thanked him, which brought a warm smile to his face.
"No problem, I know you would do the same for me,"
Later that night
Lucian stood by the window, restless, his mind a battlefield. He owed Bella an apology, yet every breath tugged him toward Elara. The mate bond was a relentless tide, pulling him away from the Luna he had built his future around.
How was he supposed to navigate this?
A soft chime sounded at the door.
"Enter," he said curtly.
Harvey stepped inside.
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Harvey. I wasn't expecting you."
"I know," Harvey replied calmly. "But I need to speak with you, Alpha."
"I'm about to address a rogue situation at the southern border. Make it quick."
"It's about Elara."
Lucian's posture stiffened. "What did she tell you?"
Harvey blinked, confusion overtaking frustration. "Nothing...she's been through hell, Lucian. I thought hearing from you would..."
"That is not your concern," Lucian snapped, voice rising. "My relationship with Elara is mine to handle. You overstepped."
Harvey's brows pulled together.
"'Relationship'? What relationship are you talking about?"
"Harvey," Lucian began, his voice more subdued than usual. Harvey looked up, sensing the change in his tone. "I owe you an apology."
Harvey raised an eyebrow. "For what, exactly?"
Lucian hesitated, then spoke carefully. "It seems I may have jumped to conclusions. I saw your concern for Elara, your protectiveness, and... well, I assumed you were aware of the situation." He deliberately avoided mentioning the mate bond, choosing instead to keep that truth hidden. "But it's clear I was wrong. I was probably just projecting my own turmoil onto the situation."
Harvey frowned, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "What situation are you talking about, Lucian?"