ARAXIE POINT OF VIEW
The moment the office door closed behind Cassian, I let go of the breath I had been holding.
Not because I was relieved.
Because the room suddenly felt too small.
The Alpha's chambers were made of stones ana brick, it was old and cold, and used for years meant to remind anyone standing inside that power was permanent. Cassian crossed the space and poured himself a drink, unbothered, unshaken. As if the night had gone exactly as planned.
"You were magnificent," he said without looking at me. "The pack believed every word."
I didn't respond.
He turned, finally noticing my silence. "Is something wrong, my Luna?"
That word.
Luna.. It pulled something raw inside of me.
"I did what you asked," I said evenly. "Publicly, and without second thoughts."
Cassian took a slow sip. "Yes. And you broke him."
My fingers curled at my sides before I could stop myself.
"That wasn't part of the agreement," I said.
He raised a brow. "It was inevitable."
I met his gaze. "You said you wanted loyalty proven. Not blood spilled."
Cassian laughed softly. "You think what happened to Lucien was bloodshed?" He stepped closer. "That was mercy. If the bond haven't been fully severed tonight, the pack would've seen weakness. They wouldn't have accept you. A Luna was not supposed to have ties with her ex."
"But he is also my mine," I answered immediately.
Cassian groaned loudly, "Yes, he is. Same as I." he replied. "You are cursed Araxie, you aren't supposed to given two mate by the Moon Goodness. She only gives one..." he added, walking closer to me, "you did the right thing by severing one, and choosing to stay with the one you love most."
His eyes flicked to my chest, where the crest rested.
"I protected you, from the pack, from being labelled as cursed at outcast."
Something cold slid down my spine.
I remain silent, I have to. Because there was nothing left to say. The room was filled with tension.
Cassian leaned in, lowering his voice. "You should be grateful. If the pack ever suspects you're bond to two…" His fingers brushed the air near my throat, not touching. "Even I wouldn't be able to protect you."
I stepped back.
"I know the rules," I said tightly.
"Good." His smile returned, slow and satisfied. "Because tomorrow, you'll begin proving you belong here."
I frowned. "Tomorrow?"
"The elders will demand a blessing ceremony." He took my hand without asking. "You and I. Under the full moon."
My stomach twisted.
"That soon?" I asked.
Cassian's grip tightened. "The pack needs reassurance."
Before I could answer, a sharp knock echoed through the chamber.
Cassian scowled. "What now?"
A guard stepped in, bowing quickly. "Alpha… the witch Agnes requests an audience. She says it concerns the Luna's health."
Silence dropped like a blade.
Cassian's jaw clenched. "She has no authority..."
"I'll see her," I interrupted.
He turned on me. "Araxie..."
"I said I'll see her."
For a long moment, we stared each other down.
Then Cassian smiled again. "Very well. But I'll be listening."
Agnes entered slowly, her crooked staff tapping against the stone floor. Her eyes, pale and sharp, went straight to me.
"You look pale, child," she said. "That bond is fighting you harder than expected."
Cassian's voice hardened. "Watch your words."
Agnes ignored him completely.
"You felt it, didn't you?" she asked me softly. "The pull. The backlash."
I didn't answer.
She sighed. "You shouldn't have pushed it this far."
Cassian slammed his hand on the table. "Enough riddles. Speak plainly."
Agnes finally looked at him.
"The bond between your Luna and your brother is not broken," she said. "It is restrained. Choked. And it will retaliate."
My heart skipped.
Cassian laughed. "Retaliate how?"
Agnes' gaze slid back to me, pity flickering there.
"The Moon Goddess does not tolerate cages," she said. "And when a bond is forced into silence…" Her voice dropped. "It bleeds into other things...you weren't supposed to tamper with what the bond the Moon Goddess made, because she doesn't make mistakes."
"What things?" I demanded.
Agnes' lips curved, grim.
"Power," she said. "Madness. Blood."
Cassian's amusement vanished.
"You're dismissed," he snapped.
Agnes bowed mockingly and turned to leave, then paused beside me.
"Careful, Luna," she whispered. "The Moon sees choices made out of fear differently than choices made out of ambition."
Then she was gone.
The room felt colder.
Cassian exhaled sharply. "Don't let her get into your head."
I stared at the door Agnes had exited through.
"She said the bond will retaliate," I murmured.
Cassian scoffed. "Old superstition."
But his voice wasn't as steady as before. I walked away before he coup say another thing.
AT NIGHT.
Later that night, alone in my chambers, I stood before the mirror again.
The Luna crest gleamed proudly.
I touched it.
And for the first time since the ceremony, I felt pain, sudden, sharp, deep enough to bend me forward.
Not grief, not longing. It was Anger. Somewhere in the pack, I felt him.
Not his thoughts. Not his voice. His resistance.
I straightened slowly, meeting my own reflection.. "Fight all you want," I whispered. "This isn't over yet."
I went into my drawer, taking a small vial Maddie the witch in the dark made made for me. I sip a little, the liquid burned the moment it touched my tongue.
Then Maddie warning rang in my ear.
"Use this when no one is available. Not too early or too late." I smiled in victory after carefully keeping the portion.
"This is just the beginning," I said laughing loud. "When I'm done with them, they would all regret they made me their Luna."