Chapter 10
I didn’t feel any pain when I left that place. He stopped chasing after me, and honestly, I preferred it that way. I’d make it back home on my own.
Walking alone through the streets, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.
I froze, glancing around.
“There’s someone…” Sage murmured. in my head, her tone cautious.
I scanned my surroundings, tense and ready, but as I stepped back, I bumped into
someone behind me.
I gasped, spinning around, my heart stopping at the sight of him.
Darian Lloyd Ashbane.
The Stormhood‘ s most powerful ally and the youngest, most influential Lord of the
85 12:38
1/7
Chapter 10
Howlers Pack. An Alpha whose name carried weight across every pack, including mine.
“Darian,” I whispered under my breath.
His piercing gaze swept over me, curious but guarded. Then, recognition flickered in his eyes–not for who I truly was, but for the role I played.
“The Luna of the Crimson Moon Pack,” he said, his deep voice laced with authority.
I tensed. He didn’t know who I really was, and I’d keep it that way.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my tone colder than intended.
He smirked, a cocky glint in his eyes.
“Your pack requested an alliance with mine,” he said casually, as if it didn’t matter. But it stung–a reminder of the pack that wasn’t truly mine. “Kinda desperate and pathetic.‘
- 1299
217
Chapter 10
“Oh, right,” he added with a chuckle. “You‘ re their Luna, aren’t you?”
I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to correct him. He didn’t need to know the truth.
“I was just heading back home,” I said quickly, hoping to end the conversation.
But Darian wasn’t so easily dismissed. His gaze sharpened as he stepped closer.
“I need you to come with me,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ve been trying to find the meeting place, and I’m sure you know where they are.”
“What? No-” I began, but he cut me off.
“You‘ re their Luna,” he said mockingly, “and they’re desperate for my alliance. You‘ re in the best position to lead me to them.”
I bristled, his arrogant tone grating on my nerves. Darian was undeniably handsome.
85 12:38
SL
317
Chapter 10
and powerful, but his charm was overshadowed by his infuriating smugness.
Darian tilted his head, his smirk growing as he took a step closer. “What‘ s with the hostility, Luna? Shouldn’t you be rolling out the red carpet or something? After all, I’m here to save your pack from… whatever hopeless situation they‘ ve landed themselves in.”
“I don‘ t need to lead you anywhere,” I said firmly, taking a step back. But it was pointless–he closed the gap between us effortlessly, towering me with that maddening confidence of his.
Over
“Oh, come on.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to
- be. I’m not asking you to do much. Just take me to them… or do you prefer to keep me all to yourself?”
My jaw tightened, but I didn’t rise to the bait. “I don’t care what you think,
Darian. I’m not your guide, and I’m
85%%% 12:08
4/7
Chapter 10
certainly not your-”
“Not my what?” he interrupted, his grin widening as he folded his arms across his chest. “You‘ re not my Luna? My savior? My damsel in distress?”
I glared at him, heat rushing to my face.
None of the above.”
He chuckled, biting his lip, his gaze lingering on me. “Too bad you‘ re already someone else‘ s Luna,” he said with a sly smile. Then, his voice dropped to
something more serious, his eyes locking with mine. “But I’m not afraid of defying Lucian Winterpelt. You and I both know you hold more influence than he ever could. If I wanted, I could take you away from him without a second thought.”
His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to respond. Instead, I kept walking, feeling his presence beside me as we approached the restaurant.
“We’re here,” I said softly, pausing at
5/7
Chapter 10
the door.
As soon as we stepped inside, the conversation died. All eyes turned to us, wide with surprise and disbelief.
“I told you she’d come back,” Luna Jade said with a mocking smirk, her voice dripping with contempt. But then her gaze shifted, and her expression froze. “But she’s with… Darian Lloyd Ashbane!?”
Her tone turned sharp, almost panicked.
Lucian’s head snapped up, his brows furrowing as he took in the sight of us. His jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger.
“What are you doing with her, Alpha Darian?” Mr. Winterpelt demanded, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration.
“Sit already!”
Darian only smirked, unfazed by the tension in the room, his confidence radiating like an aura. I didn’t miss the way Lucian’s fists clenched at his sides, his fury barely contained.
BU 12 38
6/7
Chapter 10
The room seemed to hold its breath,
waiting for the storm to break.
You might also like
