The wife he gave away

Untitled EpisodeChapter20

I Want More

Power was a strange thing.

Most people believed power began with authority. They believed it came from titles, positions, and rank. They believed a person became powerful the moment others were forced to obey them. I used to think that too. Then I grew older and realized something much more important. Authority could be given. Titles could be inherited. Rank could be assigned. Trust was different. Trust had to be earned. Once people trusted you, they began defending you even when you were wrong. Once people trusted you, they started listening before you spoke. Once people trusted you, they willingly placed power in your hands.

As I sat alone in my chambers that evening, I found myself replaying the council meeting over and over again. The memory brought a smile to my face every single time. The same men who had looked annoyed when I entered the room had eventually listened to every word I said. The same men who believed I had no place in military discussions had nodded along as I presented my solution. By the time the meeting ended, several of them had been looking at me differently. Respect had appeared where skepticism once existed.

That was the real victory. The strategy itself was almost secondary. What mattered was that they had listened. What mattered was that they had seen my value.

Most importantly, what mattered was that they would remember.

The next time a problem arose, they would remember that I had solved one before. The next time a debate stalled, they would remember that I had provided direction when nobody else could. Trust was built one moment at a time, and today's meeting had given me exactly what I wanted.

A soft knock sounded against my door.

My smile widened as I immediately knew who it was.

"Come in."

The door opened carefully before Dominic stepped inside. He closed it behind him and locked it immediately. The sight made me laugh softly. He always looked nervous whenever he came here, as though every shadow contained a witness and every hallway contained a spy.

His anxiety was understandable. It was also exhausting.

The moment the lock clicked into place, his expression changed. The tension disappeared from his face and was replaced by excitement. He crossed the room quickly and stopped directly in front of me.

"You were incredible today."

His voice carried genuine admiration.

The compliment pleased me more than I expected.

"I know."

Dominic laughed. The sound was warm and affectionate. For a brief moment, we simply stood there smiling at each other.

Then he shook his head. "I thought Alaric was going to throw you out."

"He almost did."

"You should've seen the council's faces."

I laughed again. "I saw them."

"No, you didn't," he replied with amusement shining in his eyes. "Magnus looked like he was swallowing poison every time you opened your mouth."

That image made me laugh harder. Dominic joined me. For a few moments, everything felt easy. Simple. Victorious. It was the kind of evening that made risks seem worthwhile.

Eventually, he moved closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. I allowed myself to relax against him as satisfaction settled comfortably inside my chest.

Today's success changed something. I could feel it. The council had noticed me. The council had listened. They would remember.

And that wasn't enough, not anymore.

"I want more."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Dominic pulled back slightly. His expression became curious. "More?"

I nodded slowly. "Today's meeting was a beginning."

His eyebrows lifted. "A beginning of what?"

I turned away from him and walked toward the window overlooking the courtyard below. Several warriors crossed the grounds carrying supplies. Guards stood watch at their posts. Life continued exactly as it always had.

"I spent years watching people underestimate me," I said quietly. "Today was the first time many of those men actually listened."

Dominic approached from behind. "They listened because you were right."

"Exactly."

I turned toward him again. The excitement growing inside me was impossible to hide.

"And now they know it."

Understanding slowly appeared on his face.

"You want a larger role."

"I want influence."

The correction came immediately. Influence lasted longer. Influence survived changes in leadership, and it shaped decisions before they were made.

That was what truly mattered.

Dominic studied me for several seconds before smiling. "I think you're going to get it."

His confidence made me smile. Then he stepped closer, closer still, the distance between us disappearing completely.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Words felt unnecessary. His hand rose to my face, while mine settled against his chest.

Then he kissed me. The kiss started slowly and softly. But neither of us had seen each other properly in days, and the restraint didn't last long. His arms tightened around me. My fingers tangled in his hair. Every frustration, every secret meeting, every stolen moment seemed to pour into that single kiss.

“I want you all to myself, Valeria,” he whispered softly to me.

Neither of us heard the door open. Neither of us noticed the movement until it was too late. As sharp gasp cut through the room, we broke apart instantly.

A young guard stood frozen just inside the doorway. His face had turned completely white. For several seconds, nobody moved or spoke. The silence became suffocating.

The guard looked horrified. Dominic looked ready to faint. I looked directly at the guard and waited.

The young man immediately dropped to one knee.

"My Luna—"

"Look at me."

My voice was calm, dangerously calm.

The guard obeyed immediately. Fear filled his eyes.

Good.

Fear makes people careful.

"What exactly did you see?"

His mouth opened, then closed.

Then it opened again.

"Nothing."

The answer came so quickly that it was almost funny.

I took several steps toward him. The guard's breathing became visibly uneven.

"Good."

He swallowed hard.

I continued walking until I stood directly in front of him. Then I crouched slightly so our eyes met.

"If a single word of this reaches Alpha Alaric's ears, I will personally make sure your execution is the least painful thing that happens to you."

The threat left my mouth softly, almost gently, which somehow made it worse.

The guard's face lost what little color remained.

"I understand, my Luna."

"No."

I smiled. Slowly. Coldly. "I don't think you do."

His hands began shaking. Dominic remained silent behind me. The room felt smaller than before… much smaller.

"I understand," the guard repeated quickly.

This time I believed him.

Mostly.

"Good."

I straightened. The guard practically stumbled over himself trying to leave. Within seconds, he was gone. The door slammed shut behind him.

Silence filled the room again.

Dominic was the first to speak. "That was dangerous."

His voice carried genuine concern, far more concern than I thought the situation deserved.

I turned toward him. "He won't talk."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

He ran a hand through his hair. The movement revealed his anxiety immediately. "What if he tells Alaric anyway?"

"He won't."

"And if he does?"

I walked back toward him, slowly and confidently. Then I placed both hands against his chest.

"Relax."

The word came out almost amused.

Dominic looked unconvinced. "He looked terrified."

"Exactly."

His expression softened slightly. Not completely, but enough.

I smiled and kissed him briefly. That seemed to help. Eventually, his shoulders relaxed, the tension fading from his face. The fear disappeared little by little.

I knew Dominic well. Sometimes, all he needed was reassurance.

A few moments later, another knock sounded against the door. Both of us froze.

The sound was louder than the first one. More deliberate and confident.

Dominic's eyes immediately found mine. “I told you.”

I frowned. The timing felt strange, very strange.

Slowly, I turned toward the door.

"Who is it?"

Silence followed. For one brief second, nobody answered. Then a familiar voice drifted through the wood. Low. Calm. Dangerously controlled.

"Are you expecting someone else?"