Married to the alpha, marked by another

Chapter 3

Drew’s pov

The palace never felt so stuffy. Lanterns hung from iron chains like stars in the sky, but their light didn't reach the corners of the hall where whispers curled like smoke.

Silvermoon had always been my home, but tonight it felt strange, like a stage with no script. I went up the winding stairs after my mom and Sarah. Every step echoed, which caught the attention of guards and servants who pretended not to look but did anyway.

They were uneasy about Sarah for some reason, or maybe they were uneasy because my body betrayed me before my brain could catch up. I held my hands tightly at my sides.

Every nerve is screaming. Every instinct is telling me to be careful. Sarah didn't say anything. She didn't look around. She only followed my mother in small, careful steps, as if she were measuring the distance between shadows, the walls, and the floors.

Her calmness was disarming, and that smell-faint and carried through the open balcony doors by the evening breeze-burned through me again. I didn't go toward it. I didn't back down. I just breathed it in slowly and carefully, knowing that my heart was lying to me.

Mother Luna's hand touched her back. Safe and Kind. Power that looks like comfort. I could tell that the other members of the palace were stiffening and tilting their heads slightly, as if to say, "This is not an ordinary guest."

They whispered behind their hands, and their looks were sharp enough to cut stone. I didn't believe them. I didn't believe Sarah. And I really didn't trust myself.

We made it to the top of the stairs. Mother Luna pointed to a part of the palace I hadn't been in since my father's death. There were pictures of Silvermoon's past Alphas and Lunas on the walls. Their painted eyes seemed to follow me, judging me. I could feel their weight on my shoulders.

“This will be Sarah's room," Mother Luna said softly, pointing to a door at the end of the hall. "Get it ready like you would for any guest at Silvermoon." She said to the servants.

And Drew... Her look at me was sharp and steady."Don't take her presence lightly." I didn't say anything. I just kept going. Keeping my Alpha Control. I stayed away and looked ahead.

The door led to a small room that was much simpler than what I would expect for someone my mother was protecting. No furniture with gold. No sheets made of silk. There were only stone walls, one window, and a bed that was neatly made. It worked, Safe, and still.

Sarah slowly walked inside, her eyes scanning the room. Her fingers brushed against the edge of the bed for a moment longer than they needed to. I didn't say a word. Didn’t give her a warning or tell her not to stop. Some of me wanted to. Another part? That part hated that it even wanted her to be there.

Mother Luna took a step back. "This will do for now." Sarah, Silvermoon will protect you, but you must respect the rules of this house.

Sarah's eyes met mine for a second. Don't be afraid. No being a servant. Just... recognition. She seemed to be testing the air between us, weighing the threat and the weight.

Her eyes moved to the window, where the last light of dusk was spilling over the courtyard of the palace. I didn't like how she looked at everything without noticing me right away.

"Good," Mother Luna said in a calm but firm voice. "Shegun! Take her to her room and make sure she is comfortable. “Don’t worry shegun, I will take her,” I said.

"I wanted to stop. I wanted to leave her with my mom and shegun and not talk to her at all. But I clenched my jaw and did what I had to do. My alpha control resumed. I didn't let my instincts out.

The hallway back to the main wing was narrow and lined with carved stone that seemed to hum with the weight of time. I walked slowly and carefully, but my mind wasn't on the walls, the torches, or even the guards who were following me at a safe distance. It was Sarah's.

I could still smell her. That sweet-tang of something you know. Addictive. "Do you need anything?" I asked, in a low, short voice. She looked at me with her eyebrow raised a little.

"I just need to be safe. She answered. Knowing. I said "safety " again under my breath. I clenched my hands.

She was safe with my mom. I had nothing. There was nothing but the tension in my chest and the heat that shouldn't be there and that I shouldn't feel.

I said, "You won't get all of that," being careful. Power. "Not yet." Not from me. Her lips turned. No smile. Not funny. Just... acknowledgment. It was as if she knew what I was going to say before I said it. "That's okay," she said softly.

"I have time." Time. My jaw felt tight. Every instinct told me not to let her see the cracks, but her presence clawed at the walls I had built inside myself. When we got to her room, she stopped at the door. Fingers brushing against the door frame. Eyes darting back to me, sharp and judging.

My body reacted before my mind did. That smell again. Something deep, something old, something I'd kept hidden for years was warped. "You know," I said, my voice tighter than I meant it to be, "that just because you stay here doesn't mean you're part of this family." You answer to Mother Luna. Not me.

Fuck! Why did I just say that! Trying my best to act tough but I can’t with her.

She didn't blink. Didn't get softer. "I get it."

The door shut behind her. The door made a noise. Lock is on. But she stayed near the center of the space, as if she wasn't done watching. As if she hadn't finished pushing the limits.

I stepped back into the hallway and let out a long breath. My heart was pounding. My hands felt funny. My body wouldn't stop reacting. Control yourself Handrew! I said it to myself over and over, like a mantra.

Alpha control. Alpha control. Alpha control. But it was already breaking.

The council met again the next morning. I walked into the room with my head held high and my Alpha posture locked.

I made my mind strong against Sarah, Elara, and the small changes that were upsetting Silvermoon's delicate power balance. The council was restless and whispering to each other.

People's eyes went to the empty chair across from Mother Luna, which was Sarah's. Some people were interested. Some are cautious. Some are just plain mean.

I saw Elder Mara look at me with her lips pressed together and her eyes sharper than ever. Elara was sitting too close to the edge of the council dais.

Her presence was planned and measured, a wordless statement. I didn't pay attention to her. I pay attention to the council. The whispers stopped when Mother Luna spoke.

"A new issue needs our attention before we move on." Everyone looked at the empty chair. Sarah was not there. That absence said more than any words.

Mother Luna went on, "Sarah is under my protection. Even though she is not here, her presence affects all of our choices.

This council should keep in mind how heavy threats and allies that can't be seen are. There were more murmurs. Heads down. The postures changed.

Even Elara stiffened, though it was subtle. I felt it too. The heaviness. The presence that can't be seen. A tug. A soft vibration in the air made my chest feel tight. I made fists under the table. And then the faint smell came back. Almost not there, like a dream. But clear, Familiar and Close. My teeth ground against each other.

I looked at the empty chair as if her shadow might be sitting there. My stomach turned. My mind screamed "stay away," but my body-my body betrayed me, shaking with recognition and desire I refused to admit.

I swallowed hard to calm my voice down. "We go on." Elder Ben leaned in and spoke in a suspicious tone.

"Alpha, with all due respect, the council wants things to be clear.

Who is she? What power does she say she has?

I didn't respond right away. I couldn't. Not completely. There was too much I didn't know and too much I couldn't let myself admit yet. Not to them. Not to her. Not even to myself.

I saw Mother Luna's eyes across the room. Sharp. Command without sound. Do not give up. I stood up straight and lifted my chin.

"She is here because of my mother." That's all you need to know for now.