The Rejected Luna's Secret Heirs

Chapter 4: Terms and Tensions

Lucian swallowed hard, his jaw clenching as he struggled to process my cold demeanor. Five years ago, I would have broken under his glare. Now, I looked at him as nothing more than a strategic obstacle.

"Inside. My office," Lucian managed to say, stepping aside to gesture toward the grand entrance. "We will negotiate there."

We walked into the familiar estate, our footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor. The pack elders followed, whispering anxiously among themselves. They recognized me, and the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a blade.

Once inside the war room, Lucian pulled out the head chair at the long mahogany table. "Ayla, please—"

"Commander Vance," Caelan corrected firmly, taking his seat directly opposite Lucian. I sat right beside Caelan, leaning forward and resting my forearms on the polished wood.

"Let's skip the pleasantries, Alpha Lucian," I said, sliding a thick leather folder across the table. "Nightshade will secure your northern border and eliminate the rogue strongholds. In exchange, we require full access to your pack's perimeter patrol logs, exclusive rights to the silver mines along the valley, and a non-interference pact."

Lucian barely glanced at the documents. His dark eyes remained fixed on my face, searching for any trace of the girl who used to adore him. "The silver mines? Ayla, those are Crescent territory assets. And a non-interference pact? You're asking me to hand over operational control of our defenses."

"You came to us because your defenses failed," I said, my tone completely devoid of emotion. "You can sign the terms, or you can watch the rogue factions breach your inner gates by the end of the week. Choice is yours."

Lucian leaned forward, his voice dropping into a rough whisper. "Why are you doing this? Where have you been for five years? I searched for you, Ayla. After that night... after I realized what I had done—"

"You didn't search hard enough," I cut in, my voice sharp as steel. "Sign the paper, Lucian. I have no interest in your regrets."

Before Lucian could sign, the heavy double doors swept open. A young pack guard rushed into the room, out of breath and pale.

"Alpha!" the guard gasped. "There's a location at the outer gate. Two unauthorized children were spotted wandering near the border patrol line!"

My heart instantly slammed against my ribs. Golden eyes. Dark mark patterns.

Leo and Lyra.