Three marks, one mate

Forty one

Desiree POV

The moment my feet touched the arena ground, a strange uneasiness settled deep within my chest, curling tightly around my heart like an invisible hand refusing to let go, and no matter how hard I tried to focus on the celebration before me, on the people gathered to honor me, on the title I had just accepted, Zelda’s voice kept echoing in my mind with a chilling persistence that made my skin prickle.

You need to find her before he does.

The urgency in her tone had not been subtle, it had been sharp and desperate, as though time itself was slipping through her fingers, and now that I stood here, surrounded by my people yet feeling strangely alone, I could not shake the feeling that something bigger was already in motion, something I did not fully understand yet.

If Elias had truly discovered the importance of Zachary’s mother, then that meant he was already searching.

And if he was searching…

Then we were running out of time.

A flicker of frustration crossed my face at the thought of Zelda helping me, because nothing about her made sense—one moment she stood beside the Rogue King, the next she was warning me as though she had switched sides and I hated not understanding someone’s intentions, especially when it involved my life.

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Celine’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade, sharp and laced with mockery, and just like that, my attention snapped back to the present as I turned to face her, already annoyed by the smug expression on her face.

“Too bad you missed it,” I replied smoothly, a small smile playing on my lips as I held her gaze without flinching. “You would have seen me become Luna.”

Her expression darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with barely concealed rage as her hands clenched at her sides.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” she shot back, her voice tight with bitterness. “I will be the one standing there soon enough.”

Avery let out a soft laugh beside me, the sound light but filled with mischief as she tilted her head slightly, clearly amused. “Oh? And how exactly is that going to happen?” she asked casually. “Is the Rogue King planning to crown you his Luna… or should we start calling you Rogue Queen already?”

Celine froze.

For a split second, her composure shattered completely, her body stumbling back as shock spread across her face, her lips parting as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

“How…?” she stammered, her voice breaking as her eyes darted between us in panic. “Who told you—no, that’s not—how do you even know that?”

Her reaction was all the confirmation we needed.

Grayson’s expression hardened instantly, his playful demeanor gone in a heartbeat as something darker took over, something dangerous, as he took a slow step toward her, his presence alone enough to make her retreat further.

“So you were planning to keep that little detail from us?” he asked, his voice low and cold, sending a shiver down my spine. “Or should we call you what you really are… a spy?”

Celine shook her head frantically, her fear now obvious as she turned desperately toward Brandon, as though he would somehow save her.

“Alpha, they are lying,” she cried, her voice trembling as she tried to regain control of the situation.

But it was too late.

“Where were you coming from then?” I asked quietly, my eyes narrowing as I focused on her more carefully, letting my wolf rise just enough to sharpen my senses.

And then I smelled it.

That scent.

My stomach twisted in disgust, her scent was mixed with his.

“You slept with him,” I said, my voice dropping, each word filled with disbelief and revulsion as I took a step back from her. “You actually slept with him.”

Celine lifted her chin stubbornly, though the flicker of panic in her eyes betrayed her. “That is none of your business,” she snapped, before quickly turning back to Brandon, desperation replacing defiance. “Alpha Brandon, it means nothing. It is you I want, only you.”

She tried to move closer to him, but Brandon’s reaction was immediate, he pushed her back without hesitation.

“Today is not about you,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We will deal with this later.”

Without sparing her another glance, I turned away, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing how much her actions disgusted me, and instead walked toward the stage, lifting my chin as a new sense of confidence settled within me, one that pushed past the unease, past the confusion, and reminded me exactly who I was now.

Luna.

The crowd erupted into cheers the moment I stepped forward, their voices rising in unison as pride swelled in my chest, warming something deep inside me despite everything that had happened.

“Hello, everyone,” I began, my voice steady as I faced them, my gaze sweeping across the crowd that now looked at me with respect, with trust. “I am Desiree… your Luna.”

The title still felt new on my tongue, but not unfamiliar.

“I promise to bring peace and strength to this pack,” I continued, my voice growing more confident with each word. “With the guidance of the Moon Goddess… and with my mates by my side.”

The cheers that followed were louder this time, overwhelming in the best way, and I allowed myself to smile, lifting the glass in my hand before taking a small sip, the cool liquid grounding me even as my thoughts threatened to drift again.

“Luna Desiree,” Daphne’s voice came from beside me, light and teasing.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Please, just call me Desiree.”

Before she could respond, a familiar presence approached again.

Celine.

I turned, already expecting another confrontation, but what I saw made me pause.

She bowed. “Luna Desiree.”

The title left her lips with surprising ease, her head lowered in what appeared to be respect, and for a moment, I simply stared at her, unable to process what was happening.

“What…” I blinked, glancing at Daphne in confusion. “Am I dreaming?”

Daphne let out a short laugh, just as baffled as I was.

“I came to apologize,” Celine said softly, her voice completely different from before, stripped of its usual arrogance. “I know I was wrong.”

My suspicion rose instantly, nothing about this felt right. “Celine…” I stepped closer cautiously, studying her face for any sign of deceit. “Are you sure you are okay?”

“I have accepted it,” she continued, lifting her head slowly, her expression calm—too calm. “You won. I lost. I only want to move forward.”

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” I asked carefully.

She smiled. “I want us to be friends.”

Then Daphne burst out laughing, I couldn’t stop myself from joining her.

“Friends?” I repeated, disbelief clear in my voice. “We were arguing a few seconds ago, and now you want to be friends with me?”

Her smile didn’t falter. “For you to understand how serious I am,” she said, her tone almost convincing, “let me take you out tonight. We can celebrate your coronation together.”

“She is not going anywhere with you.” Avery’s voice cut in sharply as she stepped beside me, her eyes narrowed in clear distrust.

Celine’s gaze snapped toward her, irritation flashing briefly before she masked it again. “I wasn’t asking for your opinion,” she replied coolly. “I am speaking to my Luna.”

Before I could respond, I heard the unfamiliar voice.

“GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU DEVIL!”

The voice exploded from behind us like thunder, powerful and filled with raw fury, sending a violent gust of wind crashing through the arena, knocking over glasses and startling everyone present as the atmosphere shifted instantly from celebration to chaos.

My heart slammed against my chest as I turned toward the source of the voice.

Avery’s body went completely rigid beside me, her hand tightening painfully around my arm as her breath hitched.

“Mum…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling with a mix of shock and something deeper.