The Luna Of Nine Lives

Invitation from the commander

POV Kale

The castle gates finally came into view after two days of traveling back from the Eastern Territory.

My horse had barely come to a stop when the servants and knights were already lined up to welcome me.

I dismounted without a word.

"What happened while I was away?"

The knights exchanged uneasy glances before shaking their heads.

Among the crowd, Ellara ran toward me like a child eagerly waiting for her father to return home. She reached out expectantly.

"My Alpha, where's the gift you promised me?"

I slipped a small package from the pocket of my coat. Her eyes instantly lit up with excitement.

"How have things been here without me?"

"I've been fine... I just missed you a little," she whispered.

I tried to maintain my composure in front of everyone.

"And Yura?"

Ellara fell silent.

I studied her face for a moment.

"What is it?"

"Alpha... there's something you should know."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Speak."

"Commander Vero Zaguarnath came to the castle. He only left this morning."

A dull ache spread through my chest.

"What was he here for?"

"He came to congratulate you on your marriage."

"And?"

"...He spent the entire time with Yura."

I drew a slow breath.

It wasn't unusual for Vero to travel around the territories after a war ended.

But Yura...

She had always disliked him.

Why would she welcome him this time?

"He... stayed for quite a while. They were alone together in her room almost the entire visit," Ellara continued.

My gaze turned icy.

I started walking toward the castle.

Ellara and the others followed behind me.

"Alpha, I know Vero and Yura are childhood friends. But I also know... Vero used to be deeply obsessed with her."

My steps came to an abrupt halt.

"Before he left... Luna even escorted the Grand Commander all the way to the main gate."

A quiet laugh escaped my lips.

A laugh devoid of warmth.

"Impressive."

The servants immediately lowered their heads.

They all recognized that expression.

The calmer my voice became...

The greater the anger I was suppressing.

I headed toward the dining hall.

Ellara served me as she always did.

"Alpha!"

She smiled sweetly before wrapping her arms around mine.

"I missed you."

Normally, that embrace would have been enough to calm me.

But today...

My mind was occupied by someone else.

Yura.

And Vero.

Ellara watched me carefully, noticing how little attention I paid to her.

"What's wrong? Did something happen in the Eastern Territory?"

I shook my head.

"What else do you know about those two?"

Her smile faded slightly.

"So you're ignoring me because you're thinking about Yura?"

"No, my dear. I'm just tired. Besides, Commander Vero's visit naturally demands my attention."

"I don't know much. I only know they stayed alone together in her room."

I swallowed hard.

"I see..."

Ellara hesitated.

"Yura invited him in herself. Isn't that a good thing, my dear? We finally have a reason to find fault with her."

I nodded uncertainly.

Yet the burning sensation in my chest only grew worse.

That woman...

Hadn't she always chased Vero away whenever he visited?

Night gradually fell.

I stood alone on the balcony of my room.

A cold wind fluttered my cloak.

Without realizing it, my eyes drifted toward Yura, who was already asleep on the bed.

She felt...

Different.

In the past...

She would wait for me until late into the night.

But today...

She had gone to sleep early.

I suddenly realized how foolish I was.

Since when had I started paying attention to things like this?

Wasn't this exactly what I wanted?

Hadn't I always wished for Yura to stop expecting anything from me?

Then...

Why did my chest feel so unbearably heavy?

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

I walked over and opened it.

A knight bowed respectfully.

"Alpha."

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow morning, Commander Vero has invited all of the pack's high-ranking leaders to attend a joint military training exercise at the border."

I nodded.

"Very well."

The knight turned to leave.

Then he hesitated.

"And... according to the rumors..."

"What is it?"

The two omegas accompanying him exchanged uncertain looks.

"Speak."

"Luna Yura... also received a special invitation from Commander Vero."

I froze.

"A... special invitation?"

"Yes, Alpha."

The omega quickly bowed before leaving.

Silence returned.

I looked up at the dark sky.

Somehow...

Vero's name had started to irritate me.

He was the hero of the entire pack.

A Grand Commander respected by everyone.

Even the Alpha King treated him with honor.

I had no reason to see him as an enemy.

Besides...

He was my wife's childhood friend.

Even if I had never wanted Yura, I still had to respect the people who mattered to her.

Yet...

That was exactly why I hated the fact that every time Yura stood beside him...

She wore a smile she had never once given me.

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

For the first time...

I wished Vero would stop getting close to Yura.

And for the first time...

I realized something I should never have felt.

"Am I... jealous? Damn it!"

Morning dew still clung to the leaves as I stepped out of the castle.

The mountain air was far cooler than that of the Eastern Territory.

Yura and I left together to attend the invitation.

Throughout the journey, however, the Luna I had married only a few days ago looked completely devoid of spirit.

By the time we arrived, hundreds of soldiers already filled the training grounds.

The clash of swords echoed through the air.

The thunder of marching feet shook the earth.

Nearby, servants hurried to carry crates of spare weapons while healers arranged herbs and bandages beneath rows of white tents.

Joint military exercises were always hectic.

"Strengthen the northern defenses!"

"Send more scouts to the river border!"

"All recruits, gather at the second field!"

I walked past them.

They instinctively stopped what they were doing.

"Carry on."

Everyone immediately returned to work.

I liked this sight.

This was the pack we had built through years of blood and sacrifice.

"Alpha."

Commander Rowan approached, carrying a rolled-up map.

"We've copied the patrol reports from the Eastern Territory."

I accepted the scroll.

"No suspicious movements?"

"Not yet. But members of the Black Fang Pack have started appearing throughout the northern forest."

I nodded.

"Tighten security. Don't provoke a war unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, Alpha."

Before I could unroll the map, loud cheers suddenly erupted near the main gate.

"The Grand Commander has arrived!"

I looked up.

The massive gates slowly opened.

A black stallion entered the courtyard at a calm pace.

Riding atop it...

Was a man dressed in a black cloak.

Vero Zaguarnath.

The moment he dismounted, dozens of young knights rushed toward him.

"Commander Vero defeated three rebel Alphas by himself!"

The excited voices of the servants made me instinctively walk toward him.

Yura did the same.

For the first time in hours, her face brightened.

Vero smiled at both of us.

I caught the warmth in the way they looked at each other.

I forced myself not to care.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Alpha Kale."

"You're an exceptionally talented commander. I intend to grant you a special reward."

"Oh... there's no need. I don't like unnecessary recognition."

I laughed warmly as I shook his hand.

"Come. Let's see what today's banquet has prepared."

Everyone respectfully bowed as Vero and I walked through the grand hall.

I couldn't deny it.

Those bows...

Were for Vero.

He was loved by the entire pack.

He wasn't merely the Grand Commander.

He was the symbol of victory.

To the people of Agrari, even Alphas and Kings like me sometimes seemed insignificant compared to him.

Behind us...

Yura walked quietly.

Today, she wore a simple pale-green dress.

There was no crown.

No extravagant jewelry.

Yet her presence alone still inspired respect.

"Greetings, Luna."

Yura returned every smile with gentle grace.

Noticing that my wife was walking alone, Vero glanced back.

"What are you doing? Aren't you going to walk beside the bride you just married? I don't like seeing you ignore my childhood friend."

"Oh... my apologies."

Without thinking, I reached for Yura's wrist and guided her beside me toward the banquet hall.

Vero smiled.

But Yura merely looked at him, paying no attention to me.

I knew why.

It was because of me.

Ever since the Diamond Stone Ritual, I had grown colder toward her.

I was disappointed.

I felt that she had humiliated me as her husband.

I had been deceived.

I thought she would become a symbol of my pride.

Instead...

I was the one who ended up feeling utterly disgraced.