Alpha's Regret: The Luna He Betrayed

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

LUCAS

"Terrified of what?" Lionel asked, finally abandoning his game entirely to join our conversation.

"Of me," Seraphina said simply. "Of what I represent to Kieran, to their perfectly arranged political marriage. If she was confident in her position, she wouldn't need to resort to tabloid theatrics."

I wanted to argue with her, to point out that Miranda's confidence might be entirely justified. After all, Seraphina had walked away from Kieran once before, had spent five years building a life without him. But something in my sister's expression stopped me from voicing those doubts.

Instead, I found myself thinking about the phone call I'd just made, about Kieran's voice when I'd told him Seraphina was awake. There had been something there—relief, longing, hope—that suggested my sister might be right about his feelings.

But there had also been silence when Miranda had taken the phone, a lack of protest that made me wonder if Kieran was trying to do what he thought was the honorable thing, even if it destroyed him in the process.

"You know what the worst part is?" Seraphina said, still staring at the screen as the news moved on to other stories. "She's probably right about the political benefits. Their marriage would strengthen both territories, create new alliances, secure trade agreements that our families have been working toward for decades."

"Then maybe—" I started, but she cut me off with a look that could have frozen hell.

"Maybe what, Lucas? Maybe I should step aside again? Maybe I should sacrifice my happiness for the greater good, just like I did five years ago when I convinced myself that running away was the noble choice?"

The pain in her voice made my chest tighten with guilt. I'd been there five years ago, had watched her struggle with the decision to marry Kieran versus maintaining her independence. I'd even supported her choice to leave, believing that she was too young and too stubborn to make their arrangement work.

Now, seeing the woman she'd become, the strength she'd developed during her years away, I was beginning to think we'd all made a terrible mistake.

"No," I said finally, my voice carrying more conviction than I'd felt in years. "I think maybe it's time you stopped sacrificing your happiness for everyone else's convenience."

Lionel nodded approvingly from his corner of the couch. "About damn time someone said it. You've been a martyr long enough, Sera. It's time to be selfish for once."

She looked between us, something vulnerable flickering across her face before being replaced by determination. "Even if it means going to war with Miranda Ashworth and everything she represents?"

"Especially if it means that," I said, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice. "You're a Blackwood, Seraphina. We don't back down from fights, and we sure as hell don't let other people claim what belongs to us."

Her smile was sharp and predatory, the expression of a woman who'd finally decided to stop playing defense. "Then I guess it's time to remind everyone exactly what happens when someone tries to steal from our family."

The television had moved on to other news, but the images of Miranda and Kieran remained burned in my memory. I thought about the phone call, about Miranda's dismissive tone and Kieran's silence, and felt my own anger building.

"What do you need from us?" I asked, because I knew that look in my sister's eyes. She was planning something, and when Seraphina Blackwood started planning, smart people got out of her way or offered to help.

"Information," she said immediately. "I need to know everything about Miranda's political connections, her family's business dealings, anything that might give me leverage. I also need to know Kieran's schedule, where he'll be and when."

"I can handle the intelligence gathering," Lionel offered, his casual demeanor hiding the sharp mind that had made him one of our father's most trusted advisors. "Miranda might be good at playing politics, but she's not the only one with connections in this city."

"And I'll work on getting you access to Kieran," I added, though I wasn't entirely sure how I'd manage that given Miranda's obvious determination to keep them apart.

Seraphina nodded, her expression shifting into the focused intensity that had once made her the youngest person ever admitted to our family's inner circle of strategic planners.

"Good," she said. "Because Miranda Ashworth is about to learn that there are some things worth fighting for, and some people you don't mess with."

She turned back to the television, where a commercial for laundry detergent was playing, but I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes.

"And if she thinks a few staged photographs are going to scare me away from my mate," she continued softly, "then she clearly doesn't know the first thing about Blackwoods."