His Luna BY Law

Chapter 4

DAEMON

I wasn’t expecting her.

I wasn’t expecting anything that night—just the usual political circus: fake smiles, threats, nobles spilling wine and secrets like they were interchangeable. I was nursing a drink, halfway ignoring the Alpha of the Southern Ridge with a terrible case of mouth odor, when the doors opened and Killian walked in like he owned the damn moon—his hand on her back like she belonged to him.

I smelled her before I saw her.

Jasmine. Wild honey. And citrus underneath.

It hit me like a blow to the chest.

Then I saw her.

Lyra.

My world stilled.

Months. I had spent months tearing through rogue sightings, chasing ghosts, yelling at my Beta, losing sleep, aching in places I didn’t know could ache. All for a woman who vanished like smoke.

Time faltered, and the air thinned. My pulse roared in my ears like war drums.

She walked in beside Killian, wearing a pale blue dress that shimmered like moonlight. Her hand rested lightly on his arm. He guided her like she belonged to him.

But her scent… gods… her scent had changed.

It was still her—still that soul-deep pull that made my wolf claw at my insides.

But there was something… new. Softer. Richer.

Another scent.

New life.

She was pregnant.

I blinked, stared, and tried to make sense of what I was seeing.

And then I noticed something else.

There was no bond between her and Killian. At least not fully.

No lingering scent of intimacy. No soul-link humming in the air between them. They weren’t mated—certainly not in the true sense.

Which meant…

My eyes dropped to the gentle curve of her stomach, and my heart punched against my ribs.

Could it be?

Could she be carrying my child?

My mind recoiled—rushed to reject the thought—but my wolf froze. Stared and sniffed the air with violent desperation.

The bond didn’t just flare—it reached. It reached toward that unborn life like it knew.

I tightened my jaw.“No. It can’t be…”

Unless…

Unless she hadn’t been with Killian. Unless she’d vanished before he could…

I shook my head.

“Did she…?”

But the thought didn’t fit. Not with her.

Lyra wasn’t the kind of woman who’d give herself away so easily. She wasn’t reckless. And she didn’t smell like anyone else.

“It’s mine,” I whispered. “It has to be.”

I took a step forward. My heart pounded in time with every thought slamming into my skull.

If Killian wasn’t truly bonded to her…

If she vanished before she could break the link between us…

If she’s pregnant now, and the timing lines up…

Then she’s carrying my child.

I didn’t stop moving. I needed to see her face, to hear her voice. I needed to confirm what I already knew.

Killian noticed me first. That damn smirk tugged at his mouth like he’d been waiting for this—like it was some twisted game, and I’d just stepped into his final move.

He turned to her, his voice casual but laced with venom.“Lyra, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Then his gaze flicked back to me, heavy with mockery.

“Daemon,” he said, voice smooth and taunting.

“I didn’t think you’d show up. You’ve been avoiding these gatherings lately. Couldn’t resist the spectacle tonight?”

I didn’t blink. “I didn’t realize you were still playing puppet master, Killian. I thought you’d retired your strings.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I have. I only pull them when it matters. Like now.”

His eyes gleamed. “She’s radiant, isn’t she? Carrying herself like a queen. You should congratulate us.”

My jaw ticked. “Is that what this is? A performance?”

“You always were too serious.” He leaned closer, his words just for me.

“You think everything’s about power, destiny, and strength. But sometimes, Daemon, the gods just give one man the win—and this is mine.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice.“What did you do to her?”

His smile widened. “Nothing she didn’t choose.”

I stared at him. “Liar.”

“She’s happy,” he said smoothly. “She’s safe. That’s more than you ever gave her.”

“You son of a—”

“Careful.” His voice dipped lower. “You make a scene, I’ll have you escorted out like a rogue. You wouldn’t want that in front of her, would you?”

She turned toward me, and my soul staggered.

Her eyes—those beautiful, storm-gray eyes I never gave a chance—looked at me… and saw nothing.

No flicker. No jolt. No recognition.

“Lyra,” Killian continued with mock politeness,“This is Alpha Daemon of the Northern Territories.”

She nodded politely.“Alpha Daemon, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her voice was light and detached. Too calm.She didn’t know me.

Whatever Killian had done—whatever magic, manipulation, or mind trickery—had severed me from her completely.

This is your punishment? I asked the heavens silently. For rejecting my destined mate? Is this what I deserve?

I held my expression and nodded once.“The pleasure is mine,” I said, voice dry and cracking at the edges.

She turned away, calm as ever. Unbothered.Like I was just another name on a list of strangers.

My hands curled into fists at my sides, and I took a step back.

Then another. I turned and walked away.

I stayed through the banquet somehow. I didn’t punch anyone. Didn’t shift. Didn’t snap.I drank. I nodded. I played the part.

But I kept looking at her.

When she laughed once—softly and gently—I broke a little more. My hands tightened around my glass so hard I was sure it would shatter. I felt like a kid again—helpless, stupid, and burning.

The second the formalities ended, I left. Stormed out before anyone could stop me. I didn’t answer my Beta when he called after me.

"Don’t," I snapped. "I said don’t follow me."

I needed space, air, and distance.

I ran into the woods—the one place that still felt real—and I followed her scent like it was a lifeline.

It was clearer there, untouched by chemicals and lies. Her scent pulled me through the trees, grounded me and gutted me at the same time. And when I finally dropped to my knees, breathing it in, something inside me cracked wide open.

It was real.

She was carrying my child. She didn’t remember me. And she was bound to another man.

I didn’t care that the ground was cold. I didn’t care that my guards would come looking. I pressed my forehead into the dirt like it could steady the chaos inside me.

My wolf whimpered.

Because we’d found her—and we couldn’t have her.

I wanted to destroy something—Killian, fate, the Goddess… myself—but I couldn’t move. I just stayed there, on my knees, breathing in what little I could hold of her, and knowing it wasn’t enough.

And the worst part?

I didn’t know if I deserved her anymore.