The Luna Breeder

The Sacrifice

Ethan’s POV

I was the first it get to the border; the place reeked of smoke, masked with the strong metallic smell of blood and burning bodies. This was a disaster.

I alighted from the horse and watched as soldiers cleared the remains of the dead ones. I stopped one of them.

“Inquiry on behalf of the heir, whose people are along these borders?”

“Oh, mostly captives and slaves.”

A shock ran through my spine. My pack might be here.

He made to go, but I stopped him again, “Why is this border not enclosed within the gate of the city?”

“I'm not too sure, but this seems to act as a buffer so the city won't be hit too hard. The crimson pack has a lot of enemies.”

“What?”

“Gotta go.”

So this was just one clever scheme to sacrifice the foreign ones to save the capital from ruins?

An entourage of horses came from the capital, and I could see Lyra come down with some form of feigned urgency.

“What’s the situation?” she asked a soldier to report.

“I believe I can give a more accurate explanation,” I cut in. Xavier and Ronan gave me a look that said to stop, but I couldn’t hold myself, especially since I knew for sure that my captured clan must have been slain in this show of war and power.

“These people you captured were so conveniently positioned to be a frontline buffer for the war against the city.”

“That’s not true, and you know it,” she denied, “I was not aware of this arrangement.”

“Oh yeah, see how comfortable it was for you to place those people right outside the city gates, no protection whatsoever,” my voice was getting higher.

“Ethan,” she began.

“Don’t, just don’t. I thought you would be better than that beast on the throne, but it turns out the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

She slapped me clean across the cheek; the embarrassment came before the pain. I chuckled and said in a low tone, “You act like you couldn’t taint your conscience for a second, but you so conveniently refuse to involve yourself in what should be your business. Refusal to do anything is also a crime,” I sneered.

“You think you're the only one who has lost people! Ronan’s people are also here. I don’t see him whine like a prepubescent child.”

“Oh, only if Ronan knew even a fraction of how you betrayed me.”

She fell silent, guilt washing over her.

“You think I wouldn’t figure it out? I knew you were undercover in our camp moments before the war between our pack and I just recently found out who you were.”

“Ethan, I was deceived by Grandma.”

“Oh, save it!” I cut in, “I never thought more of this pack, nor did I think more of you. You have fallen short of all my expectations.”

I walked past her, but she grabbed my arm, pulling me with an unrivaled force towards her, “I want you to say that again to my face, tonight in my chambers.”

I could see the flame in her eyes, something that said she wasn’t going to back down easily, and even in this moment, I was so drawn to her that I hated myself for it.

***

Lyra’s POV

The first person I looked for when I got to the palace was Grandma. I barge straight past her guards, who warn me frantically not to enter, and straight into her office.

There I was met with the unfriendly stares from her and one of her panel members, whom I know to be Otto’s father.

“I moment with your majesty,” I managed to say politely. The last thing I need is a bad impression from my crush’s father.

Grandma dismisses him with a nod.

When he was clearly out of sight, I began.

“The borders, whose clever ideas were it to place captives at such an exposed unprotected station?”

“Is that what has you huffing and puffing?”

“I just need answers,” I ordered.

“I will have you know that you are speaking to the Luna of this pack,” her tone darkened, “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with state affairs?”

“I didn’t-,”

“Then what changed?” she pressed on, “Seems you’ve taken a liking to one of these consorts. You like my presents after all,” mockery dripping off every word she uttered.

But I couldn’t deny it. I was so worried because I had all four consorts to keep me accountable, the union between Ronan and me, and Ethan being the only one born out of captivity. The reason Ethan keeps me more unsettled than ever is a mystery I have yet to solve.

Grandma stood up from the large oak desk she sat behind and circled it slowly toward me. Her silver hair was taking in the golden colours the candlelight was emitting. She seemed way too calm, way too regal. I was an heir to her first before a granddaughter, and he reminded me of that every day of my life.

To make sure I was safe, father and mother left me in her care before leaving the palace for reasons I fail to understand.

She ran a smooth hand over my shoulder, her tall frame hovering over me. I could feel those wicked eyes staring into my soul.

“One day you will have to understand that you're the heir of this kingdom and not some random commoner,” she whispered, “grab those men by the balls and control them, damn it.”

Her hand ran down my cheek as she brushed my tousled hair out of my face. I let her; her wicked side could be cruel, even to me.

“Take in an heir and quit toying with those men with no secondary gain,” she said scornfully, “I am completely aware of what goes on in those chambers, darling. I would be a fool not to know that you're untouched by a man.”

She grabbed my face and turned me to her, “You don’t want to know what will happen once I'm fed up with the show you're putting on, you and that harem of yours.”

I yanked my face from her grip, “Gustov must have been through a great plight spying behind my door at night. Too bad he doesn’t stay till the end to hear the sounds we make at night.”

“I can't be fooled, my dear,” she walked gracefully to her seat, “you have been warned. And I take it that you understand me fully.”

"Thousands of lives have been lost at the border today, all to keep the capital safe. I hope their sacrifice was worth even a shred of your conscience.”

I didn’t wait for her response as I stormed out. As much as I hate to admit it, Ethan was right. My decision not to be involved in state affairs has given me no right to comment on how things are run, and I will have to do something about that.