CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
1172 Words
SILVER’S POV
I felt it again.
That chill. That prickling sensation down my neck. Like someone was watching me. Breathing with me. Judging me.
I turned around in the hallway, but as usual—nothing.
Just silence.
No one was there.
Just me.
“You’re being paranoid.” I muttered to myself.
Maybe the exhaustion was getting to me.
I only slept for five hours a day, and I was barely awake by my coffee addiction.
Still, I didn’t relax until I reached the main courtyard. I forced my steps to remain even, shoulders high, eyes forward. The Luna had no room for nerves.
I wasn't taught to be scared.
Especially not in Cassano.
The garden was quiet this afternoon, save for the soft rustle of wind moving through the hedges. I spotted two young she-wolves helping the gardener plant new medicinal herbs along the east wall. They paused and looked up when they saw me.
The younger one dipped her head low.
“Luna.”
I gave them a small smile.
“How’s it going?”
“Better now,” the older one said, wiping her hands on her apron.
“You approved the new seed budget. We haven’t had a proper herb supply in months.”
I crouched down beside them, brushing dirt from a fresh patch.
“Good. Once these start growing, send some to the infirmary. I’ve seen the state of their storage.”
She blinked.
“You… you’ve been to the infirmary?”
Why were they surprised?
“Yes,” I said.
“I’m not a ghost. Just the woman who signed your paychecks this week.”
They both laughed—nervous, but real.
It was progress from when I arrived newly.
Everyone treated me like a guest and avoided me.
Maybe they were still feeling the loss of their late Luna, and it was hard for them to open up to another Luna who wasn't their Alpha's mate and who their Alpha obviously didn't want.
They watched their alpha, and they knew he had never seen me before.
Alessio was making it hard for them to warm up to me faster.
If their Alpha didn't acknowledge the Luna, who were they to do that?
I straightened again and nodded.
“Good work. Let me know if you need help with transport.”
As I walked away, I could feel their eyes still on me. Not in fear. Not in pity.
Respect.
Slowly, it was happening.
But that same chill crept up again as I crossed into the western corridor. I turned fast this time, hoping to catch someone—anyone—lurking behind me.
Nothing.
Still, my wolf stirred. She didn’t like this. Neither did I.
Being backed to a corner before had left my trust weaker than an old bridge.
I made a sharp detour.
Instead of returning to the East Wing, I took the narrow staircase up toward the north wing—Alessio’s place.
Not to see him, obviously. That would be… absurd.
I've never been to his side of the area before, I dared not.
I just wanted air. A higher vantage. Somewhere to shake the static buzzing in my blood.
If someone was following me, I would know.
The top landing was empty, save for a long hallway, and a locked wooden door I assumed led to his quarters.
I turned instead toward the balcony overlooking the training fields.
And there he was.
Alessio.
In the distance, standing by the stone railing below, watching the field with arms crossed. Still as a statue. Unreadable. Untouchable.
He was dressed in black, as usual. But his hair was slightly messy today, wind-blown. Less polished. More… normal.
He didn’t look up.
But something in me knew he sensed I was there.
That's if he bothered to know my scent.
I didn’t call out. Didn’t wave. I just… watched him.
And for a second—just a breath—I wondered what he’d be like if he weren’t so hollowed out. If he could laugh. If he could want.
But those were dangerous thoughts.
Especially for a woman still aching from a rejection that hadn’t fully healed.
I never got the chance to even accept my rejection.
“Silver.” a voice said behind me.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, spinning to find Lorenzo leaning casually against the wall, holding two mugs of tea.
I squinted at him.
Was he the one following me?
“How the hell do you move so quietly?”
He handed me one of the mugs.
“Beta privilege.”
I took it cautiously.
“This doesn’t have poison in it, does it?”
“Not unless you count chamomile.”
I took a sip.
“Hm. Disappointing.”
He smirked.
“You looked like you needed it.”
“Do I?”
“You’re pacing around like you’re being hunted.”
“I feel like I am.”
His smirk faded slightly.
“By someone in the pack?”
I shrugged.
“I don’t know. It’s just… a feeling. I'm usually alert, but maybe it's exhaustion.”
He tilted his head.
“Do you want me to check the surveillance logs?”
“There are surveillance logs?”
“Silver. This is Cassano. We watch everything. Even the walls have opinions.”
I half-laughed, half-grimaced.
“I’m serious, Lorenzo. Something feels off.”
He nodded slowly.
“I’ll look into it.”
I studied his face.
Calm. Easy. Charming.
So different from Alessio.
Too charming?
No. Don’t go there, Silver.
You can not have your eyes on a beta when you are legally married to the Alpha.
I leaned back on the railing and stared out at the fields again.
“You’ve been good for this place,” he said after a beat.
“They’re starting to believe in the Luna again.”
“I don’t need belief,” I said quietly.
“I just need to set everything in order. It was what i was brought here to do. My duty.”
“You do realize you’re doing more for this pack than Alessio has in years?”
I looked at him, surprised.
“Don’t worry. I say that with love. He's my best pal.” he added dryly.
“He’s trying. In his own... broken, emotionally constipated way.”
“Is that your diagnosis?”
“Unofficially. I’m not licensed in trauma therapy.”
I smiled despite myself, then looked down at my tea.
“Lorenzo,” I said after a pause.
“Hm?”
“If something happens to me… I want you to protect them. The people here. The she-wolves. The kids.”
His brow furrowed.
“Why would something happen to you?”
“Because I’m not done making enemies. I think i have already made a few.” I whispered.
And I felt it again.
That chill.
That presence.
Something waiting.
I looked up at the tower across from me—empty.
I didn’t like this feeling, and neither did my wolf.
- Writer
