Chapter 6
1585 Words
Vicky~
Rowan froze at my question the moment it came out of my lips. The fire crackled softly between us while silence stretched in the room and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached for my hand, clearing his throat,
"Vicky."
I looked down at his fingers before calmly pulling away.
"What is your decision regarding Selena?" I asked again. Only then did I see his jaw tightened while I scoffed inwardly.
Was he never expecting me to ask that question? I couldn't help but wonder.
"The Elders haven't reached a final verdict."
Really? This was the lame lie he could come up with? I thought as a bitter laugh escaped me.
"Really?"
I asked him again while I watched him like to my face as if it was nothing.
"They need time."
"No." I shook my head. "They don't."
Rowan sighed heavily instead as he bit his lips.
"The Ashford family has served Silver Ridge for generations. Selena's father died defending our northern border. If she's publicly stripped of her title now, the family will suffer. There are a lot of things to consider before making a harsh decision”
Really? A harsh decision? That was the excuse meaning that she deserved mercy just because he couldn't bear seeing her hurt?
"Do whatever you want, Alpha." I said coldly while his expression darkened as he reached for me again.
"Vicky…” Rowan trained off while I turned away.
"I'm tired. Just leave."
However, for several moments, Rowan remained seated before he eventually rose and quietly left.
The moment the door closed, I curled beneath the blankets and stared at the ceiling before mentally using my fingers to count.
Twenty-five days and none of this would matter anymore.
The following morning, Silver Ridge Palace buzzed with activity and preparations for the Moon Festival continued despite everything.
I watched servants rush through the corridors carrying decorations while warriors escorted visiting Deltas and Betas through the palace grounds.
Messengers ran between Elder chambers while others were importantly busy and if felt as if everywhere I went, wolves whispered incoherent words I couldn't fathom.
The moment I was about to take another step further into the reading chambers, Mara entered my office looking furious.
"Luna."
I glanced up before I finally took a seat.
"What happened?"
Immediately, she politely placed a silver invitation on my desk while my eyes narrowed.
"What is this?"
"The Alpha's order."
Confused, I unfolded the parchment and almost immediately, my chest tightened.
It was all about tonight's festival rehearsal and the list of participants that sat neatly beneath the royal seal.
Scanning through the names, my grip tightened around the parchment as I saw Selena Ashford.
Her Moon Maiden title had supposedly been suspended or so I thought and yet, she was still participating.
Wasn't she supposed not to stand where she had no right to stand before the Pack?
I thought and laughed coldly as I bit my lip.
"So that's his decision."
I muttered and glanced at Mara who seemed ready to explode. Only then did I calmly fold the invitation.
"This is exactly what I expected and he proved me right”
I thought, staring into space. Just a matter of time…. I thought coldly.
That evening, the palace gardens glowed beneath silver lanterns as hundreds of wolves had gathered for the rehearsal ceremony.
A lot of werewolves mingled, warriors stood guard and servants rushed between tables. However, I wasn't interested in them because as Luna, I moved through the crowd, inspecting preparations.
Then I saw Selena stand near the central fountain while my steps faltered for the first time that evening.
And for the first time that evening, my steps faltered and around her wrist rested a delicate moonstone bracelet.
Immediately, my breath hitched because among werewolves, moonstone gifts carried special meaning.
Traditionally, an Alpha gifted moonstone to the woman under his protection.
Years ago, when Rowan and I first became mates, I had jokingly asked him for one.
However, he refused, claiming it was too public.
"The bond between us doesn't need symbols."
At the time, I believed him. After all, I didn't need one for him to prove that he truly loved me.
Now, Selena wore one proudly and openly as if she had every right to.
Mara followed her gaze before her face darkened.
"That bracelet."
I nodded silently as the knot in my chest tightened.
However, it felt as if everyone already noticed it also as whispers spread rapidly.
"That's moonstone."
"Who gave it to her?"
"It's beautiful….”
I watched as Selena seemed to enjoy the attention as she smiled, her eyes locking around until they found mine. Only then did a small victorious smile curved her lips as my wolf growled.
Lyra's anger burned beneath my skin but I remained calm because I could see that she wanted a reaction and I wasn't ready to give her one.
Later that night, I stepped into one of the palace corridors seeking a moment of peace. The noise from the festival echoed faintly behind me with different voices reaching my ears before I suddenly heard familiar ones.
Hold on… Selena and Mara?
I thought, rounding up the corner as I saw them standing face-to-face.
Mara's expression was furious while Selena's was smug.
"You should be ashamed of yourself."
Mara's voice shook with anger.
"You embarrassed Luna and still dared to walk around acting innocent."
However, I watched how Selena rolled her eyes as if it was nothing.
"Oh please. We both know that Vicky is Luna because of a bond…”
Mara froze in shock while Selena smiled cruelly.
“What were you expecting? Do you think without that bond, Rowan would still choose her?"
The corridor fell silent as my heart stopped while I pondered on the statement. I could feel Mara's face turn red as she glared at Selena.
"Take that back. Now!”
"Why?" Selena shrugged and continued, “Everyone already knows."
Before Mara could respond, Selena stepped closer.
"Tell me honestly."
She said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.
"When Rowan looks at your Luna these days, does it look like love?"
The next second, Mara shoved her so hard that Selena stumbled and almost hit the wall while Selena slapped her.
A red mark immediately appeared on Mara's cheek and for several heartbeats, nobody moved.
"What is happening here?"
Another voice exploded through the hallway while I turned around to see Rowan. Somehow, his aura swept through the corridor and every wolf nearby immediately lowered their heads.
Rowan's gaze moved between them and then settled on Selena only to see her eyes instantly filled with tears while I scoffed.
Surely know how to play the pity card, huh? I thought coldly.
"I'm sorry."
Selena said politely as she lowered her head. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have argued.”
I watched as more tears kept rolling down her cheeks while Rowan frowned. Then, his gaze shifted toward Mara.
"What happened?"
Before Mara could answer, Selena spoke again.
"Please don't blame her." She said, trembling. “It was only a misunderstanding.”
What? I thought as my stomach twisted while I wondered how someone's performance could be so flawless and manipulative.
Rowan's expression softened while I rolled my eyes.
After all, that was exactly what she wanted. He looked at Mara again coldly.
"You struck a member of the festival court."
Mara shirked because I knew she wasn't expecting that unjust judgement. How could the alpha king be so sentimental?
I couldn't help but wonder.
“Alpha, she …”
"Apologize. Now!”
He growled while I shook my head because I knew I couldn't take this anymore. Watching my servant get heartbroken over something that wasn't her fault was what I could not fathom.
And Rowan looked convinced that he was being fair which was the worst part.
For seven years I had watched wolves across territories speak Alpha Rowan's name like it meant something.
Not because he was strong — every Alpha was strong.
Because he was fair. Because his word settled arguments other Alphas couldn't, and packs bled loyalty into him precisely because he never let his temper decide who was right.
That was his reputation. And he was standing on top of it, about to c***k it in half for a she-wolf whose tears he hadn't even bothered to smell.
The worst part is he genuinely believed this.
Immediately, I stepped forward and placed myself between Mara and Rowan while the corridor went silent.
"Vicky."
Rowan muttered. I knew he wasn't expecting to see me there. Yet, I ignored him and looked directly into his eyes.
"You want my servant to apologize?" I asked, defensive. Instead, he paused his lips.
"The situation requires…”
"No."
I said, interrupting him calmly and for the first time all evening, Rowan looked stunned.
I took another step forward and held my servant's hand.
"You didn't ask what happened”. I said again. Even though I was calm on the outside, I was dangerously boiling in anger from within.
"You saw tears and immediately chose a side. How pathetic!”
"Vicky…”
"You saw her strike first. Didn't you?”
I asked again. That moment, Selena's expression flickered.
Then I looked back at Rowan whom I have always believed would always stand beside me.
"When did your justice become so selective, Alpha Rowan?"
And for the first time since this nightmare began, Rowan had no answer.
- Writer
