MOONBOUND Beauty under a curse

Warm

Anatansia’s POv

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*CHAPTER THREE: WARM*

The room was too big.

Too warm.

Too quiet.

Guards outside. Fire inside. Clothes I didn’t ask for on the bed.

Food I didn’t earn on the table.

I sat on the edge of the mattress and stared at my hands.

The silver scars had stopped burning.

Ever since he touched me.

_Alpha Lucian._

_Mine._

The bond sat in my chest like a brand. Heavy. Real. Terrifying.

I had no parents. No pack. No wolf.

And now I had a king.

A knock.

I didn’t answer.

The door opened anyway.

Him.

Hair still damp from snow. Black shirt. Bare feet.

In his hands: a tray. Steam rising from a bowl.

He set it down on the table. Didn’t look at me.

"Eat."

That was it. One word.

My throat was dry. "Why?"

His jaw ticked.

Then—

_‘BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVEN’T EATEN IN DAYS!!’_

I flinched.

A voice. Not his. Brighter. Louder.

Right. In. My. Head.

Lucian froze. His eyes went wide. Then he looked furious.

"Lucas."

_‘OH. OH NO. SHE CAN HEAR ME?? HI!!! I’M LUCAS! I’M THE WOLF! THE FUNNY ONE! AND YOU’RE VERY SMALL AND COLD AND YOU NEED SOUP!’_

I blinked at Lucian. "Your wolf is... in my head?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose. The ruthless alpha looked... embarrassed.

"Bond side effect. He’s loud."

_‘I AM NOT LOUD! I AM SUPPORTIVE!’_ Lucas declared. _‘ALSO THE SOUP IS CHICKEN. EAT IT. OR I WILL SAD-WHOWL AND LUCY WILL GET MOODY.’_

Lucian’s ears went red. "Don’t call me Lucy."

_‘Too late. New name. Stick with it.’_

I looked between them. The king, glaring at nothing.

And the wolf, who sounded like he’d never been allowed to be happy before.

Something cracked in my chest.

For 8 years no one brought me food.

For 8 years no one cared if I was cold.

"Thank you," I whispered. To both of them.

Silence.

Lucian’s gold eyes flicked to mine. Intense. Searching.

He nodded once. Sharp.

_‘YOU’RE WELCOME!!’_ Lucas cheered. _‘NOW EAT. THEN SLEEP. WE’LL GUARD THE DOOR. NOT CREEPY. PROTECTIVE. VERY HOT. VERY SAFE.’_

"Lucas. Enough."

_‘FINE. LEAVING. BUT EAT THE SOUP.’_

And just like that, the voice was gone.

The room felt too quiet again.

Lucian was already at the door.

He paused. Didn’t turn around.

"Anatansia."

My name sounded different in his mouth.

"Eat. Sleep. You’re safe here."

Then he left.

I looked at the soup. Still steaming.

And for the first time since my parents died...

I wasn’t alone.

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*End of Chapter 3*

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