Page 25 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

SLOANE

A eson doesn’t show for breakfast the next morning.

That alone is enough to make my stomach twist into knots.

Every bite of food I force down is like ash on my tongue.

His absence isn’t a relief, it’s a warning.

Aeson thrives on control, on appearances, on his ability to loom over me like a storm cloud ready to strike.

Him missing is far worse than him sitting across the table with that smug, predatory smile.

“Clara, go check the lower levels,” I whisper through our mind-link, trying to keep the tension from my voice even though my heart’s hammering like a war drum. “Make sure Aeson’s not near the runed door, or worse.”

The thought of him going to Julian, of him doing something permanent to my mate before we can free him makes bile rise in my throat.

Clara’s answer comes quickly, but there’s a thin edge to her tone. “I’m on it.”

I trust her, but her assistance doesn’t settle my nerves.

Dasha promised she wouldn’t report what we did last night, but even that assurance came with conditions.

She made it clear her loyalty isn’t to me or to Aeson.

It’s to her own survival, to the safety of her brother, who’s still tangled in Aeson’s web.

If the cost of keeping her sibling alive is selling us out, she will.

And I can’t even blame her for it.

I want to swear off drinking with Estee and Isla, to promise myself I’ll never get that sloppy again, but that would be a lie.

Last night was the first time I’ve felt like myself in months.

The first time I wasn’t drowning in responsibility and fear, and if I get through this, I’ll do it again. Only next time, Clara’s coming too.

But first, I have to make sure we get through these next two days.

Tomorrow, at dawn, the bonding ceremony begins. Less than twenty-four hours until I’m supposed to be bound to Aeson, my soul tethered to his. Unless I find a way to stop it. Less than a day to either kill him, imprison him, or somehow take control of my own fate.

It feels impossible, like standing at the base of a crumbling mountain with nothing but my bare hands attempting to hold it all together.

Abandoning this place would be the smart move.

I could run to Polaris or Selaris, claim sanctuary with Isla or Estee, but my pack and Julian… they’d all be left behind.

I can’t leave without my mate. And I can’t lead without my people. So the only path to take is forward.

Clara’s voice cuts back into my mind, soft but reassuring. “ The area around the painting is clear. No sign of anyone tampering with it.”

Relief flows through me, though it’s thin and fleeting. “Did Dasha clean up the mess?” I wince at the question. It’s humiliating enough that I puked all over her shoes, but leaving behind a physical trail that could lead straight to Julian’s prison? I should’ve handled it myself.

“The area is spotless now, so someone did at least and no signs that anything was disturbed.” Clara pauses. “Though, I didn’t linger. I didn’t want to draw attention.”

“Smart,” I reply. “ Do you think it’s safe enough for us to head into the market today? I’d like to check on the new pup and his mother.”

My heart and mind might be fully focused on Julian, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forsaken my pack. I still want to be there for them as much as I’m capable of right now.

Clara’s answering smile comes through the link, even if I can’t see it. “ I was hoping you’d say that. Let’s make it look like you’re playing the gracious queen-to-be, hosting your guests and mingling with the people. That should ease some suspicion.”

I glance across the breakfast table at Isla and Estee, both glow as if last night’s chaos never happened.

Though, their mates sitting beside them are looking more tense than relaxed.

Theo’s piercing gaze scans the room as though expecting an ambush, while Asher’s jaw works tightly, his hand constantly resting on Isla’s wrist like he’s anchoring himself to her.

The palace workers move around us, refilling platters and polishing silverware, but at least two of them are watching us more closely than they should. Aeson’s spies.

We don’t have time to waste.

I set my napkin aside, smiling bright enough to mask the dread twisting my stomach.

“How would you all feel about a tour of the market this morning?” I ask, voice chipper.

“A new pup was born yesterday. I’m going to check on him and his mother after I pick up a gift.

You’re all welcome to join me for a walk through the town while we wait for Aeson to make himself available. ”

Isla sits up straighter, pushing her chair back. “A pup? Absolutely. Let’s go.”

I didn’t expect her to be so eager. I hadn’t even meant for us to leave this quickly, but I won’t argue. The sooner we’re out of the castle and away from prying eyes, the better.

The rest of the table rises, including Asher and Theo, though their wariness only deepens. Estee winks at me as she loops her arm through her sister’s, and together, we leave the hall.

I feel the intensity of those two spying pairs of eyes on my back the entire way out.

The front doors of the castle open to the courtyard and Clara waits just beyond the gates, her hands clasped in front of her. There’s a tightness around her mouth, the kind that only I would notice, and it’s the only tell she’s holding back nerves of her own.

We walk together, the cobbled path leading us through the outer courtyard and down toward the heart of the village.

The market is already bustling by the time we arrive.

Vendors shouting their wares, children darting between stalls, the scent of fresh bread and roasting meat thick in the air.

I let the chatter and laughter wash over me, grounding myself in the simple, fleeting joy of a community still willing to hope.

We stop at a few stalls, admiring carved trinkets and baskets of dried herbs. Estee and Isla ask questions, smiling at the vendors, while Asher and Theo keep close, never dropping their guard.

Then, from behind us, a voice shouts, loud and full of warmth. “Isla! Asher!”

A man jogs toward us, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark blond hair catching the sunlight, his hazel eyes gleaming with joy.

Clara’s grip tightens around my wrist, her fingers trembling.

“Holy shit,” she whispers.

I turn to her, startled by the pallor of her cheeks. “What? What’s wrong?”

Before she can answer, Asher steps forward, his brow furrowed. “Noen? What are you doing here?”

But Noen isn’t looking at Asher, or even Isla, any longer. His gaze locks on Clara, and his entire body trembles. The man bows his head briefly, reverence mingling with disbelief, and then reaches for her hands, eyes lifting to hers.

Oh!

He shudders again and drops to his knees, right there in front of Clara, uncaring that dozens of eyes are on him. “I’m Noen.”

“Clara,” she squeaks, fighting a wild smile as a few tears fall down her cheeks.

I pry her other hand off my arm and give her a little nudge. “Why don’t the two of you go talk, and we’ll catch up shortly?”

Isla is crying more than Clara, and Estee is practically jumping up and down, which I find odd, but I have a feeling they’ll explain momentarily.

Noen gets up and glances down at their combined hands, asking Clara, “Is this okay?”

She nods, no longer trying to hide her grin.

Slowly, they walk away from the crowded area, their steps quickening the further they get. And then…

The crowd around us applauds and cheers for them.

That has my throat tightening and my own eyes burning as I watch the closest person I have to family bury her head in her mate’s chest as he wraps an arm around her, protecting her from further embarrassment. I have no doubt her cheeks are ten shades of red as the clapping goes on.

I raise my hand and turn toward the pack, smiling. “Witnessing a new mate bond being identified is certainly a special moment, but let’s give them their privacy now, shall we?”

People nod and while some steal another glance, they go back to their shopping.

“I can’t freaking believe that just happened!” Estee says, grabbing Isla.

“That was…” Isla can’t finish as her sobs take over.

Asher reaches for her, holding onto his mate as he walks away with her.

Estee watches them go, her smile still intact, but then she turns to me, answering the confusion that’s clearly written on my face.

“Noen was Isla’s best friend growing up.

We were all close really, but they were closest. Probably because Noen was in love with her, but for Isla, it was always Asher.

She didn’t even know. When we finally made our way back to Polaris after, you know, being brutally murdered and banished to Earth, there was a brief time during which we thought Noen was the one to kill us. ”

My mouth drops open. None of this information had made it outside Polaris. All I knew was that their reincarnations had gone wrong. This is absolutely insane, though.

“After being wrongly accused,” Estee continues, “he decided to take a break from our pack. We didn’t know where he’d gone, and we’ve hardly heard from him in months.

Running into Noen here was a complete fluke, but seeing him find his mate, Isla no longer having to feel guilty for breaking his heart…

It’s a lot on her. But she’ll be okay. ”

“I can only imagine,” I say, glancing at the shops. “Should we wait for them?”

She shakes her head. “Let’s find a cute toy for the pup and move on.” Her voice lowers. “There are things we need to talk about sooner rather than later.”

Her tone makes my stomach twist. Gods, please let this mean Aurora has answered. Please let this mean help is actually coming.