Page 26 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)
I don’t press her yet, though. Not here, where too many ears could catch the wrong phrase and carry it straight to Aeson. Instead, I let the moment settle, my fingers drifting over a few carved wooden toys and soft bundles of handwoven cloth at the nearest vendor’s stand.
The green velvet blanket catches my eye. A deep, calming shade not unlike the forests of Alcaris. A small piece of home in a place that’s anything but. I choose it with a grateful nod to the vendor then tuck it into the crook of my arm like a shield.
The homes sit just beyond the market square, clustered along a quiet lane lined with simple gardens and weathered fences. Most of the Alcaris wolves have settled here, trying to carve out a semblance of normalcy after everything back home turned to ruin.
I tap into the pack link, reaching out first to Trav, Selene’s mate, to make sure they’re up for visitors. “Would a visit be okay with your family?”
Trav’s warm response is almost instant. “Perfect timing. We just finished bath time.”
I smile at his easygoing nature. “I’m bringing a couple of guests. King Theo and Queen Estee.”
“As long as they ignore the mess, they’re welcome.” His laugh is light, but there’s something underneath it. Strain.
We turn onto the next street, but before I can ask which cottage is theirs, Trav appears in the doorway of the third house on the left.
His smile stretches wide, warmth radiating off him, though there’s a faint shadow of exhaustion under his golden eyes.
He bows low. “My queen. Your Majesties.”
I clasp his hand in both of mine. “It’s good to see you, Trav.”
“Please, come in.”
The cottage is cozy, the scent of woodsmoke mingling with something sweet, maybe the remnants of breakfast. Sunlight filters through the lace curtains, illuminating a small but well-loved living space.
Selene sits on the couch, her newborn pup nestled in her arms, swaddled in soft gray cloth. Her smile is warm and tired all at once. “Thank you for coming to visit, Queen Sloane. We weren’t sure you’d have time.”
I sit beside her, already mesmerized by the tiny wolf. His soft skin is tinged pink, a fine layer of dark hair already sprouting along his scalp. His eyes flutter as though he’s fighting sleep, his tiny fists curling into his blanket.
“I’ll always make time for my pack,” I say softly, but the words stick in my throat, edged with guilt. Because I don’t really know if I’ll be able to keep that promise. By the end of tomorrow, my fate—and theirs—could be out of my hands entirely.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” I ask.
Selene blushes and glances at her mate, who chuckles. “This is a little awkward, given who’s here, but his name is Theo. After my grandfather.”
Estee gasps, nudging her mate with her elbow as she winks at him. “You better watch out. This little one might come for your crown one day. ”
Theo’s rare grin spreads across his face. “I welcome the challenge.”
The laughter that follows feels real, even if it’s just for a moment. I set the velvet blanket beside the pup, brushing my fingers lightly over his impossibly small hand. “We won’t take up too much of your time,” I say. “I just wanted to show my love to the newest member of our pack.”
The warmth in Selene’s smile dims slightly as she exchanges a glance with Trav. It’s subtle but enough to send a ripple of unease through me.
“Is something wrong?” I ask immediately.
Neither of them speaks right away. The silence stretches just long enough to make my pulse spike.
“You can speak freely in front of my guests,” I assure them. “Whatever it is, I want to know.”
Trav rests his hand on Selene’s shoulder, his expression grim. “Do we still have a pack?”
The question hits like a stone to the chest. “Of course we do.”
Selene’s brow creases. “But are you happy, Queen Sloane? It’s different here. We’ve been treated well, but it’s not the same as Alcaris.”
I hesitate, torn between the truth and the weight of what I can’t yet share.
“You’re not required to stay,” I tell them, choosing my words carefully.
“None of the Alcaris wolves will be forced to live in Venaris. There are homes waiting for you in Selaris, Polaris, and maybe, one day, Alcaris itself, if we can rebuild. My only priority is making sure the pack is safe and happy.”
Trav’s next question strikes even deeper. “ Are we safe here?”
I rise to my feet, keeping my smile steady despite the ice crawling up my spine. “I believe so,” I say, and it’s not entirely a lie. Aeson’s cruelty thrives in the shadows, not the light. As long as no one gives him an excuse, the pack should remain untouched.
“But,” I add, locking eyes with both of them, “if you see anything—anything at all—that makes you uncomfortable, tell me directly. No matter how small it seems. I’m still your Alpha Queen, and I will protect you.”
Their relief is visible, though it’s muted by caution. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Trav says, escorting us to the door. “We’ll see you tomorrow for the bonding ceremony.”
I nod, throat tight, forcing another smile I don’t feel. The second the door closes, Estee grips my arm, her strength keeping me steady.
“They’re going to be okay,” Theo promises, his deep voice quiet but firm. “Asher and I have been talking, and we’ve stationed our most trusted guards throughout the kingdom. Aeson can’t afford to make a mess, not with us here to witness it.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Calling you is the best decision I’ve made since I left my kingdom.”
“Our packs should have always stood together,” Estee adds. “We’re stronger united. We always have been.”
Their support is the only thing keeping me upright, but there’s something else gnawing at me, something I need to know. “Have you heard from Aurora?”
Theo’s expression shifts, the warmth fading into something harder. “She’s here already.”
The lack of celebration in his voice makes my stomach lurch.
“She hasn’t shown herself to us,” Estee adds, her brows knitting. “But Theo sensed her before sunrise. Clara’s message traveled faster than we expected. ”
“Too fast,” Theo mutters. “That kind of urgency doesn’t usually mean good things when it comes to the goddess.”
Panic prickles along my skin, cold and sharp. “Would Aeson have been able to sense her too?”
“It’s possible,” Theo admits. “This is his territory, after all. But I only recognized her because Aurora shared her power with me before.”
A chilling thought roots itself in my mind. What if Aurora didn’t come to us first? What if she went straight for the runes?
What if Aeson’s down there right now because he senses a disruption? What if he knows I’ve discovered the hell in that basement?
What if Julian’s already dead?
My heart slams against my ribs, and the world seems to tilt beneath my feet.
“We need to get back to the castle,” I say, my voice hoarse but resolute. “Now.”