Page 4 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

CHAPTER THREE

SLOANE

T he soft chime of the castle bells marks the arrival of dawn, but I’ve been awake for hours.

Sleep hasn’t come easily since I signed the treaty two days ago.

My wolf is quieter now, but her sorrowful howl from that morning still echoes in my ears.

I shift beneath the covers, trying to shake the restlessness that’s lingered since I placed my name on that final page.

I’ve done the right thing. I have to believe that. But my instincts whisper that I’ve missed something—a detail, a truth hiding in plain sight. I still feel the connection to Aeson, but it’s…faint. Yesterday, I expected some of the emotions from the dream to return when I was with him. They didn’t.

Maybe that will change after the ceremony.

Even though our bond won’t carry the blessing of the gods, it will still tie us together in ways I can’t fully comprehend yet.

Chosen mates are rare, and I’ve never had a reason to learn much about them before.

Now, I suppose, I’ll need to start researching.

But one thing I do know: if my fated mate were to appear—if he found me after all this time—everything would change.

Whatever feelings I might grow to have for Aeson would evaporate.

That’s just how it is. A fated mate is an unbreakable connection, one that defies logic or desire.

Leaving Aeson for my true mate would be the only choice.

I stare up at the ceiling and groan. Gods, this all seemed easier when I was hyped up on sexual tension from that damn dream.

There’s a soft knock on the door, but it creaks open before I can get up. Aeson steps inside, a tray of food balanced in his hands. His smile is radiant, his every movement exuding an unfaltering confidence. “Good morning, my queen-to-be,” he says, his voice warm enough to melt ice.

I sit up, forcing a small smile as he sets the platter on the bedside table. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the room.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I murmur before a yawn slips out.

“I wanted to.” His gaze lingers on me, heavy with something unspoken. For a moment, it feels too much, and I reach for the coffee to avoid his eyes.

I’m sure he means well. He always seems to. And yet, there’s an undercurrent to his kindness—something I can’t put a finger on.

“You didn’t sleep well,” he observes, pulling a chair closer to the bed.

His concern feels genuine, but his expression flickers with something hidden, though gone before I can place it.

“Is it the ceremony? I know it’s happening quickly, but it feels as though we’ve been building toward this moment for months.

Waiting any longer might make me combust with anxiousness.

” His grin is charming, almost roguish, as he adds, “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll handle it all.”

Yes, that’s what he said yesterday. I’ve barely had time to process it.

Aeson insists the event will be grand, even though it won’t carry the blessing of the gods.

I wonder how his people feel about a bond unblessed, how they’ll view me as their queen.

But when I voiced my reservations to Clara last night, she reminded me that there aren’t any other options. Not for me. Not for my pack.

“You’re being too generous,” I say lightly, trying to match his tone. “You’ve already done so much for me—for all of us.”

Aeson reaches for my hand, his grip firm but not harsh. “You deserve it, Sloane. After everything you’ve endured, you deserve to feel safe. You deserve happiness.”

The words should comfort me. They don’t. Not entirely.

I pull my hand away gently then slide out of bed and grab my robe. Aeson protests, but I promised myself I wouldn’t wallow any longer. This next conversation needs to happen from a position of strength, not while I’m lying in bed.

I grab another chair from the small mahogany table in my room and sit across from him, our knees almost touching. My posture is straight, my thoughts clear. Each breath I take reminds me of who I am, what I stand for. My confidence builds with every beat of my heart.

I’ve fought and won wars. I’ve outwitted kings and queens. I’ve stood before gods and refused to flinch. Just because I’ve suffered a blow to my pride, just because I couldn’t save my kingdom on my own, doesn’t mean I can forget who I am. Not when I’m needed most.

I’m still Queen Sloane of Alcaris, and it’s time I started acting like it again.

“I know I signed the contract—” I begin, but Aeson cuts me off before I can finish .

“You’re not reneging, are you?”

The flash of darkness in his eyes is unmistakable this time. It lingers, pointed and unyielding, long enough to send a chill down my spine.

“No. Well, not exactly,” I say, my tone firm despite the desire to do so creeping into my chest. “There’s something I need to be sure you understand before we continue down this path.

That morning…I wasn’t entirely myself, and I realize now this conversation should’ve happened before I put my name on those papers.

For that, I apologize. But it’s not too late. ”

“You signed the contract.” His words are soft, almost measured, but the tightness around his eyes betrays him.

“Yes, and if I lose my title by not following through, so be it.” I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to buckle under his scrutiny.

For several beats, neither of us speaks. The tension thickens between us, but I wait him out. Finally, his expression shifts.

His smile returns, and the spark of warmth reappears in his eyes. “Fair enough.” He leans back, relaxing into his chair. “What is it you need me to understand?”

“First,” I say, sitting straighter, “while I know I’m agreeing to be your mate, I fully intend to be an active queen. You need to accept that I’ll have my own opinions and desires for this kingdom. I expect my voice to be heard and to act as a true partner in ruling Venaris.”

His chuckle is low and smooth, but it cuts through me like a blade. My wolf bristles at the sound, her agitation mirroring my own.

Still, I keep my composure, waiting for him to respond.

“Oh, Sloane,” he says, his tone bordering on patronizing. “Do you not see how much I already cherish you? I’ll give you the moons and the stars to make you happy. Of course, you’ll be able to do as you please.”

Now that my head is clearer, and ever since that dream, I’m trying to see him in a new light.

Aeson has been patient and willing to accommodate me.

But as I study him, I can’t ignore the nagging suspicion that creeps in.

What if his patience isn’t the virtue I’m trying to believe it to be, but a calculated tactic?

Knowing I need to tread carefully and be certain of my thoughts before I push too hard, I let this subject go for the moment.

I’d convinced myself that this option was the only way to keep the thing I valued most: being the leader to my people.

Aeson might think he can hold that against me, but as long as I remember that being a leader is more than wearing a crown, I’ll find a way to make this work—or break free if I have to.

My smile widens. “I appreciate your understanding. There’s just one other thing.” I pause, holding his gaze with deliberate intent. “My fated mate.”

Aeson doesn’t blink. He doesn’t even flinch. His casual response is unnervingly smooth. “What about him?”

“I don’t intend to go looking for him,” I begin carefully, “but if he happens to find me in this lifetime, I’d like an amendment to the contract.

One that ensures I’m free to walk away without consequence.

You’ve been mated before. You know I won’t have a choice.

A true mate bond isn’t something I can deny, nor should I be forced to out of obligation.

I want to be certain that won’t be an issue. ”

His reaction is almost immediate. He leans forward, gently holding both my hands. His thumbs stroke over my skin in slow, deliberate motions.

“My Sloane,” he murmurs, his voice heavy with sincerity. “ My queen. I know you don’t trust easily, but I hope you’ll believe that I have only the best intentions. If you’re blessed to meet your mate, I will not hesitate to let you go, no matter how much I love you. I only want your happiness.”

I study him, not reacting to his use of “love,” but also hating that he sounds so damn convincing. His authenticity makes me wonder if I might be searching for lies where there are none.

Something for me to keep in mind as things progress, but that doesn’t mean I’m letting my defenses slip away again. Dreams or no dreams.

“Thank you, Aeson.” I mirror his smile, keeping my expression warm and open. “You’ve been more than patient with me, and I appreciate that you continue to do so.”

He winks, leaning back in his chair. “Except when it comes to our mating ceremony,” he teases, his tone light but purposeful. “But that’s only because I think it’ll offer peace to the people. Bringing in all these new wolves without you officially joining the Venaris pack has some on edge.”

It’s a rational explanation, and I can’t fault him for it. In his position, I might have done the same to keep my kingdom calm amidst changes they didn’t ask for.

But something inside me remains unsettled.

I need clarity, but I suspect time will be the only way to find what I’m searching for. Time and an unshakable resolve to stay true to myself.