Page 41 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)
I turn my back, focusing on my pile of clothing as I listen to the soft rustle of Julian changing behind me.
I know he’s undressed, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to glance over my shoulder.
Because if I do—if I see even one glimpse of the man who makes me ache in ways I never imagined—I’ll forget the war outside this cavern.
I’ll forget the reason we’re here. And I’ll drag him into bed, this time to have more than just a taste of him.
I’ll have Julian when this is over. No distractions. No interruptions. Just us. And that will be perfect because it’s what we deserve.
The clothes Clara gave me are simple but powerful.
A matte black top made of soft, fitted leather clings to my body like a second skin, sleeveless but high-collared, tailored with intricate silver stitching.
The pants are equally fitted, allowing for full range of movement, with thick, reinforced panels along my thighs and calves.
A wide belt cinches at my waist, and an elegant sheath for twin daggers rests over my hips.
The boots come up to my knees, durable and whisper-quiet, made for a queen who doesn’t just rule, but fights.
When I turn around, Julian is already waiting.
And gods, he’s breathtaking.
His shirt is a deep, charcoal gray with faint silver embroidery extending along the chest and shoulders.
It has short, tight sleeves, revealing the carved strength of his arms, and it’s cinched with a dark leather harness across his chest to hold a sword.
Black combat pants tuck into worn boots that he’s just finished securing.
His hair is slightly tousled, eyes glowing with determination and something softer, just for me .
“You look lethal,” I tell him as I put on my bracers, tightening them into place.
He steps toward me, gaze sweeping from head to toe. “And you look like a queen even the gods would bow to.”
I smirk. “Let’s hope that works in our favor tonight.”
We leave the room together, footsteps silent on the dirt floor as we retrace the path we took when we first entered the mountain. At the narrow corridor that led us inside, a ladder has been installed, replacing the sheer drop we were forced to jump during our arrival.
Clara waits for us at the base, arms crossed, one brow arched as she watches us approach.
“Convenient,” I say, glancing at the ladder. “Would’ve been nice to have this on the way in.”
She smirks. “Where’s the fun in that? Consider the jump a bonding experience.”
Julian just shakes his head, but I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me.
“I’ll see you at the rendezvous point,” Clara adds, voice quieter now. “We’ve already sent scouts to clear the outer perimeter. Noen and I will be close.”
“Thank you, Clara.” I meet her eyes, letting everything I don’t have time to say pass silently between us. She nods, and with one last glance at Julian, heads up to the surface.
When we follow suit, the rungs groan, likely from overuse tonight, but hold steady.
Once I’m at the top, the cold night air greets me like an old friend, and I pull myself onto the rocky boulders.
For a moment, I pause, inhaling deeply. The trees beyond the mountain rustle in the wind.
The twin moons glow above. And the ground beneath my feet feels like it’s alive, waiting and watching.
Julian is right behind me, and we follow the murmurs to find that there are nearly a hundred wolves waiting for us.
The sight renders me speechless as my heart explodes with appreciation.
This fight won’t be in vain. We’re going to succeed and bring this kingdom back to the glory it always should have had.
Julian grips my hand once more and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. “Come back to me, Sloane. No matter what.”
“I will.” My voice is soft, but it holds the intensity of my promise.
I give the pack another glance. I see Clara with Isla and Estee, their mates by their sides, each of them dressed as Julian and I are. They meet my gaze and nod approvingly. I consider going to them, but our plan is already set. There are no more reasons to linger.
And this isn’t goodbye.
We’re not losing tonight.
We’re ready for this.
I give Julian another kiss, but this time, I don’t let it last. There’ll be time for that later. There has to be.
“I’ll see you soon.”
He nods stiffly. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Turning my back on him feels wrong. Stepping in the opposite direction, putting space between myself and my mate is unnatural considering what I’m about to do, but I keep going.
I don’t have a choice. Going forward by myself is the best plan to lure Aeson out, to end this without putting too many innocents at risk.
Once I’m far enough away, I call my wolf forward. She explodes from beneath my skin in a rush of energy and fur, limbs lengthening, senses sharpening. The world turns vivid, every scent and heartbeat pulsing in brilliant detail.
She’s tempted to look back but keeps the course. We both know we have a job to do tonight.
We run, wind streaming through our fur, paws pounding against earth, every muscle moving with purpose.
The forest blurs around us. Miles pass, and we don’t stop or even slow until my wolf senses others up ahead, coming from the direction of the castle.
They’re drawing in, just as I knew they would be.
We skid to a halt in the open field that stretches before the last section of forest that leads to the main part of the kingdom. My wolf relinquishes control, and I shift back, my boots landing on cool grass as the wind dances through my hair.
I raise my voice, firm yet filled with vulnerability, a feigned need.
“Aeson! Where are you?”
It’s time for me to see just how desperate this king is to have me.