Chapter 1: Veil of Pretense

Seraphine’s POV

“Do you ever cook for him, Seraphine?” Elena asked, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

I sipped my tea slowly, buying time. “Cook? For Lucien?” I shrugged. “Not really my thing.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re Luna now. It wouldn’t hurt to surprise your mate with something homemade every now and then. I mean, you already have him wrapped around your finger. Imagine how much tighter the knot would be with your cooking skills.”

I chuckled, though the idea unsettled me. “I don’t think he’d care. He’s busy with pack matters most of the time.”

Elena leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You don’t have to want to. But everyone’s watching you, Seraphine. They want proof that you’re a perfect Luna—devoted, loving, and all that. Baking cookies might just silence those whispers about you not being ‘worthy.’”

Her words hit a nerve. I hated that she was right. The pack already saw me as an outsider—a wolfless Luna with no bloodline to back up my title. I haven't ever been accepted anywhere, my brothers forced me to marry Kiran months after my parents died. Fortunately for me, Lucien was my mate.

But even here in his pack, I’m not welcomed. I am even denied access to some places in the Pack House, especially the attic. Lucien has always kicked against me going there.  Moreover, I was never interested in this marriage, all I want to do is find out who killed my parents. I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling I can get more answers from the attic. Anyways, I know I wont stop trying till I get what I want.  

“Hello… come back to me”, Elena said, even as she noticed I was lost in my thoughts.

“Sorry, I was just carried away by some crazy thoughts.”

“It's fine”, she said. “So are you gonna finally prepare something for Lucien?”

My stomach twisted at the thought of cooking for Lucien, not out of love, but to keep up appearances.

“I’ll think about it,” I mumbled, setting my cup down.

Just then, a young warrior ran into the garden, skidding to a stop before us. He was panting heavily, his eyes darting between Elena and me.

“Luna,” he began. “There’s been... an incident. Beta Ryder’s son got into a fight with one of the warriors. The other wolf claims it wasn’t his fault, but… during the fight, Ryder’s son killed the bird Alpha Lucien gave you.”

The words barely registered at first. The bird. The one Lucien gave me on the day of our mating ceremony, calling it a “symbol of our bond.” I never cared for the creature, but I’d learned to feign attachment, just as I’d learned to feign love for Lucien.

I stood, brushing off my dress. “Where are they?”

“In the courtyard,” the warrior replied.

Elena shot me a concerned glance, but I ignored it, even as I headed towards the courtyard.

****

The courtyard was a mess. Darien stood tall, his chest puffed out as if daring anyone to challenge him. His opponent, a younger wolf named Kai, had a split lip and a defiant glint in his eye. The lifeless body of the bird lay between them, its once-bright feathers dull and lifeless.

“Luna Seraphine,” Darien said with a mock bow as I approached. His tone was dripping with sarcasm. “I trust you’ll handle this situation fairly.”

Fairly. The word soured on my tongue. Darien was a bully, and everyone knew it. His brother, Ryder always defended him, no matter how much trouble he caused.

Kai stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension. “He started it. I only defended myself.”

Darien snorted. “Lies. He insulted me first. What was I supposed to do? Let him get away with it?”

I studied them both, my mind racing. Punishing Kai for defending himself felt wrong, but punishing Darien would undoubtedly stir up more whispers about my lack of authority as Luna.

“Is that so?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral. “Kai, why would you provoke him?”

“I didn’t,” Kai said, holding my gaze. “But does it really matter? Everyone thinks you’re too soft. That you’ll let him go because you’re scared of Beta and his brother.”

Darien smirked. “Watch it, kid. You’re already in a lot of trouble.”

I ignored Darien and kept my focus on Kai. His words hit me hard—not because they were mean, but because they were true. The pack didn’t want me as their Luna.

“Elena, get me Beta Ryder,” I said over my shoulder. Moments later, Ryder appeared, his expression stormy as he marched into the courtyard.

“My little brother has done nothing wrong,” he declared before I could even speak. “That bird was a gift to you from the Alpha himself. Don’t you think the one who started this should be punished?”

I took a steadying breath, forcing my expression to stay calm. “Perhaps we should hear both sides before making a decision—”

“Or perhaps,” Ryder cut me off with a look, his voice sharp and loud enough for the gathering wolves to hear, “a wolf-less woman like you should know her place. A Luna who can’t even shift has no right to judge wolves who actually contribute to this pack. Do you even know what it means to lead? Or are you just here because the Alpha felt sorry for you?”

The murmurs around us grew louder, a few wolves snickering at her words. Ryder took a step closer, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “You talk about fairness and decisions, but what have you ever done for this pack? You can’t fight, you can’t protect, and you certainly can’t command respect. Maybe it’s time you realized what everyone else already knows—you don’t belong here, Luna.”

The insult hit harder than I expected. My cheeks burned with anger, but I refused to let him see how much his words affected me.

Before I could respond, a deep, commanding voice cut through the room.

“That’s enough!!”

The crowd instantly parted, and Lucien walked forward. His powerful presence silenced everyone, even Ryder. His eyes found mine, and in them, I saw anger—but also concern. Without hesitation, he closed the distance between us.

“Come here,” he said, his voice softer now but no less firm. Before I could respond, he grabbed me gently but firmly, pulling me into his chest. His arms wrapped around me, shielding me from everyone’s stares.

I barely had a moment to catch my breath before he tilted my chin up with his fingers. His lips pressed against mine—warm, firm, and so soothing. When he pulled back, his lips brushed my forehead in a lingering kiss, soft and protective.

“What happened here?” he asked, his tone cold and unyielding, though his hands stayed on me—one on my waist, the other lightly stroking my back.

Ryder opened his mouth, but he held up a hand. “I asked Luna.”

I took a shaky breath, leaning into him as I began to explain what happened. My voice trembled at first, but his steady presence calmed me. His thumb gently brushed against my side as if telling me he was here, that I wasn’t alone.

“As your Alpha, I won’t tolerate anyone—anyone—disrespecting my mate,” he declared, his voice ringing out clearly. “Seraphine deserves the same respect you show me, if not more. Any slander, any whisper of doubt about her authority, will be dealt with swiftly.”

His golden eyes narrowed on Ryder, who immediately averted her gaze. “That includes you, Ryder. You are my second in command but make no mistake—I mean every word.”

The power in his tone left no room for argument. When he shouted again, “Do I make myself clear?” the courtyard echoed with the voices of the pack responding in unison.

“Yes, Alpha!”

Satisfied, Lucien’s expression softened slightly as he glanced back at me. Then his attention shifted to Darien.

“Do you deny bullying Kai?”

Darien hesitated, his confidence wavering under Lucien’s gaze. “He provoked me first.”

“Lying won’t save you,” Lucien said sharply. “You’ll spend the next week patrolling the borders. And if I hear of any more incidents, you’ll wish you’d learned some restraint today.”

Darien’s face turned red, but he didn’t argue. Ryder, however, looked ready to explode.

“Lucien—”

“My decision is final,” he said, cutting him off.

****

As we walked back to our quarters, the silence was suffocating, so I broke it. “You didn’t have to defend me back there. I could’ve handled it.” 

Lucien glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I know you could’ve. But I couldn’t just stand there while Ryder spewed nonsense about you.”

“Still,” I said, looking up at him, “Kai was brave to stand up to Darien. Not many would have the courage.”

Lucien’s smile faltered, and he shot me a sideways glance, his brow arching slightly. “Brave, huh? You seem awfully impressed.”

I shrugged, feigning indifference. “Just noticed .”

Without warning, Lucien stopped walking and turned to face me. His hand gently cupped my chin, tilting my face up toward his. “I don’t like hearing you talk about other men like that,” he murmured, his voice low but teasing.

I rolled my eyes, though my pulse quickened at the closeness. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek, and the corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk. “Ridiculous? Maybe. But I take care of what’s mine.” His hand slid from my chin to the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he leaned down. His lips brushed mine softly, leaving me breathless.

He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “You worry too much,” he said softly. “What’s going to happen if I’m away and someone bullies you?”

I forced a playful smile, trying to steady my voice. “What should I do, Alpha?. I might be lost without you.”

His laughter was low and warm as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “You’d survive. You’re tougher than you look.”

I leaned into him, letting the steady rhythm of his steps guide mine. Tough? Maybe. But not in the ways he thought.

How could I not be? Life hadn’t handed me a silver platter. No, it had thrown me into the fire and watched as I crawled my way out, scarred but standing.

Why wouldn’t I be tough? My brothers’ wickedness had been enough to harden me. Growing up under their cruelty had stripped away any innocence or softness I might have had. I’d learned to endure, to survive, to wear a mask that no one could see through.

This royalty nonsense? It didn’t faze me. Being Luna, living in this grand estate, pretending to love an Alpha who had no idea who I really was—all of it was meaningless.

All I wanted was the truth.

Who killed my parents? Who ripped them away from me, leaving me to fend for myself in a world that had no mercy? That was the only thing that mattered. Not pack politics. Not titles. Not loyalty to wolves who whispered behind my back or called me wolf less as if I were something broken.

Lucien chuckled again, oblivious to my thoughts. “You’re too quiet. What’s running through that sharp mind of yours?”  

“Nothing important,” I lied smoothly. “Just tired, I suppose.”

He reached out, his hand grazing mine in what I assumed was meant to be a reassuring gesture. “You don’t have to worry so much. I’m here.”

I smiled faintly, the gesture not reaching my eyes.

If only he knew how much I didn’t need him….