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Sixteen: The offer
Last Updated:
2025-01-02 05:55:12Related chapters
The Golden Luna Seventeen: Strength is hard
Cara’s POVThe sun was yet to rise when I slipped out of my room. My steps echoed faintly in the silent corridors. The castle was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced with a stillness that felt almost sacred. For once, eyes didn’t follow me as I passed and I was thankful for it. I wore britches—a decision that had taken more courage than I cared to admit. They weren’t exactly ladylike, but practicality won out over propriety. I needed to move freely, and skirts simply wouldn’t do. If anyone saw me, I’d probably have more rumors trailing me than I already did. Thankfully, the halls remained empty aside from an occassional guard or two. The sparse security had me wondering again about this Pack and how easy it would be to escape. I didn’t dare risk it though. It would be dangerous for a wolfless woman like me to trudge through wolflands. It wouldn’t take long before I was hunted and I would likely find myself in the possession of a far more deplorable Alpha. Maybe when I wa
Last Updated : 2025-01-04The Golden Luna Eighteen: The madness of need
Lucien’s POVI was trapped all day in a meeting dragged longer than I anticipated, a tedious affair of negotiation and posturing with Alphas who couldn’t see beyond their egos. The invasion of my lands was becoming unbearable and I was determined to do something about it without reverting to war, but the other’s weren’t making it easy. The Alpha whose wolves kept intruding hadn’t even bother to show up, a clear sign that he disdained me and my request. I had promised myself I was done fighting. The last time I’d waged war, I had won my opponent, but had ended up with my mate assassinated and five years later, I was yet to catch the culprit. My elders and packmembers didn’t understand it, but I wasn’t in a hurry to return to that violence, especially now that I had a new mate that someone could target. By the time I returned to the castle, the sun was well on its descent, casting long shadows through the corridors. I had barely stepped inside when I spotted Sean pacing near the grand
Last Updated : 2025-01-06The Golden Luna Nineteen: The fight
Luke looked at me like I had two heads when I approached him that morning. I couldn’t blame him. After all, I had been the one to quit, abruptly declaring that I didn’t need his help. Now here I was, practically groveling to be taken back.“I know I was… rude before,” I admitted, shifting awkwardly on my feet. “But I was… overwhelmed. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I’m sorry.”His dark eyes studied me, skeptical and wary. It wasn’t like Luke to hesitate. He was usually all charm and easy confidence, but today he seemed… hesitant. Uncertain, even.“You don’t have to do this,” he said finally. “If you’re only here out of guilt—”“I’m not,” I interrupted firmly. “I’m here because I want to learn. Please, Luke.”He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fine. But we’re changing things up. No more laps.”Relief flooded me, and I nodded eagerly. “Anything you think will help.”He led me to a cleared patch of grass, explaining basic combat stances and defensive maneuvers. “The first ru
Last Updated : 2025-01-10The Golden Luna One: The Cage of Expectations
Cara’s POV I was sitting through yet another round of meditation, one of the many things I was required to do to help my predicament when a maid came to call me. “Your father would like to see you, My lady.” She said with a curtsey and my nerves rattled immediately. Taking a deep breath, I rose and made my way to him, already dreading the meeting. He rarely requested my presence these days. He seldom smiled when he did see me. After all, what reason did he have to smile? I— once his pride and joy— was now the sole source of shame to our great pack and no matter how hard I tried, there was nothing I could do about it. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood outside his study, fingers trembling on the brass handle. The heavy oak door loomed in front of me, a barrier between me and the inevitable disappointment that would be etched into my father’s face once I stepped in. I knew why he had summoned me. It was the same reason he always did. The wolf. My wolf—or rather, the lack of her.
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Golden Luna Two: Rejected By the Alpha King
Cara's POV I woke to the sound of bustling servants, the echo of footsteps and hurried whispers filling the hall outside my chamber. It was my wedding day, I thought with a sinking feeling, bile rising in my throat as I stared at the ceiling above me. The morning passed in a blur, every second counting to prepare me for the afternoon. Dresses were draped over me, my hair tamed, my skin perfumed and powdered. Despite the short notice of the wedding, it went very smoothly, leading me to wonder just how long father had been planning this before he informed me. I was ready just in time because two servants came shortly after the maids left, their faces set in impassive masks as they led me to my father. I followed silently. As we entered the great hall, I stiffened, folding into myself at the sight of the small crowd that had already gathered. Steeling my nerves, I walked down to where my father was seated, and took the empty chair beside him, doing my best to ignore the eyes and whis
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Golden Luna Three: The wedding
Cara's POV The hall, once filled with mocking laughter and leering faces, fell into a stunned silence. Murmurs spread like wildfire as everyone processed what they had just heard. I myself, abandoned my manners and gaped at him, unable to believe he had actually said that. Even Darius who had preened over his control of the situation looked momentarily taken aback. He recovered quickly and let out a long, booming laugh filled with ridicule. When it finally died down, he looked at Lucien, eyes gleaming with barely controlled malice masked with a thin layer of amusement.“You? You want to claim her?” He mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’m surprised you even bothered to show your face around here Lucien. I heard your claws have been clipped.”Lucien barely flinched, his calm, unflappable exterior firmly in place. He seemed a bit contained, but I wouldn’t at all describe him as a wolf without claws. He just didn’t seem all that interested in drawing them. “My claws are jus
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Golden Luna Four: The welcome party
Cara’s POV : The rhythmic clopping of hooves against cobblestone punctuated the silence that had settled in the carriageHe sat opposite me, his face partly obscured by the shadow, his presence filling the cramped space between us. I studied his profile; the tightness in his jaw as he stared out the carriage at the blur of passing trees, lost in his own world. Did he regret taking me as a mate? Was he contemplating taking me back? Would my father allow it? “I regret wasting so much time and resources trying to fix whatever you are. You’ve brought nothing but disappointment to this family.” My father’s voice echoed in my head and I shut my eyes tightly in a desperate attempt to forget. He would never allow me return. I was stuck here, with Lucien Valen— completely at his mercy— and there was nothing I could do about it.Time passed slowly as we traveled deeper into the countryside where Lucien’s castle lay. Our arrival was heralded with the ring of a bell and my breath caught in m
Last Updated : 2024-12-04The Golden Luna Four: The weight of an alpha
Lucien’s POVThe heavy oak door of my study clicked shut behind me, sealing me in blessed silence. I exhaled, leaning back against it for a moment, allowing the weight of the day to rest on my shoulders. The decision to take Cara Wylder as my mate had been a strange one that surprised even me. I'd spent the entire journey trying to figure out why I'd done that. I still didn't exactly have the answers, nor could I particularly defend my decision before any of my people, but it had been done and I was damned if I was going to go back and forth on it. Straightening, I crossed to my desk, the intricate patterns carved into its surface barely visible beneath the stacks of correspondence, reports, and council summons. I ignored the bulk of it, reaching instead for the sealed letter sitting on its own. Breaking the wax seal with a sharp flick of my wrist, I skimmed the contents.It was another reprimand from my beloved council. Their disappointment in my failure to forge a political union
Last Updated : 2024-12-12
Latest chapter
The Golden Luna Nineteen: The fight
Luke looked at me like I had two heads when I approached him that morning. I couldn’t blame him. After all, I had been the one to quit, abruptly declaring that I didn’t need his help. Now here I was, practically groveling to be taken back.“I know I was… rude before,” I admitted, shifting awkwardly on my feet. “But I was… overwhelmed. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I’m sorry.”His dark eyes studied me, skeptical and wary. It wasn’t like Luke to hesitate. He was usually all charm and easy confidence, but today he seemed… hesitant. Uncertain, even.“You don’t have to do this,” he said finally. “If you’re only here out of guilt—”“I’m not,” I interrupted firmly. “I’m here because I want to learn. Please, Luke.”He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fine. But we’re changing things up. No more laps.”Relief flooded me, and I nodded eagerly. “Anything you think will help.”He led me to a cleared patch of grass, explaining basic combat stances and defensive maneuvers. “The first ru
The Golden Luna Eighteen: The madness of need
Lucien’s POVI was trapped all day in a meeting dragged longer than I anticipated, a tedious affair of negotiation and posturing with Alphas who couldn’t see beyond their egos. The invasion of my lands was becoming unbearable and I was determined to do something about it without reverting to war, but the other’s weren’t making it easy. The Alpha whose wolves kept intruding hadn’t even bother to show up, a clear sign that he disdained me and my request. I had promised myself I was done fighting. The last time I’d waged war, I had won my opponent, but had ended up with my mate assassinated and five years later, I was yet to catch the culprit. My elders and packmembers didn’t understand it, but I wasn’t in a hurry to return to that violence, especially now that I had a new mate that someone could target. By the time I returned to the castle, the sun was well on its descent, casting long shadows through the corridors. I had barely stepped inside when I spotted Sean pacing near the grand
The Golden Luna Seventeen: Strength is hard
Cara’s POVThe sun was yet to rise when I slipped out of my room. My steps echoed faintly in the silent corridors. The castle was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced with a stillness that felt almost sacred. For once, eyes didn’t follow me as I passed and I was thankful for it. I wore britches—a decision that had taken more courage than I cared to admit. They weren’t exactly ladylike, but practicality won out over propriety. I needed to move freely, and skirts simply wouldn’t do. If anyone saw me, I’d probably have more rumors trailing me than I already did. Thankfully, the halls remained empty aside from an occassional guard or two. The sparse security had me wondering again about this Pack and how easy it would be to escape. I didn’t dare risk it though. It would be dangerous for a wolfless woman like me to trudge through wolflands. It wouldn’t take long before I was hunted and I would likely find myself in the possession of a far more deplorable Alpha. Maybe when I wa
The Golden Luna Sixteen: The offer
Cara’s POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains in my room, painting the floor in muted gold. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring down at my hands. They weren’t trembling today, and that felt like an accomplishment— a small victory in a sea of neverending misery. Several days had passed since Emily’s threats and Lucien’s coldness that had nearly broken me. Somehow, I managed to survive. I’d moped for most of the time, but after deep thought, I had finally come to the conclusion that I couldn’t keep waiting for someone to save me—not Lucien, not anyone.If he didn’t want me, there was nothing I could do about it, bond or no. The bond couldn’t force us together after all. It was only powerful if the people it bounded together accepted it. If even one partner rejected it, there was very little the other could do. It didn’t care for the consent of the couple or pretty much anything else. Whether we wanted it or not was irrelevant. It was an ever constant thing that wo
The Golden Luna Fifteen: Warmth and warning
Cara's POVThe hallway felt impossibly long as I walked away from Lucien. My hands trembled at my sides, and my heart was still racing from our confrontation. Anger and humiliation burned under my skin, warring with an ache I couldn’t quite place. Hurt, betrayal; both? Why did I even care? He didn’t want me—that much was clear—and yet, his refusal to let me go made no sense. I had begged him for freedom, and he… he had just walked away.The thought made my throat tighten. I needed air. I needed space. I needed to be anywhere but here. My feet carried me down a series of corridors, unfamiliar and winding, as I sought refuge in the sprawling estate. The silence of the castle pressed in on me, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind through the windows. No one bothered me as I passed, all the wolves watching me from the corner of their eyes but not saying a word. I heard feet move, voices whisper, silver clatter from a distance. I moved as if in a trance, propelled by my frustratio
The Golden Luna Fourteen: Let me go
Lucien’s POVCara’s eyes widened, disbelief crossing her features at my refusal. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying anything else, aware that I was not exactly of sound mind at the moment. “I don’t understand. What do you mean no?” She asked, her voice sounding incredibly hurt. I gritted my teeth against my rising emotions, her wave of vulnerability stirring something in me. “I mean no Cara. What’s done is done.” “Done? How can it be done when you’re here planning to tie yourself to someone else?”She shrilled a fire lighting behind her gaze.“I’m grateful that you saved me that day. I doubt I would have wanted to be King Darius’ slave. However, I don’t think I want to be bonded to you considering the circumstances. So please, let’s just annul it.” The words sounded reasonable, but they infuriated me which confused and frustrated me all at once, leaving me in a tizzy of emotions. “We can’t. This discussion is over!” I growled, growing inexplicably angry and she blin
The Golden Luna Thirteen: Gatecrasher
Cara’s POVI had been given more luxuries in Lucien’s palace than I’d ever experienced before. Gowns of fine silk, meals fit for royalty, and quarters that seemed far too grand for someone like me. And yet, none of it mattered. Not when the man who had claimed me as his mate treated me as if I were invisible.For a week, Lucien had all but vanished. After the bizarre intensity of our initial encounters—the bond pulling us together, his anger, his cold indifference—he’d left me to stew in a sea of confusion. I’d tried to make sense of it all, to understand why he had bound himself to me only to disappear. And then, as if to further baffle me, he’d appeared out of nowhere two days ago with a ridiculous anger and an unbelievable demand.“Stay away from my brother,” he’d said, his voice sharp and unyielding.The command had left me reeling and not in good ways. All I’d done was exchange a few polite words with Sean at the garden. Sean had been kind, a rare glimmer of warmth in an otherwis
The Golden Luna Twelve: An alternate arrangement
Once we were alone, Theo gestured for me to sit. I obliged, settling into one of the leather chairs opposite his expansive desk. His shrewd gaze remained fixed on me, his eyes as calculating as ever.“I appreciate your apology Lucien. That you could come before me and admit your wrongs shows you are not as without integrity as I thought.” He rumbled and I bowed my head slightly in a gracious nod. “Thank you Theo. I am honoured that you can still think so favorably of me. All things considered.” I murmured and Theo nodded. “I am confused as to one thing though. I had thought we had some sort of understanding.” He said, eyes boring into mine. “Why did you then bind yourself to this girl who, as rumor has it, isn’t nearly as proficient a wolf as my daughter?”The weight of his question hung in the air. I hesitated. I couldn’t give him the same vague non-answer I’d provided my pack. Theo Petrova wasn’t a man to tolerate half-truths, and I had already strained his patience enough.I clear
The Golden Luna Eleven: Darthrow Pack
Lucien’s POVI returned to my study after leaving Cara, still infuriated by her encounter with Luke. I knew I was being a bit irrational, but I couldn’t help my reaction. It appeared the mate bond was in full effect already, despite my best intentions. I swore viciously under my breath, frowning hard at correspondence I could hardly pay attention to. I had been through a mate bond before. I recognized the need. The yearning. The desperation to possess and annihilate anyone who so much as breathed the same air as my mate. I was being completely unreasonable, but reason had little hold over the raw intensity of a mate bond. It clawed at my composure, shredding my attempts to focus on the mundane reports littering my desk earlier in the day. Every glance at the neatly stacked papers felt futile. I knew that my irritation wasn’t rooted in Luke himself but in the primal pull that bound me to Cara—a bond I still wasn’t ready to embrace fully.Her absence haunted the edges of my consciousne
