Episode 3

☾☾SASKIA☽☽

My cheeks soak up heat as my anger revs like an engine being fired. "I'm not sure what you want me to say, Alpha. It's not like I can change your mind when it's set on doing anything." I murmur, annoyance sharpening my tone.

"You grow more insolent by the day." He remarks as if awestruck. I wish he'd be less shocked because this is the beginning of more surprises to come. I have hundreds of presents to give. They come in boxes that I've wrapped myself. "Lucky for you, I've myself an important guest to entertain. He's one good friend of mine. I've no time to teach you how to wield yer tongue better. Sit and make yourself presentable. He comes."

As if on a director's cue, Absalon strolls into the room. I might have slumped in my seat from a heart attack if I wasn't only in my twenties. Seriously, of all people to show up, I don't know why he's here.

Why in the world is Cillian friends with a wizard when he already has a witch at his beck and call—Rose, or whatever her name is? Since Joma disappeared from the pack, she's been the one running all things magic and supernatural. I catch her every now and then regarding me with a predatory glint in her eyes. I've made it a point of mine to avoid her when possible.

Joma's escape from Guttenbrieg raised mixed feelings on my part. While it hurt that she'd left us all behind once trouble knocked at the door, I had no right to grumble because I'd done the same thing the moment I'd been left alone with my sleeping pills. I'd taken the easy way out.

On the other hand, I'd been joyed that she didn't have to suffer under Cillian's fist of steel. It was better that she's found a way to remove herself from this mess. After all, she didn't owe the pack anything. It was Mikael who she had ties with and whom she'd decided to serve. No other werewolf was worthy of her loyalty.

Absalon is the type to offer his devotion to no one. I don't understand what the basis of their relationship was formed on. Though, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised since Cillian is one of the most devilish creatures I know. Of course, he'd find an equally wicked fellow to join arms with.

I stare mutely as Cillian welcomes him with a hearty hug. A thunderous cringe rolls across my body. I can't comprehend why this is my first time seeing them together when they're clearly more than acquaintances. It makes me wonder what Cillian knows.

There's the possibility that I am the one who's been fooled by Cillian all along, and that's only too scary. I've been self-assured with the knowledge that I have secrets the new Alpha of Guttenbrieg isn't privy to. If he's aware of what I've been keeping concealed under his nose, then I'm as good as dead meat.

I haven't laid my sight on Absalon since our exchange at Tonnar. Since then, I've kept my powers from everyone else. Only Wade knows, and he's vowed not to reveal a word of it to anyone else. Our main goal has been to make sure Cillian stays in the dark about my magic, but now, I'm not so confident he doesn't already know. My plan might not be as infallible as I'd hoped.

Absalon should have informed him, judging by how close they seem. Except there's no way that could have happened since Cillian hasn't thrown a fit about it.

Stuck in my spot, I'm soaked in a bath of cold sweat. I can't envision what Cillian might do if he gained knowledge of my secrets. While he might not kill me, I am positive he'll make me live in agony for the rest of my life.

The people I've come to hold dearly to my heart will suffer too. I don't want that. I want to protect them. It's the only thing I can do for Mikael now that he's gone, and I want to do it well without a mistake I can avoid.

"Good evening, Luna." Absalon bows, but I see the mockery behind the very act.

"I am not a Luna—"

"Not yet. But you will be." Cillian cuts me off, then to Absalon, says, "You are right to greet her as if she were, for tonight, we wed."

Absalon's lips curl in a catty grin. I shrink into myself, hiding the consternation that's cloaked me like a blanket and sunk its thorns into every shred of my body. "I'm not certain that's a step forward most advised, Alpha. Not with that large print on her face."

"What?" Cillian's gaze pans my way, and he frowns as if the bruise from his hits had since been invisible.

"Your audience might think you're marrying a maid, great Alpha."

Cillian's head tilts at an angle. "Really? I hadn't thought of that."

Absalon nods with the solemnity and reverence of a servant making a suggestion to their master. "It's likely because you do not bear an outsider's view, Alpha. Since I view this from the outside, it is quite different."

"Ah, indeed." Cillian concedes with a shade of smugness to his expression. He's obviously basking in Absalon's praises and subtle ass-kissing. I really can't stand him. "What then shall we do about the ball?"

Absalon pretends to think hard about the situation, and all I can summon up in my thoughts is how much I detest them both. "How about you announce your engagement instead of marriage, Alpha Cillian? This will give the Luna a chance to escape before eyes begin to scrutinise and tongues start to wag. With the help of the cosmetics women love to layer on, this should be no problem."

My fingers tap against my tender cheek, and I grimace at the soreness rippling underneath my skin. Makeup won't do much to conceal what Cillian has done.

"You should leave and begin to prepare for the ball. I heard females take decades to apply their maquillage. Add ice to your face to reduce the blood flow. You should know what to do."

"I will see you in the evening, Alpha." I incline my head at the monster whose attention is glued to my back. "Nice seeing you, sorcerer." I lie through my teeth as I glide past Absalon.

"The honour is entirely mine, Luna."

My back is as straight as a metal bar as I walk towards my quarters. I've only covered a few metres when that silky, pliant voice halts me in my tracks.

"A word, Luna?"

"Absalon..." I nod at the wizard, standing tall in his impeccably tailored clothes. What does the buffoon want?

"I found it imperative to ask about your health and confirm that you're alright." His brow furrows with concern. I tamp down the urge to spit at him. His falsity is meant to ridicule, and it's maddening.

With the fakest smile to exist in history, I explain, "I am fine. Thanks for asking. I hope you have a good visit at Guttenbrieg."

My back is already to him when he asks a question that makes me swivel on my feet. "Wouldn't you like to know why Alpha Cillian has not heard of your secret, Luna?"