Chapter 8 #3
Astra moves around Lucian’s chair to face me more directly.
“I believe it’s because he knew your wolf would have realized you two were not fated mates and would have resisted.
Your human mind was already convinced due to whatever manipulation he’d used.
But your wolf would have known the truth.
Your wolf would have fought it when he tried to mark you. ”
Horror crawls up my spine as the truth reveals itself to me. The pieces click together with terrifying clarity, and my legs suddenly feel weak. Every kind word. Every gentle touch. Every moment I thought Zane cared about me—it was all calculated. He never wanted me. He wanted something from me.
“Sit down,” Astra says, coming to guide me to one of the chairs near Lucian’s desk. “Breathe, Selene.”
But I can’t breathe. Can’t think past the realization of how close I came to—
“You’re under my protection now,” Seth says, his voice dropping to a fierce and possessive tone as he moves closer. “You’re my mate. He can’t touch you now.”
Lucian’s fingers drum against his desk in a deliberate rhythm. “Perhaps not.”
The words hang in the air, drawing everyone’s attention. Even Seth goes still, his protective stance faltering slightly.
“What do you mean?” Astra asks cautiously.
“If we can hide Selene’s mated status,” Lucian says slowly, his eyes moving from Seth to me, “we may be able to figure out what Zane is really after. If we keep him thinking he still has a chance, and let him make his next move—”
“Absolutely not,” Seth snarls, the words exploding from him before Lucian can finish. He steps over to me, his whole body radiating fury. “You are not using her as bait.”
“I’m not suggesting—” Lucian starts, but Astra cuts him off.
“No.” Her voice is harsh, final. She stands protectively on the other side of my chair from Seth. “Lucian, no. We’re not putting Selene in danger like that.”
“I’m not suggesting we put her in danger,” Lucian says, his tone still measured despite the protests. “Just that we continue as if nothing has changed. Selene goes about her duties, Zane believes he still has an opportunity—”
“And then what?” Seth’s voice rises, angry and raw. “He tries whatever he was planning? We sit around, waiting to see what he’ll do next?” He takes a step forward, facing down the King. “She’s my mate, Lucian. I won’t let you use her to catch a Council member.”
“I’ll do it,” I say quietly.
Shocked, all three of them stare at me now.
“What?” Seth’s voice cracks on the word.
I stand slowly, my legs steadier now even though my hands are still trembling. “I’ll do it. I want to know what his plan was. What he wanted from me.” I look directly at Lucian.
“Selene, no—” Seth starts, but I shake my head.
“He manipulated me,” I say, my voice growing stronger with each word, “and he’s part of the Umbra Council.
I don’t know if he decided to use me because of my ties to Astra or for some other reason, but I need to know.
Astra is not only my friend but also my queen.
If Zane is trying to go after her, I want to protect her.
” My hands are in fists at my sides as I raise my chin.
“And if that means pretending for a little while that nothing has changed, then that’s what I’ll do. ”
“This is insane,” Seth growls. “You have no idea what you’re agreeing to—”
“You can’t stop me, Seth,” I say tightly. “This is my decision alone.” I meet his furious gaze without flinching. “You’re the one who kept harping about how weak I am. Shouldn’t you be pleased I’m doing something useful?”
He winces, and I feel the hurt resonate within him. I refuse to feel guilty.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Selene,” he says huskily, pleadingly. “I’m sorry for what I said before. Don’t do this. You don’t know Zane. He’s dangerous and—”
“It’s my life and my decision.”
“Lucian, stop her!” Astra says desperately.
“It’s her choice. She can say no.”
Seth looks at him, and I feel the anger in his heart. “You would willingly put my mate in danger, Lucian? Is that what our years of friendship have amounted to?”
Lucian’s jaw hardens. “I’m not offering her up as a sacrifice, Seth. She will be protected.”
“Enough! This is my choice!” I snap.
The room falls silent for a moment, heavy with tension. The mate bond thrums with Seth’s fear and fury.
“She’s right,” Astra says quietly, sounding defeated as her hand finds my shoulder. “This should be her choice.”
Lucian nods slowly. “With full protections. Guards watching at all times. The moment anything seems off, we pull her out.”
“And I’m one of those guards,” Seth says, as if stating an incontrovertible fact. “She doesn’t go anywhere without me nearby.”
I want to protest, to tell him I don’t need him hovering over me. But the look in his eyes—raw fear mixed with determination—stops the words in my throat.
“She’s mine now,” Seth adds, his tone razor-sharp with possession. “Whatever Zane was planning, he’s too late.”
“Fine,” I agree. “But we have to be smart. Careful. And the second we have our answers, it ends.”
“Agreed,” Lucian says, that one word carrying the weight of a royal vow.
I nod, but I’m scared. Because Zane manipulated me once, made me believe his lies, and almost succeeded in whatever twisted plan he had. And now, I’m going to pretend nothing has changed. I just hope I’m strong enough to see it through.
At least this time, it’s my choice.