Chapter 5

I was standing mute in the garden staring at Arnou like a statue. Because truth be told, I didn't think I heard what he said correctly.

He couldn't possibly be asking me to marry him, moments after I got divorced.

Stuff like that only happens in movies, and this was reality.

"I'm sorry what?... I don't believe I heard you correctly." I asked Arnou in disbelief.

"Yes you did. I just asked you to be the Lycan queen.

Daciana, will you be my luna?." Arnou asked again with a slight chuckle.

At this point, I was utterly bewildered. I mean why on earth would Arnou ask me to be his luna?

I know that the Lycan kings pick their own mates. Because it's so rare for them to find their fated mates.

But even if by some stroke of luck, Arnou had fallen hopelessly in love with me and wanted me for his luna.

It didn't explain why he would propose bare moments after my marriage ended. And in front of all these people too.

"Why?" I asked, still in a state of shock.

"I'm sure you're wondering what's going on.

Well when I first saw you today, I discovered that you were my fated mate.

But out of respect for your marriage and relationship, I had resolved not to say anything.

But now that it turns out you're single again, I've decided to fight for my chance before someone else swoops in to claim you."

Arnou said amid the loud whispers that had broken out in the ever increasing crowd.

Once again I was mute. Rendered speechless by his proclamation.

In my mind's eye, I could imagine Arnou saying he doesn't really need a mate but is just helping me because I'm poor, pitiful, and have nowhere else to go.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear out that terrible imagination that left such a bitter taste on my tongue.

Now that the initial shock was over, I could practically see the wheels turning in Nikkini's head.

All her scheming had backfired and she didn't look too happy about it.

"Your majesty, if you'll permit me to speak.

I would advise that you ignore this fated bond.

You're the lycan, you can just as easily pick someone else.

For the sake of your happiness please don't condemn yourself to this shameless, lying woman.

Do not make her your luna."

Nikkini shouted jealously out of spite.

I could see her trembling from the effort to keep still as her entire plan to ruin me came crashing down.

Arnou's wolf growled in reply.

"Learn to shut your mouth, woman. If I hear you speaking about Daciana that way again. Your life would be forfeit."

Eden hurriedly pulled Nikkini behind him and apologized to Arnou.

"We're sorry your majesty, it won't happen again." He said submissively with his head bowed low.

Coward. Even now with his ex-wife of three years about to be married again less than three minutes after the bond had been dissolved he still didn't speak out.

He and Nikkini truly deserve one another.

I'm truly ecstatic that Arnou spoke against Nikkini in my defense.

It's almost hard to believe.

I've never had anyone defend me against Nikkini's attacks before.

Everyone just usually believed and sided with her.

I had gotten so used to having to apologize, that I was shocked that Arnou defended me.

It definitely feels good to be protected. It's almost pathetic that just because of that, I'm considering accepting Arnou's proposal.

Another negative imagination flashed through my head.

I could clearly imagine Arnou saying he only spoke up for me because I'm weak and spineless, not because he actually liked me or cared a bit for me.

Yes I'm happy that I now have a prospect.

A higher one than the one I had previously occupied.

But I need to be wary and careful to avoid making another bad decision.

A pressurized decision got me into this mess in the first place.

If I'm going to accept Arnou's proposal, it's going to be when I've thought it over.

I'm in no shape to make life changing decisions right now.

I turned around to face Arnou. God's that face, I would say yes if only to wake up to that gorgeous face everyday.

But I had decided, if I was going to say yes then I would have to prepare myself to understand that I would assume this to be a marriage in name only unless Arnou stated otherwise.

I was tired of having my expectations bashed. It's better to have low standards raised than to have all your high hopes come crashing down.

"Would you mind if I took a bit of time to think about your request?" I asked him softly.

"Not at all, I wouldn't expect anything less." Arnou replied.

Arnou then proceeded to escort me back to.my chambers.

I guess they're not really chambers anymore.

I had never had any place that belonged wholly to me. For me those chambers represented the first thing that seemed like a personal property.

I loved it, and I decorated and oversaw the arrangements myself.

Occasionally I would indulge in the cleaning and pick flowers for the maids to put in water vases

Even as a child I had shared a room with Nikkini.

It isn't any fun when you're constantly reminded that you have no one and nothing.

Even the clothes I wore were the old clothes that Nikkini had outgrown.

It broke my heart that I would have to leave.

If Nikkini eventually married Eden, she would be the one to inherit my luna chambers.

That thought alone threatened to sour my good memories of the place.

Arnou and I walked in silence as we slowly but surely approached the entrance to my chambers.

"Good night Daciana. The festival was a success. I know you planned it. I want you to know that I appreciate and recognize your hard work. I also want you to not feel stressed about my proposal and invitation. It’s okay if you do not want to be my Luna, I can still help you escape here. I just want to help you.”

I bid Arnou goodnight with a smile. My brain was still reeling from everything that Arnou had said. I was honestly just happy that Arnou had given me a choice,.

Still floating from such a shocking and exhilarating day, I entered my room and shut the door.

I had barely settled on my bed in my room when I heard a knock at the door. At first I thought it was Arnou who returned to ask or give me something so I rushed to open the door with a smile.

However, my smile dropped upon opening the door. Eden was the one standing outside my room door.