Luna, Rose

Daryan’s hands were warm against my skin as he pulled me closer. His breath was steady, but I could feel the weight of his presence in every inch of my body. I tried to step back, but his grip tightened gently, holding me in place.

“Lina Zadre,” he murmured, his voice low, his breath brushing against my ear. “I’ve always known you felt it too.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but the words he spoke sent a wave of heat through me. This wasn’t just the Alpha, the man who commanded attention with a single look. This was Daryan, the man who had always been just out of my reach.

“You’re right,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve always felt it. But it doesn’t matter now. You chose Amira.”

He chuckled softly, his lips brushing my cheek. “I chose her because I thought it was the right thing to do. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt what’s between us.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I pulled away just enough to look at him. “You can’t just... say that, Daryan. You made your choice. Amira is your mate, not me.”

He sighed, his eyes darkening with something I couldn’t place. “Yes she is my true mate. You know that. I had to honor what was expected of me.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with the years of regret he hadn’t said out loud. I couldn’t help but remember the first time I’d met him, so young, so full of promise. We had been inseparable back then, my heart filled with dreams of a future together. But it was a future that had never come.

“We were supposed to be together,” I said softly, my voice trembling. “I thought we would be.”

His gaze softened, and for a moment, it felt like the world around us faded away. “I know, Luna. I know. But fate... it has a way of changing everything. And I was too blind to see it.”

I wanted to say more, to tell him everything I had buried for so many years. But before I could gather my thoughts, his lips brushed mine, gentle at first, as if testing the waters. The world seemed to stop in that moment, every doubt, every worry I had, evaporated.

But the reality of the situation quickly slammed back into my mind. I jerked away, pulling back sharply.

“No,” I whispered. “This isn’t right. Not now. I can’t do this.”

His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I saw something in them, something that mirrored my own struggle. But he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded, releasing me from his hold.

“Go,” he said, his voice soft. “But know this, Luna, I’ll always be here, if you ever change your mind.”

I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. I turned quickly and ran toward the car, where Cedrica and Ethan were waiting.

As soon as I reached the vehicle, I didn’t hesitate.

“Ethan, drive us home,” I said, my voice steady but filled with urgency.

Ethan didn’t ask questions. He just nodded, and we drove off, the silence in the car making my thoughts feel even louder. Cedrica sat in the back, staring out the window. She hadn’t said a word since we left. Her silence was unnerving.

The drive back to the mansion felt longer than usual, the weight of everything pressing down on me. When we finally arrived, Sydney was waiting for us in the grand hall, his face lighting up as he saw Cedrica.

“There’s my girl!” Sydney called, his voice booming with pride. “Look at you. You’re growing up so fast.”

Cedrica didn’t smile. She didn’t even respond right away. She just nodded, her eyes cold.

Sydney didn’t seem to notice. “Come here, Cedrica,” he said, his arms wide as if she was still that little girl he used to spoil. “You’re my legacy. The one I’m proud of.”

I watched the exchange closely. This wasn’t the Cedrica I knew. She was... different. Her usual confidence was gone, replaced by something distant, something I couldn’t reach.

I took a step forward, trying to break the silence. “Cedrica, what’s wrong?” My voice was soft but filled with concern. “Why are you acting like this?”

She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze flickered to Sydney, then back to me, her eyes unreadable. “I’m fine, Mom,” she finally said, her voice flat, emotionless.

Sydney wasn’t paying attention. He continued talking about his wealth, about his pride in Cedrica. “You’re going to inherit everything, you know that? You’re going to be the one to carry on my name.”

But Cedrica didn’t react. She just turned, her shoulders stiff, and walked toward the stairs without another word.

Sydney’s enthusiasm dimmed. “What’s going on with her?” he muttered to himself, but I could hear the concern in his voice.

I didn’t know what was happening with Cedrica. I couldn’t get through to her. It was like a wall had been put up between us.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. This wasn’t just about me anymore. Cedrica was slipping away, and I didn’t know why.

I turned to Sydney, frustration bubbling up. “Do you see it?” I asked, my voice rising. “Do you see how she’s acting? This isn’t just a phase. Something’s wrong.”

Sydney gave me a dismissive wave. “She’s a teenager, Luna. You know how they are. They get moody.”

I didn’t believe him. I couldn’t. There was something deeper happening, something I couldn’t understand.

As I stood there, my thoughts racing, I suddenly heard a loud bang from the other side of the house. The unmistakable growl echoed once more, deep and menacing, sending a chill down my spine.

I turned to Sydney, my heart pounding. “The enemy,” I whispered. “They’re here.”

Sydney’s face went pale, and he turned toward the door. “What do you mean, the enemy? Who’s out there?”

I didn’t have an answer. I just knew that whatever was happening, it was bigger than I could handle on my own.

Before I could say anything else, I heard the door creak open. My body went rigid as a figure stepped into the room...,