CHAPTER 6
Bryant's POV
I really don't know why I couldn't get my mind off that fucking maid of mine.
This is definitely not me.
I cursed under my breath as I pulled on a coat and stormed out of my chamber.
Kael, ever the loyal beta, already had the carriage prepared, and without sparing him a glance, I hopped in.
We headed straight for the Western Palace.
The Western Palace—the so-called "retirement home" where my father chose to rot away with his wife after handing over the throne to me.
But, of course, the old man couldn't just walk away quietly.
No, he needed to stick his nose into every damned part of my life.
As we arrived, the guards and maids bowed low.
I didn't even spare them a glance.
Kael and I walked straight into the palace halls, my boots thudding heavily against the marble floor.
Without knocking, I pushed open the door to my father's chamber.
There he was—lounging on a velvet chair, a glass of wine in hand, his wife perched beside him like some obedient little bird.
"Hmm, you're here," he said, smirking as he swirled the wine in his cup.
I didn't bother with the fake pleasantries.
"I'm not here for chit-chat. Why did you order me to come?"
He chuckled softly and gulped down the rest of his wine.
"It's high time you filled the space of the Luna."
Immediately, a wave of rage surged through me.
I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.
"You don't get to tell me what to do," I said, voice low and deadly.
My father leaned back lazily. "You know very well you don't have total control of the throne without a Luna by your side. The council, the elders... they are watching. You appear weak without one."
I gritted my teeth as he continued.
"The painful thing right now," he added, "is that you can't even sense your mate. A broken Alpha. So... I can help you. I'll set up a marriage with a very suitable candidate—"
"You do no such thing," I cut in, my voice slicing through the air.
Just then, his wife—the woman who had no right to even speak in my presence—smiled sweetly and chimed in, "We have a couple of good, bright candidates you might want to consider—"
My eyes snapped to hers, my glare sharper than any blade.
She flinched and immediately clamped her mouth shut, looking down.
"Listen well," I said coldly. "I might have lost my mate-sensing ability, but that doesn't mean I'll allow anyone—not even you—to decide my Luna."
My father, ever the manipulator, simply smiled wider.
"Very well, Bryant. I'll give you until the next full moon—which is only a few days away. If you don't present a Luna by then..."
He let his words hang in the air, thick with threat.
"We shall see," I growled back, turning on my heel and storming out without waiting for dismissal.
Kael hurried behind me, matching my furious strides.
As we reached the courtyard, he spoke, voice low and worried.
"What are you gonna do now? You definitely can't allow your father to select Luna for you. You know what it would mean."
I stopped in my tracks.
What was I going to do now?
The thought clawed at my mind.
The throne.
My power.
Everything I fought for.
It could all be taken away if I didn't act fast.
But how the hell was I supposed to find Luna in just a few days?
I clenched my jaw hard.
Damn it.