Ella's POV
The next morning came too soon. I barely slept, not after what the healer said. Her voice kept replaying in my head "Choose truth, or watch fire devour the ones you love. Like seriously, what kind of bedtime story was that?
I sat by the window in the guest house, watching the sun crawl over the rooftops of Atlas. Wolves moved in pairs below, training, patrolling, laughing like nothing had happened yesterday. Meanwhile, my whole world felt like it was hanging by a thread.
Storm was quiet but restless. I could feel her pacing inside me.
She finally spoke. He's thinking about you.
I sighed. Who, Lucas?
You already know.
I rolled my eyes, even though she was right. I could feel him. His energy was like static in the air, sharp, heavy, impossible to ignore, but mere looking at him and him looking at him there's nothing there, no feelings, no strings between us just acting like a movie..nothing serious can go on between us i say out loud,
A knock sounded on the door. I didn't even have to ask who it was.
Come in, I said quietly.
The door opened, and there he was Lucas. Still in black, still looking like he hadn't slept either. His eyes found mine immediately, and for a second, it felt like everything in the room held its breath.
You skipped breakfast, he said. His voice was calm, but I could hear the edge in it.
Wasn't hungry, I muttered, turning back to the window.
He stepped closer, slow, controlled, but I could feel the heat coming off him. You need to eat, Ella.
I said I'm fine.
He didn't move for a moment. Then he sighed, walked past me, and set down a tray on the table. Then at least drink something.
I looked at the tea he'd brought. I didn't want it, but it was sweet of him in that cold, bossy Alpha way of his. You didn't have to do that, I said softly..then he said, we don't have any romantic relationship going on that doesn't mean you should starve in my pack..well he's right.
He leaned against the table, arms crossed, eyes on me. What did the healer tell you?
There it was. The question I'd been dragging.
I tried to shrug it off. Nothing that makes sense.
He tilted his head slightly, not buying it. You're lying.
I turned toward him fully. You really think I'm lying to you right now?
I think you're scared, he said, his voice low. And when you're scared, you hide things.
He wasn't wrong. But the thing I was hiding wasn't just fear. It was the truth about me that I have Alpha blood flowing in me. That everything between us might just be built on a mistake…I know it's built on a mistake but not a real mistake like the situation that uttered your whole existence.
Storm stirred. He deserves the truth.
Not yet, I told her silently. Not until I'm sure.
I looked back at Lucas, trying to steady my breathing. You don't have to protect me all the time, you know.
He gave me a look that could melt stone. I'm not doing it because I have to.
That one sentence made my chest tighten. I didn't want to read into it, but I did. He stepped closer, close enough that his scent cedar, rain, and something wild filled the air between us.
Then why? I asked quietly.
He looked down at me, eyes silvered by his wolf. Because I want to..and I do anything I want.
For a moment, everything inside me went still. The air buzzed, Storm pressed against my skin, and I couldn't move. His hand brushed mine just a small touch, maybe even by accident but it sent a wave through me that nearly broke my control.
Then he pulled back, like he'd realized what he'd done. We have a meeting in the hall. Beta, gamma and some warriors are waiting.
And just like that, the wall between us went back up.
The council hall was crowded when we arrived. Wolves filled every corner, murmuring under their breath. I could feel eyes following me, judging me, weighing whether I belonged here. Lucas stood tall beside me, expression unreadable.
The warriors for the first time after my dungeon scenario began talking about pack defenses, border patrols, and some trade issues but honestly, I didn't hear half of it. I was too busy watching him.
He didn't say much, just listened. But every time someone questioned me or mentioned the Luna role, his jaw tightened. Protective. Possessive. Like anyone even thinking of disrespecting me had just signed their death warrant.
One of the warriors, a tall man with gray hair and a permanent frown cleared his throat. Alpha, we still need confirmation regarding your bond with the girl. The pack needs certainty the elders have been the one talking we don't want it to be we're among them that's why we came on our own
The girl. Not even my name.
Lucas's voice came out sharp. Her name is Ella.
The whole room went silent. He didn't raise his voice, but his tone was enough to make everyone stop breathing for a second. I tried to hide the way my heart kicked against my ribs.
Of course, the warrior muttered, adjusting his collar. Ella. We simply need assurance please he added..Ella don't make us doubt you in our pack..most of us have known Alpha Lucas since he was little some of us before he was born we served with his father, we want to protect you both, but we need a clear vision, him making you the Luna all of a sudden is suspicious to everyone on this pack, as he continues
Lucas cut him off. You'll have your assurance soon. Then his gaze flicked to me for just a moment and that tiny glance said everything.
Beta Wood started talking from nowhere, what everyone is saying is that both of you don't even stay in the same room..you do things differently, people are watching, people are talking, this is the first time ever an Alpha and a Luna share a separate room it's not the best for us now. In my head staying in a separate room isn't supposed to be a problem but in Atlas it was.
The meeting ended not long after. Everyone scattered quickly, clearly not eager to get on the Alpha's bad side.
When it was just us left, I turned to him. You didn't have to defend me like that.
Yes, I did.
You're not making this easier, I said, frustrated.
And why is us staying in separate rooms even a problem…I asked him you were supposed to know the rules before you start playing..him looking at me like a lone wolf
He looked down at me, calm but intense. Do you want me to stop protecting you, Ella?
I hesitated. That's not what I mean.
Then what do you mean?
I couldn't even find the words. My head was spinning. Everything was too much: the healer's warning, the pack's suspicion, the way Lucas kept getting under my skin.
I sighed. I just need some space, okay?
His eyes flickered, but he nodded. Fine. But don't go beyond the border.
I rolled my eyes. I'm not a kid.
Then stop acting like one, he said quietly, and walked away before I could reply.
The nerve of that man.
Later that night, I sat outside near the training grounds, letting the moonlight cool my thoughts. The forest hummed softly in the distance. I could feel Storm calm down bit by bit, her energy syncing with mine.
He's trying, she murmured. He doesn't know what else to do.
I sighed. I know. But it's hard to trust someone when your whole life might be a lie.
Maybe that's why you need to trust him, she said. Because he's the only one who'll still stand beside you when the truth comes out.
I didn't answer. I didn't want to believe that, but a part of me did.
Footsteps approached quietly. I didn't have to look up to know who it was.
Lucas stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching me. The moonlight caught the edges of his face strong, tired, beautiful in that arrogant Alpha way.
I thought you wanted space, he said softly.
I did.
And now?
I hesitated. Now you have invaded my peace
He came closer and sat beside me. Not too close, just enough that I could feel the warmth of him. Neither of us spoke for a while. The silence wasn't awkward, though. It was… peaceful, in a weird way.
Then he said, The healer said something about ruin, didn't she?
Yes..and I told you already why are you still bringing it up…if the healer says ruins it's because we're doomed from the beginning you brought the ruins upon me..and now I have to behave like it's not a problem. Because the moment you tag me as Luna that's ruined you use me as a tool to enrich your political pack ignorance all because I trespass, well this is where we are now in the part of doom.