Crowned by the enemy Alpha

Visiting request

CHAPTER 9

~LYRIA~•

Soft knocking pulls me from restless sleep. I barely slept at all last night, Kaelan’s words playing on repeat in my mind like a cruel song I can’t silence.

‘She’s a tool. A weapon I’m using against Damon.’

The door opens, and clara enters with a gentle smile.

“Good morning, Luna,” she says softly, moving to open the curtains. Sunlight floods the room, too bright for how I feel. “Time to prepare for the day. You have a council meeting this afternoon.”

The mention of duties pulls me back to reality. I can’t hide in bed forever, no matter how much I want to.

But as Clara begins laying out my clothes, last night comes rushing back with painful clarity.

I see myself standing in that doorway, book in hand, ready to ask Kaelan a simple question about pack finances. I hear his voice, cold and certain: ‘I don’t see myself falling for her.’

I knew. Of course I knew. He told me from the beginning this was about revenge against Damon. I was never supposed to be anything more than a pawn in their rivalry.

But knowing something in theory and hearing it stated so bluntly are two very different things.

“Luna?” Clara’s voice is gentle. “Are you alright? You look pale.”

“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing myself to sit up. “Just tired.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she’s too well-trained to press. “Alpha Kaelan requested you join him for breakfast this morning. Before the council meeting.”

My stomach drops. “Breakfast? Just the two of us?”

“Yes, Luna. In the private dining room.”

I consider refusing. Claiming illness. Saying I’m not hungry. But that would be cowardly, and I’ve spent too long building myself into someone who doesn’t run from difficult situations.

“Alright,” I say quietly. “Help me get ready.”

Clara works efficiently, choosing a simple but elegant dress in deep green that brings out my eyes. She braids my hair in a style that’s becoming my signature, practical but beautiful, a Luna who can move between council chambers and training grounds with equal ease.

When I look in the mirror, I see the woman I’ve become these past months. Strong. Capable and Worthy.

But underneath, I still feel like that girl standing at Damon’s altar, waiting to be rejected.

“You look beautiful, Luna,” Clara says warmly.

“Thank you.” I take a deep breath. “I suppose I shouldn’t keep the Alpha waiting.”

The walk to the private dining room feels too short. My heart hammers against my ribs with each step. What will I say to him? How do I look at the man I was starting to care for after hearing him dismiss me so completely?

The door is already open when I arrive. Kaelan sits at the head of the large table, dressed for the day in dark clothes that make his gray eyes seem even more intense. When he sees me, he stands immediately.

“Lyria.” My name sounds careful on his lips.

“Alpha Kaelan.” I keep my voice neutral and professional.

We sit, and the silence stretches between us like a chasm. A servant pours tea and sets out plates of food, then quietly disappears.

“Good morning,” Kaelan says finally.

“Good morning.”

Another painful silence followed with our uneven breath.

He clears his throat. “About last night…”

“There’s no need,” I cut him off, keeping my eyes on my plate. “I understand you.”

“Lyria, please look at me.”

I force myself to meet his gaze. His expression is troubled, almost… guilty?

“What you heard,” he begins, “I need to explain….”

“You don’t owe me an explanation, Alpha.” I’m proud of how steady my voice sounds. “You’ve been clear from the beginning about why you brought me here. I’m a tool in your conflict with Damon. I understand that. I’ve always understood that.”

“Have you?” His voice sharpens slightly. “Because the look on your face last night suggested.”””

“Suggested what? That I was hurt?” I set down my teacup with more force than intended. “I’m human, Kaelan. Well, wolf. But I have feelings. Hearing myself referred to as a weapon isn’t pleasant, even when I already know that’s what I am to you.”

He flinches. Actually flinches. “You’re not…”

A knock at the door interrupts him. Finn enters, looking apologetic but urgent.

“Alpha, I’m sorry to interrupt….”

“Not now, Finn,” Kaelan says, his eyes still on me.

“It’s important.” Finn’s expression is grave. “It’s about Moon Strike pack.”

My heart stops immediately I heard those words and I could see the same horror on kraken expression.

His attention snaps to his Beta almost immediately. “What about Moon Strike pack?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Guards arrived at our border an hour ago. They’re requesting an audience with you. They say Alpha Damon has a message.”

The room suddenly feels too small, too hot. My hands grip the edge of the table wondering what Damon want. Now that I’m living the best I could at the moment, the last thing I want is Damon present.

Kaelen brought his gaze back to me, he held it with intensity as he spoke, his eyes searching mine.

“Damon sent guards here?” Kaelan’s voice drops to a dangerous tone. “What does he want?”

“They wouldn’t say. Only that the message is urgent and must be delivered to you personally.”

Kaelan stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He turned to leave but then he seems to remember I’m there and looks down at me. “Lyria…”

“You can go attend to them. It’s important.”