Chapter 73: The Luna Games II

It was the night’s eve of the ritual.

Servants rushed through corridors with lowered heads. Noble families had begun arriving from neighbouring territories. Soldiers lined every major passageway in polished armour, while banners bearing the Eclipse Crown sigil hung from every balcony.

Tomorrow’s ritual had transformed the castle into something beautiful.

Something dreadful.

Malachi hadn’t slept, and his study door had remained shut for almost a day now.

Maps, reports, and unopened letters littered his desk, but he hadn’t read a single one. His gaze remained fixed on the rain beginning to fall outside the window.

A knock interrupted the silence, and he didn’t even glance at the door at first. He’d already warned the guards not to let anyone close to him for the meantime, which only meant the person behind that door was very close to him.

Selene.

"Enter." He said.

Selene stepped inside carrying a silver tray.

Dinner.

She dropped it on the table softly, then she walked up to him and gave him a small smile, "I heard you hadn’t eaten."

"I wasn’t aware people had begun monitoring my meals."

"I asked the kitchen." She looked at him, gently reaching up to touch his stiff shoulders, "You’ll think better on a full stomach."

Malachi didn’t look at the food, "What do you need?"

She smiled to herself.

Straight to business.

"I simply wanted to make sure you weren’t carrying everything alone." She replied softly, squeezing his shoulders. She stepped even closer, admiring his side profile.

Sharp jaws that could cut through stone.

The burn scars on his face that made him even more terrifyingly handsome.

His sharply pointed straight nose.

"I know you do not want to hear either of their names right now, but I have no choice but to at least say something because seeing you like this," Her voice cracked, "It breaks my heart, Alpha,"

He finally spared her a glance, watching as a tear slid down her face.

"Della," She continued, "She and Katherine were never..." Selene sucked in a breath, like saying this was difficult for her, "They were never meant to bring anything into your life, Malachi. Your first mate ruined your life, and the second tried to ruin your pack..." She squeezed his shoulders again, "People out there are relying on you every day, and you cannot remain locked in here like this... because of her. I mean, what good has she added to your life since she came in?!"

A finger twitched, but Malachi still didn’t say anything.

"You need to firmly hold onto what you believe in, Alpha. You believe in the truth, and the Rotblood has confessed her crimes. Consider what happens tomorrow...as the ultimate punishment for her. Don’t forget it was her kind...that killed your little, precious daughter,"

Selene knew the last sentence would hit, and satisfaction brimmed through her when anger flooded his vision for a second before they returned back to normal.

"No matter what happens," She trained her hands down and took one of his large palms in both of hers, "Just know that I’m always here, and I’ve always got your back,"

She gently let his hands fall, then she turned around like she was about to leave.

"A few of the council elders showed signs of restlessness after you wouldn’t come out, and some of the guests that have arrived and didn’t see you started to ask questions" She paused, "But I took care of it. I told them that there was nothing to worry about. I always have your back, Malachi," She let out a deep, long sigh, "And we would have been married by now. It’s such a shame that Rotblood came between us,"

"I appreciate it." His tone came out tight, almost vicious.

She smiled warmly, "That’s what I’m here for."

Outside the study...Beatrice rounded the corner just in time to see Selene leaving.

Neither woman stopped walking.

Neither smiled.

Yet both slowed exactly enough to acknowledge the other’s existence.

"So..." Selene murmured.

"So..." Beatrice echoed.

"You seem unusually cheerful."

"I’ve learned optimism suits me." Then Beatrice stepped closer until only inches separated them, "You spent half an hour inside his study."

"I did."

"And?"

Selene tilted her head, "He thanked me."

"Did he?" Beatrice hummed.

"He appreciates loyalty."

"No..." Beatrice smiled, "He appreciates usefulness."

Selene’s smile faltered.

Only slightly.

"I suppose we’ll see." She finally said.

"We will." Beatrice repeated, then walked away first.

Selene watched her disappear before her pleasant expression vanished completely.

Useful.

The word echoed unpleasantly inside her mind.

Selene returned to her chambers, and Sienna was quietly taking off her cloak when Selene walked into the room.

"My Lady." She greeted.

"Well?" Selene asked, curious and angry, "What have you gathered so far?"

"The servants confirm Lady Beatrice has visited the military barracks three times this week. She’s also visited the maid quarters, and I also heard she has laid her feet upon some of the less privileged in the pack, gifting them with money and belongings,"

Interesting.

Selene looked toward the distant training grounds, where the sun had finished setting, and a slow smile spread across her face. So, Beatrice was slowly building influence somewhere she wasn’t looking.

And as puny as it might seem, those places usually carried the most... dangerous secrets.

Selene’s hand curled so tight, so tight her knuckles bleached white instantly, and her claws threatened to sink into her palms.

Beatrice was smart.

She hated that.

Probably a good match for this little game they were playing.

But not smart enough, because Selene still has Cassian.

The Alpha of Nightveil.

Whom she has been planning to visit in his chambers for some time.

"Continue to keep an eye on her movement," Selene said to Sienna.

The maid nodded once.

"But for now, keep an eye here on my chambers so that no rat comes sneaking around to find something against me," Selene said as she began stripping off her clothes, till she stood naked in the middle of the room.

She opened her cupboard and took out one of the most seductive underwear she had in her possession, putting the revealing bra and pants on, but they barely covered anything.

Then, she picked up her regular cloak and threw it over her body, covering up everything from head to toe.

"May I ask where you’re going, my lady?"

Selene headed for the door, "I’m going to pay my brother a little... sisterly visit,"