REJECTED: Luna's wrath

ZE

ackhouse. It was a rare kind of moment, this absence of duty an

chambers, his deep chuckle vibrating against my skin. His presence

him flat in training today," Cassian smirked, amuseme

ging him playf

then I remembered he bet against you in the l

s how it had always been between us effortlessly, always te

my mate.

into our chambers. The fire was already on. I sighed contentedly, kicki

hind me, his hands fin

you," I murmured,

omething else in his gaze... someth

head. "Nei

f hair from my face. "That's w

lips were warm, firm, and when he kissed me

ng down my arms, then lower. The fire crackled b

there was

came t

ssing my bare skin as I stirred beneath the silk sheets

ing to find him

e of the be

y, only to hear the sound

robe and stepped out onto the b

Riven. They moved like predators, shifting and attacking with brutal precision. A crowd of warri

, and a slow, knowing smi

ailing, smirking. "You

through the courtyard. "Car

ugh the crowd. My reputation as

the railing and landing graceful

d my mate. Cassian tossed me a wooden training swor

g my shoulders. "Let's see if

y dodged his first strike, countering with a sharp

held the

irked. "St

," I teased, dodgi

he courtyard. He was stronger, but I was faster. I used that to my advantage, slipping p

oss my face as I leveled my

a long moment, then, with

nds, catching me around the waist and twisting us both to the gro

e, unfiltered ar

eyes. "That wa

over mine. "And

erupted into cheers and laughter, some making playful remarks

looked at me, really looked at me befo

el," he murmured

eath

now it. Not because I

e he said it, it felt

u too," I

nothing else matte

e afternoon in the heart o

my presence as comfort. I stopped by the orphanage, watching as pups

rs about upcoming council meetings, and even settled a dis

igurehead. She wasn't

e heart of

that role

hausted to my bones. But it was a good exhaustion. The

standing by the fire, a gl

ered, his gaze sof

ng onto the cou

before me, pressing a kiss to my kne

gh his dark hair. "I'l

as something deeper in his ey

lessly into his arms and c

ed. "my

laying me down and crawling

e, I let myself believe tha

ve, this pea

last f