Filed to story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
“It has to be done.” Astrea’s voice was barely a whisper. “We could never-“
“You are my mate,” he seethed, desperately trying to calm down, but she could tell he didn’t hear no often.
“And therefore I am doing this.” She placed her palm on his chest as the first tear rolled down her cheek. “You’ll be free of me, and the Moon Goddess will find someone better for you.”
The mention of Selene caused a shadow to cross his face.
He caught her arm, pulling her closer. “I don’t want anyone else. I want my mate. You.”
Vincent looked at her as if he was waiting for something, but she only bit her lip, which had a stronger effect on him than she expected, his eyes glowing red just for a moment before he suppressed it
“Astrea-” He brushed his fingers over her cheeks, creating tingles, and she closed her eyes just for a moment. “Don’t fight this. We are meant to be together.”
“He will never let us,” she whispered. “Just trust me on this one, okay? Joran will never allow us to be happy.”
“He is nothing to me. He can’t do anything!” Vincent narrowed his eyes, clenching her wrist tighter. “You belong to me.”
“You have no idea who he is!” She started whispering in panic, checking to see if anyone was listening. “He he is not a regular Lycan. He has powers beyond anyone’s imagination, and he can be so cruel Please, don’t make it hard for me. We can just reject each other and pretend it never happened. It will be safer for us both.”
“He can’t do anything to me,” Vincent assured her, giving her shoulders in his blazer a squeeze. “And to you.”
“He can Once he made me spend six months in a silver pit -“
“I’ll kill him for you!” The man was fuming with rage.
“You don’t know what you are talking about.” She lowered her head, and he had to cup her chin to make her look at him.
*I know no one can stop me on the way to my mate. And if you like the South so much, I’ll lay it at your feet.”
“Preposterous promises to someone else’s fiancée!” Joran seethed, leaning over the balcony entrance.
If looks could kill…
Astrea rushed to push Vincent away, and that only made the man angrier.
“You have no rights to her!” he growled to her Teacher’s face.
“Oh, and you do?” Joran scoffed, not intimidated in the slightest.
“She is my mate, given to me by the Moon Goddess!”
“Big deal!” The dragon rolled his eyes. “I don’t get the fuss with that mate bond thing.”
“It’s the strongest connection to exist!” Vincent scowled and lifted his chin to demonstrate his superiority.
“Is it, though? You, of all people, should know.” Joran’s lips curled into a menacing smirk. “Surely it can’t be that strong if just a couple of words can break it.”
“I can say the same about your neck! Just one snap can end it all!” Vincent clenched his fists, and it took all Astreas willpower not to smile, seeing them exactly in the positions she wanted them to be. It took her just one night.
“Gentlemen,” a calm but confident female voice interrupted them and made everyone look at the beautiful woman at the entrance. “You are making a scene.”
Astrea didn’t know how to react. She did not expect to meet the Queen of the Western Lycan Kingdom ever again, yet here she was.
Riannon Stormhold in the flesh.
It wasn’t like they were great friends during her brief visit to the Luna Trials in the North, but a few simple interactions made a lasting impression on Astrea. For some reason, she thought of Riannon often.
She knew at once that the woman recognised her too, but at the same time, it was hard to tell whether it was a good thing. The Queen was heavily pregnant the last time they saw each other. Now, her stomach was flat, hugged by a tight dress.
On the day they met, Joran ordered her to kill everyone, including Riannon and her unborn baby. This was probably the tipping point for Astrea. She took life before, but it had never been someone so pure-hearted as the people she met in the North.
It was never a child.
However, there was something else she was constantly worried about. To save everyone, she had to fake their death without them realising it. Sadly, she knew only one way to do it with a potion from a witch, who made it using rare berries that grew only on the outskirts of the North and South. This potion was often used to fake death during assassins’ missions if things went wrong and an unlucky Firstborn needed a last resort. They hoped their persecutor would take them for a dead person and leave them alone.
The problem was that the poison could harm the ones who took it.
Astrea figured it was better than dying back then, but now she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
What if the baby was harmed because of what she had done? In that case, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself.
“Gentlemen, you are making a scene.” Riannon managed to stop the two angry men with just one phrase, the two of them looking at her in shock. However, what surprised Astrea the most was that Forrest stood beside her.
“Vincent, allow me to introduce Queen Riannon Stormhold,” the southerner pursed his lips, his facial expression clearly judging by the mess they created. “And King Gideon wants to speak to you, too.”
“Your Majesty,” Vincent acknowledged the guest. “Forgive us for this ugly scene.”
“Apology accepted.” The Luna arched her brow at him. “And my husband can’t wait to talk to you. I think the photographers want to take a few pictures, too.”
“We will finish this later,” Vincent gave Joran a withering glance
“Don’t forget your jacket!” The dragon gritted his teeth as he was already next to Astrea, helping her to get rid of the garment and throwing it back at his rival with force
Vincent clenched his jaw and offered him a fiery glare right before he stormed out, followed by Forrest, who surprisingly did not seem confused by all of this at all.
Astrea was afraid to breathe, knowing Riannon recognised her.
“So, we meet again.” The Queen smiled as if she wasn’t on the balcony with two of her potential murderers. She acted as if she was well-versed in handling such situations. “You look great, Astrid.”
Astrid… The name she used at the Luna Trials.
“You look wonderful too, Your Majesty-“
“Please,” the woman shook her head as the corners of her lips turned upwards, “Just call me Ria. After all, you are the one who saved my life.”
Astrea was not sure how to react. The Queen was not supposed to know anything but said it confidently, taking no objections.
“And your child?” The Dragonfly heard herself asking before she realised it.
“He is fine too,” the Luna nodded with a sweet smile, bringing her instant relief.
“It’s a sweet little reunion, but I am afraid we have to go,” Joran interjected. “Good to see you, Riannon.”
“It’s Your Majesty to you!” The woman’s demeanour changed when she shifted her gaze to him.
“We need to go!” The Serpent cut her off, grasping Astrea’s hand and trying to lead her away, but the Luna stood in his way.
“Last time, you were more eager to speak to me!” she smirked, blocking their exit and knowing very well there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. “Why leave so fast now?”
He definitely couldn’t cause another scene with so many people around. Pushing the Queen of the neighbouring country would cross the line for someone who wanted to be elected as a High Chancellor.
“You’ve met?” Colour drained from Astrea’s face. This couldn’t be good.
“Oh, we did!” Riannon chuckled, and Joran’s grasp tightened so much it became painful.
“I don’t recall it!” he lied.
“Well!” Ria huffed a laugh. “I guess shoving a pregnant woman against a wall to make her perform seidr wasn’t that memorable for you! Just another Monday, right?”
Astrea yanked her hand back, shocked by the revelation.
“What?” Her head snapped to her Teacher, and only then she realised she knew exactly what seidt was, although no one ever explained it to her. It was an old form of premonition magic. Ancient as can be.
“He was looking for you, by the way,” the Queen added:”” am sorry he found you. I really am-“
“We have no time for this!” Joran bristled and grabbed her wrist again. “This is some petty revenge plot!”