His Moonsilver Mate (Abby and Kade) novel Chapter 9

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1:03 pm

Rade

Chapter 9

Everything was ready.

The guest rooms had been checked. Security had been doubled around the packhouse and eastern residential district. My mother had reorganized the dining hall twice, and the kitchens had prepared enough food for twice the number of guests we expected.

Still, I found myself watching every entrance as we waited outside.

Alpha Tiernan’s convoy appeared along the main road shortly before sunset. Two dark vehicles stopped at the foot of the packhouse steps.

Tiernan emerged first, followed by his Beta and five warriors. He was fall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself

with the quiet confidence of a wolf who did not need to prove his rank.

His Beta, Cole, remained half a step behind him while the warriors spread naturally around their Alpha.

Liam stood on my right. My mother stood on my left.

Sloane waited beside me. Her position was deliberate.

She wore a deep red dress, her hair pinned into an elegant twist. Calm. Polished. Completely at ease.

She looked like a future Luna.

Tiernan climbed the steps and offered his hand.

“Alpha Kade.”

“Alpha Tiernan. Welcome to Moonhaven.”

We clasped forearms briefly before I greeted Cole.

My mother stepped forward next.

“This is Cassandra, Moonhaven’s Luna and my mother.”

Tiernan bowed his head. “Luna Cassandra. Thank you for receiving us.”

“We’re glad you arrived safely.”

I introduced Liam and Ryan. Then I turned toward Sloane.

For one second, the words refused to come.

Sloane looked at me expectantly.

Knox rose inside me.

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1:03 pm

Don’t.

ignored him.

“And this is Sloane Sinclair, said. “My intended chosen mate and Moonhaven’s future Luna.”

Sloane’s smile brightened.

Tiernan took her offered hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Kade is a fortunate man.”

“Thank you, Alpha Tiernan.”

The words were out now. Public. Final enough for everyone watching.

Knox gave a bitter growl.

You said it.

The pack needed certainty.

You gave them a lie.

I shut him out.

We led the delegation inside.

Drinks had been arranged in the sitting room before dinner. My mother and Sloane welcomed the visiting wolves while Liam and I spoke with Tiernan and Cole near the fireplace.

The conversation stayed easy at first. Their journey. Patrol routes. Increased rogue activity near our shared

territories.

Then Tiernan glanced across the room. Sloane stood beside my mother, speaking with one of his warriors.

“Your future Luna appears capable.”

“She’s supported Moonhaven for years.”

Tiernan took a sip of whiskey. “That sounds like a recommendation for an adviser.”

I looked at him.

His expression remained polite.

“What were you expecting me to say?”

“Something that sounded like you were speaking about the woman you intend to spend your life with.”

Beside me, Liam suddenly found his drink fascinating.

I kept my voice flat.

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1:03 pm

“Mounhaven needs stability,” I said. “Sloane understands the responsibility.”

Tiernan studied me for a moment. “Practical.”

“Yes.”

He changed the subject.

The word stayed with me.

Practical.

That was exactly what Sloane was. The practical choice. The safe choice. The woman I had rejected my mate to

choose.

The front doors opened.

Tiernan looked past my shoulder, stopping mid-sentence.

I smelled her before I turned.

Honey and vanilla.

Abby stood near the entrance.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

She wore a dark blue dress that followed the soft shape of her body before falling above her knees. Her hair hung in loose waves over her shoulders, and her mother’s crescent moon necklace adorned her neck.

I had seen Abby dressed up before.

This was different.

Because I was different.

Her wolf had awakened. Her scent had changed. And I could no longer look at her and see only Liam’s little sister.

The realization still unsettled me.

Not because of her.

Because now I noticed things I never had before.

The softness of her mouth. The curve of her waist. The way the blue of the dress made her eyes look almost silver.

She looked better too.

The exhaustion from the rejection had faded. Color had returned to her face. Her shoulders no longer curled

inward.

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1:03 pm

She looked stronger.

Away from me.

Knox’s pain cut through me.

Mate.

Not anymore.

Always.

Tiernan exhaled quietly beside me. “Who is she?”

My hand tightened around the whiskey glass.

Liam answered. “My sister. Abigail.”

Tiernan kept watching her. “She’s striking.”

A growl rose before I could stop it.

Liam elbowed me. “Don’t.”

Tiernan glanced my way. I raised the glass and forced myself to drink.

My mother was already crossing the room. Her face warmed as she reached Abby and pulled her into a hug.

Abby smiled.

It hurt more than it should have.

My mother took Abby’s hand and led her toward us.

Abby’s gaze moved first to Sloane. Then to me.

Her steps faltered. Barely. She recovered before anyone else would have noticed.

Her eyes lowered. “Alpha.”