My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Years of Friendship

The cheers of the pack still echoed faintly in the distance, even the wolves howling, as Lucretius’s hand remained firm at my back as he guided me away from the crowd.

We were walking in a path with faintly glowing lanterns as the sun had already set. I could even see the countless fireflies steering us to a nearby lake.

“Shouldn’t we stay?” I asked softly when we were already a little far from the ceremonial ground. “They’re celebrating.” I pointed out.

Although I didn’t want to bring it up and I was already tired from socializing, I wanted to point it out to him that they might be looking for us.

And I didn’t want to feel bad that their Alpha and Luna weren’t here to celebrate with them.

“They will celebrate until dawn,” he said when he watched me sitting down on the grass, his head slightly tilting with interest. ” You’ve done enough for today. You need rest.”

The moment I removed my heels, I moaned and stretched my arms before sitting on the grass, agreeing with his statement. I didn’t realize that my feet were already tired until he led us away from the crowd.

“How do you even manage to do all the talking and still not be tired?” I couldn’t help but complain when he sat on the grass next to me. “I am telling you, Lucretius. I am not going to get used to this.”

Sighing, my eyes darted at the starry night sky. The serenity that I had been wanting to aim for temporarily succumbed to me; the stars were twinkling like lamps glowing in the night sky.

Lucretius let out a chuckle, causing me to get a grip of myself. “You’ve done well, my Luna.” His hand reached out to tuck in a few strands of my hair behind my ear. “I should get you something to eat. I am certain that you are hungry.”

I was about to decline his offer, yet my stomach betrayed me before I could even respond. My eyes widened in mortification as Lucretius’s brows slightly lifted, amusement flickering in his gaze.

“I–that wasn’t-“I stammered, pressing my hand against my abdomen, cussing under my breath from the humiliation as if that could tame my stomach growling. “I’m not that hungry,” I emphasized.

A small, meaningful smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Is that so?” he asked teasingly, his head tilting. “Then, perhaps your stomach simply disagrees with you, my Luna.”

Another growl from my stomach came again.

That was when I felt the heat creep up my neck. And that made me turn my face away to hide the embarrassment on my cheeks, pretending to admire the water rippling in the lake instead.

“Damn it…” I mumbled, almost forgetting that my body was loyal to him than me.

I couldn’t believe that this could be another reason for him to tease me again. And knowing Lucretius, he loved how I was fuming to death.

In my peripheral vision, he rose to his feet with a quiet sigh, lightly dusting his trousers. “Alright,” he said, doffing his coat. “I’ll get you some food. Wait here.” Then, he draped his coat on my shoulders, making my eyes widen in surprise.

I was trying to make sense of his gesture, but I quickly snapped back to reality. “Lucretius, you don’t have to- was already turning away after he attached the brooch to his tunic.

I began, but he

He halted after a few steps, glancing back over his shoulder. Then, there was that sinful smirk curving his lips. “I don’t have to, he paused for a moment, “but I want to.”

And with that, he disappeared in the direction of the ceremonial ground, leaving my jaw dropping before frowning as my hands reached for the coat, clutching to it as I hugged my knees.

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Chapter 43 Years of Friendship

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Because of his coat, the night breeze didn’t make me shiver enough.

For a man so stern, so teasing and infuriatingly composed, Lucretius really had this side that would never fail to catch me off guard. He always bestowed me mixed emotions, and at the end of the day, his gentlemanly gestures would always flutter my

heart.

It brought a smile to my face upon remembering the brooch he was wearing. I thought that I would never see it in any occasion, but he wore it on the day I was officiated as the Luna of his pack.

I breathed out gently, quietly inhaling the subtle aroma of bergamot and cedarwood from his coat. It felt like he was hugging me. The warmth I felt right now was the same as when our bodies were molding together.

My eyes fixated on the ripples of the water, silently scolding myself not to mind it. I just focused on what happened in today’s

event.

The happening today felt surreal.

Until now, I still couldn’t believe that I was now the official Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack, married to their Alpha, who was twice my age, and the Alpha and Luna of my pack would become my guardians for our second wedding ceremony.

All of these wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t enter into a contract with the one and only Lucretius Xior Franciosa.

I even secretly pinched myself up to see if I was dreaming. I thought that this was such a good dream that if I woke up, I would still be in the nightmare of Redmund and Lilith’s betrayal.

When I felt the pain from the pinch, I sighed in relief that it wasn’t just a dream. The reality was here. It was slapping before me.

I let the serenity of the lake lull me as I listened to the faint hum of the night insects and frogs. I could even hear the distant laughter from the pack. My reflection was shimmering on the water.

For the first time tonight, I could finally breathe.

Or so I thought.

Because I felt the sudden shift in the air. The faint scent that drifted on the breeze didn’t belong here. It was a familiar feeling back when I was still in the previous pack. And I knew it wasn’t from the Golden Eclipse Pack. It was something I used to smell, but now, it felt foreign to me.

My fingers tightened on Lucretius’s coat, a subtle, hollow smile gracing my lips as I spoke without turning around.

“How much longer do you plan to keep hiding?” I asked softly, a faint twitch of my lips as I kept my eyes fixed on my reflection in the water. “Your scent doesn’t belong to this pack. Are you aware of that?”

A soft, mocking chuckle answered me. “Still as sharp as ever, Euphie.”

When I turned my head, my face was already unreadable and nonchalant upon seeing that she was there. Lilith, wearing a crimson gown, and curling her lips into a perfect smile.

“Sometimes I wonder tactical keeper doesn’t suit you at all,” she added.

“I wonder that too. But it seems like being in this position allows me to be promoted as an assistant and marry one of the most powerful people in the royal military,” I blurted out, a venom smile curling on my lips.

I watched how Lilith’s smile faltered for a moment. Looks like I hit a nerve…

There was one thing I knew about her–we had been best friends for years, but everything fell apart because of one man.

Lilith wasn’t someone who would resort to a man if it didn’t benefit her. Even if that man was her mate.

She already told me a long time ago that she wanted to be with someone who could give her what she needed and wanted. That was why, hearing that she and Redmund were together, I knew there was a catch to it.

HREEARTHSTOS Y PROndship

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There was no way she loved Redmund the way I did. And I didn’t know what Redmund saw in her, but I knew that she was only using him. I wasn’t certain if Redmund was doing the same.

Based on what they told me, it seems that before Redmund and I were together a year ago, they were already dating. And I became the hindrance to Lilith’s plan and was impeded for a year.

I knew that if Lucretius and I didn’t get married, there was a big chance that Redmund would become an Alpha sooner. And now that I was the Luna, I could tell she was struggling to swallow the bitterness of it.

I stole her crown. I stole what was supposed to be hers. I stole her Luna spot.

Tell me, Euphie, does it feel good?” she asked, her tone sugar–laced with malice. Her eyes were gleaming with no warmth. “To wear the title that was meant for someone else? To pretend you belong here?”

I slowly stood up, brushing off the grass from my dress. The coat slipped from my shoulders, and I caught it before it fell, clutching it tightly.

I slightly tilted my head, letting out an amusement cackle. “Meant for someone else?” I stroked my chin, humming thoughtfully as I feigned deliberation, even though I already knew exactly what I was going to say. “I was married by the one and only Lucretius Xior Franciosa, the battle commander of the royal military, the Duke, and the Alpha of the Golden Eclipse Pack,” I paused, emphasizing the titles my husband had.

I even stretched out my hand, where my wedding ring was, in front of her, before my gaze slowly landed in her direction. Then, I placed that hand to rest on my cheek, fluttering my eyelids.

“I am his wife, his Luna, and the lady of the House of Franciosa. Which part of my title suggests it belongs to someone else?”

I didn’t know where that confidence I got this from, but I was loving every single moment of what the words were blurting out right now.

Lilith smiled again, this time the smile never reached her eyes. “Such arrogance,” she said through gritting teeth, still smiling. You’re always good at pretending, Euphie. Acting like you’re above everyone when deep down, you’re still that same frightened little girl who clung to me whenever someone looked at her wrong.”

Her words stung me for a moment. She knew exactly where to hit. And I hated how she still understood me as deeply as I understood her.

Looked like our years of friendship weren’t such a waste at all.

But I didn’t flinch. I tilted my head again, letting a hum slip past my lips.

“Funny,” I said. “I seem to recall you being the one clinging to me whenever you were caught scheming. Remember? Alpha Derrick scolding you? Or have you forgotten all those nights you came crying to me about your ‘dreams‘ of power?”

Her eyes darkened. “Watch your mouth, Euphyllia.”

“I’d advise you the same,” I replied, my tone calm and threatening. “You’re standing before your lover’s aunt–in–law, who is the Luna of this pack. Do not forget that we will become a happy family once you get married to Redmund.” I clasped my hands together, copying Romina’s tone and behavior. “Wouldn’t that be interesting? I am thrilled to have a bond with my niece–in- law!”

I caught her clenching her hands, her teeth gritting. “Fuck you,” she spat.

I smiled. “Language, Lilith. You wouldn’t want your future Luna to hear such vulgarity, would you?”

Lilith exhaled sharply, squinting her eyes in my direction. “This. Is. Not. Over,” she declared before she turned on her heels and marched away.

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