Rise Of A Shattered Luna (Natalie) by Kave Derry novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128 The Bridal Chamber

Natalie’s POV

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I sat perched on the mahogany desk, the wood cool against the back of my thighs, while Baron held me tight.

My breath was still coming in short, jagged hitches from the kiss that had just nearly taken my breath away, but my eyes wandered past his shoulder.

On the far wall, a map of the surrounding packs was pasted.

Blackridge Pack.

Moonstone Pack.

Nightfang Pack.

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Seeing the pack, a cold, familiar ache settled in my chest.

My mind, traitorous, drifted back to my five years with Jensen.

In all that time, despite being the main person behind his success, Jensen had never once let me set foot inside the pack office.

I remembered one winter afternoon when he had been attacked at the pack border.

I had spent hours in the library, carefully researching for herbs to help him heal faster, my heart aching with worry for the man I thought was my mate.

I had walked to the pack office, the herb

tucked under my arm

in a little bag, only

to be

stopped at the entrance.

I hadn’t even been allowed through the office gate.

The guard had looked at me

as if I were a nuisance to be cleared away.

Eventually, Hansel; his Gamma came down to take the bag from my hands.

He hadn’t invited me in.

He hadn’t even let me stand in the warmth of the office.

He just took the bag, offered a tight nod, and disappeared back into the office.

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Chapter 128 The Bridal Chamber

That day had stung.

It had been a sharp, jagged needle in my heart, but I had swallowed the pain.

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Jensen’s excuse had always been the same: my identity as “The Keeper,” the brilliant selfless Scribe, had to remain hidden.

He told me that if the pack members or the rival Alphas saw me around the office too often, they might dig into my background.

If they discovered I was a rogue or that I was wolfless, he wouldn’t be able to protect me.

He told me he was protecting me from the “vultures” of the pack.

Though it had left me feeling like a ghost, I had accepted it.

I had swallowed my pride for the sake of his title and the future he promised we would share after he marks me as his mate.

From that day on, I never approached the doors of the pack office again.

Even for the Moon Ascension; the night every Luna and high–ranking female of the pack showed their faces… I was never allowed to attend.

He told me he didn’t want my beauty exposed to other men, that his jealousy couldn’t stand the thought of another Alpha’s eyes on me.

But sitting here now, feeling the raw, unfiltered honesty of Baron’s presence, I finally understood the truth.

Those weren’t protective measures.

They were lies.

Jensen had

never

med

me anywhere near the pack’s core.

He had never wanted the world to know I was the brain behind the pack.

In those five years of so–called love, I hadn’t been his partner or his future Luna.

I had been nothing more than his hidden mistress, tucked away out of sight like a shameful secret he only took out when he needed a new

I had been so foolish

transcription or comfort.

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Chapter 128 The Bridal Chamber

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My fingers curled against the edge of the desk, nails pressing into polished wood as if I could anchor myself in the present.

Five years.

Five years of shrinking myself to fit into a space he never intended to give me.

How had I survived like that?

How had I called that living?

Five years of silent devotion, convincing myself that being a shadow was a form of sacrifice.

I had called that love.

‘It wasn’t your fault… He’s a lying Bastard and we’re gonna get him back.‘ Nyx said in my head.

I let out a short bitter laugh that echoed off the walls of the sitting room.

Baron immediately sensed the change in my mood.

The heat in his gaze softened into concern as he loosened his grip on my waist, letting me go just enough to look into my eyes.

“What’s wrong, Natalie?” His voice was like the calm I needed. “Do you feel unwell? Did I… was I too rough?”

“No.” I shook my head, the emerald at my throat catching the light.

His skin was warm, slightly roughed

I reached out, cupping

his face with both hands.

stubble, and his eyes… those dark, protective gold

y heart was still reeling from the realization of my own past

s were anchored entire/ghed with stubble, and his

I forced a smile, though stupidity.

“You’ve shown me everything, Baron. You’ve put the pack, your life and everything in my hands. Aren’t you afraid that one day I’ll betray you? You’d have nothing left.”

Baron didn’t flinch.

Instead, he leaned into my touch,

bbing his cheek into my palm with a gesture of such

profound, animalistic trust that it made my breath hitch.

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Chapter 128 The Bridal Chamber

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“From the moment I felt you as my mate,” he answered, his voice steady and casual, as if he were stating a fact of the weather, “this life of mine has been yours. Take it whenever you want. If you want to burn it all down, I’ll provide the matches. I’ll give it to you willingly.”

The depth in his eyes seared me.

I felt a sudden, sharp sting in the corners of my eyes, a rush of emotion that made me want to hide.

I quickly turned my gaze away, looking back at the map to mask the tears. “Are you stupid?” I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of humor and overwhelming affection. “Who gives their life away like that? You’re an Alpha, Baron. You’re supposed to be cold and calculating.”

“I am,” he whispered, his hands returning to my waist to pull me back into his heat.

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“And I’ve calculated that you are the only thing worth holding onto. You can’t buy my

willingness with all the money in the world, Natalie. But you… you bought it the second you looked at me in the fire and didn’t scream.”

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& W

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