The Alpha King And His Chosen Luna novel Chapter 194

One lesson at time

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One lesson at a time

(Isla)

I woke before sunrise.

The symbols were the first thing I thought about.

I’d gone to sleep expecting my mind to leave them behind until morning. Instead, they’d stayed with me, simple circles and lines that somehow felt more important now than they had in the library.

I lay still for a moment, looking at the ceiling.

Today wasn’t about finding another old record or reading another forgotten account. Today we would find out whether those pages held something we could actually use. I didn’t know what to expect, and for once, that didn’t bother me.

I turned my head toward the window.

The first light of morning was beginning to reach the room. Everything outside was still quiet, as though Wraithbone itself hadn’t fully woken yet. It felt like the right kind of morning to begin something new.

‘You’re excited,’ Vaela observed.

‘I am.’

‘So am I.’

That made me smile.

Whatever happened today, neither of us would be facing it alone.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

For a moment I simply sat there, listening to the quiet around me. The day hadn’t really begun yet, but it already felt different from the one before.

Yesterday had been about understanding.

Today would be about taking the first step.

I slipped quietly out of bed, careful not to disturb Caius.

I’d almost made it to my feet when I heard him behind me.

“You’re awake early.”

I turned and found him watching me with a small smile.

“So are you.”

“I noticed you got up.”

“I wasn’t trying to wake you.”

<One lesson at time

“You didn’t.”

He sat up and rested his back against the headboard.

“I had a feeling you’d be thinking about today.”

I smiled.

“You know me too well.”

“I’ve been paying attention.”

That made me laugh.

He crossed the room and stopped beside me.

“You look ready already,” he said.

“I think I finally am.”

He studied me for a moment before nodding.

“I believe you.”

His confidence settled something inside me.

If he thought I was ready to begin, maybe I was.

Neither of us spoke for a moment.

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The silence felt familiar now. It wasn’t uncertain or awkward anymore. It was simply the quiet we shared before another day began.

Caius looked at me.

“Ready for breakfast?”

I smiled.

“I was wondering when you’d ask.”

He laughed.

“I know better than to start training on an empty stomach.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” I said.

He smiled and walked toward the door.

“I asked the kitchen to bring breakfast a little earlier today.”

“You planned ahead.”

“I usually do.”

I laughed.

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<One lessonal time

“I’ve noticed.”

A knock sounded a moment later.

Caius glanced at me.

“Perfect timing.”

I followed him to the door, feeling the excitement I’d woken with return all over again.

The day was finally beginning.

Caius stepped aside to let the kitchen staff leave before closing the door again.

He carried the tray to the table while I followed behind him. The room filled with the familiar smell of breakfast, and I realized I’d been thinking so much about today that I’d almost forgotten I was hungry.

“Sit,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded like an order.”

“It was.”

I smiled as I pulled out a chair.

“I suppose I can live with that one.”

I picked up my cup and took a sip before looking at Caius.

“You seem calm.”

“I am.”

“I would’ve thought you’d be just as curious as I am.”

“I am curious.”

“Then why don’t you look it?”

He smiled faintly.

“Because curiosity doesn’t disappear if you meet it calmly.”

I considered that for a moment before nodding.

“I have a feeling I’m going to learn more than symbols from you.”

“I hope so.”

Caius finished his tea and set the cup aside.

“We don’t need to stay long.”

I looked at him.

One lessonata time

thought we’d spend the whole morning out there.”

“We might.”

He smiled.

“Or we might spend an hour on the first exercise.”

“Only one?”

“If it takes longer to understand, then that’s where we’ll stop.”

I smiled.

Yesterday had taught me patience.

Today, I had a feeling I’d be practicing it.

I finished the last of my breakfast and set my cup down.

Neither of us hurried to stand. It wasn’t because we were delaying the lesson. We were simply giving ourselves the time to begin the day properly.

Caius reached for the journal resting beside him.

“I only brought one.”

I looked at the worn leather cover.

“The first symbol?”

He nodded.

“There’s no reason to think about the others until we understand this one.”

“That makes sense.”

He stood and held the journal under one arm.

“I’d rather build one solid foundation than rush through ten exercises.”

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