The Alpha King And His Chosen Luna novel Chapter 199

< The next symbol

Clan

The next symbol

(Isla)

I woke before the sun.

For a moment I stayed where I was, staring at the ceiling while the room rested in comfortable silence. Then I remembered why I’d opened my eyes so early.

Training.

A smile found its way onto my face before I could stop it.

I turned my head.

Caius was still asleep beside me. His breathing was calm, and one of his hands rested close enough that I could have reached for it without moving very far.

Instead, I slipped quietly out of bed.

The journal was waiting on the table where Caius had left it yesterday.

I walked over and rested my hand on the cover.

Nothing happened.

I smiled to myself.

“I didn’t really think it would be that easy.”

I opened it anyway.

The first symbol looked exactly the way it had yesterday.

Beautiful.

Strange.

Full of meaning I still didn’t understand.

I studied it for another minute before closing the journal again.

“You know,” Caius said from behind me, “I was wondering how long it would take before you walked over there.”

I turned and found him watching me with an amused smile.

“I tried to wait.”

“I can see that.”

I laughed.

“I made it longer than I thought I would.”

< The next symbol.

“You did.”

He sat up and leaned back against the headboard.

“I was expecting to wake up and find you already reading.”

“I was curious.”

“I know.”

His smile grew.

“I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.”

I walked back toward the bed.

“So, what happens today?”

“First,” he said, “we have breakfast.”

I laughed.

“And after that?”

“Then we’ll see what the journal has to teach us next.”

“I don’t know how you’re thinking about breakfast.”

He laughed.

“I’ve had a little more time to get used to the journal than you have.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.”

“You will.”

“I hope not.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want it to stop feeling exciting.”

His smile grew.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

I climbed back onto the bed and sat beside him.

“Do you already know what we’re doing today?”

“I have an idea,”

“Only an idea?”

Claim

The next symbol-

The journal has many symbols. I want to choose the right place to continue.”

“So we’re not just turning the page and hoping for the best?”

He laughed.

“No.”

“Good.”

He looked at me for a moment.

“You trust me.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Of course I do.”

He reached for my hand.

“Then we’ll figure it out together.”

His fingers stayed around mine for another moment before he stood.

“As much as you’d like to skip breakfast, we’re still eating first.”

I sighed.

“I know.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I am.”

He laughed.

“I’ve created a monster.”

“You’ve created a very impatient student.”

“There’s a difference.”

“I hope so.”

He smiled and held out his hand.

“Come on.”

I slipped my hand into his, and he helped me to my feet.

“What if the journal doesn’t respond today?”

“It will.”

“You sound certain.”

Clar

< The next symbol-

“Fam.”

“How?”

“Because yesterday wasn’t luck.”

I looked at him.

“You really believe that?” (

“I do.”

He held my gaze for a moment.

“The journal answered you because you were ready.”

His words settled something inside me.

Yesterday hadn’t been an accident.

It had been the beginning.

Caius smiled.

“Now, let’s go eat before your curiosity gets the better of you.”

I laughed.

“I think it already has.”

“Then we’ll have breakfast quickly.”

“And then?”

He opened the bedroom door.

“Then we’ll begin today’s lesson.”

I smiled as I followed him out.

The dining hall was already busy by the time we arrived.

3

The conversations around the room quieted for a moment before people began smiling.

“Good morning, Alpha King.”

“Good morning, Luna.”

“Good morning.”

Caius greeted them with a nod.

“So did I.”

Every greeting made me smile. It wasn’t the title that mattered. It was knowing they truly accepted me.

Claim

< The next symbol

A few people smiled as we walked past.

One of the older women bowed her head slightly.

“It’s good to see your this morning, Luna.”

“It’s good to see you too,” I replied with a smile.

We reached the serving table and filled our plates.

Breakfast was simple.

Fresh bread.

Eggs.

Fruit.

More than enough for me.

We carried our food to a table near one of the windows.

I tried to focus on eating.