THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 16

Episode 11-2

I looked at him for a long moment, weighing risks and benefits, trust and danger.

Then I told him.

+25 Points

Not everything. Not about dying and coming back, not about the exact timeline of my death. But I told him

f

about Selene’s daughters. About the seventh generation of power. About Aldric Thorne hunting my

bloodline. About the artificial mate bond that had kept me compliant and controllable.

Marcus listened without interrupting, his expression growing darker with each revelation.

When I finished, he was quiet for a long moment.

“The mate’s bond with Damien is fake,” he said finally. “Which means his connection to you, everything

you’ve felt for five years…”

“Was manufactured by the Council to keep me weak. To make sure I never became a threat.” The words

tasted bitter. “I loved him, Marcus. Or I thought I did. And it was all a lie.”

2

“Does he know? Is the bond artificial?”

“I don’t think so. He feels it real as

someone on the Council does. Someone who

commissioned a witch to create it when I turned eighteen.”

“Aldric Thorne.”

“Almost certainly.” I wrapped my arms around myself, “In a few months, Damien is going to reject me “Almost certainly.” I wrapped my arms aro publicly. The Council is using his affair with Vivian as cover for what they really want: my death before my powers fully manifest.”

Marcus’s hands clenched into fists. “When?”

“December thirteenth. My birthday is November twenty–eighth. Two weeks later, the rejection ceremony.”

“How do you know the exact dates?”

This was the line I couldn’t cross. I couldn’t tell him about the rebirth, about living through my own murder. It was too much, too unbelievable.

“My mother’s journal,” I lied smoothly. “She predicted it. Wrote down what would happen if the Council discovered what I was.”

Marcus accepted this, though I saw doubt flicker in his eyes. He was too smart not to notice the gaps in

my story.

“So what’s the plan? You can’t just wait for them to kill you.”

“I’m not waiting. I’m preparing. Training my body with Lucas. Learning to control my powers with Katherine Wolfe. Building allies.” I met his eyes. “People I can trust when everything falls apart.”

Episode 112.

+25 Paints:

“You have me. Completely. Whatever you need.” He moved closer. “But Sera, if the bond with Damien is fake, can it be broken? Can you walk away?”

“Not yet. Not until my powers fully manifest. Breaking an artificial bond early could kill me, or worse, alert the Council that I know what I am.” I hated this, hated being trapped in a relationship I now knew was false. “I have to play along until I’m strong enough to survive breaking it.”

“How long?”

“My birthday. When I turn twenty–five, my powers will peak. Then I can break the bond safely.”

Marcus did the math. “Five months. You have to pretend for five more months.”

“Yes”

“And in the meantime, Damien is going to keep trying to reconcile, keep trying to win you back, while secretly planning your rejection.” Marcus’s voice was hard. “How are you not losing your mind?”

“Who says I’m not?” I tried for a smile. “I just hide it well.”

He looked at me with something that might have been admiration or might have been concern. “You’re

stronger than anyone gives you credit for.”

“I have to be. The alternative is dying.”

We stood in the clearing, the weight of shared secrets binding us together in a way that felt dangerous and

necessary all at once.

“There’s something else,” Marcus said quietly. “Something I need to tell you. About why, I’ve been so…

invested in your wellbeing.”

My stomach tightened. “Marcus…”

“I know you’re mated. I know the bond is complicated, even if it’s fake. I’m not trying to… I don’t expect…” He took a breath. “I’m in love with you, Sera. I have been for over a year.”

The world stopped.

“You can’t be,” I whispered.

“I am. I tried to fight it, tried to ignore it, told myself I was just being protective of my Luna.” His gray eyes were steady. “But watching Damien betray you, watching you become this incredible, fierce woman, watching you risk yourself to save my brother… Sera, I love you. And I needed you to know, even if you can

never feel the same way.”

I didn’t know what to say. In my past life, I’d been blind to Marcus’s feelings, too focused on Damien to notice anyone else. Now, standing here with the truth laid bare between us, I didn’t know how to respond.

“Marcus, I care about you. Deeply. But…”

“But you’re not in love with me. I know,” he smiled sadly. “The fake bond still feels real to you. And even

< Episode 11/2

when it’s broken, you might never see me as more than a friend or ally. I understand that.”

“It’s not fair to you.”

+25 Pointo

“Life isn’t fair. If it were, you wouldn’t have been born into a bloodline that makes you a target. Damien wouldn’t be betraying you. And I wouldn’t have fallen for someone I can’t have.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I’d rather love you and have you as a friend than not have you in my life

at all.”

My eyes burned with unshed tears. “You’re a good man, Marcus Reed.”

“Good enough to keep your secrets. To stand with you when Damien turns on you. To help you survive

what’s coming.” He stepped back, giving me space. “That’s what matters. Not how I feel. What matters is keeping you alive.”

“Thank you,” I managed.

We walked back to the Pack House in silence, the morning now fully bright around us. At the edge of the

tree line, Marcus paused.

“One more thing. If the bond with Damien is broken, if you survive December thirteenth… what then? Do

you stay in Luna? Do you leave?”

“I rebuild.” The certainty in my

other daughters, and we create something new. Something that doesn’t require lunas to be weak or

men like my mother to hide

omegas to be worthless even me. “I challenged the Council’s authority. I find the

or

what they are.”

Marcus smiled, real and bright. “Now that’s a cause worth fighting for.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

D

Dewumi Ezekiel

#Vote#! #Rewards#! #Comment#!

Comments

LUCK DRAW >