THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 20

Episode 14

THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Chapter 14: Sleeping with the Enemy

Returning to our shared bedroom felt like walking into a trap.

+25 Poin

Damien was already there when I entered after my shower, sitting on the edge of the bed in sleep pants, his chest bare. He looked up with a smile that would have melted me six months ago.

Now it just made my skin crawl.

“I had them change the sheets,” he said. “Fresh start.”

How thoughtful. Fresh sheets for the Luna he was planning to murder.

“Thank you.” I climbed into bed, sitting on my side, the artificial bond humming softly between us.

Damien turned off the lights and slid in beside me. For a moment, we lay in darkness, not touching.

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Then his arm came around my waist, pulling me against him.

The bond sang. My body responded automatically, relaxing into his warmth despite everything my mind knew. Five years of conditioning. Five years of believing this was where I belonged.

“I’ve missed this,” he murmured against my hair. “Missed you.”

I forced myself to respond. “Me too.”

His hand traced patterns on my stomach, intimate and familiar. “Sera?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you. I know I haven’t shown it well, but I do.”

The words should have meant something. Once, they would have meant everything.

“I know,” I whispered, because that was easier than the truth.

He kissed my shoulder, my neck, testing boundaries. I let him, playing the role of the Luna, slowly warming back up to her mate.

When his hand moved higher, I caught it gently.

“Not yet. Please.”

He stilled, then withdrew. “Of course. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Just… give me time.”

“I have nothing but time.” He settled back, keeping me in his arms. “Sleep, love. I’ve got you.”

I lay awake long after his breathing evened out into sleep, staring at the darkness, trapped in the embrace

Logode

of a man who would kill me.

Morning training became my sanctuary.

+25 Paints

Lucas pushed me harder each day, and I welcomed the pain. Physical exhaustion was easier to handle than emotional torment.

“Your form is improving,” he said after successfully blocked a series of his strikes. “But you’re distracted.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“You’re broadcasting tension like a beacon.” He handed me water. “What happened?”

“I moved back into Alpha’s quarters.”

Lucas’s expression darkened. “Did he hurt you?”

“No. Nothing like that.” I drank deeply. “But sleeping next to him, pretending everything is normal… it’s harder than I expected.”

“You don’t have to do this alone, you know. There are safe houses, packs that will take you in.”

“And where would I go? Any pack that harbored me would face Council sanctions. I won’t put others at risk.”

“Then let us help you another way,” Lucas glanced around, making sure we were alone. “There are others in this pack who suspect something is wrong with the Alpha. Others who would stand with you if it came to it.”

My heart skipped. “How many others?”

“Enough. Not a majority, but enough to matter.” He met my eyes. “When the time comes, you won’t be alone.”

The pack meeting that afternoon brought unwelcome news.

“Instead

“The summit date has been moved up,” Damien announced. “Instead of three months, we’re hosting in six weeks.”

My stomach dropped. Six weeks. That pushed the summit to early November, much closer to my birthday, closer to when my powers would manifest.

“Why the change?” someone asked.

“Council request. Several territories are experiencing increased tensions. They want to address it sooner rather than later.”

Translation: Aldric Thorne wanted to accelerate the timeline. Probably because my changes were making him nervous.

After the meeting, I pulled out my phone.

Me: Summit moved to six weeks. Is this because of me?

+25 Points

Katherine: Partially. Your disruptions are making the Council anxious. They want you dealt with before you become too strong. Can you be ready in six weeks?

Me: I don’t have a choice

Katherine: Good answer. Come to Seattle this weekend. We’ll accelerate your training.

I looked up to find Damien watching me from across the room, his expression calculating.

He crossed over. “Everything alright?”

“Just coordinating with vendors. The timeline change affects everything.”

“I have confidence in you.” He touched my cheek. “You’ve been handling so much lately. I’m proud of you.”

The praise should have felt good. Instead, it felt like manipulation

“Thank you.”

“I was thinking, after the summit, maybe we could take a trip. Just the two of us. Reconnect properly.” His thumb traced my lower lip. “What do you think?”

After the summit. After he rejected me. After I was supposed to be dead.

Sure, Damien. Let’s plan that vacation.

“That sounds lovely,” I lied.

That night, Vivian showed up at the Pack House.

I was in the library when I smelled her honeysuckle perfume, heard her laugh drifting from Damien’s office. My wolf bristled, the artificial bond twisting with jealousy I knew was manufactured but felt real anyway.

I should have walked away. Should have ignored it.

Instead, I moved closer.

The office door was cracked open. Through the gap, I could see them: Damien behind his desk, Vivian perched on the edge of it, leaning close.

“You said you ended things,” she was saying, her voice carrying a pout.

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“I had to. Sera was becoming suspicious.” Damien sighed. “But it’s temporary. Just until after the summit.”

“And then?”

“Then everything proceeds as planned. The rejection ceremony, the Luna binding to you instead.” He pulled her closer. “You’ll be my Luna, Vivian. Just like we always planned.”

My hands clenched into fists. Hearing it confirmed, hearing him plot my replacement while I slept in his bed every night-

“She’s been so clingy lately,” Vivian complained. “Playing reconciliation games. It’s pathetic.”

Episode 14

“It’s necessary. I need her focused on summit preparations, not on us.” Damien stood, and I saw him cup Vivian’s face. “Six more weeks. Then she’s gone and you’re Luna.”

They kissed.

I turned and walked away silently, my mind eerily calm.

Six weeks. They’d given me a timeline.

Six weeks until the summit.

Six weeks to prepare.

Six weeks until everything came to a head.

I pulled out my phone.

Me: Overheard Damien and Vivian. Rejection planned for during the summit. They want me ‘gone‘ after.

Katherine: Then we make sure you’re ready. Friday, Seattle. Bring Marcus if you need backup.

Marcus: (he’d been copied) I’m coming. No arguments.

Adrian: (also copied) My mother has excellent instincts. I’ll have everything prepared.

I looked at my phone, at the network forming around me. Lucas, Marcus, Katherine, Adrian. Allies gathering while my enemies plotted.

Six weeks.

I could survive six weeks.

I’d already survived death once.

That night, I climbed into bed beside Damien like nothing had changed. He pulled me close, murmured sweet nothings, played the devoted mate.

I let him.

Because he wasn’t the only one who could pretend.

And when this was over, when I stood over the ruins of his plans and the Council’s conspiracy, I wanted him to remember this moment.

The moment he thought he’d won.

Right before, I took everything from him.

TO BE CONTINUED…

D

Dewumi Ezekiel

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