The Vengeful Warrior Luna's Return novel Chapter 12

Astra’s POV

Kieran glanced around the room, sensing the tension thick in the air.

He reached for the scroll laid out on the table—a marriage gift list.

To bond a second mate, they need to pay those to Isla's pack.

A thousand coins. Two pairs of moon-silver arm cuffs. Two obsidian-etched bracelets. Two gold wolf-head crowns. Fifty tanned snow leopard pelts.

Kieran gave a short laugh.

“That’s it? A thousand coins, a few trinkets and pelts? For Pack Zane, that’s nothing.”

Haliey’s tail lashed like a whip. Her palm slammed against the stone table with a sharp crack.

“Nothing?” she snapped. “Go take a look in the vault. You’d be lucky to scrape together a hundred coins right now.”

Kieran froze. “How? Who’s been managing the vault? Is someone skimming off the top?”

“Me,” I said, my voice flat, unshaken.

His head whipped toward me.

“You? Then where’s all our hunting revenue gone? Where’s the Pack’s profit?”

Lady Haliey gave a cold, humorless laugh.

“You think Pack Zane is still the mighty pack that once controlled the Icebound Mountain trade?”

Kieran frowned.

“We still have the old holdings. They should be bringing something in, shouldn’t they?”

“Something, sure,” she said, “but not enough to keep this estate running. Not enough to pay for your mother’s medicine, and the rare silvergrass she needs every single day. Not enough to feed every wolf here. Astra’s been using her dowry to keep the Pack afloat.”

Kieran's jaw tightened, stubborn.

“Lady Haliey, you don’t have to defend her. I know you all have your biases against Isla—”

He set the list down, disappointment shadowing his face.

“Fine. You don’t want to help, just say so. I’ll figure it out myself. The Elder Council gives rewards for battlefield merit.”

“Besides the coins,” Lady Haliey said suddenly, her voice laced with dry amusement, “shouldn’t these gifts also come from Astra’s stores?”

“Of course,” Lady Mora said smoothly, her wolf eyes narrowing with a smile. “It’s not like she minds. Right, Astra?”

I lifted my gaze slowly, letting it sweep over every face before landing squarely on Kieran.

“What do you think, Alpha Kieran?”

Using my dowry to buy gifts for his new mate—any Alpha with a shred of wolf pride should choke on the idea.

His throat bobbed, and I saw the flicker of unease in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but Lady Mora spoke first.

“Astra, it’s your choice. You’re his mate. His affairs are your affairs. You’re mates.”

I smiled then. But it didn’t reach my eyes.

“You’re right, Mother.” I looked at Kieran.

“If you’re willing to borrow from me, Alpha, I’ll be more than happy to lend.”