When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The Year Of Chains

[XENA]

I barely sleep.

Every time I close my eyes, the same truth waits for me on the other side: I am glued to Cassian for another year. Bound by the Moonborne Gathering, required to appear at his side like a docile ornament while he parades himself as the perfect Alpha.

He doesn’t care where I go. He never has–not even yesterday when I disappeared and somehow arrived at Frostfang before him. But the second I spoke of separation–of leaving–he suddenly remembered I existed. Not because he wanted me or because he feared losing me. But because that could stain his reputation.

My body feels heavy when I force myself upright. Dawn barely touches the sky, but the disappointment pressing on my chest… it’s its own kind of darkness.

How far could I get if I ran? Separation is one thing, but if I disappeared, I don’t think Cassian will come looking for me. He could fake my death in a fire or another rogue attack.

But where will I go?

I bury my face in my palms. My thoughts spiral toward escape–toward the forest, the temple, anywhere- before a soft sound interrupts me.

A purr.

I turn, startled, and see a small lump climb onto the bed–black fur, golden eyes glowing like tiny embers.

The wolf pup.

“Vera-” The name leaves before I can stop it. My throat tightens. I shut my eyes.

Don’t get attached. Don’t be foolish.

No one wants this pup here. Not the keep. Not the healers. Not a pack that calls her cursed. Kasumi will keep her silence, but if anyone else sees her… they’ll kill her. Even now, when she is harmless and trembling.

I scoop her up quickly, holding her small warmth against my chest. She nuzzles into my palm as if she belongs there. Of course she does. Of course she would.

I carry her back to the little fortress I built last night–pillows stacked behind chests, cloaks piled into a makeshift nest, tapestries draped to hide her from sight. She circles once, settles, and presses her head into my hand.

“Stay right here,” I whisper, stroking between her ears. “Ill fetch you some milk and food, alright?”

I turn and freeze when I see Astrid standing in the doorway.

Her hands are wrapped around a bowl. My stomach sinks.

I breathe out slowly and nod once. Permission to enter.

Astrid steps inside. “Luna… this is your medicine. I gave it to your handmaid, Kasumi, but she said you refused to drink it anymore. It’s prescribed by Chief Healer Morrin. The Alpha himself ordered her-” She   falters when I raise a brow.

or so I heard.”

I look at the bowl. At the thick green slurry.

“How thoughtful,” I murmur. “Now tell me, Astrid–what is its purpose again? Remind me.”

Astrid shifts, eyes darting anywhere but my face. “To… stabilize your lunar energy.”

My gaze drops to the bowl, then lifts sharply to her. “Is i?” My voice is soft. “Astrid,” I continue, “you brought me the scroll that day. You knew what was written in it.”

Her lips part. She tries to speak, but I cut her off.

“My lunar energy is already stable. And you knew it. But you haven’t told Cassian that, have you?”

She shakes her head quickly. “Why would I? I’m only a healer–I have no reason to speak about that-”

“You’re also a liar,” I say flatly.

Davina will. Once she discovers how loved you are by Cassian.”

Astrid pales. I lean in closer.

“Tell me, Astrid… does he ever call you by her name? Accidentally.” I tilt my head. “In bed?”

Her breath hitches.

“You’re a mirror image of his fated mate. His true love… and you reek of him,” I say, voice turning cold. “Not even trying to hide his scent anymore. Is it on purpose? To rub it in my face?”

She shakes, stunned.

Something inside me bares its teeth. I don’t recognize myself–this sharp, cruel edge–but it’s been building for years. A lifetime of silence turning into a crack, then a break, then a flood.

“You’re nothing but a replacement for her.”

Astrid flinches. That tells me everything.

“You didn’t know?” My voice softens, almost pitying. “Cassian’s been waiting for Davina to come back. Two years left in the Guild. Then he’ll discard you. Flick you away like a crumb.”

Her eyes fill with tears.

“You and I are alike in our purpose,” I whisper. “Except I don’t give a damn about him anymore.” I lift her chin with one finger. “But you… you love him, don’t you?”

Her breath collapses into a sob.

“Oh, poor you,” I murmur. “Poor us. Both doomed. All because of Davina.” I release her and step back. “I don’t fault you for loving him. He’s charming. I loved him too.” The past tense slices through the space between us. “Before I learned the truth.”

My voice drops. “Learn it soon, Astrid. Before he breaks you so completely… you forget who you are.”