When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Of Blood, Bone, And Curses

[XENA]

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I’m curled on the floor, spine pressed against the bedframe, arms wrapped around the trembling weight in my lap. Vera whimpers against my chest, her tiny body shaking, but I hold her tighter, shielding her with everything I have left.

Blood trickles warm down my cheek. My ribs scream each time I breathe. Oriel’s kicks still echo through my bones, but I grit my teeth and refuse to let a sound escape me. I won’t give either of them the satisfaction.

“Cursed,” Lady Mara hisses, her voice shrill and triumphant. “You cursed creature. Bringing filth into this house–are you trying to doom the entire pack?”

She swings again. Pain explodes along my shoulder–the world blurs.

Oriel laughs delightfully and drives the heel of her boot into my side. “Look at her protecting it. She thinks she’s the Goddess’s gift.”

Vera lets out a tiny, frightened yelp.

My vision reddens. My arms tighten around her.

If they touch her again–if they so much as try–I will bite and tear and claw with whatever wolfless strength my body can still muster.

They don’t see Vera as a pup. They see a weapon they can legally destroy. And beating me in the process? A bonus.

I taste blood. My jaw must be split.

“Enough,” Mara snaps, sounding breathless herself. “Move your hands, Xena. Give it here.”

I curl further around the pup.

“Move-”

“What,” a deep voice cuts through the air, “is going on in here?”

It’s Cassian.

The room freezes.

Oriel yanks her foot back so fast she slides. Lady Mara straightens, smoothing her hair, wiping her fury off her face as though it’s dust she can simply brush away.

I blink slowly, breath shaking, still curled around Vera.

Cassian stands in the doorway, jaw tightened, eyes sweeping the scene with sharp, cold irritation–not concern. His gaze lands on me: bruised, bloody, trembling. He exhales through his nose, annoyed.

“Mother,” he says, “explain yourself.”

Mara rushes toward him as though she’s the wounded party. “Look at what she’s done! She’s brought a curse into this keep!”

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“And she stole a royal’s clothes,” Oriel adds quickly, thrusting the golden set into view.

“Stole?” Cassian repeats, the word edged with offense–not because he thinks I’m incapable of stealing, but because the pack is listening now. Pack members cluster in the doorway, whispering, eyes full of disdain. Not one looks at my bruises.

Only the scandal matters.

Cassian lifts his chin. “Why do you think so?”

Oriel blinks, “Because–well–surely we can’t afford-”

“I gifted it to her,” he lies smoothly.

I stiffen. Why? He never lies for me. Not even when silence would do. Then I see it–the eyes watching, evaluating, measuring whether their Alpha can provide. Cassian’s pride outweighs any truth.

Mara waves her daughter’s point away. “Forget the clothes. She brought a black–furred wolf with golden eyes into the keep.”

Cassian’s brows rise a fraction. “And?”

“It’s cursed!” she snaps.

Cassian rolls his eyes. “Where is it?”

He doesn’t believe in curses or even blessings for that matter. He’s too practical. Brutally so. A part of me- shameful, small–feels relief. I slowly sit up, my body screaming in protest, and reveal the pup.

Cassian looks down at her like one might look at a spilled cup of water–a nuisance to remove. “Take it,” he tells his beta.

The beta steps forward.

“No!” The word tears from my throat before I can stop it I pull Vera back against me, stumbling to my feet.

Cassian’s eyes narrow. The crowd murmurs.

I meet his gaze and force myself to soften, to bend him, and to plead. “Cassian….. please.” My voice shal but I push through it. “Have I ever asked you for anything? Please. Let me keep her until she’s stron enough to survive in the wild.”

He watches me, calculating, probably thinking of my threat of Severance. Of how fragile his illusion of a perfect marriage must appear to me.

“If Davina asked the same,” I dare myself to whisper, barely audible, “how would you respond?”

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His ja ticks Silence slashes the air. He turns to the cred. “Everyone out,” he commands. “Ewept Xena

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12:23 Thu, Jan 22 G

Chapter 18 of Blood, Bone, And Curses

“And she stole a royal’s clothes,” Oriel adds quickly, thrusting the golden set into view.

46%

Finished

“Stole?” Cassian repeats, the word edged with offense–not because he thinks I’m incapable of stealing, but because the pack is listening now. Pack members cluster in the doorway, whispering, eyes full of disdain. Not one looks at my bruises.

Only the scandal matters.

Cassian lifts his chin. “Why do you think so?”

Oriel blinks. “Because–well–surely we can’t afford-”

“I gifted it to her,” he lies smoothly.

I stiffen. Why? He never lies for me. Not even when silence would do. Then I see it–the eyes watching, evaluating, measuring whether their Alpha can provide. Cassian’s pride outweighs any truth.

Mara waves her daughter’s point away. “Forget the clothes. She brought a black–furred wolf with golden eyes into the keep.”

Cassian’s brows rise a fraction. “And?”

“It’s cursed!” she snaps.

Cassian rolls his eyes. “Where is it?”

He doesn’t believe in curses or even blessings for that matter. He’s too practical. Brutally so. A part of me- shameful, small–feels relief. I slowly sit up, my body screaming in protest, and reveal the pup.

Cassian looks down at her like one might look at a spilled cup of water–a nuisance to remove. “Take it,” he tells his beta.

The beta steps forward.

“No!” The word tears from my throat before I can stop it. I pull Vera back against me, stumbling to my feet.

Cassian’s eyes narrow. The crowd murmurs.

I meet his gaze and force myself to soften, to bend him, and to plead. “Cassian… please.” My voice shakes, but I push through it. “Have I ever asked you for anything? Please. Let me keep her until she’s strong enough to survive in the wild.”

He watches me, calculating, probably thinking of my threat of Severance. Of how fragile his illusion of a perfect marriage must appear to me.

“If Davina asked the same,” I dare myself to whisper, barely audible, “how would you respond?”

His jaw ticks. Silence slashes the air. He turns to the crowd. “Everyone out,” he commands. “Except Xena. Mother. Oriel.”

Pack members scatter.

When the room empties, he steps closer, voice low and dangerous. “Never question me like that again.”

My pulse stutters, but I hold his gaze, appearing grateful

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12:23 Thu, Jan 22 G D

Chapter 18 Of Blood, Bone, And Curses

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He looks at the pup once more and sighs. “Keep it, if you wish. I can’t deny my wife of something so simple. I’ll see what ‘curse‘ it brings me.” He turns to his mother. “Try to show some sense. And Oriel—if you want something of that quality, ask next time. Don’t imply your Alpha brother is too poor to provide it.”

He leaves without looking at me again.

The door clicks shut, and silence reigns momentarily.

Lady Mara spits at my feet. “You’re a shame to this family. How I wish you died that night.”

Oriel snickers. “Don’t worry, Mother. It won’t be long. Davina will fix everything. She’ll chase this pathetic creature out of here the second she returns. And finally, she’ll be with Cassian. As she was always meant to be. I’ll have her as my sister–in–law any day. She’s prettier, more intelligent, and a powerful wolf. Better in all ways. Xena, you’re shit compared to her.

Davina. Always Davina. Always the ghost I’m forced to bleed beneath.

I say nothing. Words only give them more to strike.

When they finally leave, the air deflates from my lungs.

A soft patter of footsteps fall on my ears, and Kasumi bursts in, eyes wide, filling with tears as she sees the bruises blooming across my body. “Luna,” she whispers voice breaking, “Goddess above… what have they done to you?”

I don’t answer her. I sink to the floor, Vera pressed against my heart, praying it doesn’t break open and spill everything I’ve been holding shut.

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