When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 26

When The Luna Broke Her Chains

Chapter 26 Fear Outpaces Ambition

Finished

At the first crack of dawn, Davina returns to the guest quarters before Trish stirs. She slips beneath the thin blanket, careful not to rustle it, not to draw attention to herself. Her pulse only slows when she hears Trish’s breathing remain even.

Still, Davina doesn’t sleep.

She turns onto her side and watches Trish from the corner of her eye, studying the rise and fall of her chest, the slackness of her mouth. A ridiculous thought needles her–what if she knows? What if she woke in the night and saw Davina’s bed empty? What if she followed?

Paranoia coils tight in her chest, and yet, Trish doesn’t move.

By the time the others wake, Davina has already dressed and composed herself. Her spine is straight, and her face is calm. Whatever happened last night stays buried beneath white and gold silk and discipline.

They pack quickly. Davina keeps her movements precise, measured, careful not to look restless. The others chatter softly about the road ahead, the temples they will stop at, the palace waiting for them.

A knock interrupts them. A beta stands outside the door, head bowed. “The Alpha requests your presence at breakfast.”

Davina’s fingers still. Breakfast.

She nods after a beat, masking the hesitation. “Of course.”

She leads her juniors down the corridor herself, every step controlled. Her gaze stays forward. She does not look toward Cassian’s chambers. She refuses to think of the way his hands felt on her skin. Of the way restraint dissolved between them like it had never existed.

Something about being here–about Xena’s words, about the healer’s image–like face–had ignited her anger. And anger had always fed her desire.

Last night, she let Cassian take control. That unsettles her now.

The dining chamber is already set when they arrive. Cassian sits at the head of the table, Lady Mara beside him, Oriel close at her shoulder. Davina lowers her gaze immediately, remembering where she was only

hours ago.

Xena is not there.

The absence pricks her. Davina hides it behind a pleasant smile and takes her place with the other Guild women. She is acutely aware of her role now–senior, disciplined, and watched.

She thanks Cassian politely for his hospitality, keeping her voice smooth. “We’ll be leaving shortly, Alpha Cassian. You’ve been most generous.”

Cassian’s gaze lingers on her longer than it should, making her skin tingle and her mind remember all the places his mouth had been. Then he says, casually, “I insist you stay another night.”

Davina feels the blood rush from her face. Across from her, Sora’s eyes widen. This is not allowed. Guild

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Chapter 26 Fear Outpaces Ambition

Finished

mages do not stay in Alpha keeps unless sanctioned–and even then, for not more than a night. They sleep in temples. In simple quarters. Always visible, and always accountable.

Cassian’s insistence is dangerous.

Davina clears her throat. “We can’t,” she says carefully. “Forgive us.”

Cassian smiles like it’s nothing. “One night.”

Irritation sparks sharp and hot in her veins. He’s going to ruin everything, she thinks. He doesn’t understand. Or worse–he doesn’t care. His lust is making him blind. But she’ll be damned before she lets herself risk it another night.

She forces herself to breathe. “Perhaps we can extend our stay for another one,” she says finally. “We can visit the temples around Frostfang. Pray for the pack’s prosperity. Heal the land wherever we sense rot.”

She feels the disapproval from her sisters like a pressure against her skin. She ignores it.

When they return to their assigned quarters, Davina’s composure finally fractures.

Chief Healer Morrin waits inside.

Davina knows her instantly. Cassian despises her. Says she’s difficult and observant. And impossible to control. The woman who watches Xena’s lunar stability too closely.

Davina bows, respectful despite herself. The woman in front of her has not even a speck of the moon’s gift in her veins, and yet Davina–considered one of the most gifted wolves of her generation–must show her

respect.

“I’d like to speak to you alone,” Morrin states.

Davina’s stomach drops. She turns to the others. “Leave us.”

The door shuts, the echoing sound grating on her nerves.

Morrin exhales slowly. “I’ll give you one chance to confess, Davina.”

Davina freezes immediately at her words.

“Whatever weighs on your heart,” Morrin continues. “Speak it. Honesty will lessen the punishnient”

Davina lifts her chin. “Are you accusing me of a sin, Chief Healer?”

Her voice is steady, but she knows of the sweat that beads at her temples.

Morrin doesn’t flinch. “You know your oath. And you know what breaking it means”

Davina’s pulse roars in her ears. “What are you implying?”

“A petition,” Morrin says simply. “To the Moon Guild.”

The word slams into Davina like a blow.

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Chapter 26 Fear Outpaces Ambition

“A petition?” she repeats. “On what grounds?”

“Celibacy,” Morrin says. “Broken.”

Finished

Davina’s temper flares. “How dare you accuse me? What proof do you have?” She stops herself too late. “Did you see me and Cass-”

Silence lingers in the room, louder than any thunder.

Morrin’s eyes sharpen. “So you understand exactly what I mean.”

Davina’s breath turns shallow, watching with angry tears in her eyes as Morrin turns toward the door. “Wait,” she snaps. “You have no evidence.”

“I can test you,” Morrin says without turning. “I have only recently restocked our herbs. I can do tests that reveal activity. As recent as last night.”

Cold dread floods her veins. “I refuse,” Davina says tightly. “I won’t submit to such humiliation.”

Morrin faces her fully now. “What humiliation is there in proving innocence?”

Davina looks away. “I refuse,” she repeats.

Morrin nods once. “Then the Guild will extract the truth themselves.” She pauses. “I pray you’re innocent, Davina. Because if you aren’t—this won’t doom only you.” She opens the door. “It will take the Alpha with you.”

The door closes softly behind her, no echo lasting this time.

Davina stands alone, heart hammering, certainty finally cracking.

For the first time since she took her oath, fear outweighs ambition.

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