When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 The First Refusal

[XENA]

It doesn’t leave me.

What happened at the Bloodwake Hunt follows me like a scent I can’t scrub away. I feel it when I walk into the room. I see it in the way heads turn too quickly, then turn away. In the way people pretend not to stare, but fail.

They know my name now.

They knew it when Vera ran to me during the oath renewal. They know it because the prince knelt. Because he chose me–whatever that means. Because something that was never meant for me brushed too close, and now everyone resents me for it.

Oriel won’t shut up about it.

“If you ask me,” she says loudly, as we sit at the long table in the Great Hall, “it’s a disgrace. There were proper Lunas there. Bloodlines. Training. Power.” She flicks her gaze toward me. “And yet.”

Lady Mara hums in agreement, sipping her wine.

Davina isn’t here tonight, and for the first time, I wish she were. Her presence would at least redirect Oriel’s fixation. Without her, all that sharp attention lands on me instead.

Cassian sits beside me, rigid, his jaw tight. He hasn’t said much since the hunt, but I feel his irritation like a pressure against my skin.

Astrid is the only one who seems to notice.

She leans closer. “Ignore them,” she murmurs. “They’re jealous.”

I nod but don’t answer. My appetite is gone anyway. I keep my gaze on my plate, pushing food around more than eating.

Why did he pick me?

The question loops endlessly in my mind. Why couldn’t he have left me alone?

And yet there’s a part of me that doesn’t hate that he did. That he saw me. That he thought me worthy. even if it was only for a moment, even if it was only for gratitude.

We’re not alone for long.

A woman approaches our table, her posture upright, her expression polite but tight. A girl follows her- young, well–dressed, her eyes bright with ambition.

“Luna Xena,” the woman says, dipping her head. “May we join you?”

I straighten instinctively. Astrid stills beside me

“Of course,” I say.

They sit across from us. The woman introduces herself as Lady Elene of Greyfen pack, her daughter Liora beside her. I see the calculation in Elene’s eyes, the subtle press of her wolf’s presence–testing.

It doesn’t touch me.

I don’t have a wolf for her to intimidate.

Elene studies me, then smiles thinly. “You’ve… had quite a day.”

I nod. “It seems so.”

“My daughter is here for the Choosing,” she continues. “We were hoping to understand how things stand.”

I see it then, clearly. They’re not here to befriend me. They’re here to use me.

“I’m afraid I can’t help much,” I say carefully.

“But the prince seems comfortable with you,” Elene says lightly.

“I wouldn’t say that,” I reply. “I accidentally helped him. He returned the courtesy.”

ns forward, eager. “Your sister is in the Moon Guild, isn’t she? Davina? You must know what the ail.”

ore I can answe

“My Luna wo

His hand

But

And

speaks.

He frowns slightly. “Yes?”

‘And you don’t speak for me.”

Silence spreads, heavy and unmistakable.

Cassian looks at me as if I’ve struck him.

“That is not appropriate,” he snaps. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”

smile calmly. “No,” I say. “I’m correcting you.”

A sharp gasp breaks from behind me–Oriel, unable to help herself. Lady Elene looks too stunned to react. Mara is closing her fists, her jaw clenched.

‘I am Luna of Frostfang,” I continue, my voice carrying just enough. “By bond and by law. If I err, I’ll be corrected by the Guild or the Crown–not disciplined publicly to soothe your pride.”

Cassian’s face darkens, color rising fast.

I don’t wait for a response. I stand, smoothing my skirts, and incline my head to Lady Elene and her daughter. “If you’ll excuse me.”

I turn and walk away.

I’ve barely steadied my breath once I’m inside my chamber when there’s a knock.

I open the door to find the man from the lake… beta Iver? He’s standing in the corridor, hands clasped behind his back in a firm posture.

“Luna Xena,” he says, bowing slightly. “I’ve been instructed to escort you to new quarters.”

I blink. “New quarters?”

“Yes.” His gaze flicks upward, toward the higher levels of the palace. “In the Prince’s tower.”

My heart stutters.

“Effective immediately,” he adds.

A sigh escapes me as I look over my shoulder. “I’m afraid my other family members are still at the feast.” I mutter, trying not to think of what led to this change.

He shakes his head. “Not them. Just you.”