When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58 Gratitude Is Not Desire

[XENA]

I return from breakfast feeling… light.

The sensation startles me enough that I pause just inside my new chamber, hand still on the door, as if the feeling might slip away if I move too quickly. Light is not something I’ve carried often in the last few years Not without it being followed by guilt, or fear, or the sharp reminder of where I stand in the world

Wolfless. Cursed. Defiled.

But this morning–this morning, I wasn’t pressed into silence. I wasn’t spoken over. I wasn’t measured up to the standards and expectations.

I sat at a table with royalty and didn’t feel small.

I sit on the edge of the feather bed now and try not to let it go to my head. I remind myself, firmly, why they were kind to me. Gratitude, first. And second-

Davina.

Davina will be Knox’s wife.

The thought leaves a bitter taste at the back of my tongue. I don’t know why it does. It shouldn’t matter to me. It changes a lot, but yes—he is a prince. She is beautiful, powerful, and wanted. That is the natural order of things.

Still.

Knox is… nice. Thoughtful. He listens. He asked me questions and waited for the answers. He notices. He saw how Cassian and his family treated me and he knew I wasn’t happy. I can’t imagine what he would’ve done if Dion hadn’t interrupted him.

All this to say… he should be marrying someone nice.

I catch myself thinking of his face a little too intently–the line ofhis mouth when he frowns, the way his eyes sharpen when he’s curious–and my breath goes uneven.

I shake my head hard, as if I can dislodge the thought.

He’s a prince. Of course, he’s handsome. Of course, he’s charming. Of course, he’s plainly attractive Whatever uneasiness I feel is only natural. It doesn’t mean anything more. Despite all he has done I can’t reciprocate it with anything other than gratitude.

I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve stopped pretending that I do. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the future favors those who prepare quietly.

I will turn whatever comes next in my favor. I have to. All this while, I’ve only endured. But not anymore.

Astrid returns not long after, slipping inside and closing the door behind her with more force than usual.

1/3

2:06 pm

Chapter 58 Gratitude Is Not Desire

“You’re being talked about,” she says without preamble.

I blink. “I am?”

Finished

“Yes,” she says, eyes bright with agitation. “In the hall. The women. Oriel spoke loudly about what the prince did for you, and now everyone knows.”

I sigh and lean back on my hands. “Astrid—”

“They’re jealous,” she presses. “I heard it. Whispers. Speculation. Some of them are convinced something is going on between you-”

‘They have no reason to be,” I interrupt gently. “I’m married.”

“That doesn’t seem to stop them.”

‘And the prince isn’t like that,” I add, more firmly than I expect. “He’s kind. And generous. Not… careless. He’s not a womaniser. And he certainly doesn’t want me.”

The words fall into the space between us. Astrid watches my face closely, head tilting.

I exhale and look away, suddenly too aware of how warm my cheeks feel.

A while passes. I sit with my severance book open on my lap, tracing familiar lines without truly reading hem, my thoughts drifting instead to Kasumi and what she might be doing now. Whether she’s safe. Whether she’s bored. Whether she misses me.

When I glance up, Astrid is pacing.

It’s not her usual restless movement. This is tighter. More contained.

‘What is it?” I ask.

She hesitates before answering, “My wolf has been restless.”

I straighten. “Restless?”

“For a while now,” she says. “Since before we arrived at the palace. I haven’t shifted.”

Something tightens in my chest. “I don’t know what that’s like,” I admit softly. “I only had two weeks with my wolf before-”

“I know,” Astrid says quickly. “I’ve heard. I’m sorry.”

I nod and drop my attention back to the book.

Astrid suddenly continues, “I’ve heard strange things. I mean–interesting things.”

I look at her.

“The prince,” she continues. “He’s a scholar, in his way. Of course he is–he’s moon–blessed. A Lycan. There’s no telling what he’s capable of.” She shrugs. “Most don’t let that shape their curiosity. But him? He studies. With the Guild scholars. He experiments. Those wolves. The pup you found is a part of his…

2/3

:06 pm

PM

Chapter 58 Gratitude Is Not Desire

study.”

My fingers curl slightly against the page.

0:30

Finished

‘Mistress Morrin used to tell me,” Astrid goes on. “About her visits. She praised Prince Knox constantly.” Her voice softens. “She believed there might be ways. Unorthodox ones. She was going to mention this to

you-”

My heart stutters.

Perhaps there’s a way to find your wolf again,” Astrid says carefully. “You know that’s not impossible, ight?”

shake my head. “It’s been years, Astrid. I know wolves return after trauma. But it happens in days. Weeks. Months. It doesn’t take years!” My voice wavers despite myself. “I felt-” I stop, swallowing hard. “I felt Vera being ripped out of me. She doesn’t exist anymore. Not somewhere she can return from.”

Astrid nods, accepting that pain without argument.

I know people speak of feeling their wolves,” I add, quieter now. “I haven’t felt her.”

The words almost lie in my mouth.

Because when I arrived at the palace, I did feel something. A presence. A pull. Like a wolf inside me that tirred and called–to Knox.

The thought embarrasses me enough that I press my lips together and say nothing.

nstead, I turn the conversation aside.

I could come with you to the forest,” I say. “You could shift. Let her run. Satisfy her.”

Astrid’s eyes light up.

I’m bored inside these walls anyway,” I add. “We can go tonight. With the Crown’s permission.”

“That’s perfect,” she says quickly. “The following days and nights are packed. With the Ascension pushed forward and the Luna Choosing brought ahead…” She grimaces. “We’re going to be amused out of our

minds.”

I smile faintly.

88