The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Savannah clenched her lips, preparing to fight. This conversation was going from bad to worse.

“What kind of reaction do you expect to get for a claim like this?” She crossed her hands over her chest. The defensive movement came naturally to her, and Darius frowned, seeing this.

“I want you to go with me,” he said without breaking eye contact. Bjorn wasn’t lacking confidence.

“Now.”

“Go where exactly?” Savannah was slightly startled by his bluntness,

“To the real North.” He lifted his chin higher and took a step forward. Savannah decided not to budge and stayed in her place. Showing weakness now would have been a mistake,

“And this is… where again?” The woman looked at him questioningly.

“My castle,” he replied calmly. “The White Bear Clan territory. This is from where I am planning to rule the North and other kingdoms in the future.”

“Other kingdoms?” She shot her brow up. Now, this was getting interesting. “Are you even

serious?”

“I am deadly serious.” Not a muscle flinched on his face, and he took another step. “My family have been working for this for years. And we have never been closer.”

“You family?” Savvy decided to try and fish for more information while he was offering it so easily. “And here you gave me an orphan vibe.”

“I guess you can say that about me now.” The man chuckled. “I am one of the last ones left. But I will do anything to keep the family’s legacy.”

“How very noble of you,” she scoffed, still thinking of the best course of action. “I didn’t take you for a family man.”

“Family is of crucial importance to me.” Now Darius was almost next to her. “You will learn this over

time as you are going to be a part of it.”

Savannah was unimpressed with the statement. “Have you ever thought about maybe asking for my opinion first?”

“I am asking you to go with me now. Leave this place; forget about Kai and the stupid humiliating Luna Trials.” His jaw tensed as he took another step. The last one. Now she was finally within his reach, and they both knew that. “This is a one-time offer, Princess.”

“And if I say no?” She swallowed the lump that formed in her dry throat. Close, he was too close. What would you do then?”

“I would still make you mine,” he promised while his healthy eye darkened. “But it would be a less pleasant process for you. This is why I want you to think carefully now. It’s rare for me to give anyone a choice, but I would prefer us to have a good start even if the finale doesn’t change.”

“It doesn’t sound like a choice!” Her fists clenched. “It’s a threat!”

“It’s an offer,” Bjorn retorted. “I am offering you everything. I will throw the whole world at your feet. I will give you your mate’s head on a spike. Your every wish will be granted as long as you stay by my side.”

“Generous.” Savannah sighed, choosing her words cautiously. “You offer me Zack’s head? Isn’t he your best buddy? The last time we spoke, he even had sx on your command.”

“Command is the right word here.” Bjorn brushed his fingers over her arms gently as if he was

studying her skin, her reaction. For the first time, Sawy stepped back, and he scowled.

of them conspiring to do this to her made her livid.

“He was doing that on his own accord. As you know, I had no interest in you just until recently. Everything changed after I met you.”

“What did I do to deserve such an honour?” Savvy taunted, quirking her brow up.

“Come with me, and I will tell you.” The bear knew how to be stubborn; at this point, it was a game of wills.

Yet Savannah made her choice a while ago, and nothing could change her mind. She was in love.

Deeply, unreasonably and beyond retrieve. Even if the leaders of the white bears decided to kill her here and now after her words, she knew she wouldn’t humiliate her chosen mate by lying. She would die fighting if she had to

However, before that, she would first try to push the man in front of her off that ridiculously high bridge

He must have read it in her eyes as he glowered suspiciously, but then his gaze landed on something else, and Savannah felt him grasping her neck painfully and yanking her towards himself. The airflow was restricted now, but it wasn’t her main problem. The main problem was the power she felt vibrating from him. If he tightened his grip on her just slightly, he would snap her neck, and it would be the end of

her.

“What is this?” He growled as he pulled the zip of her front jacket down and tore the rest off her with his free hand, leaving her just in a black cropped top. She was terrified when his hand went to her chest, but then she saw him hooking the North Star necklace with his finger. “When did he give this to you?” Bjorn seemed furious, his eyes glowing red now. “When you disappeared with him for a few days and let him have his way with you?!”

“Why ask if you know the answer?” she sald, breathing rasp in her throat as he squeezed it tighter. Her vision started to darken, and she thought this was the end when he threw her to the ground.

Savannah gulped the air greedily, returning to her senses quickly. “Doesn’t matter!” Darius grunted as he circled her, looking down on her, yet stretching his hand as

another offering. “What is your answer? Come with me now and …”

“No!” She snarted, her voice hoarse, certainty still present in it.

Bjorn’s lips clenched tight, but other than that, nothing changed in his expression. Deep inside, he knew that this was how it would end. They both knew.