A Warrior Luna's Awakening (Freya and Caelum) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Third Person’s POV

Victor’s voice cut like a blade in the quiet apartment.

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“The first time, it was at the Runestone Grounds lodge. The second, in Kade’s flat. Where will the next be, Lana? Perhaps… your own den?”

His words landed with the sharpness of an Alpha’s challenge.

Lana froze. Her pulse quickened, but she forced her tone to remain even. “Coincidence. That’s all it ever was. Nothing more. Surely you know that your nephew already has someone he cares about.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed, a glint of mockery flashing in their depths. “You mean Freya Thorne, don’t you? But men’s desire and men’s affection… are two very different things. He may not love you, but if you’re harboring thoughts you shouldn’t, it won’t take much for the wrong things to happen.”

The words struck deep. Lana’s breath caught, her mind unbiddenly summoning memories she had long buried. The night she overheard him. The cruel laughter. The way his friends had spoken, and how he had let them.

So, that was all she had ever been to him. A distraction. Something to burn away time and lust.

Her lips curved in a brittle smile. “Victor, are you simply judging me by your own measure? Because you, even without caring for me, could still take me to your bed. And so you think all men must be the same?”

For once, Victor faltered. He blinked, caught off guard. “What are you implying?”

“That Kade is nothing like his uncle,” Lana said sharply.

Victor’s eyes narrowed into slits, the lines of his face darkening with irritation. “You put such faith in him? Do you truly believe you understand the boy?”

“I don’t understand him deeply,” Lana admitted, meeting Victor’s gaze without flinching. “So I cannot say I trust him fully. But I trust Freya. Kade is her battle–brother, her friend, her confidant. A wolf who can bare his heart to Freya Thorne is not the kind to treat love like a game.”

Victor gave a short, bitter laugh. “Then tell me, on what grounds do you claim that I am the kind of man who can lie with someone I do not love?”

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10:03 Sat, Sep 20

Chapter 266

82

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Lana’s chest tightened, but her answer came swift and sharp, like the snap of a whip. “Has Victor Ashford grown so forgetful? Don’t you remember what you said in the private box that night, when your pack–brothers pressed you? Or must I remind you of your own words?”

His eyes darkened, predatory, wary. “What are you talking about?”

She lifted her chin. “You told them that I was nothing more than a way to kill time. A diversion. Not a mate. Not even a bond worth mentioning. And I heard it, Victor. Every word. So I left. I refused to remain your distraction.”

The silence that followed hit harder than any blow.

Victor’s body went rigid, his expression carved from stone. For a heartbeat, even his breath seemed to stop. Then he rasped, voice unsteady, “You… heard that?”

“Yes,” Lana said, her smile edged with self–mockery. “I heard it all. And I learned something important that day–that there are men who, even without love, will still claim a woman’s body. And I want no part of that again.”

“Yes,” she said simply. “I heard, and I walked away. Or would you have preferred I stayed–kept warming your bed, kept playing the convenient role of your fling?”

Meanwhile, in the heart of the Capital, Jocelyn Thorne arrived at the detention center. Her steps faltered as she crossed the cold stone threshold. She had only been back in the city for a handful of days, and already disaster had struck: Aurora, the Bluemoon Pack’s proud Beta- daughter, had been seized and thrown into a cell.

10:03 Sat, Sep 20

Her aunt and uncle were frantically searching for counsel, but the Capital’s Four Great Firms- each run by packs allied with the ruling Alphas–had closed their doors with chilling finality. No one would touch Aurora’s case. No one dared. The family had been forced to beg lawyers from Deepmoor and beyond.

The Bluemoon had already washed their hands of Aurora, severing ties as if she were a curse.

Only through tangled favors and pulled strings had Jocelyn managed to see her.

In the sterile meeting hall, Aurora’s eyes burned with fury, her nails clawing faint crescents into the table. “It’s Freya Thorne’s fault. If not for her, I wouldn’t be trapped here like this!”

Jocelyn hesitated. Her voice was quiet when she spoke. “The Thornes won’t intervene. My father has already said so. This matter touches blood and death. The Stormveil elders have forbidden involvement.”

Aurora’s expression didn’t even flicker, as if she’d expected this. “It doesn’t matter. I still have Caelum. He won’t abandon me. I carry his child now. He’ll be forced to protect me. I’ve already filed for release under the Lunar Severance Clause–pregnancy shields me. Soon, I’ll be free of this wretched place.”

Jocelyn’s eyes widened. “You’re pregnant?”

Aurora’s lips curved, her voice dripping with triumph. “Yes. This pup is my salvation. With it, Caelum Grafton is bound to me. He won’t cast me aside.” Her gaze sharpened, and she leaned closer. “And you, Jocelyn… if you value your position, you had better secure Silas Whitmor. Without him, you’ll find no place left in the Stormveil branch.”

Her words struck like iron. Jocelyn swallowed hard. Of course she understood. She had been standing on the margins of the family for too long. Without Silas’s strength, she would wither and be forgotten.

Leaving the detention center, Jocelyn’s thoughts swirled. Her cousin’s venom still clung to her ears, echoing truths she could not ignore.

A black vehicle slid to a halt before her, its polished surface gleaming like a predator’s hide. The door opened. Wren, the private aide of Silas Whitmor, stepped out. His voice was smooth, professional, but carried the unmistakable authority of his Alpha.

“Jocelyn Thorne. Silas requests your presence.”

The weight of destiny seemed to settle on her shoulders as she stared at the waiting car.

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