My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 46

**In Fragile Moments We Discover Strength Hidden In Stillness by Tao Cole Rynn**

**Chapter 46**

Nicholas

As I navigate through the throng of alphas gathered at the lavish banquet, an instinctive awareness tingles at the back of my mind, alerting me to her presence. My lycan stirs within me, a restless energy bubbling to the surface at the thought of seeing his counterpart. When my gaze finally finds her, I feel the air leave my lungs, as if the very essence of life has been momentarily suspended. I yearn to rush to her, to close the distance that seems to stretch infinitely between us, but I know she must first greet my parents. My heart races as I anxiously observe their conversation, desperately waiting for the moment I can claim her as my own.

Before I can make my move, Daisy Khang sidles up to me, her presence an unwelcome interruption. It’s too late to sidestep her now.

“Good evening,” she chirps, her voice bright and cheerful. I offer a curt nod in response, my mind still focused on my mate.

“Aren’t you going to compliment how beautiful I look, Alpha?” she teases, a playful glint in her eyes.

“You look lovely, Daisy,” I reply, the words slipping from my lips almost mechanically. She beams at my hollow praise, her delight evident. It’s amusing how someone so intelligent can thrive on flattery like a child seeking approval.

“Thank you, your highness. You look handsome as always,” she retorts, her tone dripping with mock formality.

My attention drifts back to my parents and the Jones family. They are deep in conversation with Apphia, who, despite appearing a bit intimidated by the powerful alphas and the formidable witch among them, holds her ground admirably. She meets their gazes with a polite smile, her composure admirable.

*She is an alpha,* my lycan whispers, pride swelling in my chest.

*Indeed,* I respond silently, my focus unwavering.

Daisy continues to chatter about work, but her words fade into the background as my eyes are drawn back to my enchanting mate. She stands there, serene and captivating, like a stanza from a beautiful poem.

“I hear Maximus Jere has been causing trouble for the council again,” Daisy’s voice cuts through my reverie, pulling my attention back to her.

The mention of Maximus Jere snaps my focus to her. He is the young alpha from the islands of Royal City, a name that carries a weight of history and resentment.

His grandfather was a traitor during a pivotal moment in our realm’s past, leading to the banishment of his entire pack—a punishment that severed their ties and left them isolated. Years later, after the death of the traitor alpha, his son, Mateo Jere, began a campaign to restore his pack’s place in society, appealing to the council with desperate letters detailing their suffering from hunger and disease. He was persistent, rallying against the injustice of their collective punishment. Though he was not wrong, the scars of betrayal ran deep.

Eventually, Mateo Jere relinquished his position to his son, Maximus, five years ago. Maximus has worked tirelessly to rebuild his pack, leveraging their strategic location for trade and resources, achieving what his father could not. Yet, despite his efforts, some still view them as outcasts, remnants of a tainted legacy.

“He wrote to the Alpha Council association again,” Daisy informs me, irritation seeping into her tone.

“Why?” I inquire, my curiosity piqued. As a member of the Alpha Council, this news is surprising.

“He wants a seat on the council board,” she scoffs, disdain evident in her words.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify