Page 15 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

The doorknob twists and Selene steps into the room, wearing a lace, flowy night dress and a soft smile. "I thought we agreed on no work in the bedroom," she purred, slowly approaching me.

I return her smile, closing the file on Aurora and shutting down the system before she gets close. "This one is time-sensitive and requires a little more attention. But I'm done now."

She takes the laptop from me and sets it on the nightstand. "Good, because I have some use for you."

She wastes no time getting in bed and straddling me, but I am quick to stop her before she slides off the thin straps of her night dress."I had a long day," I say through a tight smile. Selene is a beautiful woman, and the sight of her in this position should elicit a string of desires in any full-blood male, but I feel nothing, not even a spark. She dismisses my subtle rejection and proceeds to rock her hips back and forth on me. She gets no reaction. She releases a frustrated huff before sliding off me.

"It's been five Luc, five years of marriage and except the kiss at our mating ceremony and the few scattered around for public view, you've not touched me. I figured you might be dealing with the loss of your father and the situation with your wolf during the first year and didn't read much into your actions. I even extended the grace. But right now, if you can't stand me, why did you go ahead with this marriage?"

"Selene, I need more time. This thing with my wolf. I think it might've affected every part of me."

"Don't give that bullshit, Lucien, don't," she cuts me, her face the picture of frustration. "This is not about your wolf. it's about how you can't even get it up for me. There's no life down there, not even a twitch."

I hate when she gets like this, and we have these fights. Every part of our marriage is easy, and we've settled into some form of companionship. She takes care of some pack situations while I handle the business side of things and attend to the issues she can't.

After her display of bravery and leading the warriors to avenge my father's death, the pack members have come to develop solid faith in her and trust her to handle situations, giving me time to focus on other things.

Our relationship is comfortable, too. We have mutual respect for each other, have a few conversations, and share a few laughs. This is the only problematic side of things, and it's all my fault. I can't seem to find it in me to muster any form of desire for any woman since Aurora left. Even touching another woman feels like cheating. I just can't bring myself to do it.

Selene takes my hand, forcing my eyes on her. "We need an heir, Lucien." Her voice is softer. "The people are beginning to talk. They're asking if you're impotent or I am unable to carry a child. They're talking about the risks of having a leader without a way of sustaining his bloodline and how that exposes them to a power struggle after your demise. We both know what happens in times like that."

I understand what she is talking about. I have been met by a few people of influence to discuss my childlessness. Some offered to take me to a healer if there is need, and others highlighted the dangers of waiting. How important it is for me to have a child at an age where I can pass down my wisdom and experience to him like my father did and his father before him.

When it comes to raising a new heir, the training is a great exercise, but some things can only be passed from one alpha to another, and those are the important details.

I understand the risks, but it's not like I can tell her the situation. How am I to tell my mate that I can't touch her because I'm so committed to another woman that even in her absence, touching another would feel like cheating? How do I explain the state of my heart and how every inch of me calls out for another? I won't even be able to get it up if I try. It sucks to admit that, and it even sucks more that I had to find out too late. Aurora owns every inch of me. Even the breaths that I've drawn since the moment I realized she'd left me have been a silent plea for her return.

Running into her today worsened things by a great deal. Even the thought of a kiss with anyone left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

"I understand, Selene, and I'm trying. I'll see if I can pay the healers another visit to ascertain the situation and what to do about it. I just need more time. Also, none of this is your fault. You haven't done anything wrong." The lie slips out of my mouth smooth as butter, and I feel Selene relax.

I feel instant relief knowing the matter has been squashed for the time being, but with the relief comes the guilt. Selene deserves better. She was roped into this situation just like I was, but somehow, she has managed to handle it with grace and very few complaints.I don't know how long I can stretch my lie, but I hope it can hold till I figure out what to do with Aurora and the way forward. The Goddess just gave me a second chance, and I have no intention of letting it slip out of my hands again.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Aurora

Sitting at my desk, I grip my pen tighter, my knuckles white as I try to work on the numbers. I skim through the financial reports bulked in front of me, the numbers blur, and my brain refuses to focus on a thing.

Breathe. Just breathe. I take a slow breath, pushing away the restlessness that coils in my stomach.

I hear the faint sound of footsteps outside my office, and my mind drifts because I know who's coming.

It's impossible for me to ignore the weight of the situation. This project is a multi-million-dollar investment that will elevate my boss and the company. It is a perfect escape.

Despite expecting whoever it is, the knock on the door startles me. I exhale a deep breath I don't realize I'm holding. "Come in," I say, hoping my voice won't betray me.

The wooden door swings open, and the air from outside smashes against my face before I can even lift my head.

"Lucien," my heartbeat slams in my ears.

His presence sucks the oxygen out of the room as his scent fills my lungs, nearly choking me.

My fingers tighten, but I try to keep my expression straight. He stood straight on the other side of the desk, his arms crossed and eyes locked on mine.

His charcoal suit is designed to be perfect in every way. His sharp jaw grazes against his skin, and his lips form an intentional smile.

I fucking hate how he looks like a walking temptation.

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