Page 29 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

She scoffs, "You want the truth?" Her voice is breaking, but she doesn't seem to care. "Ronan is the result of a one-night stand I had with some human after I left the pack!"

Her reply catches me off guard because this is miles away from what I was expecting to hear. A one-night stand? Really? A now familiar jealousy skitters down my spine once again, settling in the pit of my stomach, but I don't believe her. The Aurora I know is not one to hop into bed with just anyone.

"You? A one-night stand? We both know you're not one to move like that."

She let out a humorless chuckle. "Try being told you're not enough by your mate and his father offering you money to stay away and then you can come back and tell me what you think I am capable of and what I am and what I am not. It's been years, Lucien, and you know nothing of the woman I've become or the things I had to go through to become her."

Her eyes are dripping with so much anger and contempt I feel my heart sink with disappointment. Until now, I did not realize just how much I had wished him to be my son.Her hand wraps protectively around her small frame as she continues, "He's my son, mine! He's the reason I managed to get through all those years after your betrayal! So, don't come in here making silly assumptions, Lucien."

The pair of eyes that stare back at me are fierce, and for a moment, I feel the weight of her wrath. I stand there, unable to say anymore. It's a good thing she's not done speaking because I was completely blank.

"That, right there," she gestures towards an unsuspecting Damon and the boy who are laughing about something, "is the closest thing to family I have, and I will not let you destroy it." A single tear makes its way down her face, causing my heart to squeeze with pain.

Hearing her call them her family fills me with fresh rage. That should be us, not him, I think to myself. But this isn't the time to bring that up.Guilt washes over me, a sensation that I'm starting to get used to. I have no right to throw accusations like this at her, none whatsoever."Rora…I'm sorry. I just…." I trail off for a moment, "I need to know. You, of all people, should understand that."

The thought of having a son for a moment was satisfying, and having that taken away hurt me in a way. Despite the striking resemblance, he's not mine. Accepting that is the hard part because even though it was for only a second, the possibility of me being his father had filled me with an unusual hope.I wanted so desperately to bond with him and guide him through life's challenges, as my father never did for me. I wanted to raise him in ways I wasn't. And I can't deny the other side of me that glowed with the possibility of a life with Rora. A child would definitely tilt things in my favor.

"I don't need you to be sorry. I need you to leave us alone."I bite back on my bottom lip, "I can't do that, not when I just found you."

"I wasn't asking, Lucien. I am telling you. This has gone on far longer than it should. End it." She turns to leave just then but pauses after a few steps, spinning back as if suddenly remembering something important, "Also, stop following me!"Her words float about me, echoing with a finality that leaves little room for argument. I say nothing as I watch her walk away, a smile forming on her face as she bends to plant a kiss on her son's forehead.He smiles back at her, his eyes wandering in my direction briefly before he looks away. I watch, heart heavy, as I let myself wonder if this is the life we would've shared if I had just stood up for her.

I wait for them to be completely out of sight before I leave. There was no need to redo any of this unpleasantness.

Looking down at the leather strap watch on my wrist, I let out a small sigh. It's a little past noon, and if I'm going to make it to the meeting of pack elders, I better get going—now.

I settle into my car, slamming the doors a little louder than is necessary as I make the drive back to the pack.The drive back is silent as I am lost in thoughts, my mind still struggling to comprehend everything.I force the car to a halt once I arrive home, letting my gaze sweep the compound. There are a few cars around, clear evidence of the elder's presence.

I recline further in my seat, running my hand through my hair as I sigh. It's about to be an even longer day, I think to myself as I make to exit the car.

I breeze through the house, making my way into the large room we have always reserved for meetings like these. As my eyes scan the faces present, I notice almost everyone is seated.Sneaking a quick glance at my watch, I clear my throat, "Gentlemen, thank you for making it down here just in time."

Turning to Liam, who is seated to my right, I continue, "Any news so far?"

"Nothing substantial yet, but we all have our ears to the ground," he says almost instantly. There's something in his eyes that makes me doubt his reply, but I say nothing, not right now, at least.

I nod absently, my mind drifting to the last time we registered an attack from our enemies.

"If I may?" A voice says, and I turn, nodding in its direction, "Go on," I say, my sudden interest masking my previous distraction."Your mate, Selene," he pauses, as though the rest of the sentence would come to me by some sort of divine intervention.

I raise a brow, "What about her?"

He holds my gaze as he answers, "Even a child can sense the lack of chemistry between you two." A few men at the table grunt approvingly, their outbursts causing him to go on. "We're at war. This is the time to put up a united front, as we cannot afford to look weak in any way before our enemies.""Are you telling me how to run my home?" I shoot back, irritation evident in my voice.

"I'm merely saying a child will present a united front and hope of some sort to the pack. Five years without a child is not a good look, especially with the circumstances plaguing us.

Before I can respond, another man picks up from where he just left off. "In the last few weeks, we have suffered minor attacks, some of which might not seem as much, but we know what's coming." He pauses to look around briefly, as if seeking the approval of everyone present. "This is an obvious attempt of the Silver Pack to weaken us so they can pounce."I recline further into my seat, a budding headache pressing against my temples, "I'm already looking into it.""Fortifying our defenses has always been a priority. We'll see how much more we can do." Liam says, coming to my aid just in time.The first man shakes his head, "It's more than that." He looks up at me, and for a moment, I can tell I am not going to enjoy listening to his line of thoughts.

"We wonder if you're the right person to lead us, especially at a time of war like this." His gaze lowers to his open palm as though something interesting has just landed on it. "The strength of a pack lies in the abilities of their alpha. We cannot afford to be…"

"I assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about. Everything is in place to ensure the safety of the people, and so far, it seems to be working.""I have no doubt you have everything in place. Your father was one of the best alphas across the community, and I would expect he taught you all that is necessary." He takes a brief pause, his voice growing more suggestive. "Our interests lie in a slightly different topic."I already know what this is about. I have a good mind to shut it down at this point and dismiss the meeting, but that'll only encourage them to come stronger. So, I give him a gentle nod to go ahead. "Like I said," he continued. "Your father taught you a lot, hence our faith in you. The people are worried there's no one for you to pass on your knowledge to, hence the fear of an uncertain future."A few nods and grunts of approval follow his words, giving him the confidence to continue and the courage to grow bolder. I don't interrupt.

What's better than letting a snake grow to its full length before cutting it?

I pause to look around, "Thank you once again for coming, this session is dismissed."

"Simply put, we're wondering when you and the Luna will give us an heir."Silence washes over the room as all eyes turn to me, eager, anticipating, and waiting. I let a few minutes pass just in case someone feels extra passionate and has something new to add. "Is that all?" I ask when no one says anything.

A few murmurs scatter through the room before another man echos a "yes" to a different person supplying the answer. It was a collective decision. I tuck the observation into my pocket and return my attention to them.

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