Page 46 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

I fumble for it in my pocket. Pulling it out to find a very familiar name flashing through the screen.

Damon.

My throat tightens. I feel Lucien stiffen beside me, his gaze darkening as he catches a glimpse of the name flashing across my screen.

I hesitate for a beat too long, and Lucien exhales sharply. "Don't take it."

I look at him to find his eyes on me, pleading, and then back at the screen, my finger hovering over the button.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Lucien

The scent of vanilla and lingering traces of Aurora's perfume cling to the air as I sit behind my desk, fingers pressed against my temple.

Selene is seated across from me, her eyes scanning the map in front of her and making out territories that've been attacked by Silver Pack and weak spots."These bastards are making more progress than we think. They're taking over every little pack in their path and using their warriors to boost their numbers. We have to do something quickly."

"We're working on it," I reply, watching carefully as her eyes light up with rage.

"Working on it? At this point, I expect us to be executing, not working."My lips curl. "This is why you're not a warrior." I lean back into my chair, supporting my arms with the armrest. "Silver Pack is cunning and no doubt calculated. They're aware of the damage they've done, and right now, they're waiting for us to get emotional and make an uncalculated move."

"And you're not emotional about this? Need I remind you that you lost—"

"I'm well aware of what we've both lost to Silver Pack, Selene, but emotions don't make great war strategies. We're going to hit them once, and we're going for the jugular, but we won't be successful if we lead with anger."

She takes in a steadying breath, and her clenched fist on the table loosens. "So, what's the plan?""Liam and I are working on something, and we'll let you know as soon."

"I don't want you to let me know," she cuts. "I want to be a part of every step you make."

"Selene," I lower my voice, sending a pointed look at her abdomen. "That is hardly ideal for your situation."

Her pregnancy is only a few weeks old and has not started showing, but that doesn't mean her pup cannot be harmed.She scoffs. "This is exactly why I need it to happen soon. I need to rip off the head of my mate's murderer before this pregnancy starts to show and weakens me." Her voice drops to a defensive whisper. "I need to avenge his death. I need to look at my baby and let him know his father didn't die for nothing."

I nod in understanding. I can't imagine being asked to calm down should anything happen to Rora. I'd unleash hell on those responsible, and it would be carnage wherever I went.

Her eyes scan my features, resting briefly on my legs before coming back up. "You're not fully recovered, are you?"

"Selene—" my tone is low and with a very clear warning that seems to fly over her head.

"Dammit, Lucien, you can't lead a war like this.""Noted," I mutter, leaning back in my chair. My body still aches. The slow healing a constant reminder of what I've lost—what I gave up the night Aurora walked away.

Selene exhales, resting a hand on her stomach in an unconscious motion. "You should ask her," Selene says, watching me with measured patience. "You know as well as I do that restoring the mate bond would bring your wolf back."

I clench my jaw. "And what? Force her into something she doesn't want?"

"She's your mate, Lucien."

"She was my mate," I corrected bitterly. "I lost that right a long time ago."

Selene sighed, rubbing at her temple. "Yes, but now you need to regain it."

"I don't think my wolf went away because Selene left. He is punishing me for the way I treated her, and forcing the bond back won't cause him to return."

"Ain't you the noblest man in Blackwood," Selene teases, the corners of her lips slightly dipping before her expression gets serious. "I know you want this to work out between the both of you, but this isn't just about you. Your pack needs you. Your people need their alpha. They need to draw strength from their faith in you.""That's rich coming from a pack that challenged my position."She let out a soft sigh. "They love you, Lucien. They're just scared."

Her words carry a hint of vulnerability in them, and as I watch her return to rubbing her belly, I can tell it's the mother in her speaking."You'll make a wonderful mother, Selene." She tries to hide it, but the constant belly rubs are a sign of nervousness. She's scared about the future.

Things might not have worked out between us, but over the years, we've come to develop mutual respect for each other. If a word of affirmation is what she needs to get by, I'll be glad to offer one.

---