And now, I’ve just arranged to spend my evenings alone with her, teaching her, watching her learn, being the one who puts that light in her eyes when understanding clicks.
I’m playing with fire. Courting disaster.
But gods, I can’t help myself.
I head back down the corridor, fully knowing I won’t be able to concentrate on those intelligence reports. Tomorrow evening can’t come fast enough.
I findmyself standing in Lucian’s study a few days later, having been summoned by the man.
He’s standing by the window, staring out at the courtyard below, when I enter. He doesn’t turn around, and the tension in his shoulders tells me this isn’t a casual get-together.
“I’ve spent the past two days trying to stop the Umbra Council from doing this,” he says without preamble.
I don’t need to ask what he means. The pressure to take a mate has been mounting since the Council’s last decree. More and more profiles are being sent to me, and I’ve begun to receive messages from fathers and uncles about arranging meetings. “I have no intentions of taking a mate. You know that they will either attempt to destroy my pack from the inside or act as a spy. My priority is my pack.”
“You shifted your priorities when you set foot in the capital, Kieran,” Lucian murmurs. “I am sorry that you are being dragged into this, but there is a limit to how much I can shield you without being accused of favoring your pack.” He finally turns to face me, his expression unreadable. “What about Daciana?”
The question hangs in the air between us. My jaw tightens, and I blink at him.
“She’s not someone I can consider,” I say finally.
Lucian’s eyes narrow. “It’s obvious you care for her, Kieran. I haven’t seen you interact with anyone the way you do with her.” He pauses, studying me carefully. “The way you’ve beenbehaving where she is concerned implies the fated mate bond. Though she hasn’t mentioned it to Astra, so I can’t be certain.”
My silence is not enough to end this topic of conversation.
“If you like her, you should pursue her,” Lucian says, his tone gentler now. “She’s loyal only to Astra. She has no family ties that will make her a liability to you—”
“Stop.” The word comes out sharp, laced with fury. “Daciana is not some bargaining chip you can simply throw at someone.”
“That’s not what I’m—”
“I will not be with her.” The words taste like poison, but I force them out anyway.
Lucian sighs, studying me for a long moment. “Fine. Then I guess I can give Leon the go-ahead.”
I involuntarily straighten to my full height. “The go-ahead to do what?”
“Leon is interested in pursuing Daciana,” Lucian says casually, but I can see the calculation in his eyes. “He asked for my permission because she is one of Astra’s guards.”
Fury floods through me. My wolf slams against my control, snarling, demanding I do something—anything—to stop this.
“Selene and Daciana are the closest people to Astra,” Lucian continues. “I’d prefer they be with men I can trust. I was just being courteous by asking you first, given your…connection.”
“No.”
Lucian tilts his head. “No, what?”
“Leon isn’t good enough for her.”
“Really?” Lucian’s voice goes cold. “Leon is one of the most capable men I know. If he’s not good enough for her, who is?”
The challenge in his tone makes me cross my arms over my chest. “Have you even considered Daciana’s feelings on the matter? She might not like him.”
“That’s what the courtship is for,” Lucian says smoothly. “He’ll pursue her, and if she likes him, she’ll agree. Nobody’sforcing her.” He pauses, then adds, “Besides, Astra thinks Daciana might be ready to settle down. She thinks her friend looks a little lonely.”
Something sharp and vicious tears through my chest. The thought of her lonely—of her seeking comfort in someone else’s arms because I’ve kept her at a distance—makes my wolf howl with outrage.
“I don’t agree with this,” I say, my voice low and dangerous.
