Chapter 177
Lily POV
The butler nodded, producing a leather-bound planner from seemingly nowhere. “Yes, miss. Beginning tomorrow, you’ll start taking classes and lessons to acquaint yourself with what it means to be Luna of the Royal Hunters pack p>
“Classes?” I repeated, feeling like a broken record. “What kind of classes? I also need to go back to school, I’ve missed a lot and I need to catch up before the semester exams comes up p>
“Pack history and traditions, diplomatic protocol, financial management, event planning, and social etiquette,” he rattled off efficiently. “Luna Helen has also arranged for lessons in self-defense, though given recent events, your Uncle Tobias has requested to oversee that area p>
My head was spinning. “I never agreed to any of this p>
“With respect, miss,” Mr. Sterling said gently, “Luna Helen felt it was necessary. The pack needs to see that you’re preparing to take on your role properly. It will help with the transition when Alpha Kai’s situation is resolved p>
When, not if. I appreciated his confidence, even if I didn’t share it entirely.
“And if I refuse?” I asked, though I suspected I already knew the answer.
“Then you would be going against Luna Helen’s direct instructions,” he replied diplomatically. “I’m sure you understand the delicate position that would put everyone in p>
I did understand. Luna Helen was trying to help in her own way, providing me with the tools I’d need to be an effective Luna while also keeping me busy and distracted from Kai’s absence. But the idea of being scheduled and managed like a child went against my independent nature.
Even back at Golden Moon, I had a lot of freedom.
“Fine,” I said, “What time do we start p>
“Seven AM sharp, before your classes at the regular school begins” Mr. Sterling replied, making a note in his planner. “Emma will wake you at six-thirty for breakfast.” Your first lesson is pack history with me p>
As I climbed the stairs to my luxurious bedroom, I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking into a beautiful cage. The accommodations were perfect, the staff was kind and professional, and Luna Helen’s intentions were good. But none of it changed the fact that I was being separated from my mate, managed like a child, and prepared for a role I’d never explicitly agreed to take on.
I paused at the top of the stairs, looking back at the staff who were already beginning to clear the dinner dishes. Outside, I could see Uncle Tobias settling into a chair on the porch, clearly planning to maintain his vigil all night.
Tomorrow I would start learning to be a Luna. Tonight, I would try to figure out how to maintain my sense of self in the process.
But first, I needed to find a way to communicate with Kai. Curse or no curse, scheduled lessons or not, I wasn’t going to let anyone—no matter how well-intentioned—decide the course of my life without my input.
As I closed the bedroom door behind me, I was already formulating plans. If Luna Helen wanted me to learn how to be a proper Luna, then I would learn. But I would do it on my own terms, and I would make sure Kai was involved in every decision that affected our future together.
The Shadow Council might be hunting me, the curse might be keeping us apart, and well-meaning family members might be trying to control my every move. But I was still me, and I wasn’t going down without a fight.
The next day, Emma had woken me at precisely six-thirty with a gentle knock and a cheerful “Good morning, Miss Lily!” Despite my exhaustion from a restless night, I’d allowed her to help me dress in what she called “appropriate attire for Luna lessons”—a navy blue blazer, crisp white blouse, and tailored slacks that felt more formal than anything I’d ever worn to a classroom.
Breakfast had been another serious business with Mrs. Patterson presenting a spread that could have fed a small army. I’d managed to eat half a croissant and drink some orange juice before Mr. Sterling announced that it was time for my lessons.
The morning lessons would span from 7am until 8:30 am. Then I would bath and dress up for my regular school.
I sat through an hour, thirty minutes, learning about dead Alpha of Royal Hunter’s pack, their wives, their children, even their mistress. By the time it was 8:30, I’ve met every member of Kai’s family but the dead and the living.
I barely had time to rest before Mr Sterling informed me that my transportation was ready.
Uncle Tobias said he would go with me but he would stay out of my sight and that I shouldn’t bother too much.
Now, as I sat in the back of a gleaming black Mercedes-Benz with tinted windows, I felt like I was suffocating under everyone’s expectations. The pack guard driving me—Marcel, according to his polite introduction—handled the luxury vehicle with practiced ease, but every turn reminded me how far I’d traveled from my simple life just days ago.
As we approached the university campus, just in time for the morning lectures. I watched students walking to class with backpacks and coffee cups, looking like normal people living normal lives. The contrast made my chest tight with longing for simplicity.
“Stop here,” I said suddenly as we reached the campus entrance.
Marcel glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Miss Lily, The main classroom is still several blocks away. Alpha’s instructions were to deliver you directly p>
“I need some air,” I interrupted, my voice firmer than I felt. “Please stop the car p>
He pulled over with obvious reluctance, and I could see him calculating whether refusing would be worth the potential consequences. The stares we were already attracting from passing students made my skin crawl. A luxury car with tinted windows screamed “look at me” in a way that made me deeply uncomfortable.
“Actually,” I said, making a split-second decision, “could you drive me to that coffee shop about six blocks from here? I’ll walk the rest of the way p>
“Miss Lily, I really should escort you to the classroom p>
“It’s not a request,” I said, channeling every bit of authority I’d learned from watching Kai interact with pack members. “Drive me to the coffee shop, and I’ll walk from there p>
Marcel’s shoulders tensed, but he nodded. “Yes, miss p>