Chapter 476
Chapter 476
3rd Person’s POV
“Your best friend is the Luna of Moonclaw now,” Damon said, though a flicker of guilt crossed his face as the words left his mouth.
He remembered all too well how often Ezra had reminded him not to let Tiara monopolize Lylah’s time whenever they met. “She isn’t yours alone anymore. Seeing that she’s safe should be enough.
Tiara immediately narrowed her eyes.
“Of course it isn’t enough. Lylah was here all by herself, dealing with all of this alone. Now that we’re finally here, why would I leave right away?” She folded her arms across her chest. “And it’s been forever since we’ve spent any real time together. She needs me p>
Damon released a long sigh.
His wolf, exhausted from the chaos of the last two days, seemed just as resigned.
“She doesn’t. She has her mate p>
The moment the words fell between them, something inside Tiara twisted.
A sharp, unexpected sting.
Damon appeared to regret saying it almost immediately.
Still, he continued. “Think about how Alpha Ezra was yesterday.” His expression grew serious.
“The only thing keeping him sane was meeting his Luna. And we promised we’d give them space once they reunited. If you really care about your best friend, then let her have this time with him p>
Tiara opened her mouth to argue.
Then she paused.
Because she knew he was right. Lylah and Ezra had spent days apart from each other. Days filled with fear. uncertainty, and worry.
The last thing she wanted was to intrude on that.
“Fine p>
The reluctant sigh that escaped her carried enough disappointment to make Damon hide a smile.
Earlier, their arrival had drawn considerable attention from the volunteers. Many had discreetly glanced toward Tiara’s stomach, as though confirming for themselves that the stories were true.
Now, as she climbed into the vehicle, Tiara made no effort to conceal the subtle curve beneath her dress.
The future heir of Moonclaw’s Beta line was no longer a secret.
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Damon settled into the driver’s seat.
“I already sent word to Lord Vargan,” Damon said as the engine rumbled to life. “By now, everyone in Moonclaw knows Alpha Ezra and Luna Lylah are safe. There’s no reason for us to rush back tonight
Tiara rolled her eyes.
Ignoring her, Damon guided the vehicle onto the narrow road leading away from the volunteer camp.
The mountains loomed around them. Silver moonlight spilled across the forests of Lunera.
The wilderness felt ancient. Even from inside the car, their wolf could sense it.
The scents carried by the wind were unfamiliar. Wild animals. Pine trees, cold stone, countless creatures moving beneath the cover of darkness. Far different from the refined streets of Lunaris.
Far different from Moonclaw.
Tiara lowered the window slightly and inhaled.
A smile appeared.
“Do you know Damon? I missed this.” Her hand rested protectively over her stomach. “After being trapped inside your family’s estate because everyone is terrified I’ll trip over a pebble and somehow endanger this baby, I want to enjoy being outside p>
A mischievous sparkle entered her eyes as she glanced at him.
“And now you’re responsible for taking me wherever I want p>
Damon groaned.
The sound was dramatic enough that Tiara immediately laughed.
“Where do you want to go p>
“There are plenty of nice jazz bars in Lunaris. We can stop by one of them,” Tiara said without hesitation. Then she frowned at the speedometer. “Damon, you’re driving way too slowly! Can you pick up the pace p>
Damon had just begun softening toward her request when irritation flared again at her behavior.
Yet as the vehicle continued down the quiet roads of Lunera, he noticed something unusual.
Tiara’s gaze kept drifting toward the darkness beyond the windows.
The empty mountain roads. The towering pine forests bathed in silver moonlight. The endless shadows stretch between the trees.
A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“What’s wrong, Tiara Ashcroft?” he drawled.
Tiara immediately shot him a suspicious look.
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15:58 Sat,
Damon chuckled. “Are you afraid of darkness now p>
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The Betrayed frincess Rising