Chapter 20
Returning to her new pack’s den, Cyrene barely crossed the threshold before her mother rushed forward. “My precious daughter! The guardians said you encountered a rogue wolf today. Are you
hurt?”
“Did he frighten you? Did he threaten you?”
injury. Only after confir
Her mother’s hands fluttered over her, checking for Cyrene’s safety did she relax. “Such danger, even in daylight! How dare a mad wolf approach you.”
fyrene felt warmth bloom in her chest watching this mother who loved her so completely. The Moon Goddess had indeed blessed her with a worthy pack – loving parents, two protective older brothers, and even her intended mate was a childhood friend, chosen by both packs.
Everything felt right.
Thinking of the interrupted meeting. Cyrene mentioned. “I missed meeting Theron today.”
“No worry,” her mother soothed. “I’ve invited his pack to share tonight’s hunt. You’ll see him then.”
Cyrene smiled. According to both the Moon Goddess and her mother, Theron was a worthy mate. This Trial seemed simpler indeed.
Meanwhile, Valdrin marshaled every resource to track Cyrene. Her father’s pack name came quickly.
“Why pursue the daughter of the River Valley Pack?” the former Alpha questioned.
Valdrin’s hand trembled over her image. “She’s Ravenna.”
Her father fell silent, fearing madness had taken him.
Three moons later, at the territory’s Grand Gathering, Cyrene appeared in ceremonial robes, Theron at her side. Their joint appearance confirmed the whispered pack alliance, drawing admiring glances from all present.
Only Valdrin lurked in the shadows, watching with clenched fists, refusing to believe this wasn’t his
mate.
He approached as Cyrene sought solitude from the gathering’s heat.
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed. A Soul Reborn
Here’s the continuation of their confrontation:
Gathering his composure, Valdrin approached with formal courtesy. “Lady Cyrene.”
She acknowledged him with a measured nod, the moonlight casting shadows across her face.
His eyes never left her. “You remind me of someone I knew.”
The night wind cleared the ceremony’s incense from her mind. “Who?”
“My mate.”
Cyrene’s laugh held no warmth. Once, Valdrin had never publicly claimed Ravenna as his mate. His heart had belonged to Winter, his only desired partner. Now he proclaimed Ravenna as his true mate far too late.
“You must be mistaken,” she replied with careful politeness.
Instead of responding, Valdrin continued as if speaking to himself: “She loved me beyond measure.”
“I cannot imagine another soul loving me with such devotion. Yet at first, I cared nothing for her, taking her as mate only because she resembled the one I truly wanted.”
Cyrene’s throat tightened, the wind stinging her eyes.
Was this his attempt at redemption, this confession in the moonlight?
“But I learned too late,” his voice cracked with raw emotion, “that she had become everything to me.”
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Rebor
