The first breath Luciana took upon waking was different. Deeper. More aware. It didn't hurt. Not like before. The heat that had once consumed her from the inside seemed to have calmed, as if someone had soothed the fire with a single touch.
Her eyelids were heavy, but she managed to open her eyes with effort. The room was dim, lit only by an oil lamp in the corner. Everything seemed paused… except for her.
And him.
She saw him.
Sitting in the chair beside her bed, arms crossed over his chest, eyes fixed on her, as if he could see beyond her skin. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair slightly tousled, and golden eyes that didn't dim even in the darkness.
The energy shifted. The air vibrated. Her breathing turned uneven.
The scent returned.
That scent that had enveloped her in the garden, that had made her tremble inside. That heat that started in her belly and spread like fire. It was back.
Luciana gasped softly, pushing the sheet away clumsily. Her skin was damp. Her chest rose and fell with effort.
—Who are you…? —she asked in a hoarse voice, lifting her gaze—. Why… why do I feel like I know you?
The silence lasted a few seconds.
Then, he answered.
—Kilian Aurelian Luperca. King of the North. Alpha of my pack —he said in a deep voice—. And you… are my moon. My destined mate.
Luciana swallowed hard. The words struck deep. She knew them. She had read them. She had waited for them. But living them was something else entirely.
—How do you know?
—My wolf knew —he said without hesitation—. From the moment I sensed your presence. From the moment I caught your scent… I knew. There is no mistake. Once a wolf finds his moon, there's no turning back.
Luciana stayed silent, feeling the heat rise again beneath her skin.
—But… —Kilian's gaze sharpened, intense—. I need to know something. You're a princess of Normalia. And according to all records, the royal family is completely human.
The question hung in the air like a dagger.
Luciana looked at him. She could lie. She could improvise an excuse. But she knew he'd notice. His presence stripped her bare. Left her exposed.
So she chose a half-truth. With a trembling voice, feigning fear.
—My mother… —she whispered, lowering her gaze—. She wasn't part of the royal bloodline. She was a concubine. Just another woman in the emperor's court. She died giving birth to me. No one speaks of her.
Kilian said nothing at first.
But his eyes scanned her. Her breathing, the way her hands tensed. The slight tremble in her voice.
And her scent.
Sweet. Intense. Irresistible.
She was going into heat. His wolf knew it. And so did he.
Desire hit him hard. His body tensed, every muscle ready to mark her, to claim her as instinct demanded. But Kilian was not just a beast. He was a king. And he refused to take what wasn't freely given.
"Not yet. She doesn't understand. Not like this."
He inhaled deeply. Closed his eyes. Counted to ten.
Luciana noticed. The way he clenched his fists. How his pupils dilated. How his body seemed to resist itself.
And still, he didn't move closer.
—Is something wrong? —she asked quietly.
Kilian opened his eyes. They burned like restrained fire.
—What I feel right now is not easy to explain. You're awakening. Your blood, your inner she-wolf… is reacting to me, as mine is to you. And that… puts you in danger.
—Danger?
—If I don't control myself… if I don't step away —he stopped, jaw tight—. I could mark you before you understand what that means. And I won't do that. Not with you.
Luciana felt a shiver. It wasn't fear. It was desire. And something deeper.
—I'm not afraid of you —she said, barely audible.
—That's what worries me most.
Silence returned. Heavy. Electric.
Kilian stood. Imposing even in stillness. He took a step toward the door, then another, as if each one was a battle against himself.
—I'll call my physician —he said firmly—. He can help you understand what you're feeling. Then… we'll return to this conversation.
Luciana watched him. Every step was a struggle. His whole body seemed to beg him to stay.
Just before leaving, he turned to look at her again. His voice was barely a whisper, deep, full of longing he couldn't hide.
—At last I've found you, my moon.
And he left.
Luciana remained still, staring at the door.
The air still smelled of him. Of forest, of storm, of wolf. Of destiny.
She brought a hand to her chest. Her heart pounded like a drum.
It was real.
Not just the character from a book. Not just a distant king. He was her wolf. Her alpha.
And the way he looked at her… it wasn't like a stranger would.
It was like someone who had searched for a very long time… and had finally found what he was looking for.
She covered her face with both hands, trying to gather her thoughts.
But nothing would ever be the same again.
Not her body.
Not her future.
Not her story.