Chapter 25
In this chapter, Commander Keane unexpectedly arrives, handing the narrator her phone and addressing her formally as “Your Highness,” which draws a mocking reaction from Carolyn. Carolyn openly belittles the narrator, claiming she is unworthy of royal treatment since she hasn’t proven herself as Luna Queen. Keane sharply rebukes Carolyn, defending the narrator’s status as a respected Luna and the daughter of a respected Alpha, creating a tense confrontation. Carolyn’s facade cracks under the pressure, and she reacts with hostility and tears when Cassian enters the scene, his presence commanding immediate respect and shifting the atmosphere.
Cassian’s arrival brings a mix of authority and unexpected tenderness, as he chastises Carolyn but also comforts her when she breaks down. The narrator senses the complicated dynamics between the characters, especially noting Keane’s awkward and watchful demeanor. Despite the tension, the narrator tries to distance herself from the drama, focusing on mundane tasks like peeling eggs and planning to meet her horse, Candy. Keane follows her, teasing and questioning her in a surprisingly personal way, hinting at deeper feelings and concerns beneath his stern exterior.
The chapter ends with Cassian pulling the narrator to his office for a serious discussion. His mood is dark and intense, and he confronts her about her interactions with Keane, revealing jealousy and protectiveness. Their exchange exposes underlying tensions about loyalty, competition, and boundaries involving Carolyn. Cassian’s fierce outburst unsettles the narrator, but he quickly softens, apologizing for his harshness. The chapter closes with the narrator asking to leave, leaving the conflict unresolved but charged with emotional complexity.
Chapter 25
Roana,
“Commander Keane! I never expected you to come here. Did His Majesty send you?” Carolyn’s eyes flickered with a false warmth as she observed him handing me my phone. Yet, beneath that forced smile, her gaze betrayed a sharp edge, revealing her true feelings.
“Yes,” he replied curtly, his voice cold and clipped. Then, his eyes shifted from me to the plate I was holding. “Why are you cooking, Your Highness p>
The way he addressed me as “Your Highness” made Carolyn snort quietly. Her lips twitched into a smirk, and she quickly stepped between us, straightening her back as if she owned the entire room.
“Since she hasn’t proven herself worthy of being the Queen of the ten Packs under His Majesty’s rule, she doesn’t deserve royal treatment,” Carolyn stated in a calm, almost rehearsed tone—like a newsreader delivering headlines. But beneath that smooth surface, her words dripped with venom.
She ended her statement with a proud chuckle, lifting her chin as if expecting Commander Keane to nod in agreement.
I watched her perform this act, batting her lashes and tilting her head in that familiar way she used on every man she encountered, while I continued peeling the eggs quietly. Yet, my grip wavered, nearly dropping the plate when Commander Keane’s voice dropped dangerously low.
“Are you serious right now p>
Carolyn’s brow furrowed, clearly caught off guard as she stepped back. “What p>
“Even if she hasn’t yet proven her worth as Luna Queen, she is the daughter of a respected Alpha. She has held the Luna title for five years and holds a higher status than you, Ms. Carolyn,” Keane said, his eyes burning with restrained fury, as if he wanted to scorch her on the spot. “Are you insulting a guest that His Majesty brought home?” He leaned in, his voice sharp enough to slice through the tension, eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam. “Are you showing our guest that His Majesty’s household lacks respect p>
Carolyn stumbled backward, almost stepping on my feet. Before she could collide with me, Keane’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist firmly and pulling me aside protectively.
I was too stunned to respond. The sound of Carolyn tripping over herself echoed through the room, followed by a sharp hiss.
“Ouch p>
Instinctively, I crouched to help, catching her wrist, but she jerked it away with a snap.
“Don’t touch me p>
A soft chuckle escaped me as I remained crouched, muttering, “Let me give you some advice: a silent dog is more dangerous than the one who barks.” I winked before rising to my feet again.
“Thank you, Commander Keane, for bringing them back! I really needed them,” Carolyn said, her voice laced with forced gratitude.
“No worries,” he replied stiffly, though a faint blush colored his cheeks. “But… don’t you remember me?” He pointed to himself.
I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “Have we met before?” I wondered. The only occasions I recalled being in such company were during Alpha summit meetings when I accompanied Alexander.
His face fell instantly; the light in his eyes dimmed, and his smile vanished as if I had struck him. The sudden change puzzled me—I truly didn’t remember him.
“It’s alright,” he said, forcing a smile. The room seemed to ripple with gasps as nearby servants exchanged curious glances. Their widened eyes spoke volumes—Keane’s smile was rare, a sight they weren’t accustomed to.
Carolyn, still on the floor, seethed silently. The sight of Keane smiling so naturally seemed to fuel a deeper fire within her.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension like a knife—sharp and cold.
“What’s happening here p>
Cassian’s voice silenced everyone immediately. Even Keane straightened, his face hardening. No matter how commanding Keane appeared, Cassian’s presence dominated the room.
His footsteps were heavy and measured, each one carrying undeniable authority. The atmosphere thickened as he entered, and the servants scattered like startled birds. Carolyn suddenly broke down, tears streaming—not the fake, manipulative kind, but raw, humiliated sobs. Her flawless mask shattered the moment Cassian appeared.
Cassian’s gaze immediately settled on her. For a fleeting second, I thought I saw a crack in his stone-cold expression, but it vanished so quickly I wondered if I’d imagined it.
“What are you doing, Ms. Carolyn?” His voice was cold, yet his body leaned forward, steadying her with a firm hand.
My brows knit together. His tone and posture shifted the instant he touched her.
“Can’t you just stay out of trouble? Always caught up in some kind of war. Maybe I should send you to one of the borderlines to handle it!” His voice carried reprimand, but his arm reached out toward her.
I blinked in surprise when, instead of accepting his hand to stand, Carolyn wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against him, sobbing.
Cassian’s expression softened, if only slightly, and no one in the room seemed fazed by her boldness. It appeared everyone was used to such scenes.
But I caught Keane’s eyes flicking toward me. He stood rigid, jaw clenched, watching me with a strange, awkward expression, though he said nothing.
A tight knot formed in my chest. I didn’t want to linger any longer. Without a word, I gathered the eggs and started toward the kitchen door.
“Your Highness!” Keane called quietly, following me. “Where are you going? They’re best friends. Carolyn is a bit spoiled by p>
I turned to him, stuffing an egg into my mouth. “I don’t care,” I mumbled through the food, waving him off dismissively.
He looked stunned, as if seeing me eat breakfast amid chaos threw him completely off balance.
“Aren’t you jealous your mate is hugging another woman?” His voice lowered, cautious.
“Jealous? What am I, a child?” I laughed lightly, cracking open a can of orange soda. “Besides, if they were a thing, they had five years to make it official p>
His eyes widened at my bluntness, but I noticed the tension in his shoulders ease.
“What will you do now?” he asked softly.
“I’ll meet my baby. Maybe wander the woods a bit. Do you know any good places where I can take her?” I smiled.
“You mean your horse?” His eyebrows drew together.
“Yeah. Her name’s Candy. My daughter!” I grinned, shoving half an egg into my mouth.
For the first time, Keane chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Sure. If you let me lead the way p>
“I don’t mind. The more, the merrier!” I tied my hair into a messy bun, carefree and relaxed.
“Where are you going?” Cassian’s voice cut through again, sharper this time.
Keane flinched. I turned, unfazed, and saw him standing at the doorway with Carolyn clutching his arm as if she belonged there. The intimacy was impossible to ignore.
“In the woods. Want to join?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
“No! You’re coming with me to my office. I have something to discuss p>
“At this hour?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. Come with me.” Before I could respond, his hand closed around my wrist. Carolyn tried to hold onto him, but he shook her off, pulling me firmly toward his chamber.
The heat of his grip burned my skin—too tight, unyielding. I hissed quietly, but he didn’t loosen. Of course he noticed, but he didn’t care. Jerk.
By the time we reached his private chamber, the sour, heavy scent of his mood hung thick in the air. He was upset. But why? Because his best friend cried?
The door slammed behind us. He finally released me, turning with eyes glowing red, his voice sharp.
“What were you doing with my left hand p>
The question struck like an accusation.
“What do you mean?” I blinked, caught off guard. “I asked him to show me places where I could take Candy riding p>
“Are you sure?” His tone was cutting, suspicious.
“What are you implying, Your Majesty? That I was plotting something else with your left hand?” I rolled my eyes.
“I didn’t say that. But I can’t ignore the possibility that you want some gene to have your kids and p>
“You’re not making any sense. Why would I get pregnant now when I just signed a contract with you p>
He said nothing at first. Instead, he leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his arms tightly.
“I want you to win the challenge against Veronica p>
“I will. I already told you—I don’t like to lose p>
“But I also want you to stay away from Carolyn. I don’t want her to get hurt. And I don’t want her to hurt you either. You are my guest and my Luna p>
“Well, I don’t know about Carolyn. She clearly dislikes me and always tries p>
“Don’t you dare talk about her like that!” His sudden roar cut me off, thunderous and fierce.
My eyes widened, and my wolf Rye whimpered in fear. I stepped back instinctively, feeling as though he had shaken my entire soul.
The fire in his eyes dimmed when he saw my reaction. His jaw clenched, and his voice softened.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to p>
“It’s fine,” I forced the words out, clutching the hem of my dress to steady my trembling hands. “If you don’t mind, may I leave now p>
The chapter delicately unravels the complex emotions and power dynamics that ripple beneath the surface of the characters’ interactions. The tension between loyalty, authority, and personal boundaries is palpable, as each character wrestles with their own vulnerabilities and unspoken desires. Amidst the sharp words and icy stares, moments of genuine connection and vulnerability emerge, revealing the fragile threads that hold their relationships together. The protagonist’s quiet strength and resilience shine through, even as she navigates the storm of conflicting loyalties and simmering tensions around her.
Ultimately, this chapter captures a poignant moment of emotional reckoning, where pride and affection collide, and the characters are forced to confront the limits of trust and control. The delicate balance of power, respect, and intimacy is tested, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension and anticipation. Yet, beneath the surface, there is a quiet hope for understanding and reconciliation, as the characters grapple with their fears and desires in the shadow of duty and expectation.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and shifting alliances that have been simmering beneath the surface. The tension between the protagonist and Cassian has reached a boiling point, and his fierce protectiveness hints at unresolved feelings and unspoken fears. Meanwhile, the fragile balance between Carolyn, Keane, and the others suggests that loyalties may be tested, and hidden motivations could come to light, complicating the already volatile dynamics within the household.
As the story moves forward, expect a closer look at the protagonist’s internal struggle as she navigates her place amid power plays and personal conflicts. The interplay between vulnerability and strength will be crucial, especially as she confronts Cassian’s intensity and the implications of their contract. With the woods and the mysterious Candy waiting in the wings, there’s a sense that moments of calm and clarity may be just as significant as the storm brewing indoors, setting the stage for revelations that could change everything.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.