Chapter 21
Roana’s keen intuition helps her read the tension between Cassian and Carolyn McKinney, Cassian’s childhood best friend and sister to his former fiancée, Veronica. Carolyn’s conflicted emotions—longing, love, and resentment—are clear as she silently challenges Cassian, who responds with controlled displeasure and a warning not to cross the line. Roana struggles to understand the complicated dynamics, especially when Carolyn insists that Roana prove her worth before having an exclusive Elite Servant, a challenge Roana accepts with a casual defiance.
The confrontation between Cassian and Carolyn is charged with unspoken history and unresolved feelings, as Carolyn pushes back against Roana’s growing influence. Despite Carolyn’s scorn, Roana remains unfazed and even hints at enlisting Carolyn’s help in the future. Cassian intervenes firmly, sending Carolyn away and asserting Roana’s position as Luna, though the tension between the three remains palpable.
Later, Roana reflects on the emotional turmoil stirred by the encounter, sharing a private moment of vulnerability with her inner voice, Rye, who warns her about repeating past mistakes involving love and trust. When Cassian questions her decision to accept the challenge related to Veronica, Roana confidently asserts her experience and readiness to face the upcoming trials, despite Cassian’s concerns about Veronica’s strength.
As night falls, Roana and Cassian share a quiet, intimate moment for the first time since Alexander, with Cassian insisting she sleep beside him as part of their agreement. Their exchange reveals a mix of teasing, guarded affection, and underlying exhaustion. Roana’s heart races with a mix of surprise and tension, knowing that tomorrow’s challenges will be difficult and that Carolyn will not easily give up her claim on Cassian’s heart. Yet, Roana resolves not to overthink the complicated emotions and conflicts ahead.
Chapter 21
Roana’s intuition, sharp and unfailing, never led her astray—especially when it came to reading a woman’s true feelings in front of someone she loved. Carolyn McKinney was no stranger; she was Cassian’s childhood best friend, a fact that immediately cleared up the confusion swirling in Roana’s mind about Carolyn’s earlier expression. There had been no flicker of revulsion in Carolyn’s eyes when she looked at Roana, no subtle curl of her lips questioning Roana’s worthiness. Instead, Carolyn’s tightened jaw, the quick dart of her gaze, and the faint tremble in her brows all spoke volumes—they were directed at Cassian, silently demanding answers.
Cassian’s reaction mirrored Carolyn’s silent interrogation perfectly. His shoulders tensed, eyes narrowing for just a fleeting moment before he masked his feelings once again. Roana already knew that the Lycan King despised being questioned or challenged, especially when it came to decisions he had made.
Yet Carolyn didn’t hesitate. She met his gaze boldly, her accusations hanging heavy in the air. Cassian’s lips pressed into a thin, controlled line, his voice laced with restrained displeasure, but he never let that sharp edge slip free. His silence, however, felt weightier than any words could have been.
What was the real story between them? Was this some kind of love triangle?
Carolyn was the sister of Cassian’s former fiancée, Veronica—the woman he had once loved. Her gaze held a complicated mix of emotions: longing, softness, and then a sudden sharpening again. She was clearly in love with Cassian, yet he had fallen for her sister. But then, why was she pushing Veronica to be his fiancée instead of claiming that place herself?
The swirl of thoughts made Roana’s temples throb painfully. She rubbed her forehead and muttered under her breath, “This is so complicated! My head’s about to explode!” She exhaled sharply, trying to clear her mind.
Carolyn’s sharp voice cut through the tension like a knife, her chin lifted defiantly, lips curled with scorn. “What’s so complicated about it? It’s simple—you’re not allowed to have an exclusive Elite Servant until you prove yourself worthy p>
Ah, so they were talking about servants. Roana felt a wave of boredom wash over her as the conversation dragged on. Carolyn’s eyes sparkled triumphantly, as if she had just thrown a verbal dagger, but Roana only yawned, stretching lazily before standing up.
“Do whatever you want, Miss Carolyn,” she said with a casual shrug. “I don’t need one right now—I’m still figuring out what kind of household I’m going to run. Besides—” she smiled slowly, deliberately, “I might just ask for your help next time, since you’ve been doing all the work anyway p>
Carolyn’s cheeks flamed a deep crimson, her throat bobbing as if swallowing back the sting of humiliation. Her fingers clenched into tight fists at her sides. Roana hadn’t meant to humiliate her—it was just painful to be stripped of a position you once held.
Cassian’s jaw flexed before he spoke in a low, measured voice. “It’s getting late. Carolyn, go to your chamber. Whatever deal you made with my Queen doesn’t change the fact that she is already the Luna.” His grip tightened on Roana’s wrist—rough but controlled—as he pulled her toward the staircase.
“Your Majesty! You can’t just—!” Carolyn’s voice cracked, her eyes glistening with a fierce emotion she refused to show.
Cassian halted, his broad shoulders rigid, and his head turned slightly toward her. “Don’t push me, Carolyn. I hate when you cross the line.” The golden sparks in his eyes darkened dangerously.
Could anyone else feel the tension crackling between them? The air thickened, as if they were holding back something unspoken—like old lovers locked in a battle over wounds that refused to heal.
“Can you stop being weird right now? Rou!” Rye hissed inside Roana’s mind, punctuated by a wide yawn. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Her scoff echoed as Roana followed Cassian, who finally loosened his grip and released her wrist once they climbed higher.
“Being a romance detective does have its perks,” Roana murmured with a soft laugh, savoring the thought.
“And don’t forget—you’re literally Carolyn’s target. The love rival, dumbhead!” Rye sneered.
“So what? I’m only here temporarily. Besides, it’s her own fault for letting others claim her man. She doesn’t fight for him—it’s her stupidity!” Roana’s steps felt light, almost like a dance, as she savored the unfolding drama—who would win Cassian’s heart in the end: Carolyn or her sister?
“What if neither of them wins?” Rye’s calm voice stopped Roana mid-step.
“Stop it, Rye.” Roana’s voice dropped, a warning edge threading through her words. “You promised you wouldn’t do this again.” The smile vanished from her face, replaced by a hard line pressed tightly between her lips.
“I’m interested in my mate—” Rye began hesitantly, reluctant.
“The mate we’ll reject the moment he brings his woman home. Don’t make me relive the same mistakes you made before. You let me suffer through hell p>
“Do you blame me for the marriage’s failure?” Rye’s voice cracked, a raw wound exposed. Shock trembled in her tone.
Roana’s fingers curled tightly around the hem of her dress, knuckles whitening. “No. Loving him was my choice from the start. I was hopeful when you said that we p>
“I’m sorry,” Rye whispered, curling into herself like a wounded animal.
“No! It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have blamed you for confirming what I wanted to hear.” A heavy weight settled on Roana’s chest, the knot of distress tightening at her ribs.
“Are you coming in, Ms. Roana?” Cassian’s voice broke through, pulling her back. He stood with arms crossed, eyes narrowed in unreadable thought. His expression held a certain gravity, as if he had something important to say.
“I am,” she replied, lifting her chin as she stepped inside.
“Why did you tell her you’d take on the challenge? It’s unnecessary,” his tone was cold, clipped, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s, demanding an explanation.
Roana sank onto the couch, smoothing her dress in a futile attempt to calm her racing heart. “It’s necessary—for my dignity. Also, it’s fair, since I wanted to see if my lazy wolf is still weak or not p>
“I am not lazy, you bully!” Rye growled inside her chest.
Cassian’s voice softened, concern threading through it. “Still… it’s Veronica we’re talking about.” His brows furrowed, a crease forming between them. “Though she seems fragile, she’s well-trained and strong. Her father has been p>
“Veronica might be strong, Your Majesty,” Roana interrupted, tilting her head back against the cushion, letting her hair spill around her like a dark halo, “but I was a Luna for years and have trained many warriors. I’ll handle this p>
His jaw tightened. “How can you be so sure? You’ve never seen her fight. She’s strong p>
“We’ll see about that later. Goodnight, My King. It’s been an exhausting day.” She pulled a cushion over her face, muffling her voice but keeping it firm.
“Aren’t you going to share the bed with me?” His question came as he moved toward the closet, half-turned.
“Yeah, later. Right now, I just want to sleep.” Roana rolled onto her side, facing the backrest. A pang of worry slipped in—her phone wasn’t with her. Were her friends or her boss trying to reach her? The thought lingered briefly before fading into the background.
Sleep finally claimed her, dragging her under until she suddenly felt movement. Her eyes snapped open, breath catching as she realized Cassian’s arms had wrapped around her, his expression unreadable but his hold firm and steady. How could he carry her so effortlessly? How strong was he?
“You’re awake?” His voice was calm as he gently shifted her onto her side of the bed. “As part of our agreement, you must sleep in the bed.” He lay down beside her, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.
This arrogant man. Roana wanted to snap at him, maybe even hit him, but her body stilled when he smirked faintly and muttered, “Stop thinking about beating me p>
Her mouth fell open in shock, hand flying up to cover it. “How did you p>
“It’s written all over your face. Believe it or not, Ms. Roana, you’re so easy to read p>
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Easy to read? What a liar. She rolled her eyes and turned away, yet her heart pounded fiercely in her chest. This was the first time she would share a bed with another man since Alexander.
“Don’t block your scent, Ms. Roana,” he murmured softly, eyes already closed, voice quieter now, as if he hadn’t truly slept in ages.
Obediently, she let her scent flow freely before closing her eyes. The exhaustion finally overwhelmed her. Today had drained her completely—too many confrontations, too many tangled thoughts.
Tomorrow’s looming deal cast a long shadow over her, and though she couldn’t explain why, something deep inside whispered that she had every reason to fear what was coming.
Carolyn certainly didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would back down easily. But in the end, Roana decided she wouldn’t waste her time overthinking it.
The chapter delicately captures the tangled emotions and unspoken tensions between Roana, Cassian, and Carolyn, weaving a complex web of past loves, rivalries, and loyalties. Roana’s keen intuition and candid reflections reveal her growing resilience and determination to navigate the challenges ahead, even as the weight of history and unspoken feelings threaten to overwhelm her. The subtle power plays and quiet confrontations serve as a reminder that love and duty often collide in unpredictable ways, leaving scars that are both visible and hidden.
As night falls and Roana finally surrenders to sleep beside Cassian, the fragile peace between them offers a momentary respite from the storm of emotions and expectations. Yet beneath the surface, the looming uncertainty of tomorrow’s deal and the unresolved conflicts with Carolyn hint at the trials yet to come. In this delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, Roana’s journey continues—marked by courage, complexity, and the faint hope that she can carve out her own path amidst the shadows of the past.
The next chapter promises to delve even deeper into the intricate web of emotions and loyalties binding Roana, Cassian, and Carolyn. As tensions simmer beneath the surface, the delicate balance of power and affection will be tested in unexpected ways. Roana’s resolve and strength will face new challenges, especially as the shadows of past relationships and unspoken desires threaten to unravel the fragile peace she’s striving to maintain.
Expect the dynamics between these characters to grow more complex, with alliances questioned and hidden motives coming to light. The emotional stakes will rise, revealing vulnerabilities that could either forge stronger bonds or ignite fierce rivalries. Amidst this turmoil, Roana’s own doubts and fears may surface, forcing her to confront not only external adversaries but also the uncertainties within her heart. The path ahead is uncertain, and every choice could tip the scales toward unforeseen consequences.
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.