Chapter 24
Roana wakes up to find Cassian already gone, feeling the emptiness of the bed and the purposelessness of her mornings since leaving the Silverstone Wolf Pack. She reflects on her past life filled with meaning and contrasts it with her current hollow existence. Despite the luxurious surroundings of her new home, including a lavish bathroom, she feels disconnected and uncertain about her place there.
As Roana descends to the kitchen, she notices the servants’ stiff and cautious behavior toward her, highlighting her status as an outsider and the tension she faces as the King’s Luna. Carolyn, a woman in the household, openly challenges Roana, refusing to serve her breakfast and mocking her position. Roana remains calm and confident, confronting Carolyn’s hostility and asserting her right to be treated with respect despite not being officially recognized yet.
Roana prepares her own simple meal, ignoring the surprise and whispers of the kitchen staff. The arrival of Commander Keane, a high-ranking and respected figure, shifts the atmosphere. His presence signals something serious, and he brings Roana her belongings, including her phone and horse, which surprises the household and hints at the complex dynamics at play.
Commander Keane’s respectful demeanor contrasts with Carolyn’s hostility, and Roana quietly accepts the support while maintaining her composure. The chapter ends with the unspoken tension among the servants and the ongoing struggle for Roana’s acceptance as the King’s Luna, emphasizing the internal conflicts and challenges she faces within the household.
Chapter 24
Roana,
I woke to the unmistakable chill of an empty side of the bed. Cassian must have slipped away long before dawn. My hand instinctively reached out, gliding over the cool, vacant sheet, and a soft sigh escaped me. Stretching my arms overhead, I felt the familiar faint crackle of my joints loosening. Since leaving the Silverstone Wolf Pack, my mornings had lost their purpose. Back then, I would have been up well before sunrise, lacing my boots and heading out to the training grounds with Alexander, guiding the young wolves with purpose and pride.
Now, those mornings felt hollow, devoid of meaning.
“Yeah, because we’re unemployed now!” Rye’s sarcastic voice echoed in my mind, stretching herself exaggeratedly with a mocking yawn. Her biting tone grated on my nerves, testing my patience.
I rolled my eyes, though she couldn’t see me, and forced myself out of bed, dragging my feet toward the bathroom. As soon as I crossed the threshold, the sight struck me again—familiar yet surreal. My lips parted slightly, disbelief flickering within me despite having seen it just yesterday. The bathroom gleamed with pristine marble floors that caught the gentle morning light, polished glass surfaces reflecting golden fixtures that shimmered softly. A subtle scent of lavender lingered in the air, adding a delicate freshness. Every detail screamed luxury.
I wasn’t ashamed to admit it—the bathroom alone was larger than my entire old bedroom back in Silverstone. The thought made me chuckle bitterly, a quiet reminder of how far I’d come, or perhaps how far I’d drifted.
After freshening up, hunger gnawed at me, a low growl from my stomach reminding me it was time to eat. My belongings hadn’t arrived yet—especially my precious little Candy. Until that woman returned to knock on my door again, or until Veronica tried to hatch another scheme, I resolved to give my empty stomach the one thing it deserved: food.
Food was life.
Descending the stairs, I wore one of the new outfits Cassian had bought me yesterday. The air around me shifted subtly, though it wasn’t something visible—more a prickling sensation at the nape of my neck, a quiet warning I couldn’t ignore.
The servants stiffened as soon as they noticed me. Their shoulders tensed, eyes quickly dropping to the floor, avoiding my gaze as if my very presence scorched them. Their movements slowed, deliberate and cautious, as though they wished to disappear entirely.
I forced myself not to overthink their behavior. They didn’t know me. I was a stranger abruptly thrust into the role of their King’s Luna. Hesitation was expected.
But when I stepped into the kitchen, a voice cut through the silence—smooth, cold, and sharp as glass.
“They didn’t prepare breakfast for you p>
I turned slowly to find Carolyn standing in the dining room, arms crossed, her weight lazily resting on one leg. A smirk tugged at her lips, but her eyes were filled only with disdain.
“Since you aren’t officially the Luna,” she said, her tone dripping with venom, “no one here will serve you until you prove your worth.” She picked up a tangerine from the table, rolling it between her fingers before flicking it toward me.
I didn’t flinch. My hand shot up and caught it effortlessly. Peeling the bright skin with steady fingers, the sharp citrus scent filled the air.
“You mean, in this house, a guest isn’t even treated like a guest?” I asked calmly, amusement threading through my voice.
For the first time, her smirk wavered. She froze for a brief moment, throat bobbing as she cleared it quickly, trying to cover her slip. “You are not a guest,” she snapped, tightening her expression. “You haven’t earned that place p>
I laughed—a genuine, clear laugh that made a few nearby chefs glance nervously in my direction before quickly looking away. I strode past Carolyn into the kitchen, my footsteps echoing softly on the tiled floor. She followed, the sharp click of her heels betraying her irritation.
“I wonder what His Majesty will think about that,” I mused, my voice light but carrying across the room. The chefs stiffened, pretending to busy themselves with chopping and stirring.
“After all, he stayed by my side all night, let me rest on his chest, and even left me a small note saying he would return soon p>
Several chefs exchanged quick, wide-eyed glances. I caught their uneasy whispers beneath their breath but chose to ignore them.
“Does His Majesty usually share his room like this?” I asked louder, tilting my head toward Carolyn.
Her face flushed a deep, angry red. She slammed her palm down on the kitchen counter with a sharp crack that made a young maid flinch.
“His Majesty can’t sleep! He has insomnia. You lying bitch!” Her voice was shrill, trembling with rage as if my words had struck her physically.
Her claim stunned me. Insomnia? It didn’t add up. I had seen him sleep—twice now—once at the café, and again last night, deeply and soundly, like someone who hadn’t rested in years.
“Insomnia?” I whispered, frowning.
“Yes, you lying p>
“Don’t call me bitch.” My hand rose sharply, and the steel in my voice made the air grow taut. Her mouth snapped shut.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But he does not have insomnia. And even if he did, it wouldn’t stop him from being with me.” I stepped closer, my eyes darkening as I locked onto hers. “Besides, is this how you run this household? By treating people poorly just because you’ve decided they’re not good enough p>
Carolyn didn’t flinch. She held her ground, her face carefully composed. Her calmness was almost eerie, more threatening than her earlier outburst. People like her never revealed their true thoughts.
I had no patience left for her. Turning away, I opened the refrigerator and pulled out two eggs, a cucumber, some lettuce, and a few other simple ingredients. I placed them deliberately on the counter.
Carolyn stepped back, narrowing her eyes as if waiting for me to fail.
The knives clinked softly against the cutting board as I sliced the vegetables with practiced precision. The eggs boiled quietly in a pot nearby. The fresh scent of cucumber mingled with the earthy aroma of lettuce as I prepared a simple salad and a peanut butter sandwich.
The chefs exchanged surprised glances, whispers leaking out like steam, astonished I wasn’t relying on them.
Who cared? As long as I was fed, I was content.
Just then, footsteps echoed down the hall—heavy, firm, each step drawing closer. Carolyn snapped her head toward the sound, immediately straightening her posture. Her voice shifted, becoming light and sweet as she called out,
“Commander Keane! What are you doing here p>
The kitchen fell silent. Hands froze mid-motion, ladles hovering over pots.
“Commander Keane? He’s really here?” one whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.
“I can’t believe he came in person,” another murmured, clutching her apron nervously.
I raised an eyebrow, crunching on a slice of cucumber. “Why are you all so surprised p>
“Your Highness,” the head chef said cautiously, almost trembling, “you might not know this, but the Royal Elite Commanders don’t come here unless there’s an emergency. For Commander Keane to be here… something serious must have happened p>
Something serious? My stomach tightened with sudden worry. Had something happened to Cassian?
I shrugged inwardly, though my fingers gripped the bowl a little tighter. Not my concern yet.
The heavy footsteps grew louder until a tall figure filled the doorway. Carolyn’s voice sharpened again, this time demanding.
“I don’t understand, Commander Keane. Why would you come here, searching for her?” Her tone was calm but icy.
I turned, our gazes meeting.
He stood tall—six feet of rigid military discipline. His hazel eyes locked onto mine, sharp but flickering with a hint of confusion. His jaw tightened briefly before his brows furrowed.
“You are Roana Milestones, yes?” he asked, his voice polite but uncertain.
I nodded quietly, steady. “Yes, I am p>
Relief softened his features instantly. His shoulders relaxed, and his eyes scanned the room before settling back on me.
“All of your belongings are here. Including your horse. And here is your phone p>
A collective gasp rippled through the room. The servants subtly edged closer, their whispers buzzing like restless insects.
“Since when does Commander Keane act like an errand boy p>
“Why would he do that for her p>
Their disbelief hung thick in the air.
“Thank you,” I said softly, taking the phone and powering it on. My thumb brushed over the screen with a familiar tenderness I hadn’t realized I missed. Lowering my voice, I added, “Where is Candy p>
“She’s outside. You can see her anytime.” His tone was respectful, even kind. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to meet with His Majesty p>
“Of course. I appreciate it. Thank you again.” I nodded in acknowledgment.
Silence settled over the room, heavy with unspoken questions. All eyes lingered on me, then on him, then back again.
After all, they still struggled to accept that I was the Luna of their King—chosen by him. Fake or not, it was an internal battle.
And to serve me, their King might send people who were never meant to be here in the first place.
Roana’s journey through the cold morning light of the mansion reveals the fragile balance between her newfound status and the lingering doubts of those around her. Despite the luxury that surrounds her, the emptiness of her role and the cold reception she receives from the household staff underscore the emotional isolation she feels. Yet, her quiet strength and self-reliance shine through as she calmly asserts herself, refusing to be diminished by Carolyn’s venom or the skepticism of the kitchen staff. This chapter delicately explores themes of belonging, identity, and the struggle to claim one’s place in a world that is at once unfamiliar and daunting.
The arrival of Commander Keane and the delivery of Roana’s belongings symbolize a subtle shift, hinting at the unfolding complexities beneath the surface of court life. Though the whispers and glances betray the tension in the household, Roana’s composed acceptance of her role as Luna suggests a resilience that will carry her forward. The chapter closes with a quiet yet palpable sense of anticipation, as Roana stands poised between uncertainty and determination, ready to face the challenges of her new life with grace and courage.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics within the royal household, where loyalty and suspicion intertwine in a tense dance. Roana’s uneasy position as Luna is challenged not only by Carolyn’s thinly veiled hostility but also by the wary servants whose trust she has yet to earn. The arrival of Commander Keane hints at urgent matters stirring beneath the surface, suggesting that the calm façade of the palace may soon crack, revealing hidden tensions and secrets.
Emotionally, Roana’s journey will continue to test her resilience and sense of belonging. Her quiet determination to claim her place contrasts sharply with the cold resistance she faces, setting the stage for confrontations that could either forge alliances or deepen divides. The subtle hints about Cassian’s condition and the underlying unrest leave readers wondering how much of the truth Roana is ready to face—and what sacrifices she might have to make to protect those she cares about.
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.