The mansion felt suffocating.
Not silent—no, it was never silent—but heavy. Like the walls themselves were watching, waiting… judging.
Khalil Jace Ashford paced relentlessly across the grand living room, his boots striking sharply against the polished marble floor. His hands were clenched into fists so tight his knuckles had turned white.
His mind was chaos.
Images. Memories. Obligation. Rage.
"Why her…" he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
A knock echoed through the room.
"Enter," he barked.
The door creaked open, and John stepped inside, posture straight but cautious.
"Alpha, you summoned me?"
KJ didn't stop moving.
"Yes. I want everything about her."
John blinked. "Everything… Alpha?"
KJ stopped abruptly.
Slowly… dangerously… he turned.
"From the moment she was born," he said, his voice low but deadly, "until this very second."
John hesitated. "Alpha, I just need to confirm—who exactly are you talking about—"
"DO YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT MYSELF?!"
The roar shook the room.
John flinched, lowering his head immediately. "No, Alpha. My apologies. I'll have it ready as soon as possible."
"Make it fast."
"Yes, Alpha."
And just like that, John was gone.
"Khalil Jace Ashford!"
The voice cut through the tension like a blade.
KJ closed his eyes briefly before turning around.
Xander stood there, tall and unyielding, arms folded across his chest.
"Control yourself," Xander said firmly.
KJ exhaled sharply. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Lucian added, stepping forward. "You've been on edge all day."
"Oh please," Mira chimed in, rolling her eyes. "He looks like he's about to murder someone."
KJ's jaw tightened.
"I said I'm fine," he repeated, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why is that so hard to understand?"
Meredith stepped forward gently, her expression soft but knowing.
"KJ… sometimes the biggest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves."
He didn't respond.
"The problem," she continued, "is that we don't know if you're lying to us… or to yourself."
That hit.
Harder than he expected.
Silence fell.
Then—
"So," Mira said, dragging out the word mischievously, "when are we meeting her?"
KJ blinked.
"Meeting who?" he asked slowly.
Mira grinned.
"Our future Luna, of course. Or should I say… your wife?"
Everything snapped.
"Mira…"
"Oh no," she laughed, already backing away. "That look means I should run—"
And she did.
"MIRA!" KJ roared, lunging forward.
She squealed, sprinting across the room.
"I SWEAR I'LL END YOU IF I CATCH YOU!"
"KJ, relax!" Lucian laughed, stepping in between them as Mira hid behind him.
"Move," KJ growled.
"No," Lucian said calmly. "She's right."
KJ stared at him in disbelief.
"You need to tell us what's going on," Lucian added. "You can't just drop something like this and expect us to stay quiet."
"And stop threatening my sister," he added with a smirk.
"She asked a 'genuine question,' remember?" Mira peeked out.
KJ dragged a hand down his face. "You're all unbelievable."
"Say that again," Xander said, already walking away, "because I'm not involved in whatever this is."
"Traitor," KJ muttered.
Meredith chuckled softly. "I'm on your side."
KJ smirked faintly. "Finally… someone with sense."
Mira gasped dramatically. "Wow. Betrayal."
Later That Night
"Good evening, Alpha."
KJ turned.
John stood at the entrance, holding a sealed envelope.
"It's done."
KJ's eyes darkened slightly. "Give it to me."
As he reached for it—
"What's in the envelope?" Lucian's voice interrupted as he walked in casually.
KJ shot him an annoyed look. "Do you ever knock?"
"No," Lucian replied simply, dropping onto the couch. "Now answer the question."
"Can you be quiet for once?" KJ snapped.
John grinned. "It's information about our future Luna… and KJ's soon-to-be wife."
Lucian leaned forward instantly. "Now this just got interesting."
KJ opened the envelope.
The moment he saw the photo…
His breath caught.
KJ's POV
It's her.
It has to be.
That same smile…
That same softness in her eyes…
"She hasn't changed…" I whispered.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
"She lost both her parents… on the same day…" I read quietly.
Lucian's expression shifted.
"And her grandmother…" I continued, my voice lowering.
Something twisted painfully in my chest.
"I shouldn't bring her into this," I said. "She doesn't belong in my world."
"And yet you're going to," Lucian pointed out.
I closed the file.
"I don't have a choice."
The words felt like chains.
"The Moon Goddess gave me two days."
Lucian stood up. "Two days?! That's insane!"
"I know."
"How are you even going to tell her?"
I looked toward the window, my reflection staring back at me—cold, ruthless, unrecognizable.
"I don't know," I admitted.
Luna's POV
I was finally at peace.
Curled up on the couch, completely lost in the movie.
"Tessa and Hardin are honestly the definition of complicated love," I murmured, smiling.
A knock sounded.
I ignored it.
"Jake," I called lazily, not even looking away from the screen, "your food is on the table. And stop staring at me like that—it's creepy."
Silence.
Then—
"Is that how you treat old friends?"
My heart stopped.
That voice…
Slowly… I turned.
And everything inside me shattered.
Khalil Jace Ashford.
Standing in my living room like he owned it.
"You…" I whispered.
"Why are you acting surprised?" he asked casually.
My shock turned into anger instantly.
"What are you doing in my house?!" I snapped, standing up. "No—actually, get out! I don't ever want to see you again!"
He smirked.
"First of all, Barbie… I don't take orders from you."
"I don't care!" I shot back. "Why are you here? To mock me? To remind me you fired me?!"
His expression hardened.
"No."
"Then what?!" I demanded.
He stepped closer.
Slow. Intentional.
Dangerous.
"I'm here," he said, his voice steady, "because I want to marry you."
Silence.
Then I laughed.
Not softly.
Not politely.
But bitterly.
"Are you insane?" I said, shaking my head. "Do I look like someone who would ever marry you?"
His eyes darkened.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Before I could react, his hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me closer.
Too close.
Our breaths mixed.
"Why should I marry you?" I challenged, glaring into his eyes. "Who do you think you are?!"
His lips curved into something cruel.
"Someone you can't refuse."
My stomach dropped.
"What does that even mean—"
He pulled out his phone.
Played a video.
And my world collapsed.
"No…" I whispered.
Jake. Irina. Kayla.
Tied. Helpless. Afraid.
Tears filled my eyes instantly.
"You…" my voice broke. "You did this…"
"Think carefully before you accuse me," he said coldly. "What matters is that they're alive… for now."
"You're a monster!"
"Maybe," he shrugged. "But I'm a monster who holds their lives in his hands."
I froze.
"I want you to listen carefully," he said, stepping closer again. "You will not tell anyone."
Tears streamed down my face.
"You will marry me tomorrow."
"No…" I whispered weakly.
"Yes," he said firmly.
I shook my head, backing away. "I can't… I won't…"
His grip tightened around my wrist.
"You don't have a choice."
My heart shattered into pieces.
"Pack your things."
I looked at him, broken.
"You're destroying my life…"
He didn't even flinch.
"I'm saving theirs."
I stood there, trembling.
Trapped.
Powerless.
With only one question echoing in my mind—
Do I lose myself… to save them?