Chapter 30

Later that evening, as I was settling into bed with a book, a soft knock came at my door. I called for the visitor to enter, and Kieran stepped inside, his expression thoughtful.

"I wanted to apologize for my father's unexpected arrival," he said, moving to sit at the edge of my bed. "And for the awkward interruption earlier."

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "There's nothing to apologize for. Your father seems... nice. Not at all what I expected."

Kieran's brow furrowed slightly. "What did you expect?"

The question caught me off guard. I hesitated, unsure how to voice my assumptions without revealing my curiosity about his scars. "I don't know. Someone more... intimidating, I suppose. The way people speak of the previous Alpha King—"

"Ah," Kieran said, understanding dawning in his eyes. "You've heard the rumors that I forcibly took the throne from him."

I looked down, embarrassed. "Something like that."

He reached over, gently tilting my chin up until our eyes met. "Those rumors are just that—rumors. My father willingly abdicated his position when he felt I was ready. He's been my strongest supporter and closest advisor ever since."

Relief washed over me. "So you two aren't..." I trailed off.

"At odds?" Kieran finished, a soft laugh escaping him. "Far from it. He's the person I trust most in this world." His expression grew more serious. "I saw the way you looked at him—and at me. You've been wondering about these, haven't you?" He gestured to his torso, where I knew beneath his shirt lay the network of scars I'd glimpsed.

My cheeks heated. "I didn't want to pry."

"You thought he might have been responsible." It wasn't a question. Kieran's voice held no accusation, only a quiet understanding that made me feel even more ashamed of my assumptions.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Kieran shook his head. "Don't be. It's a reasonable conclusion, given the rumors you've heard." He took a deep breath. "The truth is far more complicated, and not a story for tonight. But I promise you this—my father is a good man. The best man I know. And he already thinks very highly of you."

Relief flooded through me. "Truly?"

"Truly," Kieran confirmed, his smile warm. "In fact, he spent half our meeting telling me how lucky I am to have found you." His eyes softened as they held mine. "He's right, you know."

Something warm and tender unfurled in my chest at his words. Before I could respond, Kieran leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Get some sleep," he murmured. "Tomorrow will be busy."

After he left, I lay awake for some time, thinking about the relationship between Kieran and his father. The genuine affection and respect they shared was unmistakable. How wrong I had been to imagine hostility between them. What other assumptions had I made that might be equally unfounded?

The next morning, I joined Damonander for breakfast on the terrace overlooking the gardens. True to his word, he regaled me with stories of Kieran's childhood—tales of a serious, responsible boy who nevertheless found himself in occasional mischief.

"He was always so determined," Damonander recalled fondly, his eyes distant with memory. "Whether it was mastering a fighting technique or memorizing pack laws, he never did anything by half measures."

"That sounds like the Kieran I know," I said, smiling over my coffee cup.

Damonander's expression grew more serious. "He's a good Alpha, you know. Better than I ever was. The pack has flourished under his leadership."

"You seem very proud of him," I observed.

"Immensely so," Damonander confirmed without hesitation. "Stepping down was the easiest decision I ever made. I knew the pack would be in better hands with him at the helm."

As we continued to talk, I found myself increasingly drawn to this gentle, wise man. It was clear where Kieran had inherited his strength of character and quiet dignity. By the time Kieran joined us, I felt as though I had gained not just a future father-in-law, but a friend.

The day passed quickly in preparations for the coronation. Madame Elise arrived for my first fitting, bringing with her lengths of shimmering silver-blue silk and delicate lace that would form my ceremonial gown. Damonander sat in on meetings between Kieran and various pack officials, occasionally offering advice that Kieran received with respectful attention.

That evening, as we finished dinner, Kieran rose from his seat with an apologetic look.

"I need to join the night patrol," he explained. "There have been reports of unusual activity near our eastern border."

Damonander nodded, his expression serious. "The reports I've been hearing from the other territories are concerning. Better to be vigilant."

"Will you be gone long?" I asked, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice.

Kieran's expression softened as he looked at me. "A few hours at most. Try to get some sleep—don't wait up."

After bidding goodnight to Damonander, I retreated to my room. Despite Kieran's suggestion, sleep eluded me. I had grown accustomed to his presence, to the sound of his breathing beside me, the warmth of his body near mine. Without him, the bed felt empty, the room too quiet.

After tossing and turning for over an hour, I gave up on sleep entirely. If I was to be Luna, I reasoned, I should take an interest in all aspects of pack life—including security patrols. Perhaps observing the night guards would give me better insight into this critical part of pack operations.