Chapter 4
True to his word, Lucien stayed at the Pack Medical Center for the next few days.
He appeared at the same time each morning, bringing her specially prepared bone broth, changing her bandages with careful precision, and silently holding her hand when pain jolted her awake in the darkness.
Once, this attention would have sent Mira’s heart soaring. Now, she observed his actions with detached emptiness, as if watching a stranger perform a duty.
That version of Mira Solvienne–the one who chased after him with relentless hope–was dead. In her place was a hollow shell watching the performance of someone fulfilling an obligation. Every gentle touch, every concerned glance, every moment of care wasn’t for her. It was all for Saela’s benefit. A show of responsibility to ease his guilt while protecting the woman he truly desired.
Six years of devotion, fed to the wolves in an instant.
On the day of her discharge, as they reached the parking area, Mira spotted Saela sitting in the passenger seat of
Lucien’s car.
When Saela saw her, she shot Mira a venomous glance, her face twisted with thinly veiled contempt.
Lucien’s brow furrowed. “Saela, have you forgotten our discussion?”
Only then did Saela bite her lip, eyes strategically welling with tears as she reluctantly spoke: “Luna, I’m sorry… I acted on impulse that night.”
“Since my brother took you as his mate, he’s barely acknowledged me for years. He’s given all his attention to you, which is why I got so angry… it won’t happen again.”
Lucien turned to Mira, his voice level. “Saela will be staying at our den for a few days. I expect you both to make
peace.”
During the drive home, Lucien and Saela sat in the front seats while Mira was relegated to the back–a metaphor for her position in this twisted triangle that wasn’t lost on her.
She leaned against the window, watching the territory blur past, a bitter smile playing on her lips. In her peripheral vision, she observed Lucien’s profile and the way his eyes kept drifting to Saela.
The great Alpha of Shadowpine, always composed and restrained, yet unable to keep his gaze from constantly seeking his sister.
Saela was scrolling through her phone when she suddenly giggled. “Luc, look at this wolf who messaged me. Hot, right? He wants to meet up at the full moon gathering.”
Lucien’s fingers immediately tightened around the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening. “Block him.”
“Seriously?” Saela pouted. “I’m not a pup anymore. Am I not allowed to find a mate of my own?”
No Longer a Stand–In for His Forbidden Love
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Chapter 4
“I said, block him.” His tone carried the Alpha command, barely restrained.
Saela made a face but obediently deleted the contact, muttering, “You’re worse than a possessive mate…”
Lucien said nothing, but Mira saw his jaw work silently. The jealousy radiated from him like heat from a flame.
How ironic. Six years together, and Mira had learned to read every micro–expression on his face–only to use that knowledge to witness his love for someone else.
Back at their den, Mira skipped dinner and retreated to her room, unable to stomach watching their domestic bliss.
Through the door, she heard their laughter, the clinking of dishes, and the intimate soundtrack of a movie playing in the background.
It was the warm, comfortable home life she’d begged for during two years of mating, now freely given to another
woman.
She curled under her covers, methodically extracting the silver blades of hope that had embedded themselves in her heart over the years. One by one, she pulled them out–each one bearing the name Lucien Ashmorne.
Hours later, thirst drove her from her bed.
As she opened her door, she froze in the threshold-
Moonlight cascaded through the windows, bathing the living room in silver. There knelt Lucien beside the couch, watching Saela sleep with an expression of such naked longing it made Mira’s breath catch.
He had always been untouchable, disciplined, beyond earthly desire. Yet now he gazed at his own goddess with undisguised worship.
Saela stirred in her sleep, unconsciously reaching for him, her arms looping around his neck. “Don’t abandon me again, Luc… you’re all I have…”
She pulled him down, their lips meeting by seeming accident-
Lucien’s pupils dilated, his breathing instantly fracturing.
For one suspended moment, Mira saw the internal war rage across his features–duty versus desire, restraint versus
need.
Then, like a dam finally giving way to impossible pressure, he surrendered. With a barely audible groan, he captured Saela’s lips in a desperate, hungry kiss.
There he was at last–the man who finally dared to embrace his true feelings. And once again, Mira stood witness to a heart that had never belonged to her.
Stand. In for His Forbidden Love
