Chapter 7 Chapter 7

THE ALLIANCE

TIANA’S POV

Sweetheart?!

The word tasted bitter on my tongue. He’d only used it once, and that's on the day he proposed. So don’t judge me for being worked up about it. I remember that moment like yesterday. The night he slipped the ring onto my finger, the same man who once swore he didn't want me.

For years, I was a fool. The girl who craved  someone that never wanted her back. His words used to cut me sharp—You’re not what I need. Don’t wait for me.

And yet, I still did. Goddess, I still did. Because some stubborn part of me believed that one day he’d see me.

And then, out of nowhere, he did. The memory burned like a tattoo, his hand trembling around mine, his eyes locked on me like he'd finally woken up.

“I was stupid,” he whispered, voice cracking. “Stupid for thinking I could live without you. But I can’t.”

I thought it was a trick. I thought I’d blink and find myself alone again, nursing a bruised heart. My throat tightened. My chest hurt, and I found it difficult to breathe.

To my surprise, he pulled out a little velvet box from his pocket, opened it and brought out a simple beautiful ring. There's nothing flashy, but it's worth more than anything.

“Please marry me,” he said.  Not as a demand, not as a command, but as a plea.

My knees almost gave out. All the nights I cried into my pillow, all the times I told myself I wasn’t enough, it all crashed into that moment.

I should’ve slapped him. I should’ve told him it was too late. But instead, I smiled like an idiot, tears streaking down my face as I choked out the only word that mattered.

"Yes."

For the first time ever, he kissed me like he actually wanted me. Not out of pity, not out of lust. But because he finally chose me. That's my fucking thought. But after everything that's happened, I doubt my belief in that.

I pulled away from his arms immediately, and turned my gaze to the elders with a fake smile before muttering a greeting. They answered reluctantly, glancing at each other as if seeking approval from themselves.

I walked across the room and dropped onto the couch opposite them, crossing my legs like I owned the place. If they were going to stare, let them choke on it.

“So...” I dragged the word out. “Sweetheart." Flashing Lucas a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

“To what do we owe this visit?”

“Oh honey.” He drew closer and kissed my cheek right in front of the elders.

I couldn't believe my eyes, but I forced myself to remain calm. Lucas sat beside me, his arm casually sliding around my waist like we were the Luna–Alpha power couple they prayed for.

I stiffened instantly, while my stomach twisted. Who the hell was this man? And what had he done with my actual mate?

“The elders wanted to tell us something,” Lucas said gently.

My mind began to run through every possible reason for his sudden shift. Was he drunk? Delirious? Had he mistaken me for that whore he sneaks off with? Or was this one of his weird "I’m sorry" without actually apologizing routines?

A tiny, traitorous part of me hoped any of those were true—well, maybe not the whore part, or the delusion part, or the anaemia theory I was desperately inventing.

The elders cleared their throats, drifting me off my thoughts.

“Luna,” Elder Malcolm began, voice thick with disdain, “we are here to discuss an alliance. Our pack cannot remain isolated. The world is changing, and stronger packs are watching.”

Alliance? I furrowed my brows and stared at them in shock and confusion.

Elder Thea chimed in, her eyes raking over me like I was some inconvenience stuck under her shoe.

“The Bloodfang Pack reached out. They are larger, wealthier, more established. Their Alpha offered protection and trade. But the treaty must be signed by both Alpha and Luna.”

Lucas leaned forward and whispered. “It’s a good opportunity, Tiana. Strengthening ties will protect our borders, secure resources, and ensure peace. We cannot ignore the offer.”

Peace. Resources. Protection. Blah, blah, blah. Goddess! I wanted to scream. The elders nodded like bobbleheads.

“But,” Malcolm added, “the Bloodfang Alpha is a man of expectations. If he senses weakness, he will withdraw. That is why both your signatures are required. The Luna’s role must be visible.”

Visible.

Such a polite way to say shut up, look pretty, and sign the damn paper.

I leaned back against the chair and crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes on the three of them. No single one of them could meet my gaze without twitching.

“So let me get this straight,” I began. "You want me to smile, nod, and scribble my name on a paper just to prove we are not a circus show?"

Everyone glanced at each other, and finally Elder Thea sniffed. “You exaggerate.”

“Oh, do I?” I tilted my head. “Because last I checked, half this pack won’t even look me in the eye, and the other half thinks I don’t deserve the Luna title. But suddenly my signature is golden?”

The room went quiet. Lucas’s hand tightened on my waist, warning me silently to shut up, but that only fueled my fire.

Elder Malcolm coughed, clearly irritated. “Regardless of personal feelings, the Alpha has spoken. This alliance is necessary. We need your cooperation, Luna.”

Cooperation.

I almost laughed.

Lucas jumped in, his voice soothing like honey. “Tiana, it’s not as complicated as you think. We sign, we move forward, the pack grows stronger. It’s what’s best for everyone.”

Best for everyone? I clenched my jaw and continued to watch them. The elders rambled on—trade routes, patrol exchanges, territory maps, hunting rights. Lucas nodded along like a perfect little Alpha puppet.

I couldn't utter a word anymore. I just sat there, feeling irritated, watching their lips move, trying to figure out if this was real or some fever dream.

Finally, Elder Malcolm slammed his palm lightly against his knee. “It is settled. The documents will arrive tomorrow. You will both sign, and we will deliver them.”

He stood up to leave, and the others joined him. Their eyes flicked toward me one last time, before they shuffled to the door.

"Thank you for your wisdom," Lucas said as he stood up as well. "I’ll see you out."

Just like that they left, leaving me alone with the silence in the room. Lucas returned a few minutes later. While he's closing the door, I folded my arms across my chest and fixed my eyes on him.

“So you called me back here, only because you wanted my signature?”

He turned to me slowly with a blank expression, unable to say a word.

“Answer me,” I yelled, raising my voice. "If that's what this is about. If you suddenly remembered I exist just to wave me around like your shiny Luna trophy, you’ve got another thing coming.”