Chapter 2 She Cured My Insomnia

Lucian’s POV

As the heir of Moonveil Pack, I had never known peace. Long before I was officially Alpha, my father had handed me the reins—business expansions, political negotiations, even border disputes. He claimed it was to sharpen me, to forge me into steel. I accepted the weight without question. It was my duty.

But then came this absurd arranged marriage.

My grandfather made a contract with his old buddy, Alaric Nightshade, 18 years ago. A promise sealed before I was born. And now that promise had a name: Selene Nightshade of the Bloodfang Pack.

My supposed fiancée.

At the thought, my jaw tightened. The Moon Goddess selected the werewolf's destined spouses. That was fate, that was law. Yet my family thought they could shackle me to a stranger from the frozen north? Firstband, of all places? Ridiculous.

She had arrived earlier that day. My grandfather had called me repeatedly, ordering me to fetch her personally. I ignored him. I had no interest in meeting a girl forced into my life by old promises. Eventually, he sent a driver. Fine. Let her come. Three months, that was the deal. After that, I would send her back.

It was almost midnight when I eventually made it back to my house.Too many meetings,many signatures and many wolves vying for my attention had exhausted me. A few glasses of wine over dinner made my head heavy. My wolf, Dylan, rumbled for rest. I showered quickly, then dropped onto my bed.

The mattress welcomed me like a cloud. For once, maybe, I would sleep.

But then I froze.

My bed was already occupied by someone.

I could feel the slight warmth of a small, fragile body in the darkness. Slender arms encircled me before I could respond. A faint voice murmured in my ear, as soft as a memory.

“Leo, be good… it’s time to sleep.”

My whole body went rigid.

Who—?

But my chest hurt from the smell that wafted over me. Light, flowery, and powerfully undercut. My senses were wounded, and something deep within me was pulled.

Dylan stirred, uneasy but silent. He didn’t reject her touch. He… liked it.

My heart pounded. I ought to have thrown her out right away. However, the longer she held me, the more the wall I had erected around myself began to crumble.

I let go.

And for the first time in ten years, I slept.

In my dream, she was there again—the girl from my childhood. The dark room. My younger self curled up in fear. Tiny arms around me. A steady voice whispering: “Don’t be afraid. I’m strong. I’ll protect you.”

That same voice. That same warmth. I had been searching for her ever since. Was it possible she was here, in my bed?

The dream blurred, and morning came too soon.

A sharp knock rattled the door.

“Lucian! Breakfast is ready. Don’t you have a meeting? Get up already!”

Quin’s voice. My cousin. She never came to wake me. She sounded nervous, almost desperate.

I groaned, rubbing my eyes. My head was foggy, but lighter than it had been in years. Then I noticed something strange—my arms weren’t empty. They were wrapped around warmth. A silky strand of hair brushed my neck.

What—

I bolted upright. My vision cleared. And then I saw her.

Honey-brown eyes blinked up at me, startled.

She scrambled out of my arms, her thin nightgown slipping across one shoulder. For one stunned second, all I could do was stare. She was beautiful. Too beautiful.

Her lips parted, her voice sharp. “Who are you?”

Recognition hit me like a blow. My grandfather had shown me her portrait. Selene Nightshade.

My fiancée.

Rage burned hot. “Selene?”

Her shock vanished, replaced by cool indifference. She knew exactly who I was.

How in the hell had she ended up in my bed?

“You dare climb into my room and seduce me the moment you arrive?” My voice cut like ice. “Bold. The women of Bloodfang Pack must be desperate.”

Her brows lifted, her tone razor-sharp. “First of all, I didn’t seduce you. Quin told me this was my room. Blame your cousin, not me. Second, I was asleep long before you stumbled in. You held me all night. So maybe it’s you who can’t keep your hands to yourself?”

Her words lashed across me like claws. And damn it—she wasn’t wrong.

I remembered the embrace. Her scent. The way I had fallen into the deepest sleep in years. Dylan stirred again, restless. But her cold, mocking tone grated on me more than the truth.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I growled, swinging out of bed. “You’re not worth my attention.”

Another knock rattled the door. Quin’s voice whined, “Lucian? What’s taking so long? Breakfast is ready!”

Selene’s lips curved into a smirk.

She opened the door and greeted Quin sweetly. “Good morning! Just as you wanted, Lucian held me all night. We got along… perfectly.”

Quin’s face went white. “Y-you’re lying!”

Selene tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Am I? You can ask him.”

Both their eyes turned to me.

I said nothing.

It was obvious Quin had orchestrated this mess, shoving Selene into the wrong room to humiliate her. But Selene hadn’t panicked. She had turned the trap back on Quin, leaving her fuming.

Selene gathered her things, tossed me one last indifferent glance, and walked down the stairs as if she were already Luna.

I stood there, jaw tight, irritation burning under my skin.

She smelled like her. She felt like her.

She had cured my insomnia in one night.

And I hated her for it.