Chapter 12
Tristan POV
I stayed out there for a few hours more than I would have hours, long enough for the moon to sink lower in the sky somewhere and the sun to peek out from beneath the clouds behind it.
I shifted back to my wolf form again and made my way back to the mansion by the time I had made my way back to the mansion, the sun was high up and it was brighter.
The Ridge loomed ahead, its stone walls catching the first grey light of dawn. I shifted back before crossing onto the grounds, pulling on the pair of sweats I’d stashed in the small shed by the tree line.
Inside, the corridors were quiet, most of the staff wouldn’t stir for another hour but I didn't have the time or inclination to talk to anyone so I headed straight for my office, bypassing the main staircase. I wasn’t ready to see anyone right now.
Not yet.
But the universe, as usual, didn’t care what I wanted.I rounded the corner and nearly collided with Darius my beta. He stepped back, eyebrows lifting.
" Someone is up early," he muttered then as his eyes trailed over me
"Or… up all night?”
I didn’t answer him just walked off and he smirked
. “You’re not much fun before coffee.”
“I’m not much fun after it either,” I said flatly.
His gaze sharpened, the amusement in his expression giving way to something more calculating.
“You know, some of the staff are already talking. About her.” My jaw tightened.
“Isla.”
“Your Luna,” he corrected, though there was a mocking edge to the word.
“Half of them think she won’t last the month. The other half are taking bets on whether she leaves or you send her away first.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” I said before I could stop myself.
His smirk returned.
“Interesting. Considering you’ve been treating her like she’s a stray that wandered into your territory.”
“Stay out of it, Darius.” I hissed and he smiled
“Not possible,” he said easily.
“The Luna’s business is my business. Especially when she’s in a house full of wolves who’d be happy to see her fail.” I stared at him, wondering if he was warning me.
With Darius, it was always hard to tell but he was never this serious which meant I should take it seriously. He inclined his head slightly, that same unreadable look in his eyes.
“See you at the strategy meeting.” Then he was gone, his footsteps fading down the hall.
I exhaled slowly, pushing the conversation out of my mind as I continued to my office. But the truth was, Darius wasn’t wrong.
They were watching her, waiting for her to slip and if she did, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to convince myself I didn’t care. Not with the bond pulling harder every damn day.
\---
The next couple of hours that morning passed in a blur of pack meetings and briefings. By the time I returned to my room, the sun was higher, and I could hear movement inside. I opened the door to find Isla standing by the window, her hair catching the light.
She turned to face the door at the sound, her eyes wary.
“Good run?” she asked, and there was something in her tone—light on the surface, but with a bite underneath.
I ignored the question.
“We're having breakfast together, I hope you'll be on your best behavior " I asked and she shrugged
" I kept my father and step mom happy for decades I'm sure I can manage " she said and I nodded
" Wear something appropriate.” I urged Her brows lifted.
“For what?”
“For the elders,” I said.
" I thought this was just a simple breakfast"
" Doesn't mean the news won't leak to them " I replied and she huffed
" Then you need to hire better people " she mumbled and I growled
" Just do as you're told they want to see the new Luna.”
“I thought I was just a placeholder,” she shot back.
“You are,” I said, and I hated the way something in her expression flickered at that.
"But they don’t need to know that.”
She crossed her arms.
“And Viviana?”
I met her gaze, keeping my face neutral.
“What about her?” I asked looking away from her and focusing on the papers waiting for me on the desk. But I could feel her eyes on me, sharp and assessing, like she was starting to put the pieces together.
Her lips curved in a humorless smile.
"She must be very important, if you’re willing to ignore the goddess herself for her.”
" I don't see how she relates to our conversation" I said softly and she scoffed
" Of course she relates to our conversation, you were calling her name while you tried to strangle me " she hissed and I laughed
" I don't quite remember it like that, in fact I remember that you distinctly kissed me in the name of waking me up " I drawled
" You were having a nightmare, you kissed me " she hissed a muscle ticking in her jaw.
“You could have stopped me.” I muttered
“I tried,” she shot back, anger flooding through me now.
“You’re a lot stronger than I am, in case you’ve forgotten. And by the way—you were calling out Viviana’s name while you did it.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop as I struggle not to scowl
“That’s none of your concern.”
She laughed, sharp and humorless.
"None of my concern? I’m your mate. Your supposed Luna. And you’re kissing me while dreaming about another woman—your chosen Luna, the one I’m here to replace like a cheap imitation.”
" That's because you are a cheap imitation of her. " I said and she froze but I didn't stop there
" Did you really think you could replace her, did you delude yourself into believing that just because I brought you here, you can take a place by my side" I hissed my pulse pounding in my ears.
“I wasn’t—” she started and bite back the rest of the sentence, “Forget it. Next time I’ll just let you thrash around and wake up on your own.”
A quick and quiet knock, came at the door.
I moved toward it before she could say anything, opening it just enough for a figure to slip inside.
Darius.
He glanced at Isla where she sat on the couch looking out the window,
" Good afternoon before turning his attention to Tristan.
“We need to talk.”
“It can wait,” I said curtly.
“It can’t,” Darius replied, voice low but firm.
“It’s about the breach on the south perimeter."
" Will I see you at breakfast " she asked
I didn’t answer because anything I said would only make it worse.
I walked out the door following Darius.