Chapter 51 A BOLD MOVE
Varkos
Maria cleared her throat.
“My Lady,” she continued calmly, stepping forward. “There is something I must report. A matter concerning—”
“The wedding right?” I cut in sharply, not letting her finish the secret she was about to spill about Ginnie and me.
Lady Ravena’s eyes and Kenna snapped towards me, “She wants to reveal to you that Kenna and I will be getting married.” I continued, my voice echoing across the dining, loud enough to leave no room for doubt, “the day after tomorrow.”
For half a second, no one breathed. They stood still, all staring at each other with confusion etched across their faces, especially Maria who had no idea what the hell I just said.
“What?” Kenna whispered. “What are you saying, Varkos?”
Lady Ravenna stared at me as though she were seeing me for the first time. “You… what did you just say?”
“I want Kenna and me to get married the day after tomorrow,” I repeated. “And this decision is final.”
Maria’s eyes flicked to me, wide with something sharp—shock, yes, but also understanding that she had to follow what I just said or bear the brutal consequences. She recovered faster than anyone else in the room, but then Lady Ravena turned back to her.
“Maria. Is this what you were about to reveal?”
All eyes shifted to her instantly as she stood beside the table. This was it. The moment she spoke, everything would burn down to the ground.
But Maria surprised me.
“Oh—yes,” she said smoothly, nodding her head in response. “I was just about to say the same thing before I was interrupted by Alpha Varkos.”
She continued calmly, without an ounce of suspicion in any of her words. “He had instructed me to begin preparations discreetly. He wanted it to be a… surprise, but I couldn’t keep it from you Lady Ravena and Kenna. That’s why I wanted to reveal it.”
“A surprise?” Kenna asked, turning slowly to stare at her.
“Yes, My Lady,” Maria said, offering a polite smile. “But only one meant to honor you, my lady.” Kenna’s confusion didn’t vanish all at once, it softened first—but then quickly turned into something bright and disbelieving, her shock giving way to stunned, breathless delight.
“You…” she breathed, turning back to me, her eyes gleaming with happiness, “You planned this just for me?”
I didn’t answer.
I moved.
In two long strides, I closed the space between us, my hand sliding into her hair as I cupped her face. I didn’t give her time to think, or say another word. I pressed my lips against hers in a kiss that was both passionate and consuming, cutting off every ounce of doubt in her head.
For a heartbeat, Kenna froze beneath my touch, startled by the suddenness, by the intensity of the kiss. Then she leaned into the kiss, her body yielding, her fingers gripping my shoulders as though she didn’t want this moment to end anytime soon.
I deepened the kiss, my thumb tracing the line of her jaw as my mouth softened against hers, slow and deliberate. I tilted my head, drawing her closer, letting her feel the full weight of my attention.
But this has absolutely nothing to do with love—it was a move of intention. A performance sharpened into something dangerously convincing, even to Maria herself. There was only the warmth of her lips, the way her breath trembled against my mouth, the faint moan that escaped her when I gripped her waist possessively, pulling her closer instead of letting go.
When I finally drew back, it was slowly—just enough to let the air return between us. Her lips were swollen, flushed from the kiss. “I know I haven’t been the fiancée you truly deserve,” I said quietly, my eyes locked onto hers which were bright, searching my face as though she might find reassurance written there.
“I’ve been nothing but distant and cold. Not performing my duties as your husband to be,” I continued smoothly, my voice low and steady, every word chosen with care. My thumb brushed her cheek, lingering there enough to sell the lie completely.
“But I want to fix that…I want to give you what you should have had from the beginning.” I leaned in slightly, my forehead nearly touching hers. “I want to make you my Luna in front of the entire Bleeding Rose.”
Kenna’s breath hitched.
Her hands tightened on my arms as though the world was finally revolving around her. And for Lady Ravena, it looked like devotion and true love. Only I knew how sharp the truth was beneath it.
“This—this means everything,” she said, her voice trembling with joy. “But the day after tomorrow?” She laughed softly, overwhelmed by how sudden everything had just taken place, “I feel it’s so soon. How will we plan everything—“
“I’ve already started making plans,” I cut her off before she could finish. “With Maria. You don’t need to worry about anything,” I added, “The only thing I want from you.” I gestured subtly to her appearance, her beauty, “It’s to just sit back and let your Alpha handle the rest.”
Kenna squealed in uncontrollable happiness— throwing her arms around my neck as if it belonged there. “Yes,” she laughed breathlessly. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do, my love.”
“This is wonderful news!” Lady Ravena’s voice cut through the maze, relief replacing the rage that occupied her face a few minutes ago. “At last. A proper union that is meant to happen,” She approached Kenna, taking her hands warmly. “You will make a very beautiful Luna.”
She turned to me. “ I look forward to giving you both my blessing.”
I nodded, already hollow at the worst decision I had ever taken in my entire lifetime. “Maria,” I said abruptly. “Walk with me. There are more details about the wedding we need to discuss.”
“Of course, Alpha Varkos,” she replied immediately.
I didn’t wait for anyone’s permission. I turned and strode out of the dining hall, my jaw clenched tightly as though it would shatter. Maria followed at once, the doors closing behind us with a heavy thud that felt final.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I walked down the corridor, my mind spiraling violently.
Marriage.
Day after Tomorrow.
To Kenna.
I was already imagining Ginnie’s face in my mind at the thought of hearing this—furious, hateful. The thought tore through me, raw and furious.
“What the fuck have you just done, Varkos?”