Chapter 67 Luna

Chapter 67 Luna
Morning came slowly.

The first thing that entered the room was not sound, but light.

Soft golden sunlight slipped through the thin curtains and stretched gently across the floor. It climbed the edge of the bed, warming the blanket where two bodies still rested close together.

The room smelled faintly of clean sheets and morning air. Outside, birds were already awake. Their quiet chirping drifted through the open window like a gentle reminder that the world continued, no matter what happened inside this room.

Selene was still asleep.

Her head rested on Ryzen’s chest. One of his arms was wrapped securely around her waist. The other rested loosely against the pillow. His breathing was deep and calm, steady like the tide.

He woke up first.

His eyes opened to the sight of sunlight touching Selene’s hair. It looked almost silver under the light. For a moment, he did not move. He only watched her.

Her lashes rested softly against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted. There was no tension in her face. No frown. No worry.

It is peaceful.

Ryzen felt something tighten in his chest, but not in a painful way.

In a protective way.

He shifted slightly, careful not to wake her. The blanket slid a little, and he gently pulled it back up over her shoulder.

His gaze moved to the faint mark at her neck.

His mark.

It pulsed lightly, almost invisible unless one knew where to look. A bond. A promise.

His thumb brushed softly against her shoulder.

Selene stirred slightly but did not wake.

He allowed himself one small smile.

Then he heard a soft and careful knock.

Not loud enough to disturb, but loud enough to be heard.

Ryzen’s eyes shifted toward the door.

Another knock.

“Lady Selene?” a familiar whisper came from outside.

Cariel.

Ryzen sighed quietly.

He carefully moved his arm from around Selene and slowly slipped out of the bed. He found his clothes from the night before and dressed quickly but quietly.

Selene turned slightly in her sleep, reaching for the warmth he left behind.

Ryzen paused.

He stepped back toward the bed and leaned down, brushing his lips gently against her forehead.

“I’ll be back,” he whispered softly.

She did not wake, but her body relaxed again.

The knock came once more.

Ryzen walked to the door and opened it just enough to step outside.

Cariel and Jenna stood there with trays and folded linens in their hands.

The moment they saw who opened the door, they froze.

Their eyes widened at the same time.

Cariel’s mouth fell open.

Jenna blinked twice then three times.

Behind the Alpha, they could see the bed slightly messy, sunlight falling across the sheets, the shape of Selene still sleeping inside.

Cariel’s face turned red.

Jenna covered her mouth.

For a few seconds, no one spoke.

Then Cariel leaned slightly toward Jenna and whispered very loudly—“Oh my god.”

Jenna elbowed her.

“Good morning,” Ryzen said calmly, though his ears were slightly red.

Cariel immediately straightened.

“G-Good morning, Alpha!” she said, bowing quickly.

Jenna bowed as well. “Good morning, Alpha.”

There was silence.

Cariel’s eyes tried very hard not to look past him again but she failed.

Ryzen noticed.

He cleared his throat.

“She is still sleeping,” he said. “Do not wake her yet.”

Cariel nodded quickly. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Prepare her morning routine when she wakes,” he continued. “And make sure she eats properly.”

His tone was firm, but there was something softer beneath it.

Jenna nodded. “Of course.”

Ryzen paused for a moment.

“Tell her,” he added more quietly, “that I will visit her again later.”

Cariel’s eyes sparkled for a split second, but she immediately composed herself.

“Yes, Alpha,” she replied politely.

Ryzen gave one final glance toward the room, then stepped fully into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

As soon as he walked a few steps away. Cariel grabbed Jenna’s arm.

“DID YOU SEE THAT?” she whisper-screamed.

Jenna looked just as stunned. “He came out of her room.”

Cariel nodded aggressively. “This early morning!”

Jenna pressed her hand against her chest. “And he looked… calm.”

“Not just calm,” Cariel said. “Happy.”

They both stared at each other.

Then they squealed silently, jumping in place.

“Finally!” Cariel whispered dramatically.

Jenna tried to maintain composure. “Lower your voice.”

Cariel covered her mouth. “I cannot believe this.”

They waited a few minutes before entering the room, allowing Selene to sleep a little longer.

Inside, Selene shifted again.

Her eyes slowly opened.

The room felt different.

Warmer.

Her body felt heavier, but in a comforting way.

She blinked slowly and looked around.

The other side of the bed was empty.

For a brief second, panic flickered inside her then she remembered what happened last night.

The confession.

The bond.

The way he held her.

Her hand moved instinctively to her neck.

She felt it.

The mark.

A soft warmth spread through her chest.

She sat up slowly, careful of her ribs.

Just then, the door opened gently.

Cariel and Jenna entered quietly.

The moment Selene saw them, she tried to act normal.

“Good morning,” she said softly.

Cariel stopped mid-step.

Jenna froze behind her.

They looked at each other.

Then at Selene.

Then back at each other.

Selene frowned slightly. “What?”

Cariel walked closer, hands on her hips.

“Good morning?” she repeated slowly.

Selene blinked. “Yes?”

Jenna cleared her throat, trying not to smile too widely. “Did you sleep well?”

Selene’s cheeks turned pink immediately.

“I—yes,” she said, looking down.

Cariel gasped dramatically. “She’s blushing!”

Selene covered her face with her hands. “Stop.”

Jenna sat beside the bed. “We’re just happy.”

Selene peeked through her fingers. “Happy?”

Cariel leaned forward. “The Alpha left your room this morning.”

Selene’s face turned even redder.

“Oh,” she whispered.

“Oh?” Cariel repeated. “That’s all you have to say?”

Selene buried her face in the blanket.

Jenna laughed softly. “We are not judging you.”

Cariel nodded. “We are celebrating.”

Selene groaned quietly.

Before the teasing could continue, there was another knock on the door.

All three froze.

Cariel turned toward the door. “Come in.”

The door opened.

Ryzen stood there.

Fully dressed now and composed but when his eyes landed on Selene, his expression softened instantly.

“Good morning,” he said.

Selene sat up straighter. “Good morning.”

Cariel and Jenna exchanged looks.

Ryzen stepped inside.

“I thought we could have breakfast together,” he said calmly.

Selene blinked. “Together?”

“Yes,” he replied.

Cariel quickly recovered from her shock. “Of course, Alpha. We were just preparing.”

Ryzen nodded.

He walked toward Selene’s bedside.

“How are you feeling?” he asked gently.

“Fine,” she answered softly.

His hand brushed lightly against her shoulder, subtle but caring.

Cariel watched with wide eyes.

Jenna gently pulled her away toward the table to prepare the food.

They moved quietly but quickly.

The morning light filled the room fully now.

Breakfast was simple but warm—fresh bread, fruits, warm milk, and tea.

Ryzen pulled a chair beside Selene’s bed instead of sitting across from her.

Cariel and Jenna served the food.

Ryzen waited until Selene took the first bite before eating himself.

Cariel nearly fainted.

Jenna stepped on her foot to stop her from reacting.

The atmosphere was soft and calm while Selene felt shy but comfortable.

Ryzen spoke normally, asking simple questions.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

“Any pain?”

“No.”

“Eat more.”

She rolled her eyes slightly. “I am.”

Cariel and Jenna pretended to be very busy while listening closely.

At one point, Cariel whispered to Jenna, “This is better than a festival.”

Jenna nodded.

After breakfast, Ryzen stood.

“I have matters to attend to,” he said. “But I will return later.”

Selene nodded.

He hesitated for a moment, then leaned slightly closer.

“Rest,” he said quietly.

“I will,” she replied.

Their eyes met briefly.

Then before he turned and left, he kissed her forehead and lips which made Selene, Cariel, and Jenna stunned.

The door closed gently behind him.

Silence took over the room but then Cariel screamed, not loudly but excitedly.

Selene covered her face again.

Jenna laughed softly.

“Something happened!” Cariel shouted dramatically, pointing at Selene like she had just discovered the biggest secret in the world.

Selene didn’t answer.

Instead, she slowly stood up from the bed, the blanket still wrapped tightly around her body. Her hair was messy from sleep. Her cheeks were still pink from everything that happened that morning. She tried to walk normally toward the mirror, but her steps were careful.

Cariel’s eyes followed her, then Selene turned slightly.

The blanket slipped just a little from her shoulder.

And there just below her neck shows a faint mark. Still slightly red. Still fresh.

Cariel gasped so loudly that it echoed in the room.

Jenna’s eyes widened.

“O. M. G.” Jenna whispered, stepping closer. “He marked you?!”

Selene froze.

Her hand instantly flew to her neck.

Her face turned completely red.

“I—” she tried to speak but no words came out.

Cariel rushed forward, almost tripping over the rug.

“LET ME SEE,” she said dramatically.

“No!” Selene squeaked, turning away.

Jenna leaned forward carefully, eyes sparkling. “It’s real,” she whispered in awe.

Cariel clasped both hands over her mouth.

“Our Alpha,” she breathed.

Selene covered her face with one hand while holding the blanket with the other.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she muttered.

Cariel suddenly grabbed Selene’s arm and gently turned her back.

“Selene!” she said, half shocked, half thrilled. “Do you understand what this means?”

Selene blinked.

“It means…” she swallowed. “It means what it means.”

Jenna squealed softly.

Cariel shook her lightly. “It means you are officially bound to him!”

“I know!” Selene said quickly, embarrassed.

Cariel stepped back, staring at her like she was looking at royalty.

“You,” she said slowly, pointing at Selene, “are the Alpha’s mate and our Luna.”

Selene’s stomach flipped.

Hearing it out loud made it real in a different way.

Her fingers touched the mark again.

It pulsed lightly.

Jenna smiled softly now, less dramatic than Cariel.

“Are you okay?” she asked gently.

Selene paused.

She looked at both of them.

Then nodded.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Cariel blinked. “That’s it? Just yes?”

Selene smiled shyly.

“I’m okay,” she repeated.

Jenna crossed her arms gently. “Did he hurt you?”

Selene shook her head quickly. “No. He was gentle.”

Cariel sighed dramatically in relief. “Good. If he wasn’t, I would have personally marched to his office.”

Selene laughed softly despite herself.

Cariel leaned closer again, studying the mark.

“It looks good on you,” she said.

Selene’s face turned red again. “Cariel.”

“I’m serious!” she insisted. “It suits you.”

Jenna nodded. “It does.”

Selene moved toward the mirror slowly, still wrapped in the blanket.

She turned slightly and looked at the mark properly for the first time.

“It feels different,” she whispered.

Cariel tilted her head. “Different how?”

Selene pressed her fingers lightly over it.

“Warm,” she said quietly. “Like he’s… close.”

Jenna’s expression softened.

“That’s the bond,” she said gently.

Cariel clasped her hands again. “This is so romantic.”

Selene turned away from the mirror, trying to calm herself.

“I didn’t think it would happen like this,” she admitted quietly.

“Like what?” Jenna asked.

“So fast,” Selene said. “So intense.”

Cariel walked closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder carefully.

“Sometimes,” she said softly, “the right things don’t wait.”

Selene blinked.

Jenna smiled faintly. “And the Alpha does not hesitate when he is sure.”

Selene looked down.

“Was he sure?” she asked quietly.

Cariel raised an eyebrow. “He marked you, didn’t he?”

Selene bit her lower lip.

“Yes.”

“Then he was sure.”

The room felt lighter now.

The teasing slowly turned into something calmer.

Cariel stepped back and clapped her hands once.

“Alright,” she said brightly. “Mate of the Alpha or not, you still need to wash up.”

Selene groaned softly. “Can we not talk about it while I’m bathing?”

“No promises,” Cariel replied.

Jenna handed Selene fresh clothes. “We’ll prepare warm water.”

Selene nodded slowly.

As she walked toward the bathroom, she paused at the doorway.

She touched the mark one more time.

A faint warmth responded immediately.

Her lips curved into a small smile.

Outside the room, the sun was higher now.

The castle was awake.

Whispers were already spreading through the halls.

But inside in this quiet room there was only soft laughter and excitement.