Chapter 214 Asteria's Acceptance

Chapter 214 Asteria's Acceptance
Chapter 214

ASTERIA

I didn't hesitate.

Not for a single second.

"I agree," I said, my voice clear and steady despite the chains cutting into my wrists. "I agree to your terms."

I didn't have a second thoughts. No regrets.

I'd started this, and I was going to finish it.

Destroying Ravenna mattered more than my own happiness. More than my freedom and anything.

Austin's expression shifted, nust slightly, but I caught it.

Satisfaction.

He looked like he'd gotten exactly what he wanted.

A mate connected to the MoonWolf bloodline. A path to ultimate power. A tool he could use to reshape the supernatural world.

And I'd given it to him willingly.

He stood from his throne, his massive frame radiating authority, and turned to address the elders.

"This conversation is over," he declared, his voice filling the throne room. "Asteria is officially my mate. As your Alpha, I've made this decision and no one is going to alter it."

He paused, his eyes scanning the assembled elders with cold warning.

"Unless, of course, you're ready to challenge my throne."

The elders looked at each other, and I saw fear flash across the faces of those who'd opposed him most loudly.

One of them—an older male who'd called me desperate earlier—stepped forward and bowed his head.

"You've made the right decision, Alpha," he said, his voice strained. "We support you."

The others murmured their agreement, some more reluctantly than others.

But none of them challenged him.

Austin nodded once, then turned and gestured to someone behind me.

I heard footsteps, and three women appeared—maids, dressed in simple grey dresses, their heads bowed respectfully.

"This woman is going to be my mate," Austin told them, his voice firm. "Which means she is to be respected. Treated as your Luna."

The maids' eyes widened slightly, but they nodded.

"Spread the word to your fellow maids and to the entire household," Austin continued, his tone darkening. "If I hear of anyone disrespecting her, if I catch even a whisper of gossip or cruel words about her, I will severely punish that person. Is that understood?"

The maids bowed deeply. "Yes, Alpha."

"We understand, Alpha," another added quickly.

They straightened, and one of them—the oldest, with greying hair—spoke. "Welcome, Luna."

The word made something twist in my stomach.

Luna.

I was going to be a Luna.

Austin turned back to the maids. "Go prepare her chambers. A proper room befitting my mate. Draw a bath wnd fetch the seamstress immediately. She'll need appropriate clothing."

He glanced at me briefly. "You may pick whichever maids you want attending to you personally."

The maids bowed again and hurried out.

Austin turned to the elders. "Begin preparations for the mating ceremony. I want it done properly."

The elders bowed and filed out of the throne room, some casting curious glances at me as they passed.

A few stopped to speak to me on their way out.

"You made the right decision coming here," one elderly man said, his expression approving. "We're going to get the MoonWolf. You'll see."

I forced a smile. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Another elder, a woman who'd argued in my favour, paused beside me. "Welcome to Redfire, child. I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into."

Then she was gone, leaving me alone with Austin and the remaining guards.

Austin gestured to the guards. "Remove her chains and escort her to her chambers."

The guards unlocked my shackles, and I rubbed my raw wrists, feeling the blood rush back into my hands.

My chambers were beautiful.

I stood in the doorway, staring in disbelief at the room before me.

It was massive: easily five times the size of my room at Aunt Lila's flat. The walls were stone, but tapestries hung everywhere, softening the harsh edges. A huge bed dominated one side of the room, covered in furs and silk pillows. Windows overlooked the pack territory, letting in natural light.

It was more than I'd ever had in my entire life.

The seamstress was already there, surrounded by bolts of fabric and half-finished garments.

She looked up when I entered and bowed. "Luna. I've brought a selection of dresses for you to choose from."

She gestured to a rack of clothes—beautiful dresses in rich colours, all clearly made for someone important.

An Alpha's mate.

I walked slowly through the room, still processing that this was real.

After a few minutes, there was a knock at the door.

"Enter," I called, my voice sounding strange to my own ears.

The three maids from earlier filed in, along with several others. Behind them came four guards, massive men with scars and cold eyes.

One of the original maids stepped forward. "Alpha Austin has assembled the household staff for you to choose your personal attendants, Luna."

I looked at the assembled group, they're maybe fifteen people total.

I studied them carefully, trying to assess who I could trust, who would be loyal.

Finally, I pointed to two of the younger maids, both looked strong, capable, with intelligent eyes.

"You two," I said. "You'll be my personal maids."

They stepped forward and bowed. "Thank you, Luna."

I turned to the guards and selected two of the largest, most intimidating ones.

"You two will be my personal guards."

They bowed as well. "It would be an honour, Luna."

I dismissed the others, and they filed out, leaving me with my new attendants.

The seamstress approached with a measuring tape. "Shall we begin, Luna?"

I nodded, and she set to work, measuring me whilst chattering about fabrics and styles.

I barely heard her.

My mind was racing, trying to process everything that had happened in the last few hours.

Over the next few days, Austin sent for me regularly.

Sometimes to his office. Sometimes during breakfast in the main hall.

Each time, he asked questions.

"Mooncrest territory," he said during our first meeting, spreading a map across his desk. "Show me the layout."

I leaned over the map, my finger tracing the borders. "The main packhouse is here, in the centre. Guard are stationed here, here, and here."

I marked the weak points, the patrol routes, the places where an attack would be most effective.

Austin watched intently, occasionally asking for clarification.

"Richard's tactical preferences," he said another time, during breakfast. "How does he handle conflicts?"

I set down my fork. "He's defensive by nature. He prefers to fortify positions and wait for the enemy to make mistakes rather than launching aggressive attacks."

I continued, providing details about Richard's alliances, his business strategies, his relationships with other packs.

"Darius," Austin said one evening in his office. "Tell me about the heir."

My chest tightened at the mention of his name, but I forced my voice to stay steady.

"He's aggressive in combat. Protective of the people he cares about—that's his biggest weakness. Threaten someone he loves, and he'll make emotional decisions instead of tactical ones."

I drew diagrams of Darius's fighting style, his preferred weapons, his training routines.

"And Ravenna?" Austin asked, leaning back in his chair.

I pulled out a fresh piece of paper and started sketching. "Her training schedule is predictable. She goes to the academy gym every morning at six and runs the perimeter of pack territory every evening at sunset."

I marked locations on the map. "She's still learning to control her wolf and still unstable. Catch her when she's emotionally vulnerable, and her powers become unpredictable."

Austin looked impressed. "You're very thorough."

"I've been watching them for months," I replied quietly. "I know their routines better than they know them themselves."

It was true. I'd spent so long obsessing over Ravenna and Darius that I knew every detail of their lives.

And now I was using that knowledge to destroy them.

Austin studied the maps and notes I'd provided, his expression thoughtful.

"This is good," he said finally. "Very good. With this information, we can plan a coordinated assault that Mooncrest won't see coming."

He looked up at me. "You've proven yourself useful, Asteria."

The praise should have felt good.

Instead, it just felt hollow.

On the third day, Austin summoned me to his office again.

I entered to find him standing by the window, looking out over the pack territory.

"The ceremony will be in three days," he said without turning around.

My stomach twisted. "Three days?"

"Yes." He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "And I'm inviting every pack that's ever bled because of Mooncrest."