Chapter 51 The trap
~Sage~
I knew something was wrong the moment the guard appeared at my door.
He was one of Damon's personal men, the kind who only showed up when the Alpha King wanted something. His face was blank, his posture rigid, and he delivered his message with the degree of someone who had long ago learned not to question orders.
"The Alpha King requests your presence in his study, Luna. Immediately."
Fear gripped me tightly but I kept my expression neutral. Months of practice had taught me how to hide my fear and bury it so deep that even I sometimes forgot it was there.
"Of course," I said smoothly. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."
"He said immediately, Luna."
There was no room for argument in his tone. I nodded once and followed him out, my mind high up in the heavens.
What had I done? What had Damon seen? Has someone reported my interaction with Keith at the training grounds this morning?
The memory of Keith's smile flashed through my mind. That infuriating, knowing smile. The way he had leaned in close, his sinful chest glistening with sweat, his voice lowering to a husky murmur meant only for me.
“You have a very nice singing voice. Makes me want to shed tears of ecstasy every single time.”
My cheeks heated even now, hours later. He had known. He had seen right through me, seen the jealousy I had tried so hard to hide, and instead of being concerned, he had enjoyed it. The arrogant, impossible, devastatingly sinfully attractive—
No. I couldn't think about that now. I had to focus. Damon had summoned me, and walking into his study with my head full of his son was a recipe for disaster.
The guard led me through the familiar corners of the pack house and servants who bowed their heads as I passed.
When we reached the study, the guard knocked once and then opened the door without waiting for a response. I stepped inside, my Luna mask firmly in place.
I stopped in my tracks almost instantly as my eyes rested on Keith.
He stood near the window, his arms crossed over his chest, tension I could feel even from across the room radiating from all over his body. He had changed since this morning, trading sweat-damp training gear for a fitted dark shirt and jeans that looked like they had been designed with his body specifically in mind.
The shirt clung just enough to hint at the hard planes of his broad shoulders, a solid chest, and arms that looked powerful even at rest. The cotton stretched slightly when he moved, as if protesting the way he filled it, and I caught myself wondering how it would feel beneath my fingers before I forcibly shut that thought down.
The jeans sat low on his hips, worn but clean, outlining strong thighs and long legs with an ease that felt unfair.
His sleeves were rolled just past his elbows, exposing forearms caressed with dark hair and, there, half hidden, half flaunted, the dragon tattoo. It made him look dangerous like something wild pretending to be civilized.
Our eyes met as my gaze went up from his chest to his face and we both looked away too quickly, as if eye contact alone might betray us.
He looked devastating. And he knew it.
Damon sat behind his desk, watching us with mild interest as if we were specimens under a microscope. Like he was waiting to see how we would react to finding ourselves in the same room.
"Ah, Sage," he said warmly, rising from his chair. "Thank you for coming so quickly. Please, sit."
He gestured to the chair beside Keith.
Of course.
Of course he would put us side by side, close enough to touch, close enough to feel the heat radiating off each other's skin.
I crossed the room on steady legs and sat down, careful to leave a proper distance between myself and Keith. Not that it mattered. The bond between us was insistent, making every nerve in my body aware of his presence.
"I've called you both here to discuss the upcoming celebration," Damon said, settling back into his chair. His eyes moved between us. "As you know, Keith's mate, Riana Blackwood will be arriving soon. I want everything to be perfect for her welcome."
Riana. The name that I'd gotten tired of hearing. The name that has gotten me riled up.
I had heard the rumors, of course. The whole pack was buzzing with them. Keith's engagement to the Blackwood Alpha's daughter. A political alliance that would strengthen both packs. A perfect match, everyone said. She was beautiful and powerful and everything a future Alpha King could want in a mate.
Everything I wasn't.
"What do you need from us?" Keith asked, his voice carefully neutral.
"From you, simply your presence and your cooperation." Damon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "From my possession here, I need help with the planning. The menu, the decorations, the guest list. All the details that make an event truly memorable."
He wanted me to plan the celebration for my mate's engagement to another woman. The cruelty of it was almost impressive.
"Of course," I heard myself say. "I'd be happy to help."
"Wonderful." Damon leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I want Riana to feel welcomed. Cherished, even. After all, she's going to be part of our family soon."
I felt Keith tense beside me. "Father," Keith said tightly, "I'm sure the staff can handle the preparations. There's no need to burden the Luna with—"
"Nonsense. Who better to welcome a new woman into our pack than our beloved Luna?" Damon's gaze settled on me, warm and approving. "Sage has always been so gracious. So accommodating. I'm sure she'll make Riana feel right at home."
The words were kind, but I heard the threat beneath them. Play your part. Stay in your place. Don't cause problems.
"I'll do my best," I said.
"I know you will." Damon turned his attention back to Keith. "You know, this whole situation reminds me of something. Do you remember how close you and Riana used to be, Keith?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop minus ten degrees.
Keith went very still. "What?"