Chapter 57 Too starved
~Sage~
Keith's grip on his wine glass tightened until I began to fear that he might end up cracking the glass and injuring himself.
I took a slow sip of my own wine, focusing every ounce of my willpower on keeping my expression neutral and not letting her see how deeply her words affected me.
I would not let her rattle me.
"You've only just arrived at the pack," Keith said, his voice controlled but clipped with obvious irritation. "There's much to discuss before any ceremony takes place."
Riana let out a soft, tinkling laugh that scraped against my nerves like broken glass. "Of course, my love. We'll have all the time in the world to reconnect."
Love.
Her love.
Jealousy flared in me again, hotter than ever this time.
It was absurd how a single syllable could feel like a dagger to my heart. I had known this day would come. Known that Keith's chosen mate would eventually arrive to claim what was rightfully hers. But nothing could have prepared me for the visceral agony of watching another woman touch him, call him hers, speak of their future together as if it were already dated by the moon goddess herself.
Riana turned her attention back to me, her eyes gleaming with malice. "And you, Luna Sage," she said smoothly, "I've heard so much about you. The beloved Luna who captured the heart of our dear alpha king. You must have been something else to be able to have the attention of the alpha king Damon."
I met her gaze without flinching. "And I've heard a great deal about you as well. Though I must admit, the reality is somewhat different from the stories."
Her smile became even wider, her flowery voice softer and more feminine. "Oh? And what stories would those be?"
"Only that you were sweet-tempered and gentle," I replied, letting my own smile turn mocking."But first impressions can also be so deceiving, can't they?"
“Certainly. It's almost like a potato that looks so fresh and new on the outside, but very rotten on the inside, isn't it?”
I nodded slowly, not missing the underlying meaning of her words. “I must say, you really have enough knowledge about things like that. What is it that they say again? Experience is the best teacher, right?”
Annoyance flashed in Riana's eyes before she controlled it. From the corner of my eye, I saw Keith trying to hold in a smile.
Damon, meanwhile, was watching our exchange with keen interest, his sharp gaze missing nothing.
Reaching for my wine again, I forced myself to speak with polite indifference. "I trust your rooms are comfortable? The staff worked very hard to prepare them."
"Oh, they're lovely," Riana replied, tilting her head in a gesture of false gratitude. "Though I expect I won't be staying in them for long. Once Keith and I complete our mating ceremony, I'll be moving to the Alpha heir's quarters. With my husband."
I nearly cracked the wine glass in my hand.
How could I be this jealous? How could every casual word from her lips feel like salt being ground into an open wound?
Keith stiffened beside her, his eyes flashing with unhidden irritation. But Riana either didn't notice or didn't care. She leaned in even closer, her fingers skimming across the back of his hand in a gesture of casual intimacy.
“Remember how you wouldn't let me sleep more than two hours every night just because you couldn't get enough?”
She was whispering into his ear, but that whisper was loud enough for me to hear.
I hated how my stomach twisted at the sight. Hated how my heart clenched with an agony I had no right to feel.
Riana was his intended mate. I was his father's wife. We were never supposed to be anything more than strangers forced to share a home.
And yet Keith's gaze never left mine even as Riana touched him, even as she whispered things meant for his ears alone, his focus remained entirely on me.
Suspicion darkened Damon's features as he glanced between his son and his me.
I had to leave before I gave too much away.
Without allowing myself to reconsider, I set down my glass and rose from my chair. "If you'll excuse me, your majesty, I need some air. I'll return shortly."
Keith stood abruptly, shaking off Riana's hand. "I'll accompany you."
I turned sharply to face Keith, not understanding what game he has been playing all night.
“You don't have to. I just need to get some ice, that's all,” I said.
Riana's composure cracked, genuine frustration bleeding through her carefully maintained smile. "Keith, I'm sure the Luna can manage on her own. You can't just leave me here—"
"I won't be long," Keith said curtly, already stepping away from the table without waiting for permission.
I should have stopped him. As the Luna, I should have insisted he stay with his mate and play his part as the dutiful future husband. I should have protected us both from the suspicion that was already taking root in Damon's mind.
But I was too selfish, desperate, and starved for a moment alone with him.