Chapter 47 Morning After Revelations
Luna woke to find Kane’s arm draped around her waist. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths. She watched him sleep, memorizing the lines of his face.
Guilt twisted in her stomach. The secrets were eating her up. She was Aria. The twins were his. Every moment she stayed silent made it worse.
Her hand moved to his chest. His heartbeat thumped strong and steady beneath her palm. How much longer could she hide the truth?
Kane stirred. His eyes opened, still heavy with sleep. He found her watching him.
“Morning,” he said, his voice rough.
“Morning.” She pulled her hand back.
Kane’s arm tightened around her waist before she could move away. “Stay.”
Luna hesitated, then settled back against the pillows. The warmth of his body seeped into hers. This felt too good.
“We should talk to my mother today,” Kane said. “Find out what else she knows about Alexander and your mother.”
She nodded. “After I check on Elder Morgana and the twins.”
He studied her face. “You look tired. Didn’t sleep well?”
“Bad dreams.”
He didn’t push, but his eyes said he knew she was holding back. Luna looked away first.
The morning air was crisp as Luna and Kane loaded their bags into the rental car. They’d checked out of the hotel in silence, both lost in their own thoughts about the previous night’s revelations.
Kane slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Luna watched him from the corner of her eye. His jaw was tight, hands gripping the steering wheel harder than necessary.
“We’ll get breakfast first,” he said. “Before heading to Riverside Park.”
They stopped at a small diner off the highway. The food was good, but neither of them ate much. Luna pushed eggs around her plate while Kane stared at his coffee.
“You should eat,” Kane said, nodding at her barely touched plate.
“So should you.”
A ghost of a smile crossed his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Back on the road, the silence stretched between them. Luna broke it first.
“What happened between you and your mother? There’s more to it than just her remarrying, isn’t there?”
Kane’s knuckles went white on the steering wheel. “My parents’ marriage was arranged. They operated like business partners. Nothing more.”
Luna stayed quiet, letting him continue.
“When my father died, she saw freedom. She left within three months. Packed her things and walked away.” His voice was flat. “I was barely ready to lead a pack. Alexander was already circling, pushing for alliances. I needed guidance. Support. She was gone.”
“Kane…”
“She remarried within a year. Started a whole new family like the first one never existed.” He laughed without humor. “I was trying to hold together everything my father built, fighting off Alexander’s pressure, and she was sending me postcards from her honeymoon.”
Luna reached over and placed her hand on his arm. He didn’t pull away.
“So did you,” Kane said quietly, glancing at her.
The weight of his words settled between them. Luna thought about the night he rejected her. About stumbling through the forest, pregnant and alone. She also thought about last night. About Richard protecting her mother. About Kane’s impossible choice.
“Maybe we both did,” she said.
They reached Riverside Park just before noon.
Celeste was already there, sitting in her silver SUV. She got out as they approached, looking older and more fragile than Luna remembered.
“Kane.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Luna. Thank you for coming.”
Kane’s expression stayed neutral. “Tell us about Alexander and Helena.”
Celeste took a breath. “Despite all the power Alexander had received, it wasn’t enough. He wanted Helena as his Luna. He was obsessed with the idea. Their bloodlines combined would produce children with extraordinary power. He spent months trying to convince her.”
Luna felt her stomach drop. “Did she accept?”
Celeste shook her head. “Helena rejected him. She’d already chosen someone else. Her mate.”
“My father,” Luna whispered. “David.”
Celeste turned sharply. “Your father? What do you mean?”
Luna looked at Kane. He nodded, giving her encouragement.
“Helena Sterling was my mother,” Luna said.
Celeste went completely still. Her face drained of color. “You’re Helena’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
“But that would mean…” Celeste gripped Luna’s shoulders. “Does Alexander know? Does he know Helena had a daughter?”
“I don’t think so. My father raised me as an omega. I only found out what I am a few years ago.”
“You need to be careful. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out.” Celeste released her, stepping back.
Kane cleared his throat. “What happened after Helena rejected Alexander?”
“He threatened her. Threatened David. Said he’d kill everyone she loved and take her by force. So she ran. Richard helped her escape. He bought her time. Alexander felt betrayed. He said Richard had chosen Helena over their partnership. He saw Richard’s betrayal as the ultimate insult. He swore revenge against the Pierce family.”
Luna watched Kane’s face. Something shifted in his expression.
“Did he threaten war?” Kane asked.
“Yes. Helena had escaped thanks to Richard, and Alexander had armies in seven territories on standby.” Celeste’s voice dropped. “The war would have brought more harm than good.”
Kane’s jaw tightened. Luna could see him working through it. Alexander still had more armies than he did. His father had made that agreement. There was no way out.
Kane stood. “We appreciate your time.”
Celeste rose as well, reaching for his arm. “Kane, I know I wasn’t there when you needed me. I was selfish. Scared. But I never stopped caring about you.”
He pulled away gently. “We should go.”
Luna stood too, but something nagged at her. “Wait. Do you know anything about an ascension ritual?”
Celeste frowned. “Ascension ritual? No, I’ve never heard of that. Is it related to pack succession?”
“Never mind.” Luna forced a smile. “Thank you again.”
They walked back to the car. Kane’s movements were sharp, angry.
“Kane…”
“Don’t.” He yanked the door open. “Just don’t.”
They returned the rental and picked up Kane’s Corvette from the shop. The drive back to Seattle was tense. Kane stared at the road, his hands gripping the wheel so hard Luna worried it might crack.
Hours passed. The sun moved across the sky, dipping toward the horizon. Luna reached for his hand once. He let her hold it but said nothing.
They finally pulled into the parking garage of his building. Luna grabbed her bag from the back seat.
Kane killed the engine but didn’t move. He sat there, staring straight ahead.
“We’ll figure something out,” Luna said quietly.
He laughed, bitter and harsh. “Will we? Because right now, I don’t see how.”
They took the elevator up. The doors opened onto Kane’s floor.
Alexander stood in the hallway outside Kane’s door.
Luna’s blood ran cold. Kane went rigid beside her.
“There you are,” Alexander said, smiling. “We need to talk.”
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Luna said, her voice barely audible.
“Not so fast, Miss Sage.” Alexander stopped her in her tracks. “This is about you too.“