When The Moon Hides Her Crown novel Chapter 142

RONAN

I lost control of my wolf the instant their hands clasped. My legs moved of their own accord, carrying me closer before I even registered it. When Ryker lost intentionally, giving up the scroll to her as a love token. The word alone shattered any semblance of sanity inside me.

Not because of the scroll itself, but due to his expression. And hers.

Seraphina looked surprised, yes, but not caught off guard. Her expression shifted, just for a moment, before she smoothed it back into composure too quickly, far too seamlessly for someone blindsided by his confession of love. That was when the truth struck me like a blade to the chest, she knew.

Ryker had already confessed his love to her. And she…she had hidden it.

Verkas roared inside my mind, clawing and thrashing to be freed. My claws slid out, my gaze fixed solely on Ryker’s back as fury thundered through me. I strode forward, each step closer to tearing him apart.

Seraphina’s face paled, her shaking eyes locked on mine. Grace’s cheerful voice faded in the background, calling her to collect the scroll, but Seraphina ignored it. She didn’t go to Grace. She rose swiftly from the ground and rushed toward me, placing herself directly in my path before I could reach Ryker.

“Alpha Ronan!” Her voice rang out across the clearing, clear and loud. Her body blocked mine, her hand catching my arm. I froze. In that moment, her wolf reached out to mine, connecting with Verkas in a sharp, sudden tether that stopped my shift mid-breath. All he could do was stare at the white she-wolf that was so close to him as she boldly blocked him with her amber eyes holding him under her little paw.

The clearing fell into silence. All eyes shifted to us. Yet Seraphina’s gaze never wavered. Her hand tightened on my arm as though demanding that I see only her, that my attention belonged to no one else.

“Grace, I feel sick,” she said suddenly, her tone steady, her words a lie but her eyes still burned into mine.

Grace hurried closer, concern etched on her face. “What’s wrong, Seth?”

“Please…don’t come closer,” Seraphina cut in swiftly, her lie smooth and unwavering, “it might be a rut.”

The weight of her voice, her gaze, her lie slid smoothly to everyone without being caught.

She looked back over her shoulder, still pressing her hand to my arm. “I’ll let Alpha Ronan guide me to my dormitory to rest. You should enjoy the party,” she added, forcing a small, convincing smile for Grace.

“Alright then, take care,” Grace replied, waving her hand.

Seraphina nodded, casual and unhurried, before sliding her hand down my arm until it slipped into my hand. To everyone else, it looked as if I were supporting her. I knew the truth. It was she who was leading me away.

Yet standing on the balcony one evening, my restraint shattered the moment I caught sight of her on the training grounds below. Just the sight of Seraphina, her hair catching the wind, her movements sharp and certain made my instincts surge, wilder than before, clawing at me to go to her.

“If you don’t rein yourself in, you’ll fall into a dangerous rut,” Healer Aran said calmly, stepping out from behind me.

“Then give me something stronger,” I snapped, not taking my eyes off her, “I want to leave.”

“That’s impossible.” He came to stand beside me, leaning casually against the railing. His gaze bore into my profile, sharp enough to cut. “Whatever is happening to you cannot be treated with any medicine or herb,” he paused, and I could hear the humor in his tone before he said it. “I don’t have a cure for lovesick wolves.”

My jaw tightened as I slowly turned my head toward him. “Don’t assume.”

“Did I?” His lips curved into a knowing smile. He lit a cigarette with the ease of a man who had seen too much of the world, exhaling smoke that curled lazily into the air. “I don’t know the details of what ties you to your woman. Still as a man who has had his share of experience with women, every kind of woman. In fact, I’ll say this much: instead of burning yourself alive over her, maybe you should learn to let go. Move on, before she consumes you completely,” his smirk deepened as he met my eyes, “She’s dangerous for you. Poison.”

She was poison. That much was true. She had seeped into every corner of my heart and soul, and yet I craved her all the more. I was addicted to her in the way a man craves the very toxin that might one day destroy him.

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