Chapter 21

I sighed, putting my book to the side and dragging another one in front of me. I’d spent the last three days in the manor’s library—this massive, beautiful room two stories high—throwing myself into learning everything I could about Eclipse. I needed to know their history, or I’d fail as their Luna.

Besides, what better way was there to avoid thinking about Elroy?

Part of me felt bad for wanting to distance myself, since I didn’t even know if Rita’s accusations were true, but I couldn’t help it. I had to start drawing away, because I could not afford to get invested in this man.

He was my husband by contract. Yes, he hadn’t done anything violent or cruel, but that didn’t mean I could go falling in love with him. Besides, if the prophecy was real and he didn’t tell me about it, he was already hiding some pretty huge information.

I could forgive a lot of things, but keeping secrets wasn’t one of them.

I leaned back, rubbing the bridge of my nose. I just needed to take my eyes off of the print for a minute; I was starting to get a headache.

It’s about lunchtime, my wolf said helpfully. Get a sandwich and walk around the garden, it’ll feel better.

I pouted to myself, but I knew my wolf was right. I had always gotten a little grumpy when I was hungry, and now that I was eating for two? It was no wonder that feeling was a little more insistent.

Still, even as I got up I dreaded leaving the library. I didn’t know the entire floorplan of the manor yet, and more importantly I didn’t know who I could run into. Between the staff, the high-level members who also lived here, and the administrative staff who worked in the offices, I could bump into anyone.

And Rita’s banquet already taught me that not everyone was thrilled with my appointment.

It wasn’t just Rita. There was the high council who urged me to attend that banquet in particular, the nobles who openly questioned whether or not I could have Eclipse’s best interest in mind when I was a rival pack’s Alpha’s heir, all of the people Rita had convinced of her worthiness long before I came into the picture… Sometimes it felt like no one wanted me there.

Jordan constantly reminded me otherwise, though, and I was incredibly grateful. My wolf’s silver fur had thrilled most of the pack, and the common members were saying I was going to bring blessings to Eclipse. More people were excited for me than not.

Unfortunately, those were not the people sharing the halls with me.

At least the assistant cook was nice to me. She whipped me up a Reuben melt in a matter of minutes, and I carried it out to the garden with me. I could spend a little time in the gazebo by the roses and pretend I wasn’t tired of being cooped up.

I had taken to changing into sleep clothes in the Pearl Room, then walking down the hall to sleep with Elroy. Sure, he’d seen me naked before (and had made me thoroughly enjoy the experience) but it was one more small step towards keeping his life separate from mine.

(I’d asked him if we were going to keep separate rooms even after the ceremony, and was pleased to find we were. That was apparently very normal in Eclipse, where arranged and political marriages were far more common. I guessed nobody wanted to spend more time than necessary with a spouse they didn’t pick.)

Having my own room gave me not just a sense of privacy, but one of autonomy too. It was strangely comforting to have my usual face wash in my bathroom and see my makeup brands on the vanity; until a few days ago, I’d felt like I was starting to settle in. Now, though, I just felt on-edge.

I’d had one person in this hellhole that I could somewhat trust, and now I had to question even his motives. I felt like every step could set off a landmine.

Jordan, so far, had been a saving grace. She seemed eager to help however she could, and while I wasn’t naïve enough to forget where her loyalties ultimately lay, I knew I could trust her enough to tell me the truth when I asked.

I pulled the cord by my nightstand, which apparently rang a bell in Jordan’s room. She came quick, opening on the door with a polite knock. "Yes, Luna? You called?"

I winced at the title but pressed on. “Have you heard anything about Rita’s punishment?” I asked. “Elroy won't tell me anything, and I... I need to understand what's happening."

Jordan's eyes widened slightly, and she hesitated before speaking. "I'm not sure if I should—"

"Please," I interrupted, keeping my voice soft as I played the sympathy card. "I’ve been so paranoid since that banquet, I feel like I’m going a little insane. I can't be kept in the dark much longer."

“I think Alpha Elroy is just being protective,” Jordan said optimistically. “He probably doesn’t want to cause you stress right now.”

“But not knowing is what’s causing my stress,” I pressed. Jordan still looked deeply unsure, and I needed her to answer me.

The maid sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "The high council is pushing back against punishing Lady Rita,” she admitted heavily.

“What?!” I asked, stunned. Jordan nodded her head.

“They argue that since no one was actually poisoned, severe consequences aren't warranted."

My heart sank, and my anger rose. They had to be joking. Did they really think everything was fine just because the poison was fake?

“She tried to frame me for poisoning a man,” I said sternly. “She tried to falsely imprison me.”

“I know, Luna,” Jardan said, eyes glued to the ground.

"And Elroy? What's his stance on this?"

Jordan's gaze faltered. "He... he seems to be considering their perspective, Luna."

Disappointment washed over me like a cold wave. "Of course he is," I muttered, turning back to the mirror. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, closing my eyes.

"Thank you, Jordan. You can go."

As the maid's footsteps faded, my mind raced. Was Elroy actually, really considering letting Rita walk away from this scot-free? After he stood in front of everyone at that banquet and announced that anyone plotting against me would be punished accordingly?

He was the Alpha of this pack. The choice, ultimately, was his to make. For him to just bow down to the council like this was…

It felt weak.

I didn’t like thinking that, but it was true. It felt like Elroy was bowing down to his council, going back on his word at my expense, and for what? For the political machinations of some old men?

Is this what being Elroy’s Luna means? I thought bitterly. Watching from the sidelines while Elroy makes decisions that affect us all? The disappointment in Elroy burned in my chest, mingling with the frustration of my own powerlessness.

Worse, it sounded like Elroy wasn’t putting up much of a fight. It was like all Elroy’s promises of support were just empty platitudes, and the longer I thought about it, the more I felt like exactly the tool Rita had accused me of being.