75 L Woond is back …

Cassidy .

I sat at the dining table of White Lake Packhouse my pack , chewing on my perfectly manicured nails – a habit my mother spent years trying to break .

I was nervous .

Thete afternoon sun streaming through the tall windows did nothing to warm the chill in my mom’s voice as she paced across the room , her voice rising and falling with each word .

As always , my father stood at the corner of the room , arms crossed , his face impassive …

He wasn’t saying much , which I wished he would at times when my mother went on and on… but as always , he was dedicated to supporting his mate , no matter what .

“ Have you no shame , Cassidy ? ” My mother snapped , staring at me with disapproval .

“ You’re not doing enough , that’s why Alpha Ramsey still hasn’t made you his Luna and do you know why ? ”

I just stared at her .

“ Because you’re failing to do your duty as a woman .

A real woman would have him eating from the palm of her hand , ready to risk everything for her .

But here you are … a glorified mistress .

.

the so – called Luna of the White Moon Throne … engaged for four years and counting with no sign of ever getting married .

”

“ He will marry me ! ” I said quietly , wringing my fingers as there was nothing left to chew on .

“ When ? ” my

mother asked turning round to face me .

“ I warned you against going to live with him .

at the White Moon Packhouse but of course , you ignored me .

Never , has your so – called .

mate – to – be evere to see us .

Not even a courtesy visit .

”

“ He’s always busy , mother ! ” I said quietly , daring to meet her eyes .

“ He’s the Lycan Leader ….

protector of our world .

You think he’ll … ”

“ Oh , shut up ! ” my mother hissed , “ This is exactly why he looks down on you , on our family .

You’re nothing but a weakling .

You’re not making yourself desirable enough and yet you wonder why he hasn’t made you his Luna ? ”

My eyes darted to my father but he wouldn’t intervene .

He never did .

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“ That nonsense from four years ago about bad luck falling on our world because of your marriage to him ? Well … Isn’t it over two years ? ” My motherughed bitterly .

“ I told you it was a

lie ”

“ I’ve tried , mother ! ” I cried , trying to mask the frustration in my voice .

“ I’m trying .

But Ramsey … he doesn’t love me .

It’s as simple as that .

Maybe he just … maybe he just doesn’t care the way he

should ! ”

Her eyes shed as she clenched her fists and came to me .

“ Love ? ” her voice was cold as ice .

“ You think love has anything to do with this ? Love is for fools , Cassidy Thorne .

For little girls who settle for the bare minimum .

Oh ! You think it’s love that has kept our world together through

the power of the White Moon Throne ? ”

75 L Woond is back …

I shook my head , lowering my gaze .

“ I’ve done everything I can … ”

“ Done Everything ? ” her lips curled into a sneer .

“ You’ve done nothing ! Look at you , she gestured at me .

“ You’re the most beautiful woman in the White Mountain Region .

The most desirable of all .

There isn’t a man alive who wouldn’t want you , who would turn you down .

If Ramsey Kincaid doesn’t , you’re doing something wrong !

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes .

“ I’ve tried everything you told me .

“ I’ve worn all those slutty dresses you sent me .

The perfumes , the oils .

I’ve seduced him in every way I could think of .

I’ve tried to be exactly who you told me to be , mother .

But he’s … distant .

He’s always distracted .

“ Then make him do it ! ” she mmed her hands on the table , causing the crystal sses to rattle .

“ If you have to spike his drink then do it .

I don’t care if you tie him to the bed and fuck him yourself until he gives you an heir … then do it ! ”

My eyes widened with surprise at her words .

My mom is a proper and prime woman … to see her telling me to do these things .

“ I can’t just spike his drink or go into his room as I please .

He’s the Lycan Leader and … ” “ He .

Has .

A.

Cock ! ” she punctuated her words .

“ He’s a man and you’ve slept with him before .

You will be Luna of the White Moon Throne , Cassidy Thorne , I don’t care what it takes or what you have to sacrifice .

It’s enough that theyugh at our backs because of your mistakes … the only way you can fix it is to give him reasons to marry you , finally !”

My throat clenched , as I tried not to cry .

Crying will only make her angry .

My father stepped forward attempting to intervene .

“ Darling , maybe … ”

But my mother rounded on him , ignoring himpletely .

“ You’re weak , Cassidy .

You’re not like me or your father .

The Thorne’s are known for their grith .

We are takers .

”

u into

“ Yeah , sure ! ” I plucked a grape from the fruit tray on the table .

“ Sorry , I’m not like you ! ” “ Do you know how much we’ve invested in you ? ” my mother spat , her eyes zing at me .

“ We gave you everything .

The best education , the finest clothes , a life offort .

I moulded you .

a woman of elegance and power fit for the White Moon Throne , not married to some random Lycan Alpha – and here you are , unable to charm a man into making you his Luna .

What a disappointment .

I felt my cheeks burn with shame .

“ Mother ,” I whispered , my voice cracking as I struggled to hold back my tears .

“ He said we’ll marry soon .

I’m doing my best .

”

Her harshugh cut me off .

“ Your best ? If this is your best , Cassidy , it’s pathetic .

If you think .

Ramsey’s going to marry you after all these years , you’re delusional .

He’s paraded you as his Luna , kept other suitors away and still hesitates ? Still dys ? He’s having second thoughts .

”

Her voice dropped to a whisper .

“ When a man wants you , he moves heaven and earth to have you .

Men will kill just to be with a woman they love .

I’ve seen it happen a lot of times .

”

My thoughts strayed immediately to L and all the things Ramsey has done all these years just to find her .

The devotion in his eyes whenever he gazes at her picture in the magazine from

23

75 L Woond is back

that g night .

My fingers trembled and I clenched them into fists steadying myself , desperate to stop the heaviness that settled in my chest .

“ What … what do you want me to do ? ” I finally choked out .

My mother’s lips pressed into a thin line , her eyes glittering dangerously .

“ Trap him .

If he won’t marry you , a pregnancy would solve everything “ .

She straightened smoothing her designer dress .

“ I’ll find something you can use to knock him , out , make it seem like a wild night of passion … ”

“ If I’m caught … ”

“ You will not be caught if you do it right .

” She stopped me with a re .

“ You have until the next full moon .

If you’re not carrying Ramsey Kincaid’s child by then , you’re no daughter of mine and don’t bothering back to me .

”

With that , she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room , her footsteps echoing down the

hall .

I ced my forehead on the dining table and began to sob .

I’ve never felt so defeated , so helpless , so ashamed of myself .

My father approached me quietly ,ying a gentle hand on my

shoulder .

I looked up , trying topose myself .

“ Father ,” I whispered .

“ I’ve tried everything .

But Ramsey … he doesn’t even look at me .

”

My father’s face softened as he gazed at me thoughtfully .

“ When a man is like that , it could mean .

there’s another woman .

Is there something else ? Maybe a maid or his heart belongs somewhere else ? ”

My lips parted and for a moment , L’s name was on the tip of my tongue .

If my mother knew of L , if everyone knew , I’d lose everything .

My mother would turn on me with even more disdain , I would lose my relevance to Ramsey and he would likely take the chance to cut me off once and

for all .

I shook my head .

No ! My continued silence to always be by his side .

As I was about to make up an excuse , there was a knock on the door of the dining room .

A guard from the White Moon Pack Ramsey’s pack entered .

He was under my payroll .

He worked with Ramsey and brought me information about everything .

“ Luna , ” he bowed his head curtly .

“ What is it ? ” my father asked , straightening and folding his hands behind his back .

The guard’s gaze flitted from him and back to me .

“ Luna Cassidy … I have news you need to hear immediately .

“ It’s about … her .

”

My heart skipped a beat .

Talk about the devil .

But I forced myself to keep my expression neutral

7.

0

75 L Woond is back ….

“ I was leaving anyway .

I have lots of matters to attend to ,” he said squeezing my shoulder once before leaving us alone .

As soon as the door closed , I turned to the guard , my heart pounding with fear .

“ Tell me ,” I demanded clutching the edge of the table .

The guard came closer , casting a quick look over his shoulder before lowering his voice into a whisper .

“ L Woond … is back ”

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