CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FOUR
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FOUR
Talia’s POV
I spent the evening exploring the wing of the pack house that Nolan used as his residence. The space was larger than I expected, but it did not feel excessive or cold. It felt lived in.
What caught my attention most was the study.
Shelves lined two of the walls. The shelves were packed with books of every size and binding. Some were old with their spines worn but carefully kept. Then they were well organized by region and topic.
I couldn’t help but smile. “So, this is what you do when you’re not scowling at people,” I muttered as I ran my fingers along the edge of one shelf.
I had not expected Nolan to be a reader. His collection was extensive and there were a few handwritten journals tucked between them.
I pulled one book free and sat down in one of the chairs near the lamp. I started reading, and before I realized it, I was several chapters in. My wolf stayed quiet as she was enjoying this moment with me.
Then, a noise broke the peaceful quiet moment. I could hear footsteps coming from the bedroom. I grabbed a pen from the desk and placed it into the book to hold my place before sitting it down on the desk.
I opened the door to the bedroom saying, “Nolan, I thought you…’
I stopped midsentence as it was not Nolan in our bedroom. Instead, Maggie stood there.
‘I thought Nolan told her to stay out of our den,’ my wolf growled.
Maggie placed a basket of folded clothes down. She had a neutral expression, but her eyes narrowed when she saw me. I met her gaze as I entered the room. If she thinks she was going to bully me here, Maggie had another thing coming.
“I didn’t realize anyone was coming in,” I said.
“This is my duty, Miss Talia,” Maggie stated.
“You can go,” I told her.
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t need to clean the Alpha’s quarters anymore,” I explained.
“I take my instructions from Nolan, Miss Talia,” Maggie responded.
My wolf bristled. ‘Who is she to call him by his name like that!’ she growled.
‘I know, I know. She wants us to be angry. We won’t give her the satisfaction,’ I told her.
“I am his mate,” I replied evenly. “These quarters are no longer his alone, so you are not needed.”
“Again, I follow only Nolan’s orders,” Maggie stated.
My wolf snarled at that, but I pushed her down.
“And aren’t you disobeying his order now?” I asked and Maggie’s eyes widened. So, she didn’t know I knew Nolan told her to stay out. “I am his mate and Luna. I’m asking you to leave.”
“What you want doesn’t matter,” Maggie said firmly.
“That will change after the Luna ceremony,” I said. “And when it does, you will respect my authority along with Alpha Nolan’s.”
1/3
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FOUR
+25 Bonus
Maggie’s eyes darkened. The politeness she had been holding finally fully slipped. “That ceremony may not go as smoothly as you expect.”
I studied her more carefully then. This was not simple resentment or wounded pride. Maggie would cause me harm if she could.
I took a step toward her, allowing my aura to flow from me. “What is your problem? You’ve been disrespectful since I arrived. I have done nothing to you.”
“You did nothing to me, but you’ve done something to him,” Maggie explained. “You’ve changed him.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” I said.
“Nolan was not like this before he left. He needs to be focused to govern the pack properly,” she shot back. “You’re going to endanger our pack.”
“Are you doubting your Alpha’s ability?” I questioned.
“Don’t try to turn this on me,” Maggie said.
“I understand my role as Luna. You don’t need to be concerned,” I said firmly.
“You understand nothing,” Maggie snapped. “He never allowed women near him before you. Not like this. He trusted me. He listened to me. Now he doesn’t listen.”
“This pup desires our mate,’ my wolf growled. ‘We need to put her in her place now before this gets out of hand.’
“You are confusing kindness with affection,” I said. “And loyalty with entitlement.”
Her face flushed red. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know that the Moon Goddess made me his fated mate and not you.”
“You think that bond makes you special. There’s nothing special about you.”
“It makes me his mate,” I answered. “That is not something you can change.”
She stepped closer, her voice rising. “That bond is a curse! You don’t deserve to be his Luna!”
My wolf’s anger flared and I agreed. I had enough of Maggie’s insolence. Right when I was about to slap her, I caught Nolan’s
scent.
‘What are you waiting for?’ my wolf growled.
“This is the perfect opportunity to show Nolan what his ‘little sister’ is like behind closed doors,’ I explained.
“You’re in love with him. No, infatuated. It’s cute really,” I said plainly. “But he does not belong to you.”.
“Shut up! You don’t know anything about me!” Maggie shouted. “Your mate bond is a curse!”
I smiled slightly. “You are young, girl. You have not found your mate yet. When you do, you will understand the pull you are cursing, and you will understand how foolish you were right now,”
Maggie’s hands curled into fists. “You are a witch!” she snapped. “You seduced him!”
The door behind her opened. The door slammed hard into the wall causing Maggie to jump.
“Maggie!” Nolan snarled.
Maggie went pale instantly, all defiance draining from her face as she turned toward him.
