Chapter 129: A Calculated Performance
Chapter 129: A Calculated Performance
(Celeste’s POV)
The journey to the royal territory passed in tense silence, with only the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels serving as a backdrop to my thoughts.
My silver–scarred wolf stirred uneasily, both from the looming encounter with Reginal Blackwood and from the fresh torment of Marcus’s recent cruelty.
Despite my outward calm, the throbbing silver burns hidden beneath my clothing kept me
grounded in bitter reality.
Victoria sat across from me, her green eyes watching me carefully. Her wolf radiated faint anxiety, no doubt worried about my response to this sudden invitation.
“Celeste,” she began cautiously, her voice soft. “Please understand, this visit is necessary for maintaining harmony between the two packs.”
I offered her a polite smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Harmony, of course, Luna. Who am
I to question a royal request?”
She flinched slightly at my tone, the guilt that clawed at her barely hidden. Rather than respond, Victoria adjusted the lapel of her formal coat, clearly uncomfortable.
My wolf growled lowly in the depths of my mind, sensing her unease but remaining vigilant. Whatever awaited in the royal chambers, I would face it.
Upon arriving at Regina’s luxurious estate, the sheer opulence of the royal territory stretched before us. Lush gardens surrounded the entrance, and the towering gates gleamed under the midday sun, a reminder of royal dominance.
As Victoria and I were escorted toward Regina’s chambers, her scent hit me before I even saw her. Violet eyes identical to Marcus’s locked on me the moment I crossed her threshold. Regina moved toward me with an exaggerated display of emotion, her tears flowing freely.
“Little Moon!” she cried, her arms outstretched. Her wolf’s energy pulsed with false concern, clawing at my senses like a poorly executed act.
I maintained my composure, even as her embrace enveloped me. Every touch made the scars
beneath my clothes ache.
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“I feared you wouldn’t come after what my son-” Regina’s voice broke in a well–rehearsed sob. “After everything that happened.”
“How could I refuse such an honor?” I answered, smoothing my tone to carry respect. “The Alpha King’s sister personally requesting my presence? It wouldn’t be right to decline.”
Her violet eyes glistened with approval at my reply. She broke the embrace, stepping back to study my face with an expression of motherly kindness.
“But dear child,” she said softly, “after Marcus’s behavior, surely you harbor some resentment.”
She tilted her head, the picture of concern, as if she hadn’t raised the monster who tortured
- me.
My lips curved into a gentle smile that matched her fabricated energy. “The past is the past. I have no room to carry resentment, Lady Regina.”
Victoria nodded keenly beside me, affirming my words. “Celeste has shown remarkable
resilience and understanding. We should move forward positively.”
Regina’s wolf hummed, clearly pleased by my apparent forgiveness. She exchanged a knowing
glance with Victoria–a signal I was meant to ignore but took note of anyway.
“Such a precious girl,” Regina finally said, placing a hand on my shoulder with a feigned
maternal touch. “Come now, Little Moon. I have something important to show you.”
Victoria’s presence faded into the background as Regina practically dragged me inside her
chambers. My wolf bristled as soon as we entered. The scent of blood and silver filled the air,
triggering memories of Marcus’s torture den.
My footsteps faltered slightly when I noticed him.
Marcus knelt on the marble floor in the room’s center, shirtless, his head bowed low. His royal
wolf appeared subdued, but the violet gleam in his eyes as he lifted his head betrayed the
truth.
His predator gaze seared into me, a bloodthirsty hunger that hadn’t waned despite his
carefully composed expression. My wolf growled softly, detecting his violent intentions even
in his submissive posture.
What was this? What game were they playing?
“You see, Little Moon,” Regina announced with tearful drama, “Marcus’s behavior was
unacceptable, and as his mother, it’s my duty to discipline him.”
Before I could respond, she stepped to the side, revealing a set of silver–laced chains on the
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Chapter 129: A Calculated Perfo…
table. My stomach churned as the metallic tang of silver hit my nose.
She grabbed the chains with deliberate force, turning back to Marcus. Without hesitation, she delivered the first strike across his back.
The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed around the room. Marcus didn’t flinch, though his wolf let out a low growl of pain.
Another strike followed. Red welts bloomed against his skin, beading with blood.
I stood rooted, my face a neutral mask as Regina viciously swung again. The room filled with
tension, the cracks of iron against flesh intertwining with Marcus’s suppressed wolf growls.
“This is what happens when you disgrace your family name!” Regina declared after each blow.
“How dare you harm your precious mate?”
Precious mate? The ridiculousness of the term coming from her lips almost made me laugh
aloud.
Despite the ferocity of her performance, the strikes were calculated, enough to bleed but not
inflict severe damage.
Regina’s strength began to wane as she delivered another blow. Victoria, who had stood silent
this entire time, winced at the sight of blood pooling on the marble floor.
“Sister,” Victoria interjected softly. “Perhaps Marcus has learned his lesson. Any further punishment may hinder future reconciliation.”
Regina paused, her wolf conflicted between maternal instincts and the need for discipline. Her
eyes softened, and she let the chains sway loosely in her grip.
“Very well,” she sighed dramatically, as though this declaration of restraint was a sacrifice.
“Marcus?”
The man turned. His bloody back gleamed under the room’s light as he shifted to face me.
“I was confused,” he began, his voice rich with false remorse. “Everything is my fault, Little
Moon. I hurt you, and I have no excuse.”
His violet eyes bored into me, the glint in his gaze both fascinated and predatory. He straightened slightly, his towering form still kneeling as his wolf radiated orchestrated
submission.
The superficial performance might have fooled most, but not me.
My wolf tensed as Marcus’s claws extended, just barely, betraying how badly he wanted to pin
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Chapter 129: A Calculated Perfo…
me under him.
For warriors like Marcus, pain wasn’t a punishment–it was his fuel. Each lash only lit the fire of his desire further, and the unspoken thirst in his gaze disgusted me.
It was time to act.
I stepped forward, my composed smile softening for the watching crowd, particularly Regina. Every movement was calculated, every detail carefully choreographed.
“Since Marcus has admitted his fault,” I proclaimed sweetly, my voice carrying warmth that made Marcus’s wolf practically purr, “there’s no need to punish him further, Lady Regina.”
My eyes flicked briefly toward Marcus’s violet gaze, allowing the smallest glimmer of
acknowledgment to shine through.
“If you continue,” I added lightly, turning back to Regina, “I may end up without a mate.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Marcus’s body visibly reacted, his wolf trembling with restrained hunger despite his bloody
kneeling posture. His lips curved faintly, thrilled by what he perceived as my acceptance.
Regina glowed with misplaced pride, dropping the chains with finality. She rushed to clasp my
hands, taking my gesture as genuine goodwill.
“Such understanding, my dear,” she effused, her wolf preening. “I always knew you were the
perfect match for Marcus.”
She squeezed my hands earnestly. “I promise Marcus will cherish you properly from now on. He’ll never harm you again!”
I met Marcus’s unwavering gaze one final time.
This wasn’t over. Far from it. He may think I was willing to play the part of the submissive mate, but my silver–scarred wolf snarled beneath the surface, ready for the moment to strike.
