THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER TWO

A week has already passed, but Luna still cannot find any potential partner. The dimly lit meeting room in the Silverwood pack's headquarters is filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the rustle of papers and the occasional sigh. Several seemingly suitable candidates have failed to pass her and Isolde's tests. Besides, fighting Rafe is not something most people in the pack want to do. Everyone knows how strong and cruel he is.

"How about Simone Kael from the Stormridge pack? He's pretty good and cute," Isolde suggests, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation, her eyes scanning the list of candidates spread across the oak table in front of them. It's her tenth suggestion.

"No. I don't want anyone from outside our pack. We never know what their agenda might be," Luna replies, her tone firm, her fingers tapping impatiently on the paper in front of her. The flickering light from the chandelier above casts dancing shadows on the walls, emphasizing the tension in the room.

"How about his stepbrother then, Lukan Kael? He might be from the Stormridge pack, but his father is from the Beins family. He has our pack's royal blood," Magnus suggests , his voice calm but with a hint of eagerness. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, the dim light reflecting off his silver hair, giving him a wise, almost otherworldly appearance.

Luna silently studies Lukan's application, her brow furrowed. The room seems to grow quieter as she reads, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Truthfully, he is the best candidate so far, but his reputation makes her uneasy. The whispers of his past—his notorious playboy lifestyle, the countless rumors swirling around him—are hard to ignore.

"I don't know if I can trust him. He's a playboy. Even I know that," Luna says, her voice laced with doubt. Her eyes, usually so bright and determined, now show a flicker of uncertainty. Isolde chuckles softly, the sound breaking the heavy silence, her eyes sparkling with mischief and understanding.

"Well,he's our last candidate so far. So you better make your choice, or I can help you talk to Rafe again," Magnus says, his voice lighthearted, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Luna's face hardens, her jaw clenched, the muscles in her neck tensing. The room seems to shrink around her, the walls closing in with the weight of her decision.

"Not a chance," Luna retorts, her voice icy, her gaze piercing through Magnus. The flicker of defiance in her eyes is unmistakable, a silent vow that she will find another way, no matter the cost.

"Okay then, I have to go now. I'm sure your father wants a report," Magnus says, standing up from his chair. His tall frame casts a long shadow over the room as he prepares to leave.

"Think wisely, Luna," Magnus adds, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. Magnus is her father's best friend and right-hand man. To Luna, he's more like the uncle she never had. He's always been there for her, especially when her father was too busy with his duties as the pack leader.

As he turns to leave, Luna can't help but wonder where he was when she and her father were dying. Did he die before them, or did he survive? Luna hopes he survived, but her memory is too blurred. The more she tries to remember, the more her headaches.

......................

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling town of Silverwood. Luna strolled through the lively streets, her senses overwhelmed by the vibrant sights and sounds. This was a rare experience for her; in her previous life, she had rarely ventured into town, her training and duties confining her life.

As she wandered past market stalls and shops, the aroma of freshly baked bread and the chatter of townsfolk surrounded her. For a moment, she allowed herself to be just another face in the crowd, free from the burdens of her lineage. Even though some people recognized her, they were very polite, and Luna enjoyed the simple greetings and conversations.