The Luna's Harem

Chapter 17: Why Are You Here?

"You have to leave the harem."

Silence hung in the air as Victor’s words rippled through it. He kept his gaze fixed on Cassian’s side profile, sighing heavily as his eyes dropped to the floor.

"I’m sorry, but you have to leave the harem."

A moment later, Cassian’s quiet voice finally broke the stillness.

"Why?" he asked softly.

Victor knitted his brows as he looked back at him, only to find Cassian still staring at the floor.

"Cassian," Victor huffed. "Isn’t tonight already clear enough? You shouldn’t be in the harem." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"..."

He ruffled his hair in frustration, his younger brother choosing silence instead of an answer. "Cassian, this harem isn’t what you think it is. What I’m saying is—Liz—"

"How do you know her?"

"Huh?"

Slowly, Cassian lifted his head and met his brother’s eyes. "How do you know my Lizzie, Vic?"

Victor’s breath hitched, his Adam’s apple bobbing. At the back of his mind, he wanted to tell Cassian the truth—that once upon a time, Lynsandra had been his. Only his. But somehow, the words refused to leave his throat.

"She was..." he trailed off, forcing himself to speak. But in the end...

"...someone I knew in the past."

Victor couldn’t say more. He couldn’t tell his brother the truth, not when Cassian was clearly infatuated with her. And honestly, Victor couldn’t blame him. Lynsandra had been stunning tonight, without even trying.

"Still," Victor continued, steadying himself, "I know her, Cassian. This harem... it’s not for you. You saw the others. They’re dominant alphas, leaders of their packs. You, on the other hand... don’t make me say it, Cass."

Don’t make him say that Cassian was only a half-breed.

"Besides," Victor added with another heavy breath, "Lynsandra didn’t build that harem because she’s looking for love. That’s not what this is."

Cassian pressed his lips into a thin line. "And what makes you think you know what she wants?" he asked. "You’re not even part of the harem. You’re not even a candidate who went through that selection."

Because she built it to spite me.

That was what Victor wanted to shout.

Before learning who the Luna of the Royal Pack truly was, Victor had said things he wished he could take back. Words spoken out of frustration. Words that had already hurt her.

Tonight proved she hadn’t forgotten all of it.

Worse, she dragged Cassian into it because she knew Cassian was his weakness. Victor cherished his younger brother, and Lynsandra knew exactly how to destroy him.

She was more than capable of it now, more than ever.

"Tsk." Cassian clicked his tongue, turning away bitterly. "I’m not leaving the harem."

"Cassian."

"I know the others are powerful alphas," Cassian continued, his gaze fixed on the floor. "And I know they joined the harem for reasons other than love. They want power. Status. Her attention."

He clenched his fists.

"But me? My only reason is her. I joined because I want to be with Lizzie."

His eyes lifted, his determination burning brighter than before.

"I don’t care what you say, Vic," he whispered, his voice steady. "I’m not leaving the harem."

"Isn’t tonight proof that she’s out of your league?"

"I know she is!" Cassian snapped. "That’s why I’m working hard! And tonight—yeah, she put me in my place. But that’s my fault! I made her wait, so I deserved it!"

"Cassian!"

"Enough!" Cassian shot to his feet, facing Victor head-on. "I’ve already made my decision. Stop trying to poison it!"

With that, he stormed out, fuming.

Victor stood, instinctively moving after him, but stopped mid-step.

"God..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, hand settling on his hip. When he glanced at the door Cassian had left through, another deep sigh escaped him.

"I should’ve stopped him the moment that invitation arrived."

*****

Meanwhile, at the Luna’s Mansion...

Gareth quietly scanned the dining hall, noting the empty seats around. It wasn’t unusual for the members not to dine together—especially with Lynsandra away—but tonight felt unnervingly quiet.

Only Severin sat in his usual spot. Evander was present as well. And then there was Gareth. There were only three of them.

Where did everyone go? Gareth wondered. I think... they were all planning something this morning.

He was referring to the other members of the harem—everyone except Cassian, who had been far too vocal about his date with Lynsandra.

I don’t think they’d crash it... or would they?

"Young Mister Stone."

Gareth flinched at Evander’s gentle voice and turned toward him. "Yes, Reverend?"

Evander smiled kindly. "I’ll be holding a prayer reading later in the chapel. You’re welcome to join me. Prayer helps ease troubled hearts."

"Ah..." Gareth nodded awkwardly. "I’ll... try." But I don’t think so.

"I hope you can," Evander said before shifting his gaze toward Severin. "Even vampires such as yourself are welcome."

Severin didn’t react. Instead, he finished his meal, picked up his plate, and left.

Gareth followed him with his eyes as Evander chuckled softly.

"He’s likely upset everyone attended the launch," Evander remarked. "He seems rather fond of our Luna. Quite unusual for a vampire, but the world has changed."

"Reverend," Gareth asked out of pure confusion, "what launch?"

Evander studied him before tilting his head. Instead of answering him, he said, "May I ask you something, Mr. Stone?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you here?"

Gareth froze as the question caught him off guard.

Evander chuckled. "Don’t be startled. Everyone here has motives, and I’m quite certain the Luna is aware of them."

"There’s unrest in the North," Evander continued calmly. "Elias Hale, the Alpha’s brother, was rumored to challenge for leadership before the selection. It was only put on a truce because the Royal Pack had sent them an invitation. And the West Silver Claw Pack requires a Luna. If August Benedict succeeds, the Alpha King title would be his."

He paused, eyes sharp. "Normally, when two wolves from different packs are fated, their packs usually form an alliance. But in this case, that wouldn’t be an alliance, it would be a merger."

Evander faced Gareth directly. "As for me, my intentions are known. But you, Mr. Stone—what are yours?"

Gareth swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Mi — mine?" he stuttered.

"It’s alright," Evander said as he rose from his seat. "You don’t need to answer now, but I would love to hear it someday."

He offered him a smile and left, leaving Gareth alone.

"Motive..." Gareth muttered.

Well, my goal is simple. I just want... freedom.

Another shallow breath escaped him as he finished his meal, took it to the kitchen, and washed it. After that, all he planned was to go to his bedroom to read.

But as he crossed the lobby, the main doors opened.

Gareth flinched and turned his head, only to see Lynsandra walking in.

He straightened instinctively. "Lu—" He halted as she ascended the stairs without looking in his direction.

Gareth pursed his lips, his eyes darting at the figure that was walking in the front door. Julian walked in, and following behind him were August and then Elias.

"So they really did crash the date," he murmured, then furrowed his brows as someone was missing. "Where’s Cassian?"