When My Alpha Ex-Husband Came Looking for Me, I was Already GoneChapter 2

The next evening, I took Lucas to the Luna Trousseau Auction.

He did not know it was a test.

To him, it was only another duty. He arrived at the foot of the stairs in black formal armor, silver trim catching the light across his shoulders. The same unreadable face. The same controlled posture. The same calm that had once made me think he was honorable.

Now I wondered how many lies could hide behind stillness.

His eyes flicked briefly to the bandage beneath my collarbone. “You should be resting.”

“I didn’t ask for medical advice.”

His mouth closed.

Good.

The carriage rolled through the city toward the Aster Hall, where noble she-wolves chose gowns, jewels, ceremonial cloaks, and bloodline ornaments before important mating ceremonies. I had not told anyone yet that I would marry Alpha Maximus Thane, but I needed a Luna gown.

Not for love.

For departure.

Lucas sat across from me, silent as stone. I watched the window instead of him.

When we arrived, whispers followed me through the hall.

“Rebecca Aethon survived shadow venom.”

“Didn’t Lucas save Maurine first?”

“Poor Rebecca. Always second.”

I ignored them.

At the center of the hall stood a ceremonial gown displayed beneath moon-glass: midnight blue, threaded with silver, the hem embroidered with northern wolves running beneath a crescent moon. It was not pretty in the delicate way Maurine liked. It was cold, dignified, almost severe.

Perfect for a bride walking toward a sleeping Alpha and away from a ruined life.

“I’ll take that one,” I told the designer.

Before the woman could answer, a soft voice floated behind me.

“Oh, that’s beautiful.”

Maurine.

Of course.

She came dressed in pale gold, her curls pinned with pearls, her eyes wide with practiced innocence. My father’s illegitimate daughter had spent her life arriving exactly when she was least wanted.

“Sister,” she said sweetly.

“Don’t call me that.”

Her smile trembled, just enough for the nearby guests to notice.

Lucas shifted behind me.

I did not look at him. I already knew his body recognized her distress faster than it recognized my blood.

Maurine touched the sleeve of the gown. “I only said it was beautiful. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You don’t upset me,” I said. “You bore me.”

Gasps rippled.

Then a male voice cut through the hall.

“The gown will be purchased for Miss Maurine Aethon.”

The speaker was tall, dressed in charcoal black, with a wolf’s tooth pin at his collar. He moved like a Beta, but not one I recognized from any registered pack.

The designer hesitated. “And your authority?”

He bowed slightly. “Cyrus, Beta of Silvana Pack.”

The hall froze.

Even the musicians faltered.

Silvana Pack was supposed to be a rumor—hidden beyond the northern ridges, unregistered, ancient, richer than most royal bloodlines and more dangerous than rogues because they answered to no council.

Cyrus continued, “My Alpha has instructed me to acquire anything Miss Maurine desires tonight.”

Maurine’s lips parted in perfect surprise. “I don’t even know the Alpha of Silvana.”

No.

But Lucas did.

I saw it then—the nearly invisible tightening of his hand at his side. The way Cyrus’s eyes flicked once toward him before dropping again.

Once was enough.

The auction became a spectacle.

The northern gown.

A moonstone necklace.

Ceremonial combs.

An emerald cloak.

Every time I showed even passing interest, Maurine sighed softly and Cyrus bought it for her under Silvana’s name. The hall buzzed with admiration.

“How lucky.”

“The Silvana Alpha must adore her.”

“Perhaps she is his destined Luna.”

Maurine turned to me with damp, shining eyes. “Rebecca, I’m sorry. I didn’t know this would happen.”

“Of course you didn’t.”

Her smile deepened.

Lucas said nothing.

That was the part I hated most. Not Cyrus. Not the gifts. Not the public humiliation.

Lucas stood behind me and watched another male claim the right to spoil Maurine with his wealth, while his eyes remained warmer on her than they had ever been on me.

After the auction, I ordered the driver to take me to the old observatory road instead of home.

Lucas frowned. “That road is unsafe at night.”

“Then guard me.”

Maurine, who had somehow followed us outside, clasped her hands. “Can I come? I don’t want to go home yet.”

“No.”

She flinched.

Lucas opened the carriage door for her anyway.

I looked at him.

His face remained calm. “It’s on the way.”

It was not.

Inside the carriage, Maurine talked enough for all three of us. She asked about Silvana. About whether its Alpha was handsome. About whether it was true he could kill three wolves before drawing his claws.

Lucas finally answered, voice low. “He is not someone you should play with.”

Maurine tilted her head. “You sound like you know him.”

His eyes met hers.

“I know enough.”

The carriage stopped near the observatory path.

I stepped out before either of them could continue. The wind smelled of pine and coming rain. I walked up the old stone steps alone, letting the distance stretch.

Lucas followed.

Maurine remained near the carriage, annoyed that she could not bring her performance onto uneven ground.

At the top, I turned.

“Tell me something, Lucas.”

He stopped two steps below me. “Young Miss?”

“Did you ever take your oath to me seriously?”

His expression changed.

Only for a second.

But I saw it.

“Of course.”

“Then why did Beta Cyrus look at you before spending Silvana gold?”

His eyes went cold.

“There are many reasons a Beta may look at another warrior.”

“Are there?”

He said nothing.

I smiled. “You’re a better liar when you don’t speak.”

That night, after we returned, I did not go to my room. I waited in the dark side corridor near the guest quarters until Lucas thought the house had gone quiet.

His door was not fully closed.

Through the gap, I saw him holding a small portrait.

Maurine’s.

Not the public one everyone had. This one was private, candid, soft. He touched the edge of it with a tenderness that made my stomach twist.

Then his phone rang.

He answered without hesitation.

“Report.”

His voice changed.

No longer a knight’s voice.

An Alpha’s.

Cyrus’s voice came faintly from the other end. “The auction did what you wanted. Everyone thinks Silvana favors Maurine.”

“Good.”

“Rebecca is suspicious.”

Lucas looked toward the door.

I held my breath.

“She doesn’t matter,” he said. “She was only ever access to Aethon and Maurine.”

My wolf went silent.

Cyrus hesitated. “And if Maurine is not the one from the golden glass prophecy?”

“She is,” Lucas said. “I’m certain.”

“You’re risking Silvana for a girl who hasn’t even recognized you.”

“She will.”

He lowered his gaze to the portrait.

“She just needs time.”

I stepped back before the floor could betray me.

Lucas was not a loyal wolf knight.

He was Alpha of Silvana.

And he had knelt in my life for years only to reach Maurine.