I Refuse to Be Your Luna

Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 38 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 38

Chapter 38 The Weight Of Comparison

Alpha Harold’s POV

The silence that followed Flourish’s departure was so complete that it felt unnatural.

Finished

For several moments, nobody moved. The office door remained slightly open from where she had stormed out, and the scent she always carried lingered faintly in the room, stubbornly refusing to disappear.

I stood beside my desk with my jaw clenched so tightly that my teeth hurt.

I had expected resistance and anger.

What I had not expected was for Flourish to stand in front of me and openly challenge me to a Moon Oath as though our years together meant absolutely nothing.

Across the room, Phina lowered her gaze and nervously twisted her fingers together. “Harold…” she said softly.

The sound of her voice pulled me back to the present. I exhaled heavily and rubbed a hand across my face. “Don’t think about what she said.”

Phina looked up. “I wasn’t-”

“Yes, you were.”

My voice softened. “Flourish has always been like this. When she’s angry, she doesn’t know when to stop. She keeps pushing until everyone around her gets hurt.”

Phina’s expression immediately became conflicted. “She doesn’t really hate me, does she?”

I laughed bitterly. “At this point, I honestly don’t know.”

The memory of Flourish standing there with her eyes blazing replayed in my mind.

Then take the oath.

The confidence in her voice had unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.

Phina lowered her head. “I’m sorry.”

i frowned. “What are you apologizing for?”

“Because you’re fighting because of me.”

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Chapter 38 The Weight Of Comparison

My expression immediately softened. “None of this is your fault.”

Phina looked up at me with hesitant eyes.

Finished

I had seen that same expression countless times over the years. Ever since Rowan died, she always carried this constant fear of becoming a burden to everyone around her.

It was one of the reasons I could never ignore

her.

“Listen to me carefully,” I said firmly. “You have done absolutely nothing wrong. If Flourish has a problem with me, then she should deal with me directly instead of taking it out on you.”

Phina nodded slowly. “Okay.”

I picked up my phone and dialed Alpha Garret’s number.

The call rang and rang and rang, but nobody answered.

A frown formed on my face. I ended the call and immediately tried again, but the result was exactly the same.

My irritation deepened.

Normally Garret never ignored my calls.

The fact that he wasn’t answering now made me suspect that Flourish had already spoken to him, or something more serious was happening.

The thought only worsened my mood.

Eventually I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go home.”

The following morning marked the monthly Virel gathering.

Ever since I was a child, the Virel family had maintained the tradition without fail. No matter how busy everyone became, one day every month was reserved for family.

Lunch was already being prepared by the time I arrived at the main estate.

Phina stepped out beside me, carefully adjusting the sleeves of her dress.

The moment we entered the mansion, Lady Daciana immediately spotted her.

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Chapter 38 The Weight Of Comparison

Finished

“Oh my goodness.” My mother hurried forward. “Phina, what happened?”

I glanced at Phina before answering. “She got hurt.”

Daciana’s expression instantly filled with concern. “Hurt how?”

“There was an accident involving moonrose wine.”

Across the room, Ragnar’s brows immediately furrowed. “Moonrose wine?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

My father studied Phina for several seconds, then he said quietly, “Let me see.”

Phina visibly hesitated. “It really isn’t serious-”

“Let me see.” The authority in Ragnar’s voice left little room for argument. Reluctantly, Phina pulled back part of her sleeve.

Ragnar examined the faint redness before exchanging a glance with Daciana.

I immediately noticed the suspicion and doubt in the silent conversation passing between my parents. My irritation returned immediately.

“What is that look supposed to mean?”

Daciana blinked. “What look?”

“The one both of you are giving her.”

Ragnar folded his arms. “We’re not accusing anyone of anything.”

“It certainly sounds and looks like you are.”

My father sighed. “Harold, moonrose burns heal best when left uncovered. That’s all I’m saying.”

Before I could reply, Phina quickly stepped in.

“It’s alright.” She smiled nervously. “The healers already told me the same thing.”

Daciana immediately softened. “There, you see? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

She reached for the first aid kit resting nearby. “Come sit down. I’ll apply some lavender oil.”

Phina obeyed without complaint.

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Chapter 38 The Weight Of Comparison

Finished

As Daciana carefully treated the irritation, she shook her head. “You worry me.”

Phina looked surprised. “Me?”

“Yes, you. You’re living all by yourself in that little house. Every time I hear about something happening, I immediately start wondering whether you’ve eaten properly or if anyone is looking after you.”

Phina smiled sheepishly. “I’m doing fine.”

“You should move back into Stonehedge.”

Phina immediately shook her head. “Oh no. That’s unnecessary.”

“Why?”

A faint blush appeared on her face.”Because I practice at odd hours.”

Daciana looked confused. “Practice what?”

“My music.”

I smiled. Immediately my mother’s face lit up with understanding. “You’re still working on compositions?”

Phina nodded enthusiastically. “I recently finished another piece, and I’ve been considering whether I should release an album.”

“An album?”

“Maybe.”

I leaned back in my chair. “If that’s what you want, then do it.”

Phina laughed softly. “It’s not that easy.”

“Of course it is.” Everyone turned toward me, and I shrugged. “If she wants to release an album, I’ll make sure she has the resources to do it properly.”

Daciana smiled warmly. “That’s actually a wonderful idea.”

Phina looked genuinely touched. “Thank you.”

The conversation drifted naturally after that. For the first time in days, I felt some of the pressure lifting from my shoulders.

At least here, people understood.

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Chapter 38 The Weight Of Comparison

Finished

At least here, nobody questioned why I continued helping Phina.

A short while later, footsteps echoed from the staircase, and Alpha Magnus appeared first.

His sharp gaze swept across the room, then he frowned. “Where’s Damian?”

Ragnar chuckled. “I saw him at his company this morning.”

“Working already?”

“When has that boy ever stopped?”

As though summoned by the conversation itself, another set of footsteps echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned, and Damian walked into the room.

His dark suit fit perfectly, his posture was relaxed, and his expression was calm. Yet somehow he still carried enough presence to command the attention of every wolf in the mansion without saying a single word.

I found myself staring.

Seven years. That was how long Damian had been gone. Somewhere along the way, he had transformed into something entirely different.

Something far greater than the reckless young Alpha who had once stormed out of this family.

Magnus smiled. “There he is.”

Damian glanced around the room. “Are you all waiting for me?”

“No,” Magnus replied dryly. “We simply enjoy staring at empty chairs.”

A few people laughed. Damian shook his head before heading toward the dining room.

As he passed, his eyes briefly landed on me. One brow lifted. “Aren’t you coming?”

I blinked. For a moment I realized I had been staring. “I’m coming.”

Damian gave a small nod before continuing forward.

I followed after him silently.

As I watched my older brother walk ahead of everyone else, a strange thought crossed my