Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 46 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 46

Chapter 46 The Last Grace

Lady Flourish’s POV

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“It’s fine.” I set my fork down and gave Phina a faint smile. “I understand.”

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The dining room went quiet. Her apology had been accepted, but the tension around the table hadn’t lifted. My wolf stayed alert, catching every shift in scent, every change in the air.

Phina looked at me like she hadn’t expected me to answer so easily, then lowered her eyes. “Flourish.” Her voice came out soft. “You forgive me, right?”

My wolf lifted her head. There was an expectation behind those words, and I felt it clearly. I kept my in place, though nothing warm sat behind it anymore.

“Oh?

Are you trying to force me to forgive you?”

on froze. Beside her, Harold’s shoulders stiffened, his wolf reacting to the tension of gold crossed his eyes before he pushed it down.

table, Damian set his glass down slowly. Nobody spoke.

my hands. “Since we’ve come this far, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say.” I to Alpha Magnus. “Grandpa.”

ttention landed on me at once.

old Harold about this a long time ago, but his wolf turned out far more stubborn than I xpected.” I smiled faintly. “I’m not sure he ever bothered mentioning it to you.”

Harold went still, jaw tight, fingers curling against the table.

Lady Daciana stood quickly and grabbed my hand. “Come now, Flourish.” Her smile stayed composed, but her scent didn’t match it. She was afraid. “Whatever it is, let’s talk after dinner. It’s almost seven, you’ve worked all day, you must be starving.”

“She’s right,” Alpha Ragnar said. “Let’s eat first.”

The timing was too convenient. They were stalling, though I couldn’t tell if it was for Harold’s sake or Alpha Magnus’s. Still, I sat back down.

Dinner went on. Nobody seemed interested in their food anymore, but I kept my attention on my plate and refused to let their discomfort ruin my evening.

A few minutes later, Ragnar set his utensils down. “Father, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

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Chapter 46 The Last Grace

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Alpha Magnus frowned. “What is it?”

“A project involving the Council of Elders.”

His expression tightened. “So suddenly?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Does it have to happen right now?”

“Unfortunately.”

The answer came too fast. Alpha Magnus looked between Ragnar and Damian, and I stayed quiet, watching. They were manufacturing a reason to clear the table.

Eventually he sighede.”

Ragnar and Dam

I won’t be lon

“Of course

The th

head

Before leaving, Alpha Magnus looked at me. “Keep eating, Flourish.

peared up the stairs. Phina rose next, eyes down. “Lady Daciana, I think I’ll

her, not even Harold. Daciana nodded. “Get some rest.”

ped out, something in the room shifted. Daciana sent the servants away, the waitresses cleared out until the dining room stood empty.

but my wolf even more on edge. Whatever Daciana wanted to say, she didn’t want hearing it.

at Harold. “Go upstairs and bring me the box in my room.”

med, his eyes finding mine. Neither of us looked away for a few seconds. Then he and left.

moment he was gone, Daciana reached across the table for my hand. “Flourish.” Her voice ked. “I’m sorry. My son can be s

1. Please don’t take everything he does to

id nothing.

squeezed my ha e is only days aw

ether. Six years, Flourish. The Lunar

1. A weak laugh slipped out of her. “If he

2/4

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Chapter 46 The Last Grace

Finished

misbehaves after the rite, Alpha Magnus and I will deal with him ourselves. I’ve been waiting so long for you to become my daughter-in-law.”

I stared at her, then laughed softly, no humor in it. I was simply tired.

“Lady Daciana.” I pulled my hand back gently. “I’ve already decided that Harold won’t be my

mate.”

Her smile fell away, like she’d misheard. “Didn’t Harold tell you?”

Silence.

he abandoned me on the day of the Lunar Rite, I made my decision.” My wolf shifted

ly under my skin. “I won’t become his Luna.”

ace went pale. “Did he do something else? Flourish, if he mistreated you, tell me. I’ll le him myself.”

With respect, that isn’t really th

“When I was younger, I con celebration had an explan disappointment. I expla

“Even now, I remem way he takes his co

Daciana lowe

looked down at my hands.

Harold loved me. I told myself every missed rgotten promise, every canceled date, every ay for him.” I looked back up.

About Harold. His favorite meals, his favorite books, the keeps his desk.” My smile faded. “But what about me?”

“Harold r

upset, o

summ

oman’s favorite tea. Every song she likes. He notices when she’s oice dropped. “And he forgot the Lunar Rite. He ignored the ng there alone. Do you remember how humiliating that felt?”

Sh

o someone who doesn’t love me. And I can’t spend the rest of my life

tears. “This is my fault. I didn’t raise my son properly.” She reached for my you give us a little more time? Grandpa is getting older, his wolf isn’t what it fraid he won’t handle the shock.”

uilt touched me.

ke again. “What if

s done, your woly ited.”

full rite, just the mark. As long

ou can tell everyone the two of

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Chapter 46 The Last Grace

ไร

Finished

I froze, my wolf reacting so hard my nails dug into my palm. Then I laughed, cold. “Lady Daciana, if Harold marks me, my wolf will be bound to him whether she wants it or not. Everyone would already treat me as his Luna. Do you honestly think that would help my reputation?”

Silence. She had no answer.

I stood and picked up my handbag. “I’ll give you six more days. You can decide how to explain it to Grandpa.” I walked toward the door. “Otherwise, on the day of the Lunar Rite, I won’t show up. I have other things to do.”

Daciana stared at me, speechless. I gave her a polite smile. “Please tell Grandpa I had to leave early.”

Then I turned for the door. My fingers had barely touched the handle when my wolf reacted. A familiar Alpha presence had ered the room.

I turned around slowly

Harold stood at th through them.

My stomach

He ha

€10

longer holding the box, his eyes fixed on me, gold burning

And judging by his face, he hadn’t just caught the last

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part.