I opened my mouth to protest, to deny it, but the words stuck in my throat. Because as much as I cared for Asher, as safe and cherished as he made me feel... the passion I'd just experienced with Lucian was on another level entirely.
"I..." I stammered, torn between desire and duty.
Lucian stepped back, giving me space. But his eyes never left mine, challenging, enticing. "You don't have to answer now," he said softly. "But you can't deny what's between us forever, Lyra. Sooner or later, you'll have to face your heart."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, my lips still tingling from his kiss, my heart and mind in turmoil.
___________________________________________________________________
The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting ethereal shadows across my new room. I lay in bed, staring at the ornate ceiling, sleep eluding me despite the lateness of the hour. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, replaying the events of the day in an endless loop.
I turned onto my side, my hand trailing over the silken sheets. Even after several nights, I still couldn't quite believe this room was mine. The plush carpet beneath my feet, the intricately carved wooden furniture, the spacious ensuite bathroom with its marble countertops and deep, claw-foot tub – it was all so far removed from the life I'd known before.
My gaze drifted to the corner where a full-length mirror stood. In its reflection, I could almost see the ghost of my former self – the slave girl with hunched shoulders and downcast eyes, wearing threadbare clothes and sleeping on a thin pallet in a cramped, windowless room. The contrast was so stark it made my head spin.
I remembered the constant gnawing hunger, the bone-deep weariness that never seemed to leave me. The small, dark room I'd shared with three other low-ranking pack members, where privacy was a luxury we couldn't afford. The hard floor that had been my bed for as long as I could remember.
Now, I was surrounded by luxury. The room was bigger than the entire servants' quarters I'd lived in before. The bed was so soft it felt like sleeping on a cloud, piled high with pillows and blankets that smelled of lavender and moonflowers.
A wave of guilt washed over me. How could I complain about anything when I'd been given so much? And yet...
I sighed, burying my face in the pillow. The problem wasn't the room, or my new status as Luna. The problem was the turmoil in my heart.
Asher's face swam before my closed eyes – his strong jawline, those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. I thought of his kiss, gentle and reverent, making me feel cherished and protected.
But then Lucian's face intruded on my thoughts – all wild, untamed energy and smoldering green eyes. His kiss had been fire and passion, awakening something primal within me.
How could I feel this way about both of them? How could I be Asher's Luna, bound to him by pack law and the mate bond, and yet be so drawn to his brother?
I tossed and turned, my mind and heart at war. The moon climbed higher in the sky, and still sleep eluded me. It wasn't until the first hints of pre-dawn light began to creep across the sky that exhaustion finally pulled me under.
"Lyra, get up, it's time for training."a voice murmured in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
Strong arms encircled me from behind, and I leaned back into a broad, muscular chest.
I turned in the embrace, looking up into Asher's blue eyes. He smiled down at me, one hand coming up to cup my cheek. His touch was gentle, reverent, as if I were something precious and fragile.
"Asher," I breathed, my heart swelling with warmth and affection.
He leaned down, capturing my lips in a soft, sweet kiss. It was comfort and safety, home and belonging. I melted into him, feeling cherished and protected.
His hands roamed my body, leaving trails of warmth in their wake. Every touch was careful, considerate, asking permission. I sighed into the kiss, losing myself in the sensations.
His hands move to my hips. His fingers slipped into my nightgown, down my back, edging into my panties. I let out a quiet moan.
As I feel my own temperature increases, something changed. The hands on my body became more insistent, the kiss more demanding.
"Asher?" I asked, but he didn't respond.
I opened my eyes, gasping as I found myself looking not into Asher's blue eyes, but Lucian's smoldering green ones!
"Lucian!" I whispered, a thrill of excitement and fear running through me.
He smirked, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Miss me, little Lyra?"
Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine again. Where Asher had been gentle, Lucian was all passion and fire. His kisses were demanding, possessive, setting my body aflame. I moaned, my hands fisting in his hair as he trailed hot kisses down my neck.
The world spun, and suddenly I was on my back on a bed of soft furs. Lucian loomed over me, his eyes dark with desire. "You're mine," he growled, nipping at my collarbone.
A part of me wanted to protest, to remind him that I was Asher's Luna. But a larger part, a wilder part, reveled in his possessiveness. I arched into him, craving more of his touch, more of the stormy pleasure only he seemed able to ignite in me.
His rough hands explored my body, leaving no inch untouched. Where Asher had made me feel cherished, Lucian made me feel wanted, desired. It was overwhelming, intoxicating.
"Lucian," I gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive spot. "Please..."
He chuckled darkly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "All you have to do is ask, little Luna. Tell me what you want."
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
I writhed on the furs, the pleasure built, higher and higher, until I thought I might shatter from the intensity of it all.
"Lucian!" I cried out.
My eyes flew open, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was bathed in the soft light of dawn, the first rays of sun peeking through the curtains. I lay there for a moment, trying to catch my breath, the echoes of my dream still thrumming through my body.
As my eyes adjusted to the light, I realized I wasn't alone in the room. A figure stood at the foot of my bed, his back to me. For a moment, my sleep-addled brain couldn't distinguish between reality and the lingering traces of my dream.
The man's broad shoulders, the way he held himself – it could have been either Asher or Lucian. My heart raced, remembering the vivid sensations of my dream.
"Asher?" I asked hesitantly, my voice rough with sleep. "Is it you?"
The man turned, and I found myself looking into Asher's blue eyes. But there was something in them, a hint of pain or disappointment, that made my heart clench.
"Otherwise, which man do you think can appear in your room at this moment, my Luna?" he asked softly.
The emphasis he put on 'my Luna' sent a wave of guilt crashing over me. Had I said something in my sleep? Had he somehow sensed the nature of my dreams?
I sat up, clutching the blanket to my chest. "Asher, I-"
He held up a hand, cutting me off. "It's alright, Lyra. I just... I came to wake you for training. But perhaps we should postpone it. You seem... unsettled."
The concern in his voice only made me feel worse. Here he was, caring for me, while I dreamed of his brother.
"No," I said quickly, throwing back the covers. "No, I'm fine. Just... just give me a few minutes to get ready?"
Asher nodded, his expression unreadable. "Of course. I'll wait for you outside."
As he turned to leave, I called out to him. "Asher?"
He paused at the door, looking back at me. "Yes?"
I wanted to say something, to explain, to reassure him. But what could I say?
"Thank you," I said instead. "For... for everything."
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, not quite reaching his eyes. "Always, my Luna."