Chapter 94

Maurice I stood up and walked over to the window, my hands clasped behind me as I stared out into the fading light. I heard her rise from the floor, the rustle of fabric behind me faint but distinct. “You should start getting accustomed to living like a Luna,” I said, my voice calm and even. “But I don’t want to be your Luna,” she said firmly. I turned around slowly, my gaze locking onto her trembling frame as my feet carried me back toward her. When I reached her, I tilted her chin upward gently, forcing her to look at me. Even though her face was angled toward mine, her eyes stayed lowered. “I see you’re stubborn,” I said, my tone low but composed. “If you were truly as scared as you seem, Octavia, you wouldn’t dare exchange words with me.” Her breath hitched as she finally lifted her gaze to meet mine. Her throat bobbed nervously, and for a moment, the air between us thickened. My thumb brushed across her lips, soft, hesitant, yet it sent an unexpected shiver through me. Fooli