Vladimir's Marked Luna

Chapter 101: Chemistry

𓆩𝐕𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐫𓆪

"You’re concerned about the Veil," Kavriel said flatly. "How touching."

He never liked Kustav.

"We’re all concerned about the Veil," Alpha Yelena cut in. "It’s destabilizing. The rifts are growing. If she cannot ascend—if the bond prevents her ascension—then this entire exercise is pointless. The Luna Duel becomes theater while the realm collapses."

Murmurs of agreement.

"She will ascend," I said, my voice like iron.

"How?" Caesar leaned forward. "When she’s isolated? When she’s clearly in distress? Ascension requires a soul at peace, High Alpha. You know the rites. You know what’s required. A fractured Luna cannot channel the power needed to repair the Veil. And right now—" he gestured to the screen, "—she looks fractured."

The accuracy of it made something dark twist in my chest.

But I didn’t flinch.

"What she looks like and what she is are two different things." I met Caesar’s gaze directly. "She’s adapting. Processing. Integrating her wolf while preparing for a trial that will determine her future. If she seems withdrawn, it’s because she’s focused. Not broken."

"Then let us speak with her," Caesar pressed. "Verify that for ourselves."

He wanted more access to her.

Deal with your unborn baby instead of the woman you betrayed—

"No."

The word was final, absolute.

"You’re her fiance, not her keeper," Kustav said, his voice oily. "Surely she has the right to—"

"She has the right to train without political vultures circling." I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to. "There’s already been one assassination attempt. I won’t provide opportunities for more under the guise of ’welfare checks.’"

"Then how do we verify she’s capable of Ascension?" Alpha Oria spoke up. "The Concord has a right to ensure the chosen Luna can fulfill her role. If the bond is compromised—if her emotional state prevents Ascension—we need to know now. Not after the Veil collapses."

Valid point.

Frustratingly valid.

"The bond will be completed after the Luna Duel," I said. "As agreed. Once it’s complete, her emotional state will stabilize. The Ascension can proceed."

"And if it doesn’t?" Kustav’s eyes gleamed. "If completing the bond isn’t enough? If whatever is causing her current... distress... runs deeper than the incomplete marking?"

The implication: If you’ve damaged her beyond repair.

Before I could respond, Dmitri cleared his throat.

"May I speak, High Alpha?"

All eyes turned to him.

I nodded, curious where he was going with this.

Dmitri stood, his movements measured, his expression carefully neutral in that way he had when he was about to say something significant.

"I’ve been assisting in her training," he began, his voice quiet but carrying. "Working with her daily. Observing her progress. Her integration with her wolf. Her combat capabilities." He paused. "And I’ve never seen anything like her."

Murmurs rippled through the room.

"But what’s more interesting," Dmitri continued, his gaze sweeping across the Concord, "is when she shows the most capability. When she’s most... alive."

Caesar leaned forward. "And when is that?"

"When the High Alpha is present."

Silence crashed over the room.

"I’ve observed her during standard training sessions," Dmitri said. "She’s competent. Focused. But when Vladimir watches—when he’s in the observation deck, when she knows he’s there—she transforms. Her movements sharpen. Her wolf responds faster. She pushes herself harder."

He looked directly at me, and something in his expression made my chest tighten.

"They’re building a bond," he said simply. "Contrary to what you all seem to believe based on surface observations. I see it every day. The way she moves when he enters a room. The way he—" he gestured to me, "—tracks her every movement like his life depends on it."

"That’s the incomplete bond," Kustav interjected. "Biological compulsion—"

"No." Dmitri’s voice cut through the interruption. "I know what compulsion looks like. This is different. She’s free with him in ways she isn’t with anyone else. Even me. Even when she doesn’t realize he’s watching, she seeks him out. And he—" another gesture in my direction, "—is unstoppable in his support of her. Relentless in ensuring she has everything she needs."

The words landed like stones.

Because they weren’t true.

I’d pushed her away. Told her to stop speaking. Made her eyes go dull.

"If you want proof of their connection," Dmitri continued, "you all saw it at the Moonstone Masquerade."

Several Alphas shifted, exchanging glances.

"The dance," Alpha Yelena said softly. "I remember."

"She moved with him like they’d been partners for years," Alpha Asken added. "Not days."

"Perfectly synchronized," Alpha Kavriel agreed. "Even when that... incident... occurred with Beta Veronique, she recovered. Caught herself mid-air and landed with grace that most gammas would envy."

"The entire pack watched them," Dmitri pressed. "Saw the chemistry. The connection. Whatever doubts you have about their bond—about her emotional state—consider what you witnessed that night. She wasn’t broken. She was magnificent. And it was because of him."

The room had gone quiet.

Because they couldn’t refute it.

They’d all been there. All seen it.

"The Moon herself must have recognized their pairing," Alpha Oria said thoughtfully. "The way they moved together... it was ordained."

Murmurs of agreement.

I sat there, frozen, as they discussed the dance. The connection they’d seen.

The bond they thought was building.

When all I could remember was her face in the kitchen. The way she’d said I understand when I’d told her to stop speaking. The devastation I’d carved into her with my own hands.

Dmitri was defending something that I’d already destroyed.

"High Alpha?"

I blinked, realizing someone had asked me a question.

"The Ascension ritual," Alpha Yelena repeated. "Given what Dmitri has observed, do you believe the bond will be strong enough to channel the necessary power?"

"Yes," I said, the word automatic.

Because what else could I say?

That I’d sabotaged our own bond? That her dimmed eyes were my doing? That every word Dmitri just spoke in my defense was built on a foundation I’d already cracked?

"Then we’ll trust your judgment," Alpha Kavriel said.

"The Luna Duel proceeds as planned," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "In a week she’ll prove herself. And then we address the Ascension."

Heads nodded around the table.

Kustav looked like he’d swallowed something bitter, his expression tight with barely concealed frustration.

Then I saw it.

A look passed between Kustav and Dmitri. Brief. Almost imperceptible.

But there.

A flicker of recognition. Familiarity.

They weren’t supposed to know each other.

Dmitri was my beta. A runt according to his pack.

And Kustav was my enemy. Had been from the beginning.

But that look—

My instincts prickled, cold creeping down my spine.

"Meeting adjourned," I said, my voice colder than I intended.

The Concord rose.