EIGHT

CIARA'S POV

I blinked at her, caught off guard by the cool dismissal in her tone. I hadn’t expected warmth, but I also hadn’t expected hostility.

For a moment, I considered letting it go. Tolerating it.

Then, Darragh’s voice cut through the tension. “Sara, be nice.”

The change was instant.

Saraphina threw her head back and laughed, the sound rich and easy, like this was all easy going fun to her. “You should have seen the look on your face,” she said between chuckles, pressing a hand to her chest. “You were downright horrified.”

I exhaled, letting a small, amused smile cross my lips. “Was I?”

“I was joking,” she said, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe I had taken her seriously.

I laughed, too, the sound light, effortless.

But in my mind, I was making notes.

Her pupils had dilated. Her heartbeat elevated. If I didn’t know better, she would be lying.

Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she was just enjoying the act, playing a role like so many in this room.

But considering the leeway and naivety of my old life, I would be a fool not to internalize this.

And take it seriously.

She was a new variable I never made contact with in my old life. As grateful as I was for escaping the clutches of Ronan and his family this easily, I didn't like the volatility of the shift.

Nonetheless, I smiled at Saraphina, letting my expression remain warm, controlled. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Saraphina.”

She mirrored my smile, but there was something too measured about it. “And you, Ciara. Or should I say, the future Luna of Moonveil?”

Darragh tensed beside me, but I spoke before he could. “You’re making a lot of assumptions,” I said lightly.

Her lips curved, amusement flickering in her sharp blue eyes. “Am I?”

I held her gaze, letting the silence stretch just long enough before tilting my head in playful agreement. “Maybe not.”

Oh she despised how agreeable I became. But this plastic act between us wasn't going to perish anytime soon. If Darragh wasn't between us, I was very certain the conversation was going to take a very different turn.

She laughed again, stepping back. “Well, I won’t keep you two. I’m sure you have plenty to talk about.”

Darragh nodded. “I’ll see you before the night ends.”

She winked at him before turning, her movements fluid, graceful. I watched her leave, my mind still turning over the strange interaction, trying to place the edges of what it was she wanted me to see—or not see.

The moment she was out of earshot, I let out a breath. “Your cousin despises me.”

Darragh sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s protective of me.”

I scoffed. “That much is obvious.”

He shook his head. “She’ll warm up to you soon enough.”

I chuckled. “I do like how subtly upfront she is about it. I’ve been blindsided before. It’s nice to actually expect some hostility.”

Darragh arched a brow. “Hostile isn’t the word I’d use.”

I hummed in response, letting the moment settle.

Then, his voice dropped into something quieter. “I do think we should forget about Sara and discuss us.”

The words caught me off guard. Heat crept up my neck, and I looked away, suddenly very aware of the space between us. “Oh.”

Darragh shifted, like he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. “I really don’t know what’s supposed to happen next.”

I glanced at him, waiting.

His eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of nervousness. “But I would… like to invite you to my territory. Moonveil.”

I blinked, caught between surprise and something warmer, something unexpected.

My lips curved. “Are you asking me on a date, Alpha?”

Darragh’s ears turned red. He cleared his throat, looking away. “I guess I am.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “I guess I am.”

The warmth spread down my spine, and I felt myself blush again. “When?”

He hesitated for a second, and I swore I could feel the answer on his tongue—tomorrow.

But instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek business card. He held it between two fingers and offered it to me.

“I’m sure tonight is already a lot for you to take in,” he said. “So I don’t want to rush you. Whenever you feel like visiting, just call, and a ride will come for you.”

I took the card, running my fingers over the embossed letters before meeting his gaze again.

I smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

Darragh exhaled and glanced toward the exit. “I should be on my way now.”

I nodded, expecting him to turn and leave, but he hesitated. His hands twitched at his sides, then he shifted, leaning in slightly—too slightly for a hug, too closely for a simple nod.

I raised a brow, waiting.

He hesitated again, then leaned in just a fraction more.

A hug? A kiss on the cheek? He clearly had no idea.

At the last second, he pulled back, nodding stiffly before shoving his hands in his pockets. “Uh… right. I’ll… see you, then.”

I bit my lip, suppressing a laugh. “See you.”

Darragh nodded again—once, twice—then turned abruptly on his heel and left, his movements stiff, awkward, but somehow… endearing.

I waited until he was out of earshot before finally letting out a small chuckle. Cute.

Shaking my head, I looked down at the sleek business card still between my fingers. His name was embossed in silver, sharp and elegant. I ran my thumb over it once before tucking it into the hidden pocket of my gown. A good place to keep it safe.

I turned, intending to find my mother, but barely took a step before bumping into someone.

“Saraphina... I didn't see you there.”

Sara tilted her head slightly, her eyes unreadable.

“No problem,” she said smoothly. Then, glancing around the room, she asked, “Where’s Darragh?”

I studied her for a second before answering. “I think he left.”

Sara's brows lifted slightly. "Really?" She hummed, tapping a finger against the rim of her glass. "Events like this are exhausting for him. I'm sure getting a mate out of the blue after two years of attendance just drained his social battery completely."

She flicked her gaze back to me, a knowing look dancing in her eyes.

"Not that having you as a mate was so mentally draining that he had to leave an event he usually manages to stomach," she added with a small smirk. "It's just that Darragh is... sensitive."

I smiled tightly. "Thank you for that information," I said dryly.

I made to step around her, but before I could, her hand landed on my shoulder, stopping me in place. Her grip was gentle but firm, her perfectly manicured nails pressing just slightly into my skin.

"And just between us girls..." she said, her voice honey-sweet now, dropping to a whisper as she leaned closer. Her perfume - expensive and cloying - invaded my space.

I turned my head slightly, watching her from the corner of my eye.

"It's better you ask for a rejection before this gets sour for you." Her tone was concerned, sisterly even, but her eyes gleamed with something altogether different.

I turned fully then, meeting her gaze head-on.

There it was.

Of course I had expected it. Some form of warning or attempt to push me away. Still, hearing it outright was almost amusing.

I let out a soft chuckle. "Why?"

Sara's lips pressed into a thin smile. "I care about my cousin," she said, her voice lighter now, almost casual as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "He's been through a lot. And I'm just looking out for you too, you know." She placed a hand over her heart. "But I'm sure you've heard the rumors about him."

I tilted my head, feigning thoughtfulness. "I would think that, as a cousin who loves him, you wouldn't agree with those baseless rumors."

Sara's smile didn't falter. "There's always truth to rumors." Her eyes flitted across the room, taking in who might be watching their exchange. Satisfied no one important was paying attention, she leaned in closer.

She touched my arm lightly, as if in solidarity. "And as a girl's girl, I'll be honest with you." Her voice dripped with false concern. "Darragh doesn't believe in a mate of fate."

She watched me carefully, as if waiting to see how I would react, her eyes searching for any sign of vulnerability she could exploit.

"Definitely not," she continued, squeezing my arm with mock sympathy, "after how his parents ended up." Her voice dropped to a dramatic whisper. "I'd hate to see you get hurt the way others have." The gleam in her eyes suggested exactly the opposite.

So I asked. "Has Alpha Darragh had other fated mates?"