The door to the chamber opened without a sound.

Alpha Ashmere stepped inside.

The room carried a familiar warmth that was soft, lived-in, and distinctly hers. The faint scent of jasmine and something deeper lingered in the air, wrapping around him before the door had even fully closed behind him.

He paused just for a moment.

His gaze settled on the bed.

Clementine lay against the cushions. She had one leg folded slightly beneath her, and the other stretched out lazily across the sheets. A thin robe draped over her slender frame, barely tied, exposing the smooth line of her shoulder and collarbone.

Her fingers moved slowly over her skin, smoothing lotion along her arm with absent precision, as though her mind was somewhere far from the motion itself.

She had noticed him, but not yet fully to acknowledge him.

Ashmere’s lips curved faintly.

There was something about this, about her, in moments like this that always quieted everything inside him.

He walked toward her, unhurried, and certain.

Clementine only looked up when the bed dipped beneath his weight.

Her eyes met his. For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then her lips curved, slow and knowing. "You’re staring again," she said softly.

"I always do," Ashmere replied without hesitation. He leaned in. His hand came up to her jaw as he pressed a kiss to her lips.

When he pulled back, his thumb brushed lightly along her cheek, as though confirming she was truly there.

"You’ve been gone for a long while," he murmured.

Clementine tilted her head slightly, watching him. "I have," she agreed.

His gaze searched hers for a moment longer before softening. "How was the travel?" he asked.

"Tiring," she said simply. "Very predictable."

A small breath left him, almost amused. "That sounds like you didn’t enjoy it."

"I rarely enjoy things I can already foresee."

Ashmere huffed quietly, shaking his head as he shifted slightly closer to her. "Do you wish for another vacation? I’ll arrange a more comfortable one."

She smiled at him. "Not necessary."

Her tone was calm and measured.

He studied her face. There was no strain there, and no lingering exhaustion. She only had that same composed stillness she always carried.

His fingers moved absentmindedly along her arm, tracing where the lotion had already settled into her skin.

"You returned sooner than expected," he noted.

Clementine’s gaze flickered briefly. "Yes."

"And why is that?" he asked quietly.

She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her hand moved, covering his lightly where it rested against her arm.

"Things have begun to shift," she said.

Ashmere stilled slightly. His eyes narrowed in focus. "What kind of shift is that that disturbed your trip?"

Clementine’s gaze held his. "The kind of shift we have been waiting for."

Silence settled between them.

"The Luna," he said.

Clementine’s lips curved faintly. "Yes."

Ashmere leaned back slightly, studying her more carefully now.

"The castle feels different already," she continued. "...with her as Luna. A cursed wolfless girl."

He exhaled slowly. "She has influence," he admitted. "More than expected."

"Not unexpected," Violet corrected softly.

Ashmere’s brows pulled together faintly.

Her fingers moved idly along his wrist now, tracing slow, thoughtful patterns.

"She was never meant to be ordinary," Violet continued. "Not with the way she was brought into this world."

Ashmere watched her. His gaze sharpened. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

Clementine’s expression didn’t change. "Since our daughter can’t be Luna, we need to grasp every grian of power within our reach."

Ashmere huffed faintly. "He didn’t choose our daughter."

Clementine’s hand stilled briefly against his. "I know," she said. "That’s why I returned."

Ashmere’s jaw tightened slightly.

Clementine watched him carefully. "You look so disappointed." She said, with a light smile at the edge of her voice.

"I expected him to," Ashmere replied.

Clementine shifted slightly, sitting up just enough to face him more fully.

"And what would that have given us?" she asked.

Ashmere met her gaze. "A direct tie to the throne," he said simply. "Security. Influence. Position."

Clementine’s lips curved again. "Those are short-term gains," she said.

Ashmere’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And not long-term?" he asked.

Clementine leaned closer, her voice lowering slightly.

"A Queen chosen too easily is rarely valued," she said. "And a King who chooses without resistance is easily guided... but just as easily broken."

Ashmere studied her. "You think Elijah would have been weak?"

"I think he would have been predictable."

Clementine’s gaze sharpened just slightly.

Ashmere leaned back again, his fingers brushing along his jaw thoughtfully. "You’re saying he might have manipulated the whole thing to crown a wolfless curse?" He said thoughtfully. "And our daughter?" he asked.

Clementine didn’t answer immediately.

Her gaze drifted briefly toward the window. "She will not sit on a throne that does not recognize her worth," she said finally.

Ashmere watched her.

Clementine looked back at him. "We just have to ensure she sits on one that does." Her eyes lightened up at a thought. "How’s your interaction with the humans?"

The words settled heavily between them.

Ashmere let out a quiet breath. "It’s going just as I planned. Elijah would pay for his insults the hard way."

Clementine nodded. "Perhaps, they would be in need of a marriage deal with their king."

He shook his head faintly, a small smile touching his lips despite himself. "You think ten steps ahead," he said.

"Twelve," Clementine corrected.

He chuckled softly. "That sounds about right."

Ashmere’s gaze softened as it settled on her again.

"You haven’t changed," he murmured.

Clementine tilted her head slightly. "Neither have you."

He reached for her again, his hand brushing along her shoulder, then resting at the back of her neck.

"I still prefer you close," he said quietly.

Clementine’s lips curved. "And yet, you let me leave."

"I don’t stop you," he corrected. "There’s a difference. You deserved the trip, and a new air."

She studied him for a moment, then leaned into him just slightly.

"I know."

Ashmere’s forehead rested briefly against hers.

Clementine pulled back slightly.

"There is something else," she said.

Ashmere’s gaze sharpened again. "What do you want?"

Clementine’s expression remained calm.

"Stephen."

Ashmere’s brows pulled together. "What about him?"

Clementine’s gaze held his. "He would be visiting soon." She shrugged.

Ashmere frowned faintly. "That is reckless." His jaw tightened.

"Well, he’s coming."

Ashmere leaned back slightly again. "And what do you intend to do about it?" he asked.

Clementine’s lips curved into a light smile, like she’s talking about the weather.

"Nothing."

He blinked once. "Nothing?"

"For now."

Her gaze didn’t waver. "Some things are more useful when they are allowed to fall apart naturally."

Ashmere studied her for a long moment. He smiled. "You’ve already decided how this ends with him, haven’t you?"

Clementine didn’t answer. Her silence said enough.

Ashmere shook his head faintly, amusement and admiration mixing in his expression.

"Remind me again," he murmured, "why I mated you?"

Clementine leaned closer, her voice soft. "Because you knew I would never lose."

Ashmere laughed quietly. Then he pulled her into another kiss and this time, he didn’t pull away as quickly.