Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian leaned back in his golden throne, releasing a long sigh. One of his hands came up to rub his forehead, his expression tightening as if he were deep in thought. The ministers kept whispering in frantic little clusters, nodding their heads, eyes darting toward me like I was suddenly some divine relic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even Luna Riley, who had been staring holes through me moments ago, looked like she was beginning to accept my words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course they all believed me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In their eyes, there was absolutely no reason for me to reject someone like Adrian. He was the heir to the Mooncrest Pack, blessed, powerful, admired, the ideal future alpha. Every woman in the pack would kill for the chance to be chosen by him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t care about any of that. My happiness was more important than that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And maybe I was being kind, in a way. By fabricating a vision, I gave them hope that the phoenix\u2019s appearance wasn\u2019t the beginning of doom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sure, I was lying through my teeth, but it was a very convenient lie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian finally lifted his head and looked at me again. \u201cChild,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cdid the Moon Goddess give you a specific time period for this devotion? Perhaps\u2026. once she is satisfied, you and Adrian can-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head firmly before he even finished.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though I wish things were different,\u201d I said, letting a bit of sadness slip into my voice, \u201cI don\u2019t believe that would be right. I don\u2019t know how long the goddess will require my devotion. It could be years\u2026 decades. Prince Adrian needs a mate. And the pack needs a Luna. I cannot keep him waiting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A murmur swept through the ministers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian nodded. \u201cThat is true.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned toward Luna Riley. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Luna watched me carefully, still searching for cracks, or any flicker of deceit. But I stayed perfectly composed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she found nothing, she gave a small nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHer words make sense,\u201d Luna Riley said. \u201cIf she truly had the vision, then it would be wise to let Adrian mark another woman. We don\u2019t know when the goddess will be appeased. And a pack cannot remain without a Luna for too long.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead of irritation, I was satisfied with her answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Good. It was exactly the direction I wanted them to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian absorbed her words, thoughtful once more. After a long pause, he exhaled and turned back to me. \u201cIt seems, there is no other choice. The Moon Goddess\u2019s will is absolute.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very pleased with you, Selene,\u201d the Alpha said. \u201cNot only did you play a beautiful melody during the coming-of-age ceremony, but you have proven yourself selfless, placing the fate of the world above your own happiness.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shook his head with a sorrowful smile. \u201cI never realized you possessed such qualities. What a pity. You would have been a perfect Luna, and a perfect match for Adrian.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
02\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
A perfect Luna?\u00a0<\/p>\n
What was the use of being perfect? I had been the perfect Luna in my past lives, and yet those lives still ended in betrayal, humiliation, and death. Perfection had saved nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So I simply bowed my head, because soon, they would no longer be my problem. And Adrian would no longer be my curse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian turned to the court, his voice firm as he addressed the ministers. \u201cI have decided that when Prince Adrian returns from his affairs, he will reject Selene, the Moonborn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
No one dared oppose him. One by one, the ministers lowered their heads.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha,\u201d they all answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alpha turned back to me, expression softening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have done well, Selene,\u201d he said. \u201cI will make sure you are properly rewarded for this. And if you are ever faced with a problem, come to me. I will do my best to protect you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His gaze shifted past me, toward my father. The man stiffened immediately, shoulders tensing, his eyes darting down as if afraid to meet the Alpha\u2019s gaze. \u201cAnd you will listen to your daughter from now on. Show her the obedience and respect a Moonborn deserves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father bowed quickly. \u201cYes, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alpha gave a curt nod, rising to his full height as he offered his hand to Luna Riley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis meeting is adjourned,\u201d he declared. \u201cBeta Maverick.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A middle-aged man stepped forward from behind the throne without hesitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRecord today\u2019s proceedings,\u201d the Alpha instructed. \u201cSend the report to the other Alphas so they can finally rest easy regarding the phoenix\u2019s appearance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maverick bowed deeply. \u201cAs you command.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, Alpha Rhydian and Luna Riley exited the hall, Beta Maverick following closely behind them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence fell the moment the royal family disappeared from view.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ministers shifted immediately, clearly itching to talk to me now that the Alpha was gone. I didn\u2019t give them the chance. I turned on my heel and started toward the exit, already done with this hall and everyone in it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I only made it a few steps before a hand clamped around my wrist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStop, Selene.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The grip was firm. I inhaled through my nose, forcing my shoulders to stay relaxed, and slowly turned my head to look\u00a0<\/p>\n
back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father stood there, fingers locked around my wrist, his face pale. Fear, confusion, and something that almost looked like regret flashed across his features. But I knew him well enough to see through the illusion, he didn\u2019t feel regret. A man like him never did. What he truly wanted was control, a way to bend me to his will, especially now that the Alpha favored me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his gaze without flinching, \u201cLet go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u201d He started, but before he could say anything, a shadow stepped forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He moved silently, but the moment he came to my side, the entire atmosphere shifted. His presence towered over my father like a predator stepping into the light.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas\u2019s lips curved into a lazy, dangerous smirk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet go of her,\u201d he said, voice low. \u201cYou don\u2019t have the right to hold onto my prey.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father\u2019s hand snapped open immediately. He didn\u2019t even know who Lucas was, and yet something about him forced instinct to override pride. Even the ministers stiffened and looked toward Lucas with wide eyes, none daring to step closer. It was as if they expected him to shift into some monstrous beast at any moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father blinked, snapping himself out of his initial fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cY-your prey?\u201d he stammered, voice trembling despite his attempt at authority. \u201cDo you know who you\u2019re talking to? How dare\u00a0<\/p>\n
you speak like\u2014\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas bared his sharp teeth. And behind those bored, half-lidded eyes, a flicker of something bright and burning flashed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know who you\u2019re talking to?\u201d Lucas asked, as if the whole hall were nothing but a mild annoyance to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father swallowed hard. \u201cWho are you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before Lucas could say something stupid, I stepped in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is Lucas,\u201d I said calmly, meeting my father\u2019s startled eyes. \u201cMy new guard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His expression hardened immediately. \u201cA guard? And yet he dares to act this way? Get rid of him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I crossed my arms, completely unbothered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd why should I?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A ripple of shock moved through the hall. My father\u2019s jaw tightened; being spoken to like that by me, especially in front of others, was already bruising his pride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I am your father,\u201d he snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at him like he\u2019d just spoken the greatest joke in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFather?\u201d I echoed softly. \u201cWhen have you acted like a father before?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He froze, but I didn\u2019t care. \u201cPlease, stay out of my life. Don\u2019t tell me what to do. And stop holding me as if you own me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He opened his mouth, but I cut him off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want me to report this matter to the Alpha,\u201d I said. Now, would you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His mouth snapped shut. His face paled. I lifted my chin. \u201cAs you can see, I\u2019m very busy. Don\u2019t bother me unless it\u2019s important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t wait for a response. I turned around, and caught Lucas staring at me with something unreadable in his expression. Interest? Amusement? Approval? Who knew with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked away, my steps steady and unhurried.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas followed behind me. Evelyn hurried after us with wide eyes. And my father remained standing in the hall, stunned and speechless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3 vouche\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 75 Chapter 75\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 Alpha Rhydian leaned back in his golden throne, releasing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27869\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}