The Rejected Luna Rising

”The breakfast you prepared was something I hadn’t had in a long time. My grandmother used to make it for me. It brought back so many memories and made me feel warm inside,” Andrew said, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

”You’ve really never had it since then?” Caroline asked, genuine surprise lacing her tone.

”No. The last time I had honey-butter toast with cinnamon cream was when she was still alive. I tried ordering it at the palace once, but the taste wasn’t even close to hers,” Andrew admitted.

Caroline smiled softly, moved by the quiet vulnerability in his voice.

Andrew’s expression cleared, a sudden brightness entering his eyes. ”Now, it’s time for your present for your first cooking here.”

Caroline blinked in confusion, her lips parting as Edmund stepped into the dining hall holding a sleek, small envelope. He walked over with practiced ease and handed it to Andrew, who accepted it with a nod of thanks.

”I really don’t need any more gifts, Andrew. You’ve already given me so much,” Caroline said, offering a gentle refusal before she even saw what was inside.

”Who refuses a gift?” Andrew asked, arching one eyebrow with an amused smirk. ”And I believe in a tradition where it’s customary to give something to your wife,” Andrew added.

Caroline couldn’t deny it, her silence giving him all the confirmation he needed.

”Here, take it,” Andrew said, pressing the envelope into her palms. ”It’s something you’ll be needing constantly.”

”Thank you,” Caroline replied softly.

She hesitated to unseal it until Andrew gestured for her to go ahead and check inside. Carefully tearing the edge, she reached in and felt a card before drawing it out.

”This...” Her voice trailed off as she stared up at him in shock.

”For your personal expenses and whatever else you might want. It’s an exclusive gold card,” Andrew explained smoothly. ”There is no limit, so you never have to worry about funds again.”

”I—I can’t accept this,” Caroline stammered, shaking her head. ”You’ve already provided everything for me.”

Andrew made a sharp, soft hiss of protest. ”Refusing it might hurt my feelings.”

She bit her lower lip, pulling the card back toward herself. ”Thank you... for this.”

”Great. You can take whichever purse you like. We have a few errands to run before heading to the Crystal Moon Pack,” he replied.

Caroline nodded softly and turned to leave the dining hall. Just before stepping through the threshold, she paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

”Andrew,” she said, her voice gentle. ”I love how much you care for me. I only hesitate with things like this because... having you is already more than enough.”

With that, she walked away, leaving a lingering smile on Andrew’s face.

A few moments later, Andrew entered the drawing room, where Miller was already waiting.

”Did you find anything on the doctor or the medical records?” Andrew asked, getting straight to business.

”Everything has been wiped clean,” Miller replied grimly. ”However, I did manage to uncover something critical. Victor recently stripped his Beta of his title and cast him out. Jeremy is actively tracking him down now—we believe he could be a crucial witness.”

”Victor is covering his tracks, doing whatever it takes to protect his narrative,” Andrew mused, his eyes narrowing.

”Indeed,” Miller agreed, before studying Andrew carefully. ”Which brings me to something I’ve been wondering... Why didn’t you use your own abilities on Victor that day in the hall? You could have easily forced the truth out of him right then and there.”

”Do you think Nina would have let me do that?” Andrew chuckled coldly. ”Besides, Caroline and I are heading to the Crystal Moon Pack today. I heard Nina was recalled to the palace.”

”Really? That works in our favor. It will be much easier to corner Victor without her around,” Miller said, taking a step forward. ”Should I set up the travel arrangements for you and the Luna? Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

”Because the arrangements are already taken care of,” Andrew replied.

Mid-sentence, his senses flared as he caught the distinct aura of his brother nearby, someone who had been absent from the mansion all through the night and morning.

”I need to drive him off these grounds,” Andrew murmured, turning his gaze sharply toward the main entrance.

”Ilias, you’re still at Redwood High? I thought you left,” Andrew said, his brow furrowing as he glared at him.

”I haven’t had a chance to speak with Caroline yet,” Ilias replied smoothly. Andrew rolled his eyes in response. It was a subtle gesture that brought a faint smile to Ilias’s face rather than irritation.

”So, where is she?” Ilias asked, checking the face of his watch. ”I have a flight back to the capital in an hour.”

”She’s upstairs in the room,” Andrew answered.

”Are you going out somewhere? You look rather formal today, almost like you’re heading out to hunt someone down,” Ilias remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.

”Keep your nose out of my business,” Andrew warned, his tone icy.

”Easy, brother. Just making conversation,” Ilias said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

The click of heels against the marble staircase cut through their exchange. Both men looked up. Andrew’s breath caught in his throat, his gaze locking on her as his heart skipped a beat. No matter how many times he saw her, the sight never failed to captivate both him and his wolf.

Caroline got self-conscious when she noticed Andrew’s elder brother standing in the hall.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she bowed slightly in greeting. ”Good morning, Your Highness Prince Ilias.”

”Good morning, Caroline. There’s no need for such formalities between us,” Ilias said with a gentle smile. ”Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

She glanced over at Andrew, who offered a subtle, reassuring nod.

”Sure,” Caroline replied.

”This way,” Ilias said, gesturing for her to follow him out toward the garden. She gave a brief glance to Andrew before walking behind Ilias.