Luna Secret 3

“Ace, no!”

The desperate whisper barely reached her ears over the crackling flames and the chorus of screams in the night. But Ace felt the grip on her arm tighten, her mother’s nails digging into her skin as if to physically stop her from moving forward.

She turned, locking eyes with her mother’s tear-stricken face. The silent plea in those eyes was deafening— don’t do this, don’t sacrifice yourself. Ace knew what her mother meant. Going with the Alpha meant exposing the truth they had concealed for twenty long years.

Their secret.

Of her being the Alpha’s daughter, not his son.

Ace reached up and gently cupped her mother’s face, her thumb brushing away a fresh tear.

Her eyes burned, not just from the thick smoke filling the air, but from the weight of what she was about to do. Yet, she held herself firm, her expression unreadable, her decision unwavering.

A deep, menacing voice sliced through the air.

“And who are you?”

Ace turned away from her mother and faced the man who held the fate of her family in his hands.

Alpha Rowan stood before her, his dark eyes gleaming with curiosity and mild amusement. He hadn’t even noticed her before, yet now she stood in front of him, asking to be taken in place of her sister.

Ace let the sword in her hand clatter to the ground. The metal rang against the blood-soaked earth, a solemn declaration of her choice.

“I am the Alpha’s son,” she declared, her voice strong and unwavering. “Ace Ravelwood.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Rowan’s face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He snickered, tilting his head in mock amusement.

“Why do you think I will take you instead?”

Ace lifted her chin defiantly. “Because I will be more useful to you than Elara. She’s only fourteen—too young, too weak. She won’t survive under your command.”

Rowan’s expression hardened. “And who told you there are no slaves that age, hmm?” His voice was laced with mocking cruelty. “I’ve seen younger ones fall in battle, break under my rule. What makes you think she is any different?”

“You want strength, don’t you?” Ace challenged, stepping forward. “You need warriors, not burdens. Taking a child will do nothing for you. But taking me? That is a bargain worth making.”

Rowan narrowed his eyes on her. “Interesting argument. But tell me—why would I trust a son of an Alpha I am about to execute?”

Ace swallowed the lump in her throat but held her ground. “Because my father wanted to protect me. That’s why he offered Elara instead of me. He knew I was the true heir—his strongest. If you take me, I will be loyal to you, and I will fight for your cause. My father would have no heir and I believe that is the best revenge you could ever ask for.”

Rowan smirked, then turned to Cedric, Ace’s father, who was still kneeling before him.

“Now I see,” he mused, shaking his head. “You were willing to throw away your youngest just to keep your heir safe. How predictable.”

Cedric clenched his jaw, his body trembling with barely restrained rage. “She is just a child,” he spat. “Ace… Ace is different.”

Rowan ignored him and turned back to Ace. “How strong are you?”

Ace’s lips barely twitched in a smirk. “I can take down three to five men at once.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “Bold claim. I assume you’d like the chance to prove it?”

Ace remained silent, but the fire in her eyes said enough.

Rowan nodded, looking impressed. “Alright then. If you’re as strong as you say, perhaps you do have some value.”

He was greatly amused by Ace’s courage. He had been to several battles and no one was this confident and brave with death lurking nearby or the thought of being held captive.

But here was Cedric’s son and heir, willing to be taken captive, without any atom of fear, in her sister’s place.

Ace’s mother tugged at her arm again. “Please… don’t do this,” she whispered.

Ace turned to her mother one last time, then back to Rowan. “Just keep my family alive,” she bargained.

Rowan studied her for a moment, then shook his head. “I never intended to kill your mother and sister,” he admitted. “But your father…” His smirk returned, cruel and merciless. “He’s already as good as dead.”

Before Ace could react, before anyone could stop him, Rowan moved like a shadow. The sword flashed in the firelight.

A sickening slice.

A wet thud as Cedric’s body hit the ground.

Ace’s world shattered.

“No!”

The scream tore from her throat, raw and filled with agony. Her vision blurred with rage and grief, but her body acted before her mind could catch up. She lunged for her sword, gripping the hilt with white-knuckled fury.

The guards moved to grab her, but she was faster.

With a sharp twist of her wrist, she angled the blade, forcing them to step back. Their hesitation betrayed their fear— they believed her when she said she could fight five men at once.

Ace turned her deadly gaze to Rowan, her body trembling with fury. “You—” she choked out, but the words wouldn’t come.

Rowan merely watched her, unfazed, his grip still firm on his bloodstained sword. “You should thank me,” he said casually. “At least now, you don’t have to wonder what happened to your father.”

Ace gritted her teeth. Her grip on the sword tightened, her muscles tensing as every fiber of her being screamed at her to attack.

But then—

“Ace!”

Her mother’s voice, filled with terror.

Her sister’s sobs, desperate and afraid.

If she fought now, if she tried to kill Rowan, he would slaughter them all.

Ace took a shuddering breath. Not now. Not yet.

She forced herself to relax, to loosen her grip on the sword. Slowly, she dropped it again.

“You have to promise to keep my family safe,” she said, her voice shaking but strong.

Rowan watched her carefully, as if assessing whether she was truly surrendering or simply biding her time.

Then, with a slow nod, he said, “Fine. But you are mine now.”

Before Ace could process his words, the guards seized her. This time, she didn’t fight back. Cold metal shackles locked around her wrists.

“Ace!” her mother sobbed, struggling against the guards holding her back. “No, please!”

Elara screamed, “Ace, don’t go!”

Ace didn’t turn back. She forced herself to keep walking, her shoulders squared, her chin high.

She could still hear her mother’s broken cries, her sister’s wails, as she was dragged away from the only life she had ever known—into the clutches of the man who had just stolen everything from her.