LOGINWith the traitors securely held by the visiting guards, the chaotic noise in the hall died down to a tense, expectant murmur. Every eye turned toward the center of the room, waiting to see what the executioner of the Blood Court would do next.Instead of drawing his blade, Riven turned his back on the captives. He looked up at the dais, his dark gaze locking onto Elara, a faint, mocking smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he gestured toward the kneeling prisoners."What do you think should be done to them, Elara?" Riven asked, his deep voice carrying a sharp, sarcastic edge. "Out of everyone in this room, you’ve been the primary beneficiary of their... generosity. From Silas's initial backstabbing, to Lucan’s inspiring leadership, to Morgana’s lovely mind-bending magic... straight down to Zara and her father's legendary loyalty. They tore your family apart and stole your life. It only feels fair that you get to choose how we wrap up this family reunion."Elara’s breath hitc
The grand hall erupted into a wave of quiet, tense murmurs. The visiting leaders exchanged sharp glances, trying to process the scale of the deception Sera was describing.Alpha Vance of the Crestwood pack stood up, leaning his hands flat on the banquet table as he stared down at Sera. "Explain that better, child. If Alpha Martinns was murdered and his family targeted, how did an entire pack just forget their true ruler? How did the rest of the world not notice? Explain exactly how that happened."Sera took a steady breath, keeping her voice calm and direct. "Because Silas, Lucan’s father, didn't just kill the Alpha...he completely changed the pack's identity. The moment he took over, his first order was to change the pack's name from the Silvermoon Pack to the NightLight Pack. He wanted to erase the past entirely and give the people a new name to focus on."She looked directly at Morgana, who had gone completely still."But the pack elders who were loyal to Alpha Martinns refuse
A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the grand hall. The visiting Alphas exchanged long, tense glances, the revelation stirring old memories that had been buried under decades of political silence.One by one, six Alphas stood up, their expressions grim as the pieces of a historic puzzle finally began to click into place.Alpha Thomas of the Stonefang pack, the oldest leader in attendance, was the first to speak. His deep, gravelly voice carried the weight of years. "I remember," he said, his brow furrowed. "I remember when the NightLight pack suddenly changed hands. We were told the late Alpha Martinns died of a sudden, wasting sickness in the dead of winter. Your father stepped up to lead. But there were always whispers... whispers that a healthy Alpha doesn't just waste away in a week."Beside him, Alpha Craig of the Ironwood pack nodded in agreement. "My father was the leader back then, and he always questioned it. He told me that NightLight’s borders closed overnight. We al
Riven let the heavy silence stretch, allowing the words of the allied leaders to settle over the hall. He looked down at Lucan, whose eyes were wide with the sudden, terrifying realization that he had completely lost the room.Then, Riven looked back at the council, his expression hardening."We have settled the matter of the child," Riven said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, icy register. "But Lucan didn’t just bring lies about my bloodline into this hall. When he walked in here, he dragged the Luna’s prophecy through the dirt, calling her a blight and a curse. More than that, he marched an armed escort into a peaceful summit, spitting on the laws of hospitality and crashing a diplomatic, happy event that we all spent months preparing for."Riven crossed his arms, stepping closer to the tables. "So, let us finish the ledger. What do the Alphas of the allied territories think about the insults he hurled at my mate's destiny? And what do you think about the insult he offered
"That's a lie!" Morgana shrieked, finding her voice even without her magic. "We didn't force...""He's making it up to cover her tracks!" Zara chimed in, her voice shrill with desperation as she tried to back up the witch. "Don't listen to him! He's...he's a liar"Before either of them could finish their sentences, Dorian stepped out of the shadows. The relaxed smirk was gone from his face, replaced by a cold, lethal aura that instantly filled the space between them. He didn't even draw a weapon; he just let his heavy, oppressive Beta pressure slam into the two women, forcing the air right out of their lungs."Shut your mouths," Dorian said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, gravelly tone that made both Morgana and Zara instantly snap their jaws shut.He stepped right into the light of the torches, looking past the trembling women and straight at the council of visiting Alphas."You all want to know the truth about what happened in NightLight?" Dorian asked, gesturing broadly
Zara’s triumphant smirk completely vanished as she watched Lucan get systematically dismantled on the floor. Panic finally broke through her smug facade."Morgana, do something!" Zara shrieked, grabbing the witch by her shoulder and shaking her violently. "Use your magic! Blast him! Do anything!"Morgana shoved Zara’s hands off her, her face pale as she clutched her own numb wrists. "I can't!" she hissed back, her voice laced with sheer panic. "The High Priestess severed my connection! I have nothing! I'm completely locked out from my magic until we leave her presence!""Useless!" Zara spat, her voice cracking.Desperate, Zara spun around and grabbed the front of Theron’s tunic, staring at her father with wide, pleading eyes. "Father, please! You have to pull Riven off him! He's going to kill my mate!"Theron looked down at his daughter, his expression a pathetic mixture of terror and absolute helplessness. He didn't move a muscle toward the fight. Ever since his Beta strength ha
For the first time in a long time, Elara woke up without fear.The morning light filtered softly into the bedroom. Riven’s big arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her against his warm chest. The mating mark on her neck tingled pleasantly. The bond between them felt complete now... So
Elara stared at Riven, her mouth slightly open.“We’re really going back under the mountain?”She asked, her words hanging in the air between them. “Right now?” she added again when he didn't respond. Riven nodded, “Yes. You said it yourself , we can’t let her spread those lies. The longer we wait
That singular name was enough to get Elara to roll her eyes in annoyance."What about her?" Elara asked flatly, trying not to let her own rage and the petty jealousy she was habouring show in her voice. "Apparently, there is unrest in the Blood Court....again. Funny how my true pack with more citi
Elara’s chest tightened painfully at his words.No one had ever said things like that to her before.Not Lucan. Not her former pack. Not even herself.All her damn life people had spoken about her powers and the prophecy that she barely understood like it was something to be scared of. Something da







