Chapter 4

The Master of Ceremonies hurried over with the ceremony schedule.

"Alpha Lucian," he said quietly. "It's time for the Moon Blessing."

Lucian glanced down at the parchment.

"The Luna's Family Blessing."

Before he could continue, my father stepped forward.

"I've prepared the blessing."

He carefully pulled a folded piece of parchment from inside his coat.

"I've been practicing..."

Before he could finish, Evelyn let out a small laugh.

"You?" She looked genuinely surprised. "Mr. Vale..."

"You intend to deliver the Family Blessing?"

A few nearby guests exchanged amused looks.

An Elder snorted. "Since when does an Omega bless an Alpha?"

Another laughed. "Outsider Omegas really don't know Pack traditions."

"The blessing is meant to honor the Alpha's bloodline."

"What right does he have to stand before Alpha Lucian?"

My father's hand tightened around the parchment.

"I... I'm Selene's father."

"I only wanted to bless my daughter's future."

No one seemed to hear him.

Evelyn turned to Lucian with an apologetic smile.

"I know Mr. Vale means well."

"But today is your Marking Ceremony."

"If people see an outsider Omega delivering the blessing..."

She trailed off. She didn't need to finish.

Lucian folded the ceremony schedule.

"I appreciate the effort."

"But we'll skip the Family Blessing."

Evelyn continued. "If you don't mind, I could deliver it on behalf of the Pack."

Several Elders nodded in approval.

"Excellent idea."

"Much more appropriate."

Lucian looked at Evelyn. A faint smile finally appeared on his face.

"Thank you. We'll do that."

Just like that, it was decided.

No discussion. No hesitation.

My father's place in the ceremony was gone, as if this ceremony had nothing to do with us anymore.

When the blessing has began, Evelyn walked up to the platform. She stood in the center, like she was the one hosting this ceremony.

Everyone's attention followed her.

I saw my father retreating quietly to a corner. His face had turned pale.

His hand pressed against his side, trying to hide it, but I could see the strain in his expression.

My mother held onto him tightly, as if afraid he might collapse.

"Father!" I rushed toward him.

Before I could reach him, two of Lucian's guards stepped in front of me.

One grabbed my arm. The other blocked my path.

"Stay where you are." Lucian's voice was low and cold.

"There are many guests present. Do not embarrass me."

My heart clenched. "My father is hurt! He's been bleeding since the toast!"

"Selene, don't do anything reckless."

"This is not the time for improper behavior."

Improper.

My father was clearly in pain, and that was considered improper.

My wolf growled inside me. I tore my arm free and ran toward my parents.

Just as I reached them, someone stepped into my path.

Evelyn had just finished her speech.

I tried to move around her. The next second, she let out a sharp scream.

"Ah!" She stumbled backward as if I had shoved her with all my strength.

Her body crashed against the stone steps leading to the ceremonial platform.

The entire hall fell silent.

Evelyn clutched her wrist, tears instantly filling her eyes. "I... I was only trying to stop her..."

A nearby Elder frowned. "Did she just attack Evelyn?"

Lucian crossed the distance in seconds. He knelt beside Evelyn. "Are you hurt?"

She bit her lip and nodded weakly.

Only then did Lucian turn to me. His eyes were colder than I had ever seen them. "Selene!"

"I didn't push her!My father collapsed. You saw it. You saw everything."

"Enough." His voice cut through mine.

"Before the Marking Ceremony continues, Selene Vale will receive twenty lashes from the Silverthorn Whip."

Twenty. Even seasoned warriors feared the Silverthorn Whip.

It didn't just tear flesh. Its silver thorns suppressed a wolf's healing.

Lucian looked at me without the slightest trace of hesitation.

"Perhaps pain will teach you the respect expected of a future Luna."

The guards forced my arms behind my back. I fought with everything I had.

It didn't matter.

Two warriors slammed me to my knees. The cold stone crashed against my legs.

My mother cried out, her voice breaking. "Please stop! She didn't do anything!"

My father, barely able to stand, forced himself upright.

"Alpha Lucian, punish me instead."

"She's my daughter. If there is fault, it is mine."

My mother grabbed his arm. "No! Please, he's injured, he can't—"

But my father pulled free, standing between me and the guards despite his trembling legs.

Guests watched with open satisfaction.

"I knew an Omega needed discipline."

"She's lucky Alpha Lucian is still willing to mark her."

Evelyn lowered her head to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

Lucian's face remained cold and resolute. "Carry out the sentence."

The executioner grabbed my wrists. Before I could react, someone kicked the back of my knees.

I crashed onto the marble floor. Cold stone scraped against my skin.

Two guards seized my shoulders, forcing me lower. My cheek struck the floor. The marble was so polished that I could see my own reflection.

I was broken, humiliated, and powerless.

Around me, laughter rippled through the hall.

I couldn't even look at my parents. Because I knew exactly what they were seeing.

Their daughter was pinned to the floor like a criminal.

The executioner raised the Silverthorn Whip.

Just as it sliced through the air—

A low horn suddenly echoed from outside.

At first, it was faint. Then the chandeliers above began to tremble.

The murmurs in the hall died down. Every Elder in the hall stood up at once.

Lucian frowned. “What is that?”

The Elder stared toward the sealed doors. His face had gone completely pale.

“Council judgment horns.”

The massive doors burst open. Silver cloaks swept into the hall.

The crescent emblem of the Werewolf Council gleamed across their chests.

The lead Council Guardian's voice thundered across the chamber.

"Who dares lay a hand on the Vice Chair of the Werewolf Council?"

Still pinned to the floor, I slowly lifted my head. My eyes met Lucian's.

For the first time that night, I smiled.

"Alpha Lucian Blackthorn..." I said softly.

"You've made a terrible mistake."