KAEL’S POV
The council chamber was steeped in centuries of tradition, its ancient stone walls bearing witness to countless decisions that had shaped the Bloodmoon Pack.
Torches flickered in their iron sconces, casting golden light across the weathered oak table where the elders sat, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
I had called this meeting for one reason, and one reason alone… to announce my decision and put an end to the endless speculation that had been circulating through the pack like wildfire.
I stood at the head of the table, my hands resting on the back of the ornate chair that had belonged to my father, and my grandfather before him.
The weight of their legacy pressed down on my shoulders, a constant reminder of the expectations that came with being Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack.
I had been groomed for this role since birth, trained to lead, to protect, to make the difficult decisions that others couldn’t bear to make.
And now, I was about to make one of the most significant decisions of my life.
The elders watched me with varying degrees of curiosity and wariness.
They were old enough to have known my father, to have served under his rule, and they remembered a time when the Bloodmoon Pack had been at the height of its power.
But they also remembered the decline… the years of instability, the losses, the gradual erosion of our influence.
They had pinned their hopes on me, and I had done my best to live up to their expectations.
But today, I was about to test their loyalty in a way that none of them had anticipated.
Maybe they had.
“Thank you all for gathering on such short notice,” I began, my voice carrying through the chamber with the authority that came naturally to an Alpha.
“I know that many of you have been wondering about my intentions regarding the future of our pack.
Specifically, regarding the need for a Luna.”
A murmur rippled through the assembled elders.
They exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement, others shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
This was a topic that had been on everyone’s mind for years… the Bloodmoon Pack had been without a Luna for far too long, and the absence had been felt in every aspect of our governance.
I allowed the silence to stretch for a moment, letting them wonder what I was about to say.
Then I continued.
“After careful consideration, I have made my decision.
I have chosen my Luna.”
Another murmur, this one louder and more animated.
The elders leaned forward, their eyes fixed on me with barely concealed anticipation.
“I’ve called this meeting to discuss my upcoming marriage ceremony,” I said, my voice calm and measured.
“To Lyra Ravenwood, the only daughter of Alpha Elias Ravenwood of the Moonveil Pack.”
The reaction was immediate and visceral.
Murmurs rippled through the room.
The elders exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from surprise to concern.
I had expected this reaction, I had anticipated it, even.
But that didn’t make it any easier to witness.
One of them, Elder Marcus, the oldest and most outspoken, leaned forward.
His brows furrowed deeply.
“Alpha, with all due respect…
Luna Lyra is Alpha Cassian’s mate.”
“Was.” I corrected him, my voice flat.
“She rejected him.
They’re divorced.
And now she’ll be my Luna.
The Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack.”
Another elder spoke up, his voice hesitant.
“Alpha, we have no issues with the Moonveil Pack.
But Silvercrest has been our rival for years.
Marrying their former Luna, it may cause chaos among the members.
They may not accept her.”
I placed my arms on the table, leaning forward.
“This pack has been without a Luna for years.
Each and every one of you has pressured me to choose a mate.
You’ve sent countless candidates my way.
You’ve brought up the subject at every meeting, every gathering, every opportunity you could find.
And now that I’ve finally chosen someone…” I paused, letting the weight of my words settle.
“You’re against it?”
Elder Marcus shifted uncomfortably.
“It’s not that we’re against it, Alpha.
It’s that Luna Lyra…”
“Is a good choice.” I cut him off.
“She’s intelligent.
Resilient.
She’s the daughter of one of the most respected Alphas in the territory.
And she makes me…” I stopped, catching myself.
“She’s the one I want.”
Another elder spoke up, his voice measured.
“Alpha, we’re not questioning your judgment.
But the pack may not see it that way.
They may see her as the enemy.
As the woman who chose our rival over everything else.”
“Then we show them differently.” I sat back, my gaze steady.
“We show them that she’s not the enemy.
That she’s one of us.
That she chose us, chose Bloodmoon, over everything else.”
Elder Thomas rose to his feet, his expression troubled.
“Alpha, it is not that Luna Lyra is not good enough.
She is a capable she-wolf, and I have no doubt that she would make a fine Luna.
But the political implications…”
“Are not your concern,” I cut him off, my voice brooking no argument.
“The political implications are my concern.
I am the Alpha.
I bear the weight of every decision that affects this pack.
And I have made my choice.”
“With respect, Alpha,” Elder Thomas pressed, “the pack will not accept this.
The members will be against the idea.
They will see it as a betrayal of our rivalry with the Silvercrest Pack.
They will question your judgment, your loyalty to the Bloodmoon Pack.”
The room fell silent.
“So how do we do it?” I asked.
“Because I’ve already registered for our marriage.
The documents are signed.
The ceremony is scheduled.
And invitations have been sent out.”
A collective gasp swept through the room.
Several of the elders sank back into their chairs, their faces pale with shock.
I watched them process the information, watched the realization dawn on their faces that I had made my decision and there was no going back.
“But I will be fair and considerate,” I continued, my voice softening slightly.
“I understand that this is a significant change, and I respect that some of you may have concerns.
So I will ask you this… if anyone here is against the idea of choosing Lyra Ravenwood as my Luna, you can kindly raise your hand.
I will take your objections under consideration, and we can discuss them in a civilized manner.
The elders exchanged glances amongst themselves, each one waiting for another to make the first move.
I watched them carefully, reading the hesitation in their eyes, the fear of speaking out against their Alpha.
For a long moment, the room was silent, the only sound was the crackling of the torches and the distant howl of the wind outside.
No one raised their hand.
“It’s settled then,” I said, a note of finality in my voice.
“I will see you all at the ceremony.
I trust that you will all be there to support your Alpha and his new Luna.”
I dismissed the meeting with a wave of my hand, and the elders rose from their seats, bowing respectfully as they filed out of the chamber.
I watched them go, noting the tense set of their shoulders, the worried glances they exchanged.
They were not happy with my decision, but they were too afraid to openly oppose me.
That was fine.
I didn’t need their approval.
I needed their obedience.
The door closed behind the last of them, and I released a long, slow breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
The weight of the meeting pressed down on me, and I sank into my chair, running a hand through my dark hair.
I had expected resistance.
I had prepared myself for it.
But that didn’t make it any easier to witness the disappointment in their eyes, the silent condemnation of my choice.
But I had made my decision.
And I would not waver.
Lyra was worth the fight.
She was worth every challenge, every obstacle, every political storm that awaited us.
I had seen the fire in her eyes, the strength in her spirit, the way she carried herself with a dignity that commanded respect.
She’s not just a beautiful woman… She’s a leader, a partner, an equal.
And I would do whatever it took to make her my Luna.
The door opened again, and I looked up to see Axel striding in, a wide grin on his face.
“Kael, what have you done this time?” Axel asked, settling into the chair across from me.
“I passed the elders on their way out, and they looked like they’d seen a ghost.
I haven’t seen that many pale faces since the winter fever outbreak.”
I leaned back in my chair, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“I only asked a simple question, Axel.
But clearly it looks like I had a knife to their throat while I did it.”
Axel laughed, the sound warm and genuine.
“Those men are getting old, Alpha.
You can’t scare them off each time they have a meeting with you.
One of these days, one of them is going to have a heart attack, and then where will we be?”
“Like I said,” I replied, shrugging, “all I said was a sentence.
Besides, I don’t need a bunch of old men to decide who I choose as my Luna.
I’m the Alpha.
I make the decisions.”
“The announcement is going to send shockwaves through the region,” Axel said, his expression turning more serious.
“Cassian is not going to take this lying down.
You know that, right?”
“I’m counting on it,” I said flatly.
“Cassian has been a thorn in my side for years.
If he wants to challenge me, let him.
I’m ready for whatever he throws at me.”
Axel nodded slowly, considering my words.
“Well, I’ve done as you asked.
The invitations have been sent out to the Alphas of the surrounding packs.
The ceremony is now set for the month, and everything is on track.”
“Good,” I said, rising from my chair and sliding on my jacket.
“Then everything is proceeding as planned.”
Axel looked up at me, a curious expression on his face.
“Where are you going?”
I grabbed my keys from the table and headed toward the door, pausing to look back at him.
“We’re going to get some flowers.”
Axel blinked, his mouth hanging open slightly.
“We?”