Three weeks since the battle at the Blood Temple.
The snow had melted, yet the wound across Kael’s chest had not fully healed.
Every morning, Kael walked the castle corridors with a cane.
Five steps, pause to breathe, then five more.
Luna stayed always at his side, steadying his arm whenever he faltered.
“Ten steps today,” Kael said, stubborn.
“The healer said not to push yourself,” Luna replied.
“The healer is not the Alpha.” Luna sighed.
“And you are no ordinary man.” Kael turned to her, a faint smile touching his lips.
“That is exactly why I must heal quickly, so I may protect what is mine.” THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING That day, the great hall was packed.
Twenty Elders sat arranged in a circle.
Kael sat upon the throne.
His cane rested beside him; his face was pale, yet his gaze remained sharp and unyielding.
At his side stood Luna.
She had no seat, for she had not yet earned one.
Elder Alden rapped his staff upon the floor.
“We gather to discuss three matters: the security of the borders, the distribution of spring grain… and the standing of Luna Arvia.” The room’s mood shifted instantly, turning sharp and tense.
Elder Boren, an old man with a jagged scar splitting one side of his face, rose to his feet.
“With all respect, Alpha.
This woman is the daughter of the Queen’s murderer.
How can she stand so near you?” Kael said nothing.
He merely held Boren’s gaze until the Elder sank back down, silenced.
“The name Arvia has been cleared,” Kael said, his voice low and steady.
“Proof is in my hands.
It was my own father who slew my mother, not Mira.” “Words on paper,” another Elder called out.
“Documents can be forged.” “Are you then accusing me of falsifying evidence… for the sake of an Omega?” The hall fell utterly silent.
Kael continued, his tone unwavering.
“From this day forth, Luna is no prisoner.
She is Luna of Blackmoon.
She is my intended.
And she shall stand at every council and share in every decision we make.” Luna held her breath.
She could feel the weight of dozens of eyes, piercing and judgmental, fixed upon her.
The meeting ended.
No one had spoken in favor.
But neither had anyone dared to openly defy him.
On their way back to their chambers, Luna walked close beside him and whispered, “They hate me.” “They are afraid,” Kael corrected gently.
“Afraid that you shall change the way things have always been.” THAT NIGHT At two in the morning, Luna woke, parched.
She slipped carefully from the bed so as not to wake Kael.
Kael was sleeping on the sofa.
He could not yet share the bed, his wound pained him too greatly should he turn in his sleep.
Luna made her way down to the small kitchen below.
The corridor was dim, lit only by a single guttering torch.
She stopped short.
Far down the hall, a shadow stood.
A man cloaked in black, face hidden.
In his hand, he held a dagger.
Luna’s heart seemed to stop.
The man saw her, and began to run toward her.
Luna cried out.
“Guards!” But her voice died in her throat.
From the shadows ahead, two more men emerged.
They had her surrounded.
Luna backed away until her shoulders pressed against the cold stone wall.
One of the men stepped forward, his voice grim.
“Elder Boren’s orders.
We are truly sorry, my lady.” He raised his dagger high.
KAEL Back in their chamber, Kael’s eyes flew open.
His Alpha senses flared, danger, the sharp scent of blood, and Luna’s fear, clear and piercing.
“LUUUUNA!” he roared.
He ran.
Heedless of the fire tearing through his chest, heedless of his cane.
He reached the corridor just in time to see Luna cornered, the blade raised to strike.
Without hesitation, Kael lunged.
He crashed into the attacker, sending him sprawling.
CRACK.
They rolled across the stone floor.
Kael struck the man again and again until he lay still, senseless and broken.
Then he rose, turning to face the other two.
“You dare…” Kael’s voice rumbled, low and guttural, like a wolf’s growl.
The fight was short.
Even wounded, an Alpha was no ordinary foe.
Within minutes, the two assassins lay defeated at his feet.
Luna ran to him, throwing her arms around him.
“Your wound… it’s bleeding…” “It is nothing,” Kael breathed, holding her tight as she trembled against him.
“I am here.
I am here.” The guards arrived moments later, too late.
They stared in shock before seizing the three attackers and binding them.
THE NEXT MORNING In the interrogation chamber, the three men knelt, their faces bruised and swollen.
Elder Alden stood before them.
“Who commanded you?” The youngest of the three lifted his head.
“Elder Boren.
He said… the child must not be born.
He said the babe will bring ruin upon the pack.” Kael’s hands clenched until his knuckles turned white.
“Bring Boren here.
Now.” An hour later, Elder Boren was dragged into the great hall, face dark with fury.
“This is slander!” he shrieked.
“I never…,” “SILENCE,” Kael cut him off.
“Three men have already confessed.
Or would you have me draw the truth from you in ways only an Alpha can?” Boren fell silent.
Cold sweat began to trickle down his face.
Kael stepped forward, ignoring the stab of pain with every breath.
He stood before Boren.
“You tried to murder my mate… and my unborn child… beneath my own roof.” Kael turned to face all the Elders.
“Effective immediately: Elder Boren is stripped of all rank.
He is exiled to the northernmost border outpost, for the rest of his days.” “Alpha… I beg you…,” “Guards.
Take him away.” Boren was dragged away, screaming curses and pleas alike.
Kael did not so much as blink.
A heavy silence settled over the hall.
Kael swayed.
The exertion had torn his wound open anew.
Luna stepped instantly to his side, supporting his weight.
“Kael… are you alright?” “No,” Kael admitted, breathing ragged.
“But it had to be done.” He looked out at every face gathered there.
“One thing more.
Whoever harms Luna… harms me.
And to such, I shall show no mercy.” THAT EVENING, IN THEIR CHAMBERS Kael lay resting.
The healer had just changed his bandages; his wound had reopened from the fight.
Luna sat beside him, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead.
“Foolish man,” she whispered, tears spilling over.
“You could have died.” “I know,” Kael replied softly.
“But had I not come… you would have died.” Luna bit her lip, weeping freely now.
“Do not speak of such things.” Kael lifted her hand, pressing it gently.
“Luna… listen to me.
I am weakened now.
I cannot stand guard over you every hour of every day.” “Do not say that.” “It is the truth,” Kael said steadily.
“Which is why you must learn to defend yourself.
And learn to lead.” Luna stared at him, shaken.
“Me?
I cannot possibly…” “You can,” Kael said, his voice full of unshakable faith.
“You are far stronger than you know.
Starting tomorrow, you will attend every council.
You will sign every decree.
And you will speak to the pack as my equal.” Luna held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
“Very well.
I will do this… for you.
And for our child.” Kael smiled, weary but warm.
“Good.
Now… come rest.
Here.” He patted the space beside him.
Luna hesitated.
“Your wound…,” “I will be careful,” Kael promised.
That night, for the first time in three weeks, they shared the same bed.
Kael held her close, gentle and careful of his injury.
Outside, the moon had lost its ominous red hue.
Yet danger remained.
For Boren had kin, and that kin served another pack entirely.
TWO DAYS LATER A letter arrived.
Stamped with the raven sigil of the remnants of the Whitefang Pack.
The message was brief: We have heard the Alpha of Blackmoon lies gravely wounded.
We send our sympathies, and offer our protection.
Send Luna to us, that we might keep her safe.
Refuse… and this shall be considered a declaration of war.
Kael crumpled the letter in his fist.
“They see me weak… and they think to take advantage.” Luna read the words over his shoulder, her hands turning cold.
“They do not want to protect me.
They want a hostage.” “Over my dead body,” Kael vowed.
“Tomorrow we send our reply.
They shall learn we do not fear their threats.” Luna looked up at him, anxious.
“Kael… you are not yet healed.” “Precisely why we must stand firm,” Kael said.
“They must understand, even wounded… I am still the Alpha of Blackmoon.” He stood, straight and proud despite the pain that lanced through him.
“And they must understand this too: Luna is not my weakness… She is the very reason I fight.” Luna looked at him, and fear left her.
She felt no fear, not when this man stood beside her, a King who would bleed and die for her.
And deep within her womb, their future grew.
The hope of the entire pack.