The army stopped just outside shot range. Vincent Ravenclaw’s voice bood across the valley. "We’ve co to talk, not fight. Yet." Elara’s silver eyes narrowed. "It’s a trap." "Of course it is," Kael agreed. "But we need to hear what he wants." Three figures ca from the enemy lines. Vincent walked in the center, flanked by two massive Alphas Elara didn’t know. "Alpha Storm from the Western Territories," Tobias whispered. "And Alpha Vex from the Southern Bloodlands. Both old enemies of your parents." "They killed Mom and Dad?" Elara’s power flared wildly. "Focus," Darian said softly, his hand touching her shoulder. The touch sent calming energy through their mate bond, though his own heart was racing with guilt. Vincent stopped fifty feet from the cave opening. His scarred face turned into a cruel smile. "Elara Moon. Or should I say, Luna Blackwood?" "I’m neither," Elara answered, stepping forward. "I’m exactly who I choose to be." Vincent laughed. "Brave words for soone hiding in a cave." "I’m not hiding."
"Then co out. Face the Council of Alphas properly." Elara’s breath caught. "What council?" More figures erged from the forest. Alpha after Alpha stepped into the moonlight. So she recognized from pack gatherings. Others were strangers with unfriendly eyes. "Twelve Alphas have co to judge you," Vincent declared. "They will decide if you live or die." "Since when do Alphas vote on Luna rights?" Ronan snarled. "Since this Luna claims power over all werewolves," Alpha Storm growled. His voice sounded like grinding stone. "Moon Alpha authority threatens every pack’s freedom." "I never claid authority over anyone," Elara protested. "Your very existence is a claim," Alpha Vex hissed. She was a thin woman with snake-like eyes. "Moon Alphas ruled our kind for ages. Crushed freedom. Destroyed traditions." "That was a thousand years ago!" "History repeats itself," Vincent said easily. "Unless we stop it here." Tobias stepped beside Elara. "The ancient rules protect Moon Alphas. You cannot simply kill her." "We’re not executing anyone," a new voice called out. Elara’s heart jumped. Alpha Kane from the Northern Territory ca from behind the enemy lines. But he wasn’t alone. "Kane?" she whispered. "I brought friends," he said with a friendly smile. More Alphas appeared. Alpha Reed from the Eastern Forests. Alpha Cross from the Mountain Clans. Alpha Dawn from the Coastal Packs. "Seven against seven," Vincent growled. "How convenient." "Not seven against seven," Alpha Kane anded. "Seven who believe in justice against seven who fear change." "What’s this really about?" Elara ordered, her patience snapping. Alpha Storm stepped forward. "You want the truth, girl? Fine. Three days ago, every pack leader got the sa ssage." He pulled out a blood-stained letter.
"It said the Moon Alpha has awakened. Soon she will co to claim dominance over all werewolves. Submit now, or face destruction." Elara’s face went pale. "I never sent that ssage." "Of course you didn’t," Alpha Kane said quietly. "But soone wanted us to think you did." All eyes turned to Vincent, who shrugged lightly. "Prove it," he challenged. "I will," Elara said, her silver power beginning to glow. "Let into your mind." "Absolutely not." "Then you have sothing to hide." The tension crackled like lightning. Thirteen enemy Alphas faced seven friendly ones, with Elara and her mates stuck in the middle. "There’s another way," Alpha Reed offered. "Trial by combat." "No," Kael said instantly. "Elara’s not fighting twelve Alphas." "Not Elara," Alpha Cross explained.
"Her friends. Ancient law says a Luna’s strength is proven by those who stand beside her." Ronan cracked his fingers. "I like this plan." "Three against twelve?" Darian asked. "Those aren’t good odds." "Six against twelve," Alpha Kane anded. "My wolves will stand with you." "And mine," Alpha Reed added. Soon the friendly Alphas were picking champions. The ground was set for eighteen against eighteen. But Vincent held up his hand. "Wait," he called out. "There’s sothing you should know first." His smile turned aggressive. "About your precious Darian." Elara’s blood froze. Beside her, Darian went rigid with fear. "What about him?" she whispered. "Tell her," Vincent ordered. "Tell her about your deal with the Harbingers." The world seed to stop spinning. Every eye turned to Darian, whose face had gone white as snow. "Darian?" Elara’s voice broke on his na. "I can explain," he said desperately. "Can you?" Vincent laughed. "Can you explain how you’ve been giving them information for months? How you told them about the Northern Territory? How you violated your own pack?" "That’s not true!" Ronan shouted. But Darian’s silence spoke louder than words. "Show them," Vincent demanded. Darian slowly pulled up his sleeve. On his wrist was a mark that made everyone gasp.
The twisted sign of the Harbingers, burned into his skin like a brand. "Oh god," Elara whispered. "Darian, what did you do?" "I tried to protect you," he said, tears running down his face. "They said they’d kill you if I didn’t agree. They said it was the only way to keep you safe." "By betraying everyone who trusted you?" Kael’s voice was filled with rage and sadness. "I never told them anything important! I never—" "You told them about the cave," Vincent interrupted. "You told them exactly where to find you." The friendly Alphas started backing away from Darian in horror. Even their own friends were staring at him with disgust. "Is this true?" Alpha Kane asked. Darian looked at Elara with desperate eyes. "I love you. Everything I did was to protect you." "Answer the question," Elara said softly. Her voice was like ice. "Did you tell them where we were hiding?" A long mont of silence stretched between them. "Yes," Darian finally whispered. The word hit like a physical blow. Elara staggered backward, her strength flickering wildly. "How long?" she asked. "Since the beginning. Since the day we found out about the mate bond." Ronan lunged at his brother with a roar of anger, but Kael caught him. "Let kill him!" Ronan scread. "Let kill the traitor!" "You can’t," Vincent said with mock pity. "He’s still your mate. Still bound to you by fate." "Then I’ll reject the bond," Elara said, her voice hollow. "Will you?" Vincent’s eyes glead. "Even knowing what that will do to all three of them?" Elara’s power was going out of control again.
Silver fire and darkness danced around her like a hurricane. "Choose carefully, Moon Alpha," Alpha Storm warned. "Reject one mate, and you lose the power of three. You’ll be too weak to face what’s well lol." "And if I don’t reject him?" "Then you’re bound to a traitor forever," Alpha Vex hissed. "How can anyone trust a Luna who can’t trust her own mates?" The friendly Alphas were muttering among themselves. Their faith in Elara was clearly shaking. "This changes everything," Alpha Reed said quietly. "Does it?" Alpha Kane asked. "The boy made a mistake. Doesn’t an the girl is worthless." "A mistake?" Alpha Cross laughed coldly. "He sold out every wolf in that cave!" "To protect her!" "By betraying her!" The disagreent grew louder. Soon the friendly Alphas were shouting at each other instead of backing Elara. Vincent watched with satisfaction as the alliance collapsed. "Look around you," he called to Elara. "This is what happens when Moon Alphas try to lead. Division.
Betrayal. Chaos." Elara looked at Darian, who was sobbing quietly. At Ronan, who was still trying to break free and attack his brother. At Kael, whose face showed nothing but cold sadness. "I need ti to think," she said. "Ti’s up," Vincent responded. "The trial starts now. Combat to the death. Winners take the Moon Alpha." "And if I refuse?" "Then we kill everyone in that cave and burn it to the ground." The enemy wolves started shifting into battle form. Massive monsters with glowing eyes and razor-sharp claws. The friendly Alphas looked unsure, their unity destroyed by Darian’s betrayal. "Choose your champions," Vincent ordered. "Or watch your friends die." Elara closed her eyes. When she opened them, they blazed with silver fire. "Fine," she said. "But I choose the terms." "You’re not in position to make demands." "Aren’t I?" Elara’s power exploded outward, forming a do of energy that covered the entire valley. Every wolf, friend and enemy alike, was stuck inside. "Nobody leaves until this is settled," she announced. "One way or another." But as her energy settled, she felt sothing terrible. The mate bond with Darian was still there, still strong. His deception hadn’t broken it.
Which ant the forecast was still in play. And sowhere in the darkness beyond her do, the Harbingers were laughing. Because everything was going exactly according to their plan. "Let the trial begin," Vincent growled. But he was no longer happy. The Moon Alpha had just proven she was far more dangerous than anyone thought. The question was: dangerous to whom?
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