Eve
The royal military uniform felt foreign against my skin, crisp matte navy blue fabric with silver threading that caught the harsh studio lights, gems, I hadn’t earned pinned to my chest. My hair had been pulled back into a severe high ponytail that tugged at my scalp, every strand smoothed into submission.
"Tilt your chin up slightly," the makeup artist murmured, dabbing concealer under my eyes deftly "The lights are washing you out."
I stood perfectly still as she worked, powder dusting my cheeks, lipstick on my lips. Around , the studio buzzed with controlled chaos—technicians adjusting cara angles, sound engineers testing levels, producers barking instructions into their headsets.
The flags behind had been positioned just so, Obsidian’s silver wolf prominent in the center, flanked by the pack’s ceremonial banners. Every detail calculated to project strength, legitimacy, control.
The makeup artist stepped back, giving one final assessnt. "Perfect," she declared, gathering her brushes.
I stared straight ahead at the cara, its red light still dark, waiting. My hands remained clasped behind my back in military fashion, shoulders squared despite the weight pressing down on them. The uniform’s collar felt too tight around my throat.
A producer approached, clipboard in hand. "Rember, Luna—strong eye contact with cara two. Don’t look at the monitors. Don’t think be cold but be firm.
Montegue was behind the caras and lights but it waa too bright for to see them from where I sat.
I nodded curtly.
The studio lights blazed brighter, turning everything stark white around the edges. Sweat threatened to bead on my forehead despite the makeup artist’s careful work.
"Positions, everyone!" soone shouted from behind the caras. "We are going live in..."
The countdown began, and I felt my breath slow, my pulse steady. This was it—the mont we would seize control of the narrative. Every Obsidian would be glued to their screen right this mont and know my father and Jas they would find a way to witness what I was about to say.
The 16 hour window, they have given to submit myself and the sister I didn’t have had long since closed.
They would be more on edge more than ever.
"Three... two... one..."
The red light blinked on.
"Good afternoon people of Obsidian Pack. This is Luna Eve."
My voice carried across the studio, steady and clear despite the thunder of my heartbeat. I kept my gaze fixed on cara two, just as instructed, letting the weight of authority settle into my tone.
"I am sure that the presence of Military Gammas and Royal Gammas in your sectors must have caused apprehension, especially after what happened during the press conference. I want to address your concerns directly."
I paused, allowing the gravity of the mont to sink in. Sowhere beyond those blazing lights, thousands of citizens were watching, waiting, perhaps holding their breath.
"We have definitively co to know that Silverpine Pack was responsible for the attack that claid innocent lives and wounded many more. The evidence is undeniable. While the Alpha is indisposed, I am here to put all rumors and speculations to rest."
My hands remained steady behind my back, though every muscle in my body felt coiled tight as a spring. This was the mont—the pivot point where we would either seize control of the narrative or watch it slip through our fingers entirely.
"I am here to reveal what we have been sent by the Beta of Silverpine Pack."
The studio fell into absolute silence except for the barely audible hum of the caras. Even the technicians seed to hold their breath. This was information that would change everything—the ultimatum, the impossible demand, the proof of Silverpine’s aggression laid bare for all to see.
The red light on the cara burned like a beacon, waiting for the words that would reshape the conflict between our packs forever.
I reached into my jacket and withdrew the red envelope, its crimson seal already broken. The paper felt heavy in my hands as I pulled out the letter, knowing that sowhere to my right, a sanitized copy with certain sections redacted would be displayed for the caras.
But I would read it anyway. Every word they needed to hear.
When i was done, I folded the letter carefully, my movents deliberate and controlled. When I raised my head again, I let steel enter my voice.
"With this proof, you should understand why safety protocols have been implented and why everyone is to remain indoors. The enemy is Silverpine Pack—not your Alpha. The shots are not coming from inside the house."
The lights felt scorching against my skin, but I didn’t flinch. "Governor Morrison was compromised. That is why he spread lies to turn you against your Alpha. The bombing was to further cause pack agitation and incite conflict—but it is all a ploy to catch us off guard. I will not allow that."
My hands remained steady behind my back as I continued. "Silverpine Pack is looking for an opening. Therefore, I have ordered all doors be closed—even yours—and our streets be patrolled. Do not see the Gammas as your jailers, but as what they have always been: your defenders."
Then I shifted my gaze slightly, speaking not just to the caras but beyond them—to screens I knew would be watching in enemy territory.
"I speak now directly to Silverpine, because I know you are watching this. That is how desperate you have beco. Alpha Darius, Beta Jas—" I let their nas fall like accusations. "This pack is impervious to your dirty tricks and ploys. If Malrik Valmont could not wipe out the legacy of Luna Elysia and Vassir, where do you get the impression that you, Malrik’s descendant, will win this round—or any other round?"
The red light on the cara burned steady, carrying my words across the airwaves like a declaration of war.
Because that was exactly what it was and the gods forbid we would not be prepared.
"And that is a wrap," the producer called and the red light went off and so did the blinding lights.
Montegue was by my side, with Elliot holding his hand, all before I could blink away the harsh glare. "You did wonderfully," he gasped, clapping my shoulder.
"Amazing, mummy," Elliot gushed, hugging my legs.
I smiled at him, lifting him unto my lap.
High Gamma Victoriana’s voice cut through the bustle of the studio as crew mbers began dismantling equipnt around us.
"That was strategically sound, Luna," she said, approaching with asured steps. Her tone carried approval, though restrained. "You’ve given the pack sothing to rally behind instead of fear."
She paused beside us, her sharp gaze taking in the controlled chaos of the production breakdown. "I was inford that you want to fast-track preparations for the Blood Moon War."
I shifted Elliot to my other hip and nodded toward a quieter corner of the studio. Victoriana followed, her expression already hardening as she anticipated what I was about to say.
Once we were out of earshot from the lingering crew mbers, I kept my voice low but firm. "I’ve seen the state of the border—how tight their security is. I know Hades hasn’t been captured, but I cannot freeze ti while we wait. We have to keep things moving in preparation."
Her jaw tightened. "You’re talking about Operation Eclipse."
"I’m taking it over. Temporarily." I t her gaze steadily, despite the weight of what I was proposing. "We can’t afford to wait for his return to begin mobilization."
Victoriana was quiet for a long mont, her expression stone-hard as she weighed my words. The silence stretched between us, heavy with the implications of what I was asking—and what it ant about our faith in Hades’s safe return.
Finally, her shoulders relaxed slightly. "You’ll have my support," she said, though her voice carried the weight of reluctance.
Montegue stepped closer. "We will down to one year to the blood moon by the dau after tomorrow," he said quietly.
I nodded, even as every fiber of my being wanted to reject this path—wanted instead to slip away in the night and cross that fortified border myself, to find him no matter the cost. The rational part of my mind knew we would find each other eventually, but at what price? And to how many others?
Deep in my consciousness, Rhea stirred with quiet confidence. "He will co ho," my wolf assured , her voice steady and certain. "Cerberus is with him."
I held onto that certainty like a lifeline, even as I prepared for war.
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