Lunara’s POV
I stared at the glowing crystal orb, heart hammering in my chest. The Council’s broadcast was playing live, and the words etched across the magical interface blazed brighter than the flames
in the hearth.
Bloodfang Heir, Ronan Bloodfang Detained by Elder Tribunal!
Bloodfang Clan Loses Major Alliance Pacts as Accusations Pile Up!
Justice for Ethan: Elders Demand Retribution. Call for Alira’s Trial!
Alira Blackthorn Vanishes–Warrant Issued by Moon Court!
I covered my mouth with a trembling hand as a flood of emotions surged through me–relief, vindication, grief. Ethan’s name lingered in the air like incense smoke, and when his innocent face flickered across the orb’s image, my chest clenched so tightly I could barely breathe.
He hadn’t died for nothing.
Beside me, Killian leaned back against the plush furs lining the den’s stone walls. He scoffed softly, a dark, amused smirk on his lips. The Alpha of the North looked entirely too calm for someone who’d just triggered a political avalanche.
“Well,” he muttered, folding his arms behind his head, “that fell apart faster than I expected.”
I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like it was nothing. We just brought the entire Bloodfang order to its knees. Ronan’s being held by the Elder Tribunal. Half the Eastern Clans are backing out of their blood oaths. That’s not nothing.”
Killian shrugged a broad shoulder. “It was necessary. And long overdue. But we’re not done yet- Alira is still out there.”
A chill moved through me at his words. I nodded slowly, remembering how that woman had vanished into the woods mid–battle–no trace, no scent trail. Just gone. Like the shadows
swallowed her whole.
My gaze dropped to the enchanted comm–stone on the table. It had been buzzing non–stop- messages from other packs, Council messengers, even wolves I didn’t recognize. All of them reaching out after the evidence of Ronan’s crimes had been released into the Moon Court
records.
“I still can’t believe they listened,” I whispered. “That they believed me.”
Killian turned his head toward me, brow furrowing. “They didn’t believe you because of me, Lunara. They believed the truth. All I did was deliver it.”
I snorted bitterly. “You’re Killian Blackmane. The Shadow Alpha. If I had come forward alone, they’d have called me a rogue in heat and tossed me into a holding pit.”
Killian didn’t respond to that. He didn’t need to. We both knew it was true.I turned back to the orb, watching as Elder wolves debated in high council robes, arguing over Bloodfang’s future. My comm–stone flared again. With a groan, I reached for it, expecting yet another official summons.
Chapter Sixteen.
213
56.09
But what I saw made my blood run cold.
You think this is over? You think you’ve won? You have no idea what you’ve awakened. Watch your back, Lunara
The message was unsigned. The magic behind it was cloaked My breath hitched.
Killian’s head snapped toward me. He must’ve seen the color drain from my face.
Amore, what is it?” he asked voice suddenly sharp.
swallowed hard and handed him the stone. His fingers brushed mine–warm and reassuring. But when he read the message, I saw the way his jaw locked, his eyes glowing faintly gold with
ension
He exhaled slowly through his nose, hand curling protectively around the stone. “Looks like we still have one problem”
Alira?” I guessed, my voice barely a whisper
Killian nodded once, jaw tight. “Makes sense. She’s unhinged–but not stupid. If she’s hiding, she’s doing it in a place even the Council can’t touch
sat up straighter. “Do you think she still has the resources to retaliate?”
He tilted his head. “I don’t know. But I wouldn’t underestimate her.”
clenched my fists. “So what do we do?”
His gaze fixed on mine, piercing and intense. “We wait. And we stay ready. No complacency. I’ll out a warding circle around this place. No one gets in without my knowing. I won’t let anything happen to you
His hand found mine and gripped it tightly.
I nodded, voice low. “I know.”
૩
His eyes lingered on my face for a beat longer than necessary before he smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
‘We’ll face whatever comes next,” he murmured, placing the comm–stone face–down on the table. “But for now… I think we deserve to celebrate.”
I blinked at him. “Celebrate?”
He sat back again, stretching his arms. “Why not? We dismantled Ronan’s reputation, crushed his clan’s power, and shook the Council awake. Even if Alira’s still out there, today–we won.”
I hesitated, the tension in my shoulders still taut. But slowly, I let out a breath and smiled. ‘Alright. One drink.*
Killian grinned, rising from the furs. “That’s my girl.”
My heart skipped. I quickly looked away.
He padded over to the cabinet, shifting through bottles of elderflower elixirs and fermented wolfbane spirits. He brought back two dark crystal cups, poured amber liquid into them, and handed me one.
“To victory. And to justice,” he said.
“To victory.” I echoed, clinking my cup with his
4:40 am G D D
The first sip warmed my throat. Then came the second. Then a third.
We talked for hours, laughter filling the room like a balm. The fire crackled, our drinks refilled, and the air between us grew looser, warmer. I could feel the fuzziness in my limbs–the alcohol, yes, but also the way Killian’s laugh made something flutter in my stomach.
“You know,” he murmured, slightly slurred, “you’re a force, Lunara. Like a real storm. Kind of scary. Kind of brilliant.”
I laughed, leaning my head back. “And you’re a lot nicer when you’re tipsy.”
When I looked over, I caught him watching me. His amber eyes weren’t playful anymore–they were intense. Hungry. Soft.
“Lunara,” he said, my name like velvet on his tongue.
He reached forward, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. His touch sent a ripple down my spine.
My thoughts scrambled. We weren’t real mates. This was temporary. After this was done–we’d go our separate ways.
I should pull away. I should stop this before we crossed a line we couldn’t return from.
But I didn’t.I couldn’t. Instead, I leaned in.
And so did he.Then–we kissed.
