Chapter 63
“Wait,” Elara said out of the blue, her silver energy sizzling. “Before anyone fights, I need to understand what’s really happening here.” Vincent’s eyes narrowed. “More delays won’t save you.” “This isn’t about me getting away,” Elara said. “It’s about saving everyone.” She turned around to face each group of Alphas. “Everyone is being cheated on. Someone planned for this fight to happen. “Obviously,” Alpha Kane said.
“The question is who.” “I know who,” a new voice in the trees said. Every head turned as a figure stepped into the moonlight. Celeste Rivers walked quietly between the hostile wolves, her chin raised with familiar pride. “Celeste?” Elara gasped. “What are you doing here?” “Coming to save your life, apparently,” Celeste answered with a bitter smile.
“Though I’m starting to regret it.” Vincent snarled. “Another trick. First the traitor mate, now the jealous foe.” “I’m not here for tricks,” Celeste said strongly. “I’m here because I know who’s been sending those fake messages.” The energy dome flickered as Elara’s focus wavered. “You do?” “Alpha Marcus,” Celeste announced. “Your mate’s father.” Shocked gasps echoed across the valley. Even the enemy Alphas looked surprised. “That’s impossible,” Kael argued. “My father is dead.” “Is he?” Celeste asked. “Because I saw him three nights ago. Very much alive.” Darian’s face went even whiter. “No. He died in the attack on our pack house.” “His body was never found,” Celeste pointed out. “I should know. I helped search the ruins.” “Why should we believe you?” Alpha Storm ordered. Celeste pulled out a blood-stained package. “Because he gave me this. A message for his ’dear kids’ after the Moon Alpha was captured.” Elara’s power flared wildly. “Read it.” “’My boys,’” Celeste read aloud, “’if you’re hearing this, then my plan has succeeded. The Moon Alpha is finally where she belongs – under my care. Soon, the promise will be fulfilled, and the Blackwood name will rule all werewolves forever.’” “Lies,” Ronan growled, but his voice shook with uncertainty. “There’s more,” Celeste continued. “’Darian has played his part perfectly. The Harbingers never controlled him – I did. Through them. Every betrayal, every secret he shared, was at my order.’” Darian fell to his knees. “No.
That can’t be true.” “’He thinks he was protecting Elara, but he was actually delivering her to me. The mate bond makes her weak. Through him, I can control her power.’” “Stop,” Elara whispered, her energy dome beginning to crack. But Celeste kept reading. “’Once she’s broken, I’ll use her powers to force every pack into submission. The age of independent Alphas ends now.’” Vincent stepped forward eagerly. “You see? This proves our point. The Moon Alpha brings nothing but tyranny.” “Actually,” Celeste said with a sharp smile, “it proves you’re an idiot.” “What?” “Marcus counted on you responding exactly like this. He wanted you to gather forces against Elara. He wanted chaos and separation.” “Why?” “Because while you’re all focused on her, he’s been taking over the Council of Elders. Soon he’ll have legal power to declare martial law across all territories.” Alpha Kane’s face darkened. “The Elders would never—” “They would if they believed werewolf civilization was collapsing,” Celeste interrupted. “Which is exactly what this battle will make them think.” The truth hit everyone like lightning. They were all pawns in Marcus’s bigger game. “How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Alpha Reed asked. “Because,” Celeste said quietly, “I was meant to be his spy among you. He hired me months ago, promised I could be Luna if I helped destroy Elara.” “And now you’re betraying him too?” Vincent sneered. “I’m choosing my side,” Celeste answered firmly. She turned to Elara with surprising earnestness. “I was wrong about you. About everything p>
Elara stared at her old rival. “Why are you helping me?” “Because I finally understand what you’ve been trying to tell everyone. Being Luna isn’t about power or position. It’s about saving people.” “Pretty words,” Alpha Vex hissed. “But we still have thirteen packs against seven.” “Actually,” Celeste said with increased confidence, “you have thirteen packs against eight.” She pulled out a silver whistle and blew three sharp notes. The forest around them came alive with life. Dozens of wolves emerged from hiding – members of smaller packs who had been too afraid to take sides. “The River Pack stands with the Moon Alpha,” Celeste declared. “As do the Hill Clans, the Valley Tribes, and the Border Guards.” “How did you convince them?” Alpha Kane asked in amazement. “I told them the truth. That their choice isn’t between freedom and submission. It’s between freedom and Marcus’s tyranny.” Vincent’s confident face finally cracked. His huge advantage was disappearing. “This changes nothing,” he snarled. “We still outnumber you.” “Do you?” Elara asked softly. Her silver eyes were shining brighter now, filled with new purpose. The betrayal and grief were transforming into something far more dangerous – determination. “Celeste,” she said politely, “I need someone who understands pack politics.
Someone who knows how leaders think and what they fear.” “What are you asking?” “Be my guide. Help me handle this mess without destroying everything.” Shocked murmurs spread through both sides. Even Celeste looked stunned. “You want me as your advisor? After everything I did to you?” “Because of everything you did to me,” Elara amended. “You know my flaws better than anyone. You also know how to turn enemies into friends.” “I don’t deserve—” “None of us deserve the roles we’re given,” Elara interrupted. “But we can choose what we do with them.” Celeste straightened her shoulders. “Then I accept. My first advice? End this standoff before Marcus comes with the real army.” “What real army?” Kael demanded. “The one he’s been building for months,” Celeste answered grimly. “Five hundred wolves from the Eastern Territories. They should be here within the hour.” “Five hundred?” Alpha Storm looked shaken. “Against all of us?” “That’s the point,” Celeste explained. “He wants everyone here to die. Then he can tell the Elders that the Moon Alpha’s awakening caused a huge war. They’ll give him emergency powers to avoid future conflicts.” “Meaning complete control over every pack,” Alpha Kane realized.
“Exactly.” Vincent was backing toward his army now, clearly reconsidering his stance. “Wait,” Elara called to him. “You have a choice.” “What choice?” “Fight with me against Marcus, or fight alone against his army.” “Why would I trust you?” “Because I’m giving you the chance to walk away. Right now. Take your packs and leave. I won’t stop you.” “And if I stay?” “Then we face whatever comes together.” Vincent looked at his friends, then at the growing number of wolves surrounding Elara. The mathematics of survival were changing quickly. “What guarantee do I have that you won’t seek revenge later?” “My word as Luna,” Elara said simply. “The word of someone mated to a traitor?” The remark hung in the air like poison. Darian flinched as if he’d been hit. But Elara’s answer surprised everyone. “The word of someone who chooses to see potential instead of past mistakes,” she replied calmly. “Including yours.” For a moment, Vincent’s mask slipped. Something almost human flickered in his eyes. “You really believe people can change?” “I have to. Otherwise, what hope do any of us have?” The silence stretched impossibly long. Then Vincent made his choice. “My packs will withdraw,” he stated. “But if you become the tyrant I fear you are, we’ll be back.” “I understand.” As Vincent’s forces started retreating, Celeste moved closer to Elara. “That was risky,” she said quietly. “Showing mercy to your enemies.” “Was it the wrong choice?” “Time will tell. But it was brave.” Elara turned to face the remaining Alphas – the ones who had decided to stand with her. “Now what?” Alpha Kane asked.
“Now we prepare for the real fight,” Elara responded. “Celeste, I need you to contact every neutral pack you can reach. Tell them what’s coming.” “What about Marcus’s army?” “Let me worry about that.” But as Celeste hurried away to send messages, she didn’t notice the shadow that detached itself from the trees behind her. One of Marcus’s spies had been listening to everything. In less than an hour, he would report back to his Alpha. Marcus would learn that his plans had been revealed. And his reaction would be swift and merciless. The real war was about to begin. But the most dangerous enemy wasn’t the one coming from outside. It was the one standing right beside Elara, wearing Darian’s face and keeping secrets that could destroy them all.