Chapter 9
Elara woke with her heart pounding, Darian’s warning still echoing in her mind. One of us is not what he seems. The morning light streamed through the window, but it brought no comfort.
Today was the monthly pack meeting—and she knew Celeste would be there, ready to finish what she’d started.
“You don’t have to go,” Darian told her as they walked toward the great hall. After invoking the Right of Protection, he had barely left her side.
“If I hide, they’ll think I’m guilty,” Elara replied, clutching her moon pendant.
Luna Evelyn had found it on her bedroom floor that morning, proving Celeste had somehow stolen and planted a fake.
The great hall was packed. Wolves from every corner of the territory had come, drawn by rumors of murder and mate bonds.
As Elara entered with Darian, the crowd parted like water, whispers following in their wake. Alpha Marcus sat on his throne, his face carved from stone. Kael stood at his right, regal and distant. Ronan was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Ronan?” Elara whispered to Darian.
“Border patrol,” he answered. “Convenient timing, isn’t it p>
Before she could ask what he meant, Alpha Marcus stood. The hall fell silent.
“Welcome to the monthly pack meeting,” he began, his deep voice filling the room.
“We have much to discuss, but first, I must address the rumors. Yes, our beloved Beta Rivers is dead. No, we have not determined who is responsible p>
Shouts erupted from the crowd. In the chaos, Elara spotted Celeste slipping into the hall, dressed in black, her face a perfect mask of grief.
“My father was murdered!” Celeste cried out, tears streaming down her face. “And the killer walks free among us!” All eyes turned to Elara.
“I did not kill Beta Rivers,” Elara said, her voice stronger than she felt. “Someone is trying to frame me p>
“Lies!” Celeste spat.
“You’re nothing but an omega pretending to be worthy of being Luna p>
“That’s enough,” Alpha Marcus growled. “This is not a trial p>
“But it should be!” Celeste moved to the center of the hall. “The pack deserves to know the truth. This omega claims to be mate to all three Alpha sons? It’s unnatural! It’s against our laws!” The crowd murmured in agreement.
Elara felt her cheeks burn. “Our laws say the mate bond is sacred,” Darian countered smoothly. “Are you suggesting we ignore the moon goddess’s will?” Celeste’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m suggesting she isn’t what she claims to be p>
“And what would that be?” Elara asked, stepping forward.
“A silver-eyed witch,” Celeste hissed. “Just like in the prophecy that cursed this pack!” Gasps filled the room.
Even Alpha Marcus looked startled. “How do you know about that?” he demanded. Celeste smiled coldly.
“I’ve always known. My father told me everything—before she killed him.” Elara’s eyes darted to Kael, silently begging him to defend her. But he stood silent, his face unreadable.
“The triplet Alpha sons were warned,” Celeste continued. “One mate will bring destruction. Look around you! Since she arrived, our Beta is dead, hunters invaded our territory, and our pack is divided p>
“That’s your doing,” Darian said quietly. “Not hers p>
“If she’s so innocent, then let her take the Blood Truth,” Celeste challenged.
The crowd went still. The Blood Truth was an ancient ritual, seldom used. A wolf would cut their palm and swear on their blood. If they lied, the wound would turn black with poison.
“I accept,” Elara said before anyone could speak.
“Elara, no,” Darian whispered urgently. “It’s dangerous p>
“I have nothing to hide,” she replied.
Alpha Marcus frowned. “The Blood Truth hasn’t been used in generations p>
“Because it’s barbaric,” came a voice from the back. Ronan pushed through the crowd, his clothes dirty from patrol. “And unnecessary p>
“Afraid she’ll fail?” Celeste taunted.
“Afraid you’ll cheat,” Ronan growled.
“Like you did with the fake pendant.” Celeste’s smile faltered.
“I did no such thing p>
“Enough!” Alpha Marcus slammed his fist down.
“There will be no Blood Truth today. This meeting is about pack business, not wild accusations p>
“Is the murder of your Beta not pack business?” Celeste cried.
“Or are you protecting her because you fear the prophecy too?” The hall erupted in shouts.
Alpha Marcus’s eyes glowed red with rage. “I fear nothing,” he snarled. “And neither should my sons.” His gaze locked on Kael. “Or do you disagree, heir p>
Finally, Kael stepped forward. Elara’s heart raced. Would he defend her at last?
“I believe,” Kael said slowly, his voice cutting through the noise, “that we must respect our traditions.” Elara’s hope soared. “And our tradition is clear,” he continued. “A Luna must be strong enough to lead alongside the Alpha. An omega p>
“Isn’t worthy?” Elara finished for him, hurt burning in her chest. Kael met her eyes for the first time that day.
Something flickered there—regret? Fear? But it vanished quickly. “I didn’t say that,” he replied coolly.
“You didn’t have to,” she whispered.
The silence that followed was deafening. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Luna Evelyn rose from her seat. “I was an omega,” she announced.
Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Before I mated Marcus, I was an omega,” she repeated. “My rank changed with the mate bond, as the stories tell us happens with true mates. If Elara is truly mated to my sons, her rank will change too p>
“But three mates?” someone called out. “It’s unnatural p>
“The prophecy calls for a choice,” Celeste interjected. “She must choose one brother or bring destruction to us all p>
“That’s not what the prophecy says,” Luna Evelyn countered. “It says the silver-eyed one will either save our pack or destroy it. The choice is hers, but not in the way you think.” Elara looked around in confusion.
“What choice? No one has told me what I’m supposed to choose p>
“Because they don’t want you to know,” said a new voice. The crowd parted again as Tobias Grey stepped into the hall. Wolves growled, hackles raised. Rogues were not welcome at pack meetings.
“How dare you enter our territory again!” Alpha Marcus roared. Tobias ignored him, his eyes fixed on Elara.
“The choice isn’t between brothers, silver eyes. It’s between what you are and what they want you to be p>
“Seize him!” Alpha Marcus commanded. Guards rushed forward, but Tobias was faster. He tossed something to Elara—a small leather book—before the guards tackled him to the ground.
“Read it!” he shouted as they dragged him away. “It’s your mother’s diary!” Elara clutched the book, stunned.
“My mother’s p>
“This meeting is over!” Alpha Marcus declared, his voice shaking with rage.
“Everyone out! NOW p>
As the pack scrambled to obey, Celeste leaned close to Elara.
“This isn’t over, witch,” she whispered. “By the next full moon, either you’ll be gone, or I’ll finish what my father started p>
“What does that mean?” Elara demanded, but Celeste was already walking away.
Later, in the safety of her room, Elara opened the diary with trembling hands. The first page bore a simple inscription: “To my silver-eyed daughter, when the time comes to choose p>
She turned the page and gasped. There, in faded ink, was a drawing of her pendant—and beside it, a prophecy written in an ancient language. At the bottom, translated in her mother’s handwriting: “When three brothers of Alpha blood share one mate with silver eyes, the curse will either break or strengthen. For one brother loves with his heart, one loves with his mind, and one loves with his soul. But one is not a brother at all, and his betrayal will set the moon ablaze p>
Elara’s hand flew to her mouth. One is not a brother at all? But that would mean p>
A knock at her door made her jump. She quickly hid the diary under her pillow. “Come in,” she called, her voice shaking.
The door opened, and Kael stood there, his expression troubled. “We need to talk,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.
“About why I said nothing to defend you today p>
Elara folded her arms across her chest. “I think you made your feelings clear p>
“No,” Kael moved closer. “I said what I had to say in public. But privately He took her hand, his touch sending shockwaves through her body. “Privately, I can’t deny this bond anymore p>
“Why the sudden change?” she asked suspiciously. “Because I’ve learned something about you,” he replied, his eyes intense. “Something that changes everything.” Before she could ask what he meant, he pulled her close and whispered in her ear: “I know what you really are, Elara Moon. And I know which brother isn’t truly a brother p>