Sera's POV
Three days isn't enough time, I said, staring at Viktor's message. How do we protect all five Alphas and stop whatever he's planning?
Kael paced his office like a caged wolf. We call an emergency Alpha Council. Tonight. Get everyone on the same page.
Viktor will know we're meeting. He has spies everywhere.
Let him know. Kael's eyes flashed. I'm done playing defence. We go on the attack.
Nash knocked and entered. The traitors are ready for interrogation. But there's a problem they're not talking. Someone put a fear spell on them.
A what? I asked.
Dark magic, Nash explained. Makes them too terrified to speak. If they try to talk, their hearts stop.
Viktor's covering his tracks, Kael growled. Of course he is.
There's more, Nash said grimly. The other Alphas are arriving for dinner tonight. They want answers about the attacks. About Viktor. About He glanced at me. About your mate.
My stomach dropped. They're coming here? Now?
Pack law requires it. After an escape from custody, all Alphas must be informed. Kael turned to me. Which means you'll meet them at dinner tonight. As my mate. My Luna.
I'm not ready
You saved my life twice. Healed me with Moon-Blessed power. You're more than ready. His voice softened. But I won't force you. If you're not comfortable
I'll do it, I interrupted. I'd faced Viktor. I could handle a dinner party.
That evening, I stood in front of a mirror, barely recognizing myself.
Lyra had insisted on helping me dress. The gown was deep blue, elegant, nothing like the rags I'd worn for seven years. My silver-blonde hair no longer dyed brown flowed down my back. My violet eyes, no longer hidden by contacts, stared back at me.
I looked like Sera Ashwood again. Alpha's daughter. Not the broken rogue I'd become.
You look beautiful, Lyra said, smiling. Kael won't be able to take his eyes off you.
Through the bond, I felt Kael's anticipation. He was waiting for me downstairs.
I don't know how to be a Luna, I admitted quietly.
You don't have to know. You just have to be yourself. Lyra squeezed my hand. The pack already loves you. You saved their Alpha. That's all that matters.
I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.
The dining hall was filled with powerful wolves. I felt their stares as I entered, felt their judgment. Four Alphas sat at the main table Cormac Winter from Frost River, Marcus Stone from East Valley, Regina Cross from West Peak, and Thomas Kane from South Ridge.
And at the head of the table, Kael stood waiting.
Our eyes met and the bond hummed between us. Through it, I felt his pride. His certainty that I belonged here.
You've got this, his voice whispered in my head through the bond.
I walked to him, keeping my head high. When I reached his side, he took my hand and the bond sang.
Alphas, Kael said formally. May I present my mate, Sera Ashwood. Luna of Blood Moon Pack.
Shocked silence.
Then Alpha Cormac spoke. Ashwood? As in Marcus Ashwood? The traitor?
My father was innocent, I said clearly. Viktor Stone framed him. And I have proof.
I placed Gray's documents on the table. Forged letters. Fake witness statements. Evidence of Viktor's manipulation spanning decades.
The Alphas leaned forward, studying the papers.
If this is true, Regina said slowly, then Viktor's been playing us all for years.
It's true, Kael confirmed. And he's planning something bigger. An attack at the next Gathering Stones. He wants all of us dead.
Then we don't hold the Gathering, Thomas said.
That's exactly what he wants pack society to fall apart from fear. Kael's voice was steel. We hold the Gathering. But this time, we're ready for him.
Kael's POV
Watching Sera handle the Alphas made Kael's chest tight with pride.
She didn't back down. Didn't apologize for who she was. She stood there, fierce and beautiful, defending her father's name and helping plan Viktor's downfall.
This was his mate. His Luna. His equal.
Through the bond, he felt her nervousness. But also her determination.
You're doing amazing, he thought at her.
Her slight smile told him she'd heard.
The dinner continued with tense discussions about security, pack alliances, and Viktor's possible hiding spots. But Kael couldn't focus. He was too aware of Sera beside him, her scent, her presence, the bond pulling them together.
When dinner finally ended, the other Alphas left to their guest quarters. Kael walked Sera back to her rooms their rooms now, though she still slept separately.
You were incredible tonight, he said.
I was terrified.
I couldn't tell. You looked like you'd been a Luna your whole life.
Sera laughed, but it sounded sad. I was supposed to be. Before everything fell apart.
They reached her door and stopped. The bond pulled at Kael, making him want to pull her close, kiss her like he had earlier.
But he held back. Let her set the pace.
You've been different today, he said carefully. The hatred isn't as strong through the bond.
Sera's eyes met his. I'm trying to understand who you really are. Not who I thought you were.
And who did you think I was?
A monster.
The word hit like a punch, even though he'd known it was true.
Maybe I am, Kael said quietly. My father's blood runs in my veins. Every day I fight not to become him. Sometimes I'm not sure I'm winning.
You're nothing like him. Sera's voice was fierce. Everyone here loves you, Kael. They respect you. They trust you to protect them. Monsters don't inspire that kind of loyalty.
You don't know what I've done
Then tell me. She stepped closer. Tell me everything. About Silver Crest. About your father. About why you carry so much guilt.
Kael's throat tightened. No one had ever asked. No one had cared enough to want the truth.
It's a long story, he warned.
I have time.
He almost said yes. Almost pulled her into his rooms and told her everything.
But a commotion downstairs stopped him.
Alpha! Nash's voice echoed up the stairs. We have a situation!
Kael and Sera ran down to find Nash holding a small girl couldn't be more than six years old. She was crying, terrified, covered in blood.
She just appeared at the gates, Nash said. Says her pack was attacked. Everyone's dead.
What pack? Kael demanded.
Silver Crest, the girl sobbed. The bad man came. He killed everyone. He said to give this to the Moon-Blessed.
She held out a piece of paper with shaking hands.
Sera took it, her face going pale as she read.
What does it say? Kael asked.
Sera's voice shook. Viktor rebuilt Silver Crest Pack. Gathered all the survivors who'd been in hiding for seven years. And tonight, he slaughtered every single one. She looked at him with horror in her eyes. He killed them all. Men, women, children. Everyone.
Why? Nash breathed.
Sera handed Kael the note. Below the description of the massacre was one line:
This is what happens to those who follow a false Luna. The real Moon-Blessed serves ME. Three days, Sera. Come alone to the Gathering Stones or I'll kill every pack, one by one, until you submit.
He wants me, Sera whispered. This is all about me.
What do you mean? Kael demanded.
The Moon-Blessed power Viktor wants to control it. Control me. Her hands shook. That's why he orchestrated the bond. He thought if you died, I'd be weak enough to manipulate. But we completed the bond instead, and now I'm too strong.
So he's going to force your hand by killing innocents, Nash said grimly.
Sera nodded. If I don't surrender in three days, he'll destroy every pack in the territories. Hundreds will die. Thousands.
Then we stop him before he can, Kael said firmly.
How? We don't even know where he is!
The little girl tugged on Sera's dress. Miss? The bad man said one more thing.
What, sweetheart?
He said to tell you he's sorry about your brother.
Sera went very still. What about my brother?
He took him. After killing everyone else. He said your brother is his insurance policy.
Through the bond, Kael felt Sera's world collapse.
Viktor had Jason. Again.
And this time, he wasn't planning to let him go.
Sera's POV
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
Jason. Viktor had Jason.
We have to go after him, I said, already moving toward the door.
Kael grabbed my arm. It's a trap, Sera. That's exactly what he wants.
I don't care! He has my brother!
And if you run into whatever ambush he's set, you'll both die! Kael's grip tightened. We do this smart. We plan. We
My phone buzzed. Another message from Viktor.
This time it was a video.
Jason was chained to a wall, beaten and bloody. Viktor stood beside him, smiling at the camera.
Hello, little moon, Viktor said. I believe I have something you want. Come to the old Silver Crest territory. Alone. You have until midnight tonight. He pressed a knife to Jason's throat. Or I'll send him back to you in pieces.
The video ended.
I looked at the clock. It was already 10 PM.
Two hours. I had two hours to get to Silver Crest territory a three-hour drive.
It was impossible.
Unless I ran as my wolf.
No, Kael said, reading my intention through the bond. Sera, no
He's my brother. My only family left. Tears streamed down my face. I can't lose him too.
You'll die!
Then I die! I screamed. But I won't abandon him like I abandoned my father!
The room went silent.
Through the bond, Kael felt my guilt, my pain, my desperate need to save just one person I loved.
His expression softened. You didn't abandon your father.
I hid while he died. I ran. I left him. My voice broke. I won't make that mistake again.
Kael pulled me close, and I let him. Then we go together. You and me. Like we should have from the start.
Viktor said alone
Viktor can go to hell. Kael tilted my chin up. You're my mate. Where you go, I go. No arguments.
Through the bond, I felt his absolute certainty. His refusal to let me face this alone.
We'll take Nash and a small team, Kael continued. Get there fast, hit hard, and get Jason out.
And if it's a trap?
Then we spring it together.
I looked into his silver-blue eyes and saw everything I'd been too blind to see before his strength, his loyalty, his willingness to die for those he loved.
Okay, I whispered. Together.
Kael kissed my forehead. Let's go save your brother.
We turned to leave and found Elder Moira standing in the doorway.
Before you go rushing into Viktor's trap, she said calmly, there's something you both need to know about the Moon-Blessed power.
We don't have time I started.
Make time. Because what I'm about to tell you will change everything. Moira's eyes were grave. The Moon-Blessed doesn't just have healing power, child. She has the power to break mate bonds.
I froze. What?
It's how you'll defeat Viktor. He's not working alone. Moira looked at Kael. Someone very close to you has been bonded to Viktor through dark magic. A forced bond. And until you break it, they'll keep betraying you.
Who? Kael demanded.
Moira's next words made my blood run cold.
You're Beta. Nash has been Viktor's spy all along.