SHANE BLACKTHORN

"Val'asharn (abomination)!" One of the alpha elders screams, drawing my attention. I scan the room, noting the faces of the elders and alphas seated around the table. Fear and worry dominate their expressions—all except for Thomas, who wears his usual smug indifference.

After the disaster earlier, the elders council convened an emergency meeting. The elders, handpicked from families sworn to serve the royal alpha bloodline, are led by Eskelois, the oldest among them, and from the Valkera family. My grandfather once held a seat on this council before becoming alpha and passing away. His brother now occupies his place.

Normally, the elders avoid direct involvement in matters of court; their role was to preserve our cultural heritage.

Alpha Eskelois rises from his chair and bows deeply to me. I nod, urging him to speak. He steps forward, his voice solemn. "We cannot ignore this signs. The rain and the Thrinkok scattering are warnings from Kalareth. We must be straying from the right path."

"A warning?" I ask, narrowing my eyes. "Why would Kalareth warn us? We've done nothing wrong."

"I had a dream," Eskelois continues, his voice trembling slightly. "The night you left to find your Luna, I saw a brown wolf chasing a white wolf. The white wolf held a white lotus in its mouth."

"A white lotus?" I interrupt, my attention sharpening. Isn't that what Rafael and the Seven were seeking?

Eskelois nods. "Yes, a white lotus. As the white wolf ran, the brown, bloodied wolf appeared and devoured it whole."

A collective gasp echoes through the chamber. Superstition rarely sways me, but the Thrinkok scattering, the rain, and now this dream? Too many coincidences. And the white lotus—how could Eskelois know about that? Only Verran and I were aware of it.

Thomas scoffs, drawing my attention. I roll my eyes. "Something to share, Thomas?" I ask, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

He smirks. "I do, actually."

"Then, by all means, enlighten us." My voice is mocking, but I'm tired of his constant disdain.

Thomas steps forward, bowing slightly before speaking. "This meeting is pointless. Rafael continues to claim more land, and Halcyon grows more divided. People are losing faith in you, Shane. They're crossing the borders, seeking refuge. Why? Because while Rafael strengthens his army, what have we done? Signed useless treaties with faeries and sorcerers whose pacifism offers us no real protection. The rootstone they provide is inadequate."

"What is your point, Thomas?" I rub my temples, exhausted.

"My point," he says, gesturing grandly, "is that your awakening is all that matters. It's the only thing that gives us a chance to win this war. We should be focusing on that and not silly dreams by old men"

I ignore him and turn back to Eskelois. "Alpha Eskelois, what do you think your dream means?"

"I do not know its full meaning, but I believe it's a warning from Kalareth. We should postpone the mating ceremony until we've performed a reunification ritual to her." Thomas sneers hearing this.

"And you're sure, this dream of yours has nothing to do with the fact that the Luna is a half breed which you despise."

Before I can respond, Leah enters, head bowed. She walks past the elders and kneels before me.

"We cannot postpone it. I won't allow it," she says firmly.

"What are you doing here, Leah?" I ask, annoyed. I had denied her request to join the meeting.

"I apologize," she begins, her voice pleading, "but you can't let them delay this over a dream and weather signs. Our people have suffered enough. A reunification ritual takes a hundred days of isolation. You expect them to wait that long when they could be freed sooner? Think about this Shane, this dream is a hoax, the elders just don't like me."

"This is not your place to speak," Eskelois growls, his voice low and threatening.

"It is my place as the future Luna of Halcyon." Leah's tone is laced with venom. She strides to the seat beside mine, sitting with a relaxed defiance.

"Our people suffer while we sit here, safe, far from Rafael's reach. Fathers are separated from children, mates from each other. It is my destiny, given by Kalareth, to ensure Shane's awakening and reunite our domain. Your family already failed Halcyon once. I won't allow it a second time."

Gasps fill the room at her boldness. Eskelois snarls, his wolf close to the surface.

"Eskelois, calm down," I warn.

"I demand blood! I would not allow our name to be dragged through the mud by this half breed" Eskelois roars, shifting into his wolf form. His fury fills the room, and I struggle to suppress Kygaras' bloodlust.

"Eskelois, Leah will apologize for her disrespect," I say, trying to deescalate. "We can end this here."

Thomas, ever the instigator, speaks up. "You're letting a challenge at your mate go unanswered? No wonder they've lost faith in you."

I snap. "Enough!" Kygaras' power surges through me, silencing the room.

"Leah will apologize. Disrespect toward the Valkera family will not be tolerated in my court."

"Yes, Alpha," Leah murmurs, whining.

"Eskelois, you are relieved of your position as leader of the elders council for this outburst."

The old wolf bows in submission.

"And we will perform the reunification ritual," I add, silencing any further objections with a growl.

I turn to leave but pause. "Thomas, one more outburst or defiance from you, and I'll order your Russification."

He bows, that smirk still infuriatingly in place.

Only one face fills my mind as I take slow steps toward the door. I needed to see her—just a quick peek. A quick look at her would calm me. I know I promised I wouldn't. I know I swore to stay away and leave her to Caelum. But I just needed her right now.

The court and elders kneel, preparing to take the solemn vow, when a growl rips through the chamber. A strange pull tugs at me. I turn around and see Eskelois lunging toward Leah. She stands there, unmoving, a wicked smile curling her lips.

A mist fills the air, thick and strange. My head grows heavy, the world spinning as if it tilts on its axis. I try to steady myself, but my balance wavers. Kygara stirs, his presence surging through me like wildfire, the edges of my mind unraveling as I fight to remain in control.

What's happening? Why is everything so dizzying?

I push back against Kygara, clawing for consciousness, and finally, I surface. But when I do, it's too late.

Elder Eskelois lies crumpled on the floor, human again, blood pooling beneath him. His body is lifeless, the scent of blood thick in the air. My hands are stained red. The tang of iron lingers on my tongue.

Leah's voice cuts through the haze. "Thank you for protecting me," she says softly, her words wrapping around me like barbed wire.

The entire court is on its knees, heads bowed to the ground.

Did I do this?

I look down at my trembling hands. Did I kill Eskelois?

The evidence is damning—the blood, the taste, the broken body before me. Yet I have no memory of the act. No recollection of the moment it happened.

I shove Leah aside, disgust coursing through me. My steps are unsteady as I leave the court, my body swaying, vision swimming. I make it to the corridor, each step heavier than the last. There, standing few meters away, is Alex. Behind him, is a retreating figure, hood drawn low over his face.

Before he goes completely out of view, I see it. A face I shouldn't recognize here. A face that doesn't belong.

Jeremiah?

The name reverberates in my skull, loud and deafening, as my knees buckle beneath me and darkness claims me.

—————————-
Hey lovelies, I apologize for the break but I'm back. Yay me, hope you enjoy. Love y'all ❤️
Don't forget to vote and comment.....