A blood-red sunrise cast long shadows over the Lycan Palace as the bells rang through the valley—an ancient sound, heard only in times of war or great change.
It was Aria's signal.
The official summons to all Alphas across the Lycan territories.
For the first time in decades, every Alpha would be called to Moonfang Citadel—the sacred summit ground—for an emergency Convergence. And this time, the Luna—not just the King—would speak.
Aria stood at the balcony as the echoes rang into the wind. Her crescent mark shimmered beneath her wrist guard.
Lucien joined her, his expression unreadable.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She took a breath. "I have to be."
"You don't have to do anything alone," he replied, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "We face this together."
Aria nodded, but deep down, she knew this moment was hers.
Three days later, the palace courtyard swelled with movement. Banners from every pack fluttered in the breeze, colors and crests representing centuries of alliances and rivalries. Warriors, emissaries, and pack heirs dismounted from horses and enchanted carriages. The tension was thick—no one knew whether this summit would end in peace… or bloodshed.
Inside the grand hall, Aria waited with her Luna's Circle behind her: Kael, Thalia, Riven, Maelis, Nox, and Ilyas—all armed, watchful, and loyal to the death.
Isolde approached, handing her a parchment scroll. "Your speech," she said flatly.
Aria didn't take it. "I'll speak from the heart."
Isolde raised an eyebrow. "Risky."
"Necessary," Aria replied.
The hall filled quickly. Dozens of Alphas sat at long stone tables while hundreds of their wolves lined the perimeter. Lucien stood beside Aria at the dais, wearing his ceremonial black armor trimmed in silver. The room quieted as she stepped forward alone.
Aria scanned the crowd.
Some eyes were suspicious. Some openly hostile. But others… others watched her with cautious hope.
"I was once just a girl from a small pack," she began. "I was rejected by my mate. Cast aside, forgotten."
Whispers broke out. Some sneered. Others looked down.
"But rejection did not break me. It shaped me."
She paused, letting the silence linger.
"You've all heard the rumors—that I hold unnatural power, that I control the King, that I am unworthy of the Luna crown. Let me tell you the truth."
She unstrapped her bracer and raised her wrist, revealing the glowing silver crescent mark.
"This mark was not given to me by blood or by law. It was earned by fate—and by battle."
Gasps rose across the room as the crescent flared brightly.
"I faced rogues. Vampires. Betrayal. Even a magic meant to sever my bond with Lucien. And I'm still here. Because I refuse to be ruled by fear."
She stepped forward.
"But there is one among us who is ruled by fear. One who would rather destroy the kingdom than see it change. Selena."
Growls rippled across the hall at the mention of her name.
"She has allied with the vampires. She uses forbidden magic. She tried to poison this kingdom from within. And she is not done. If we do not stand together now—if we let our pride divide us—she will burn this kingdom to the ground."
Her voice rose like a battle cry.
"I am not just the Luna. I am a warrior. A daughter of the moon. And I will fight for this kingdom, with or without your approval."
A deep silence followed.
Then, one by one, Alphas began to rise.
First, Alpha Nolan of Thunderclaw—an old and gruff man—stood and placed a fist over his chest. "You have my sword, Luna."
Then Alpha Miren of Duskthorn. "And my shield."
Then more—until a ripple of support turned into a wave. The hall erupted in unified howls.
Aria stood motionless, her throat tight. But her eyes shimmered—not from tears of weakness… but from triumph.
Lucien stepped beside her and took her hand.
"They've chosen," he whispered. "They follow you now."
That night, fires were lit across the kingdom. The packs had heard the howl of the Luna, and they answered.
But in the ruins of Bloodfang, Selena stood atop a black tower, watching the flames on the horizon.
"She thinks this is her victory?" she murmured. "Let's see how she handles true loss."
Behind her, a shadowy figure emerged—taller, cloaked in darkness.
"Is the weapon ready?" Selena asked.
The figure nodded. "It will break her from the inside."
Selena's smile was wicked.
"Then it's time to take from her what she loves most."