The entire assembly remained in a state of submission. Leaders, warriors, and guards all bowed beneath the overwhelming force emanating from my presence. I gazed upon them in horror, asserting, "I did not cause this." Yet, even as I voiced these words, I felt the power coursing through me like a living storm—ancient, boundless, and perilous.
My luminous mark pulsed more intensely, and the creature beneath the arena lowered itself completely, chains broken from its massive limbs. "The Luna has awakened," it repeated.
Kaiden was the only one remaining upright, albeit barely. His body trembled under the weight of the pressure pressing down on the arena floor, yet he refused to kneel. Blood stained the corner of his mouth from the earlier confrontation, but his grey eyes remained fixed on me—neither fearful nor submissive, but protective and steadfast.
Lucien appeared stunned. "How is he resisting?" an elder responded hesitantly, "The dominance of the Luna should impose complete submission…" Nonetheless, Kaiden continued to stand.
The realisation struck me immediately: our bond was protecting him—or perhaps accepting him. The creature noticed this as well, its glowing eyes narrowing toward Kaiden.
"Interesting," it commented. Despite the crushing force, Kaiden stepped forward and declared, "Enough." The creature tilted its head. "Do you command the Luna?" he asked coldly. "No," Kaiden replied, voice steady, "I protect Selene." Hearing my real name instead of Luna briefly grounded me, allowing my breathing to stabilise.
Suddenly, pain erupted through my mark again, causing me to gasp. Silver energy burst outward violently, cracking more of the arena floor as wolves howled in distress, and the pressure intensified.
Lucien moved closer. "Selene, listen. Your emotions are fueling the awakening." "I cannot control it," I admitted. "You must," he urged.
The creature chuckled softly, saying, "Control was never intended for Luna power," a statement that terrified me more than anything else because, deep inside, I was starting to enjoy the power, the confidence, the certainty—and that realisation frightened me.
Kaiden must have sensed this through the bond, for his expression sharpened immediately. "Selene," he said with authority, "look at me." I did, and the storm inside eased marginally. "Breathe," he instructed softly—not as an Alpha, but as someone I trusted.
I focused on him, on his voice, and on the warmth of our bond. Gradually, the pressure in the arena diminished enough for several wolves to breathe freely again.
Lucien exhaled in relief. "Good. Continue to focus." The creature's expression darkened slightly. "So, the Alpha anchors the Luna…" An elder suddenly appeared alarmed. "That pairing was forbidden," he stated. Silence fell instantly. Kaiden's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Explain," he demanded.
The elder hesitated as Lucien directed his gaze toward the council platform. "You knew about this bond?" Lucien questioned. The elder swallowed hard. "Ancient records warned that if a true Luna bonded too deeply with an Alpha…" his voice faltered, "they could unite the packs under absolute dominance."
The arena became still once again. Orion stepped forward from the crowd, his expression contemplative rather than fearful. "That is what everyone fears," he said quietly. Not monsters, not war—us.
Kaiden's jaw tightened. The elder continued cautiously, "The last Luna-Alpha bond nearly destroyed the balance of the territories." My chest constricted.
"Destroyed?" I echoed, alarmed. The creature growled lowly. "They fear her because they remember who ruled before." Before anyone could react, a horn sounded outside the council grounds, followed by another, and then several more.
Every Alpha in the arena stiffened. Lucien turned sharply. "No…" A guard rushed in, panicked. "Multiple packs are approaching the territory!" Kaiden's mood darkened immediately. "How many?" he demanded.
The guard responded, "At least twelve Alpha banners." The entire arena descended into chaos. They arrived quickly—too quickly—and I understood why deep down.
The awakened Luna had been exposed, and now, the Alphas across the continent were coming to confront me.