The council chamber erupted into activity. Guards hurried toward defensive positions while messengers rushed through the damaged corridors delivering orders. Outside, war horns resonated across the mountains in succession.
Twelve Alpha banners were visible—possibly more—and all were converging on this location, specifically targeting me.
The realisation weighed heavily upon me. "This is my fault," I whispered. Kaiden immediately turned to face me. "No," he replied.
"If my power had not awakened—" "They would have found another reason," he interrupted firmly.
Lucien nodded solemnly. "Power such as yours was never destined to remain hidden permanently." Such reassurances offered little comfort.
Amid the chaos, the creature beneath the arena laughed once more, its deep voice vibrating through the fractured stone. " The Alpha armies are gathering again, exactly as they did before the last Luna fell."
An Elder became visibly angered. "Silence, beast." The creature's glowing eyes shifted lazily toward him. "You fear truth more than monsters." No one responded, possibly acknowledging the truth in that statement.
Orion advanced toward the centre of the arena, maintaining composure despite the disorder.
"How long before the Alpha packs arrive?" he inquired. "In a few hours at most," replied a guard. The timing was alarmingly imminent.
Kaiden's face hardened into a display of strategic intent. "We must move Selene now." Several Elders voiced objections immediately. "You cannot remove her from Council protection," they argued. "If the other Alphas interpret that as possession—" "She is already in danger," Kaiden interrupted with authority.
His dominance silenced all dissent. "I said," Kaiden growled, "we move Selene now."
Even the Elders hesitated. Lucien crossed his arms thoughtfully. "If we flee openly, they will track her," he observed. "Then we will not flee openly," Kaiden replied.
I looked between them. "Can someone explain why every Alpha seems to want me?" Orion responded this time. "Because power alters kingdoms." His golden eyes met mine directly. "You are no longer seen as a person, Selene.
You are now considered an asset."
The creature below the arena rumbled in approval. "Smart Alpha," it said. Kaiden looked ready to attack it. I rubbed my forehead wearily. "Wonderful.
Everyone fears me, seeks to exploit me, or both."
Kaiden's expression softened slightly. "Not everyone," he replied. Kaiden's quiet reassurance made my chest tighten painfully, because part of me truly wanted to trust him—and that was dangerous."
Suddenly, an explosion caused the outer walls of the council territory to shake. The entire arena froze. Then, screams arose from outside.
A wounded guard staggered through the entrance. "They are here already!" he exclaimed. "What?" Lucien snapped.
The guard was breathless.
"One of the Alpha factions attacked the western gate before negotiations could commence." Orion's expression darkened immediately. "That is reckless even by Alpha standards."
Another explosion rang out nearby, closer this time. Kaiden seized my wrist. "Stay beside me," he commanded. I did not resist.
The Council guards rushed toward the exits as distant combat sounds erupted through the mountains. Wolves were already engaged outside the fortress walls.
An Elder looked horrified. "They are attacking Council territory." "They are desperate," Lucien responded grimly. The creature beneath the arena smiled slowly. "War begins." Suddenly, the arena doors burst open.
A warrior rushed inside, bloodstained. "Alpha Kaiden!" Kaiden turned sharply. The warrior's face appeared pale. "One of the incoming Alphas demands the immediate surrender of the Luna."
Kaiden's aura darkened instantaneously. "Which Alpha?" he demanded.
The warrior swallowed hard. "Alpha Magnus." The reaction across the arena was immediate—fear, genuine fear. Even Orion's expression sharpened. Lucien muttered softly, "That is concerning." I inquired, "Who is Magnus?" Kaiden responded coldly, "The most powerful Alpha in the northern territories."
The warrior added the worst detail:
"He has brought an army." Silence fell across the arena. Outside, another horn sounded—deep, violent, commanding.
A voice echoed through the mountain fortress with terrifying power: "Send out the Luna, or I will destroy this territory myself."