ELARA'S POV
I'm starving.
After blasting a White Crest messenger and declaring war on the most powerful pack in the territories, my body apparently decided it needs fuel. Lots of it.
Kael disappeared after the confrontation, Alpha business, Theron told me when I asked. So I find myself alone, wandering through the fortress until I smell food.
The pack dining hall is enormous. Long tables fill the space, and hundreds of wolves eat, talk, and laugh like they're not preparing for a war that could kill them all.
I hesitate in the doorway. Every survival instinct I have screams to turn around, grab food from the kitchens, and eat alone in my room.
But I'm the Luna now. Hiding sends the wrong message.
So I straighten my spine and walk inside.
The conversations don't stop, but they quiet. Wolves track my movement with glowing eyes. Some curious. Some hostile. All watching.
I grab a plate and fill it with more food than I've seen in a week back in Greyhaven. Roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables that aren't half-rotted. My stomach growls.
Now comes the hard part—where to sit.
Every table is full of wolves who've known each other for decades, maybe centuries. I'm the human outsider who just threatened to start a war.
Luna Elara!
I turn to see a young wolf with Kael's dark hair waving at me. Theron—Kael's brother. He sits at a table with a few other wolves who don't look immediately murderous.
Relief floods through me. Thank you, I say quietly as I sit.
Don't mention it. These are my friends, Lyra, Dane, and Soren. He gestures to the others. Everyone, this is our new Luna who just made the most badass threat I've ever heard.
Lyra—a female wolf with copper hair, grins. The part about not leaving enough to bury? Brilliant.
It was stupid, I mutter, attacking my food. I shouldn't have lost control.
Are you kidding? Soren, a scarred male, leans forward. You showed them we're not afraid. That we'll fight back. The pack needed to see that.
Half the pack looks ready to murder me.
Only half? Theron laughs. Better than I expected.
I want to argue, but my mouth is full of the best bread I've ever tasted. When did I last eat? Yesterday morning?
You need to eat more, Lyra observes. You're too thin. How are you supposed to fight a war looking like a strong wind could knock you over?
I'm working on it. I grab more meat.
For a few minutes, I just eat while they talk around me. It's... nice. Normal. Like I'm a person instead of a political problem or a magical weapon.
Then Dane asks the question I've been dreading.
Is it true? You're really a Guardian?
The table goes quiet.
I swallow my food carefully. Yes.
And you can actually use the power? Like the old stories?
I'm learning. I show them my hand and concentrate. Silver light flickers across my palm—weak but visible.
They all lean in, eyes wide.
Moon's mercy, Lyra breathes. It's real.
Can you do the spirit-wolf thing? Soren asks eagerly. The projection that fights alongside you?
I've manifested it twice. Can't control it yet.
But you will, Theron says confidently. Kael's the best combat instructor in the territories. If anyone can teach you—
Careful, Theron. A cold voice interrupts. Praising the Alpha's obsession with his human pet might be seen as... unwise.
I look up to find Marcus, Kael's Beta—standing at our table. His expression is carefully neutral, but his eyes hold something darker.
She's not a pet, Theron says sharply. She's our Luna.
Is she? Marcus's gaze fixes on me. Or is she the trigger for our Alpha's descent into madness?
The friendly warmth at the table evaporates.
Watch your tongue, Beta, Lyra warns.
I'm speaking truth. Marcus doesn't back down. Every wolf here knows the curse. We've all watched Blackridge Alphas deteriorate. And we've all seen how it starts—obsession with something or someone. Irrational protectiveness. Violent reactions to perceived threats.
His words hit like blades because they echo my own fears.
The Alpha threatened to execute anyone who harms the human, Marcus continues. He's abandoned pack security to train her personally. He's declared war on White Crest over insults to her honor. He leans closer. Tell me that doesn't sound exactly like his father before the madness took hold.
It's different, I say, but my voice shakes. The mate bond
Might be real. Or might be delusion. Marcus's tone is almost gentle. I'm not saying this to hurt you, girl. I'm saying it because someone needs to face reality. If the Alpha is going mad, we need to act before he slaughters the pack.
He's not going mad, Theron insists.
Then explain why he's spent every waking moment with her since she arrived. Why he's risking everything, our territory, our alliances, our lives—for one human.
Guardian, I correct quietly.
Guardian, human, whatever you are—you're the catalyst. Marcus straightens. The Alpha's behavior has changed drastically since you arrived. And not in ways that inspire confidence.
He walks away before anyone can respond.
Silence falls over our table.
He's wrong, Theron says firmly. Kael's not going mad. The bond is stabilizing him, not destroying him.
Is it though? Lyra asks quietly. I mean... I want to believe that. But Marcus has a point. The Alpha has been acting differently.
Because he's finally found hope! Theron argues. For the first time in over a century, he has a reason to fight the curse instead of just waiting to die!
Or the curse is manifesting and we're all too blind to see it. Dane's voice is troubled. My grandfather served Kael's father. He said the same things, 'He's just protective,' 'He's just stressed', right up until the Alpha started killing pack members.
My appetite vanishes. I push my plate away.
I need air.
I stand and walk out before anyone can stop me.
The corridors are cooler, quieter. I lean against a wall and try to breathe through the panic.
What if they're right? What if I'm not Kael's salvation but the trigger for his destruction?
I've felt his possessiveness through the bond. The way his wolf snarls at anyone who gets too close to me. The barely controlled violence when someone threatens me.
Is that the mate bond? Or madness?
You shouldn't let Marcus get in your head.
I spin to find a young woman watching me. She's about my age with warm brown skin and dark curls. Her smile is friendly.
I'm Mira, she says. I work in the kitchens. And I couldn't help noticing you didn't eat much.
I'm not hungry anymore.
Because Marcus is a fear-mongering ass who likes to stir up trouble? She moves closer. He's been whispering doubts about the Alpha since before you arrived. Some wolves listen. Most don't.
Why are you telling me this?
Because you look like you could use a friend who's not a wolf. Her grin widens. I'm human. From Greyhaven, actually. Came here six months ago looking for work.
My heart skips. You're from Greyhaven?
Born and raised in that depressing town. She studies my face. Wait—I know you. You're the orphan girl who worked at the tavern. Elara Thorne.
You remember me?
Hard to forget someone who kept her head down as expertly as you did. Mira's expression softens. I heard they sold you to the Alpha as a treaty bride. That must have been terrifying.
Understatement of the century.
It's been... complicated, I manage.
I bet. Especially now that everyone knows you're some kind of magical wolf-human hybrid. She says it so casually I almost laugh. For what it's worth, I think it's amazing. The pack could use someone shaking things up.
Half the pack wants me dead.
Only half? She echoes Theron's earlier words. That's actually pretty good for a human—sorry, Guardian—who just declared war on White Crest.
Despite everything, I smile. You're very calm about all this.
Comes from growing up in Greyhaven. When you spend your whole life watching wolves treat humans like dirt, you develop a thick skin. She links her arm through mine. Come on. Let me show you the kitchens. Cook likes me, and she always has extra pastries.
I should probably
Make friends who aren't wolves? Absolutely. Mira pulls me along. Trust me, you need at least one person who won't care about pack politics or mate bonds. Someone who'll just be honest with you.
She's right. I do need that.
The kitchens are warm and busy. Wolves and a few humans work together preparing the evening meal. Mira navigates through the chaos like she owns the place.
Cook! I brought the Luna to meet you!
An older human woman turns from a massive stove. Her face is weathered, her gray hair tied back, but her smile is genuine.
So you're the girl who's got everyone in a tizzy, she says, looking me over. You're too thin. Sit. Eat.
Before I can protest, I'm seated at a small table with a plate of pastries and hot tea in front of me.
I already ate
You picked at a plate and ran away when Marcus started his nonsense. Cook waves a spoon at me. Eat properly or I'll tell the Alpha his mate is being neglected.
The casual mention of mate makes me flinch.
Cook's expression softens. Worried about the bond?
Everyone keeps saying he might be going mad. That I'm the trigger. The words spill out before I can stop them. What if they're right?
What if they're wrong? Cook counters. She sits across from me. I've worked in this fortress for forty years. I watched Kael's father deteriorate. I know the signs of the curse.
And?
And Alpha Kael is nothing like his father was. She pours herself tea. His father became paranoid. Saw enemies everywhere. Started killing wolves over imagined slights. Her eyes meet mine. Kael is protective, yes. But protective of you specifically—not violent toward random pack members. That's different.
Marcus said
Marcus is afraid. Cook sips her tea. He served Kael's father. He barely survived that transition. Now he's terrified it's happening again, so he sees threats everywhere. Including you.
Should I be worried about him?
About Marcus? Cook considers. He's loyal to the pack above all else. If he truly believes Kael is going mad, he might do something drastic. Watch him carefully.
Mira grabs a pastry. Cook knows everything that happens in this fortress. Wolves gossip around humans like we're invisible.
What are they saying? I ask. About me. About the bond. All of it.
Cook and Mira exchange glances.
Truth? Cook says.
I nod.
Half the pack is terrified of you. You're a Guardian, the stuff of legends and nightmares. They don't know if you'll save them or destroy them.
I would never
They don't know that yet. Cook continues. A quarter of the pack follows Marcus's thinking—that you're triggering the Alpha's madness and need to be removed before it's too late.
My stomach sinks. And the other quarter?
Thinks you're the best thing to happen to this pack in decades. Cook smiles. A Guardian-Alpha pair like the old stories. Power enough to break free from White Crest's tyranny. Hope for a better future.
That's a lot of pressure.
Being Luna usually is. She pushes the pastries toward me. But you're stronger than you think. You survived Greyhaven. You survived being sold. You survived discovering you're a Guardian. You'll survive this too.
I want to believe her.
A bell chimes somewhere in the fortress.
Dinner service, Cook says, standing. Mira, get back to work. Luna, eat those pastries and get some rest. You look exhausted.
She's not wrong. Between early morning training and the confrontation with White Crest, I'm running on fumes.
Mira walks me out of the kitchens. She's right, you know. You are stronger than you think.
I don't feel strong.
You stood up to White Crest messengers and threatened their High Elder. That's pretty strong. She grins. Also incredibly stupid, but mostly strong.
I laugh despite myself.
There's the smile. Mira squeezes my arm. Look, I know we just met. But if you need someone to talk to—someone who won't judge you for being human or Guardian or whatever—I'm here.
Thank you, I say quietly. I could use a friend.
Good. Because you've got one. She heads back to the kitchens. Oh, and Elara? Don't let Marcus's poison get in your head. Trust your instincts. Trust the bond. Trust yourself.
She disappears into the kitchen chaos.
I stand alone in the corridor, her words echoing.
Trust the bond.
But what if the bond is the problem?
There you are.
I turn to find Kael striding toward me. Even exhausted and stressed, he moves with that predatory grace that makes my pulse race.
I've been looking everywhere for you, he says. We need to talk.
About the bonding ritual tonight?
About Marcus. His expression darkens. I heard what he said in the dining hall. What he's been telling other wolves.
He's afraid. Cook explained
He's undermining my authority and planting doubts about you. Kael's eyes flash gold. That's treason.
You can't execute him for being afraid!
I can execute him for spreading sedition during wartime. His voice is cold. Controlled. Dangerous. Three days until White Crest moves against us. I can't afford divided loyalties.
This is exactly what Marcus warned about, violent overreaction to perceived threats.
Kael, please. I touch his arm. He's your Beta. He served your father. He's just trying to protect the pack the only way he knows how.
By convincing them their Alpha is mad?
By preparing for the worst-case scenario. I step closer. Look at this from his perspective. He watched your father deteriorate. He's terrified of seeing it happen again. Can you honestly blame him for being cautious?
Kael stares at me for a long moment. Through the bond, I feel his wolf snarling for blood. But also his human side wrestling with reason.
Finally, he exhales. You're right. I hate it, but you're right.
Relief floods through me.
I won't execute him, Kael says. But I'm removing him as Beta. I can't have someone in my inner circle who doesn't trust my judgment.
That's fair.
And if he keeps spreading sedition, if he actively works against us—then he becomes a threat I can't ignore. His hand cups my face. I need to know you understand that. War is coming. Enemies are everywhere. I can't afford mercy to those who would destroy us from within.
The words should terrify me. Instead, I see the brutal logic.
I understand, I say quietly.
Good. He presses his forehead to mine. The ritual is in two hours. Elder Thoren has everything prepared. Are you ready?
Am I? Ready to bind my soul to a wolf who might be descending into madness? Ready to risk my life on a partial bonding that could still kill me?
I think of White Crest coming in three days. Of my family burning. Of fourteen years spent powerless.
Yes, I say. I'm ready.
Kael's smile is fierce and proud. Then let's show the Moon Goddess what we're made of.
He kisses me, quick and claiming—then pulls away.
Rest until sunset. You'll need your strength.
He strides off, leaving me alone in the corridor.
I lean against the wall, heart pounding.
Two hours until everything changes.
Two hours until I bind my soul to Kael's and become something more than human.
Or die trying.
I push off the wall and head toward my chambers. I need to prepare. Mentally. Physically.
I'm halfway there when I hear voices from a side corridor.
can't let this happen. The bonding will cement his madness.
I freeze. That's Marcus's voice.
What do you suggest? Another male voice. Older. We can't stop the Alpha if he's determined.
We can stop the catalyst. Marcus's tone turns cold. Remove the girl, the bond breaks. The Alpha might still descend into madness, but at least he won't have Guardian power fueling it.
Ice floods my veins.
You're talking about killing the Luna. The other voice sounds shocked. That's—
Necessary. For the pack's survival. Marcus cuts him off. If we act tonight, before the bonding completes, we can make it look like an accident. The Alpha will grieve, but he'll survive.
And if you're wrong? If she really is his mate and killing her destroys him?
Silence.
Then: Then we put him down like his father. Either way, the pack survives.
My hands start glowing silver. Rage and terror mixing into power.
I should run. Warn Kael. Get protection.
But my feet won't move.
Marcus is planning to kill me tonight.
Before the bonding.
Which means I have two hours to survive.
Two hours to figure out who I can trust.
Two hours before everything explodes.
The voices fade as the conspirators move away.
I stand in the empty corridor, shaking, silver light crackling around my fists.
And I make a choice.
I'm not telling Kael.
Not yet.
Because if I do, he'll execute Marcus and everyone involved. He'll prove Marcus's point about violent overreaction.
And the pack will fracture completely.
No. I need to handle this myself.
Show Marcus, show everyone that I'm not weak. Not a victim. Not someone who needs the Alpha to fight her battles.
I'm a Guardian.
And Guardians don't run.
We fight.