Chapter 12: Queen Rising

The cold wind rushed through my hair as I stepped out of the armored carrier  and onto the hallowed grounds of the Silver Moon pack gathering. It had been years since I last stood here, a girl rejected, discarded, and presumed dead by many. Now I returned cloaked in moon-white armor, embroidered with the sigils of the old royal bloodline, flanked by warriors who had pledged their loyalty not to just a title, but to me.

Gasps echoed through the crowd like ripples on a still pond. Dozens of Alphas, pack Elders, and envoys from other supernatural factions had gathered for what was supposed to be a routine summit. No one expected to see the ghost of Luna Blackwood walking among the living.

My gaze swept across the crowd until it landed on Marcus.

He stood frozen at the center, golden eyes wide, mouth agape. His usually imposing presence faltered as he struggle to recognize me. The color drained from his face, and again, I saw not the Alpha who had rejected me, but a man unraveling before my eyes.

Victoria stood beside him, her posture stiff, her lips pressed into a line so tight it looked painful. Panic flickered across her face before she schooled it into the perfect mask of indifference. But I saw the tremble in her hands. She knew her time was almost up.

I didn’t speak at first. I let my presence speak for me.

Celeste stepped forward and lifted the seal of the Lycan royalty. A hush fell over the gathering. 

"I am Luna Blackwood," I finally said, my voice carrying over the crowd, strong and unwavering. "Last daughter of the royal bloodline. Betrayed. Hunted. But not broken. I stand before you not as a ghost of the past, but as your Queen."

Murmurs surged through the audience. Some dropped to one knee instinctively. Others watched, wide-eyed.

"You all believed I was dead," I continued. "But I lived. I survived the betrayal plotted within these very walls. I bring proof of a conspiracy between vampire lords, corrupt Alphas, and traitors within our own ranks."

Kai moved beside me, placing a sealed leather case onto the central stone dais. He opened it to reveal documents, letters, and pages. Celeste and the other allies we had gathered stood behind him, stone-faced, daring anyone to refute the evidence.

I pointed at Victoria. "This woman, once my friend, orchestrated the deception. She conspired with enemies of our kind to eliminate the royal bloodline. To eliminate me."

Victoria stepped forward, her eyes glowing with unnatural power. "Lies! She’s manipulating you all! dont let her. She’s a false queen!"

"Enough!" Marcus roared.

His voice cracked through the square, but it lacked the power it once held. All eyes turned to him.

"Is it true?" he asked, turning to Victoria. "Did you know? Did you plan this?" Did you do any of this?

Victoria sneered. "You think she came back for justice? She came back for power. She was always weak, remember? and i made you  see it." i saved you from the future danger Marcus believe me... you cant possibly trust what she's saying.... i am your queen remember?

"Then why does every truth point back to you?" I snapped.

Before anyone could move, Victoria lunged. Her body twisted mid-air, transforming into a monstrous hybrid not fully werewolf, not vampire, something in between. Her claws extended, aimed at my throat.

But I was faster.

I called on my power, letting it surge through me like a tidal wave. The earth trembled beneath my feet. My voice rang out like a bell in a storm.

"I am Luna Blackwood! Daughter of the Moonborn Queen! I claim my birthright!"

A blast of power radiated from me, sending Victoria flying into the stone wall behind us. Cracks spidered through the stone. Victoria groaned but did not rise.

No one moved. Not even Marcus.

One by one, heads bowed.

And then, as if summoned by fate, wolves from surrounding territories began arriving, drawn by the ancient power now awakened in me. They came in droves, sensing the last bloodline  had returned. They knelt. Not to a legend, but to their Queen.

Marcus stepped forward, his face shadowed with regret. "Luna... I don't know how to face you. I didn’t know the depth of her treachery. I never stopped"

"Don’t," I cut him off. "Don’t you dare finish that sentence." Don't you ever come to me in such a deceptive tone.

He flinched.

"You made your choice. You let yourself be used driven by greed, by hunger for power. You chose lies because they were easier than facing the truth. And while you were busy playing pretend, I was loving you with everything I had. I gave you all of me every scar, every hope, every piece of my soul. I was loyal, Marcus. I believed in you. I was ready to walk beside you, without hesitation, without doubt. And what did you do? You shattered me. You cast me aside like I was nothing. Like I never mattered at all. Tell me how do you come back from that? Because there’s no redemption for the way you broke me.

Tears began to well in my eyes, but I forced myself to keep a stone-cold expression. I couldn’t let him see the wreckage he still had the power to cause. After everything he put me through, I refused to let him think I still cared. But gods, it hurt more than I wanted to admit.

Kai moved beside me, his hand brushing lightly against mine. Not possessive. Supportive.

"But I thank you," I continued. "Because without your betrayal, I would never have become who I am today."

Marcus lowered his head.

Victoria was dragged away in silver chains, screaming about destiny and bloodlines. No one paid her mind.

I turned to the crowd. "This is the beginning of a new order. One where no pack stands alone. Where we fight not as rivals, but as one." I raised my hand. "We are wolves. We are bound by more than blood. We are bound by purpose." and we'll continue to welcome everyone with good intentions.

The roars that erupted shook the earth.

That night, as the stars blanketed the sky, I stood at the top central tower overlooking the gathering. Kai joined me, silent as ever.

"You did it," he said.

"We did," I corrected.

He turned to me. "They will come now. The ones who fear what you represent."

"Let them. I’ll be waiting."

At that moment, a raven landed at our feet, a blood-red seal tied to its leg.

Kai retrieved the message, unrolled it, and read aloud: "The vampire legions have mobilized. They cross the Eastern Wastes at dawn."

The real war had begun.

I looked out at the armies gathering below, warriors ready to fight for something greater than vengeance.

And I, Luna Blackwood, stood ready to lead them.

Fear has nothing on us