Chapter 04

Silence pressed down on the hall, thick and suffocating.

No one moved.

Then, like a slow-building storm, whispers rose, uncertain, doubtful. Shock painted the faces of the gathered Alphas and Elders, their gazes shifting between me and the three people standing frozen across the room.

Darius. Amara. Vivienne.

The way they looked at me… disbelief, edged with something darker. Something I refused to name.

“Rhea…” Darius’ voice barely broke the silence. A plea? A question? I didn’t know.

Didn’t care.

I lifted my chin, my expression cold. “Surprised?”

Amara recovered first, her lips curling into a sneer. “This is a joke.”

I tilted my head. “And yet, I don’t hear anyone laughing.”

The raw tension could have split the air. Amara’s nails curled into her palms, fury flashing in her emerald eyes. For once, she had no words - no cutting remark to throw at me.

Good.

I wanted her to choke on them.

Vivienne wasn’t as restrained. “You think you can just walk in here and…”

“I didn’t ‘walk in,’” I cut her off, my voice sharp. “I belong here.”

Her expression faltered, doubt flickering in her eyes before she scoffed. “You’re nothing.”

I smirked, stepping closer. “And yet, you’re the one wasting breath trying to convince me of that.”

Darius took a step forward, his presence swallowing the space between us. His gaze searched mine - desperate, questioning.

“You… you’re the Alpha of Crescent Blood?” His voice was thick with something I refused to acknowledge.

A humorless laugh slipped from my lips. “Oh? You never imagined I could be the one leading them?”

His lips parted as if to speak, but nothing came.

Good.

Let him feel what I felt the day he let me walk away.

Let him feel the helplessness of watching something slip through his fingers, knowing it would never be his again.

Because I wasn’t the same girl who had once loved him.

That girl was dead.

And the woman standing before him had no time for ghosts.

A voice cut through the thick tension.

“Alpha Rhea.”

Kate’s tone was firm, unwavering - loud enough for the entire room to hear.

“The ceremony is about to begin.”

Darius stiffened.

Amara’s face twisted in horror.

And Vivienne… oh, she looked sick.

I turned to Kate, offering a small nod before flicking my gaze back to the three of them.

“Enjoy the banquet,” I said smoothly. “I have a pack to lead.”

And with that, I walked away.

But the moment I turned my back, I knew - this wasn’t over.

**************

The ceremony unfolded without a hitch.

I should have felt victorious.

Instead, something clawed at my chest.

No doubt.

Dread.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it, lingering beneath the surface like a warning I couldn’t grasp.

The moon hung low, casting silver light over the vast estate. From the balcony, the land stretched for miles, shadows swaying in the night breeze.

The air was crisp, but my thoughts burned.

I gripped the railing, steadying the emotions swirling inside me.

At the head table, the elders sat stiff, their expressions ranging from cautious approval to outright skepticism.

Uncle Xavier lounged with an infuriating smirk, swirling his wine like he had all the time in the world.

“Now that our Alpha is here,” Elder Roland cleared his throat, “let’s proceed.”

I took my seat, shoulders squared, expression unreadable.

Trade agreements. Border patrols. Alliances.

But my mind was elsewhere.

Xavier’s gaze burned into me, heavy with unspoken challenges.

Halfway through, I turned to him. “You’re unusually quiet, Uncle. That’s unlike you.”

He chuckled, taking a slow sip of wine. “No need to speak when time does the work for me.”

I smirked. “You sound like a man who’s already lost.”

He raised his glass. “To surprises.”

****************

By the time the meeting ended, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin.

I stepped onto the balcony, letting the night air cool my heated skin. The scent of rain lingered in the distance.

“You did it.”

I turned.

Damon leaned against the railing, arms crossed, dark eyes unreadable.

“Yeah,” I exhaled. “I did.”

He studied me. “Are you ready for what comes next?”

I let out a dry laugh. “Does it matter?”

He smirked. “Not really.”

I turned back to the view. “Xavier’s going to make his move soon.”

Damon’s expression darkened. “He already has.”

I stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“I overheard his men talking. There’s a rumor he’s working with rogues. If it’s true, he’s not just planning to take your title he’s planning to burn everything down with it.”

My stomach twisted.

Of course, he wouldn’t fight fair.

“He wouldn’t dare,” I said, more to convince myself than anything.

Damon met my gaze, voice quiet but firm.

“He would.”

****************

“By the way, you did well tonight.”

I didn’t answer.

Damon sighed. “You’re thinking about Darius.”

“No, I’m not.”

He gave me a look.

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Maybe I am. But not in the way you think.”

He waited.

I let out a slow breath. “I don’t regret leaving him. I don’t regret any of it. But…”

“But a part of you hates that you still feel something,” he finished.

I clenched my jaw. “I don’t.”

He studied me, then nodded. “If you say so.”

I changed the subject. “Any updates on my sister?”

His demeanor shifted instantly. “The team is bringing her in at dawn.”

I exhaled, gripping the railing. Tomorrow.

Damon hesitated. “Are you ready for this?”

I turned to him. “Do I have a choice?”

He held my gaze before nodding. “Get some sleep, Rhea. Tomorrow changes everything.”

As he left, I looked up at the sky.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’ll see my sister.

Tomorrow, I’d start reclaiming what was stolen.

And tomorrow, Darius would realize he lost me for good.

***************

Sleep didn’t come.

I wandered the corridors, mind restless. Every shadow felt heavier, every flicker of movement setting me on edge.

Then, I felt it.

A presence.

A shadow shifted at the end of the hall.

My breath hitched. “Who’s there?”

Silence.

Then - a whisper.

“Careful where you tread, Alpha. Not all enemies wear their fangs in the open.”

I turned sharply, but the corridor was empty.

A chill ran down my spine.

The war had already begun.

Morning came with a sharp knock at my door.

I blinked, groggy. “Come in.”

Kate stepped inside, tense. “You need to come to the training grounds.”

I frowned. “Why?”

“It’s Xavier.”

I was on my feet before she finished.