The Court's Doubts

Chloe's POV

The next morning, I felt the weight of every gaze.

I walked through the Shadow Court with Sera at my side, and everywhere we went, people stared. Whispered.

"Ignore them," Sera said quietly.

"Hard to ignore when they're so obvious."

We reached the great hall, where Theron was meeting with his advisors. I hesitated at the entrance.

"You belong here," Sera said. "Remember that."

I squared my shoulders and walked in.

The conversation stopped the moment I appeared.

Theron looked up, his expression softening. "Chloe. Come."

I crossed to him, acutely aware of the advisors watching my every move.

"We were just discussing last night's event," Lord Darius said, his tone neutral.

"Event?" I repeated.

"The power surge," Marcus clarified. "It happened behind closed doors, but those of us old enough to remember what this bloodline's magic used to feel like noticed anyway. It moved through the whole keep, faint as it was."

Heat crept up my neck.

"The ritual is progressing well," Theron said firmly. "That's all they need to know."

"With respect, Your Majesty," Kael said, "they need more than that. They need to understand what she is. What she's doing to you."

"She's saving me," Theron said, his voice hard. "That's what she's doing."

"Is she?" Kael's gaze fixed on me. "Or is she binding you to her? Making you dependent?"

My temper flared. "I'm not binding him to anything. The ritual requires both of us. Equal participation."

"Does it?" Kael challenged. "Because from where I stand, you're the one with all the power. You're the one channeling lunar energy. You're the one he can't seem to function without."

"Enough," Theron said, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.

But Kael wasn't finished. "The court is divided, Your Majesty. Some see her as our salvation. Others see her as a threat. A wolfless Luna with no pack loyalty, no bloodline ties. What's to stop her from using you and leaving?"

"I would never..."

"Wouldn't you?" Kael interrupted. "Your own pack cast you out. Why should we trust you won't do the same to us?"

The words landed like a blow.

Theron was on his feet in an instant, his hand at Kael's throat. "You will not speak to her that way."

"Your Majesty," Darius said carefully. "Kael speaks harshly, but he's not wrong. The court needs reassurance."

Theron released Kael, but his eyes blazed with fury. "What kind of reassurance?"

"A formal bonding," Marcus suggested. "Make her your mate. Officially. That would silence the doubters."

My heart stuttered. "Mate?"

Theron turned to me, his expression unreadable. "It's a political move. A way to legitimize your position."

"Is that all it would be?" I asked quietly. "Political?"

Something flickered in his eyes. "No. It would be more than that."

The advisors exchanged glances.

"We'll discuss this later," Theron said. "Privately."

He took my arm, leading me from the hall. We walked in silence until we reached his chambers.

The moment the door closed, Theron pulled me into his arms.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Kael was out of line."

"He was honest." My voice was small. "They don't trust me."

"They will. In time."

"What if they don't?" I looked up at him. "What if I break the curse and they still see me as an outsider?"

Theron cupped my face. "Then we'll leave. Together. Build our own court. Our own pack."

"You'd do that? Leave everything?"

"For you?" His thumb brushed my cheek. "Yes. Without hesitation."

The declaration stole my breath.

"But it won't come to that," Theron continued. "Because you're going to prove yourself. Not to them, but to yourself. You're going to show them exactly what a wolfless Luna can do."

"How?"

"By being exactly who you are." He kissed me softly. "Strong. Brave. Powerful."

I wanted to believe him. But doubt lingered.

"What about the bonding?" I asked. "The formal mate bond?"

Theron was quiet for a moment. "Do you want that?"

"I don't know." I was being honest. "Everything is happening so fast. A week ago, I was dying in the borderlands. Now I'm here, breaking curses, channeling lunar power, and they want me to become your mate?"

"Only if you want to," Theron said. "I won't force you into anything."

"But it would help. Politically."

"Yes."

I stepped back, needing space to think. "Can I have time? To decide?"

Pain flashed across Theron's face, but he nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

But even as he said it, I could see the hurt in his eyes. And I hated myself for putting it there.