FAZER LOGIN(ELARA’S POV) By the time the first official Luna Council meeting took place, my child had become impossible to ignore. Now, there was no mistaking how close I was to giving birth. My stomach had grown heavy enough that sitting for long periods had become uncomfortable, and my baby seemed to have developed a particular interest in kicking whenever I was trying to concentrate. I rested a hand beneath my stomach as Maeve continued speaking. “The eastern packs have agreed to the trade proposal.” She pushed a piece of parchment toward me. “That leaves three packs who haven’t responded.” “Which ones?” “Ironridge, Ravencrest, and Thornhaven.” Selene frowned. “Ravencrest’s Luna sent word that their Alpha isn’t convinced the council is necessary.” I sighed. “That again.” Maren smiled. “You’re becoming familiar with that argument.” “I’m beginning to think some Alphas hear the word council and immediately imagine someone trying to take their positions.” Maeve laughed.
(ELARA’S POV) The name Blackfang stayed with me long after the meeting ended and into the next day, but I tried my hardest to push it aside. There were letters to answer, council plans to organize, and more pressing matters within Trueblood that needed my attention. But every time my thoughts wandered, I found myself back in Ironridge. Back beneath the accusing eyes of Darius and the entire pack. Blackfang. I had been accused of betraying Darius with a Blackfang Alpha—Malakai. The photographs had been enough to make him believe I was capable of throwing away our bond for another man. I pressed my fingers against my temple as I could feel a headache coming on. I didn’t want to remember. I had built too much since then to allow Ironridge to keep pulling me backward. A knock sounded on my door. “Come in.” Ronan stepped inside but stopped when he saw me standing by the window. “You’ve been quiet.” “I’ve been thinking.” “About yesterday?” I looked at him. He didn’t need to
(Elara’s POV) By the time the next gathering of Lunas was called, the idea that had once existed only between Maeve, Maren, Selene, and me had become something much larger. Letters had arrived from packs I had never visited, and Lunas I had never met had written asking what the council would actually do, how it would operate, and whether their Alphas would be expected to approve their participation. Some were curious, some were cautious, and a few were openly skeptical. I understood all of them. An organization like this was unfamiliar. Lunas were used to standing beside their Alphas, supporting their decisions, managing the needs of their packs, and quietly solving problems that rarely made it to the council of Alphas. No one had ever asked what might happen if we began solving those problems together. That was what I wanted to find out. I stood at the head of the long table in Trueblood’s meeting hall, one hand resting against the gentle curve of my stomach. My pre
(ELARA’S POV) Ronan was still there. I noticed him the moment my eyes settled on the chair beside the bed. He was sitting with his elbows resting on his knees, his hands loosely clasped together. His head was bowed, but he wasn't asleep. He looked exhausted. The moment he realized I was watching him, he straightened. "You're awake." I nodded slowly. My body still felt heavy, but the weakness from before had faded. I shifted against the pillows, and Ronan immediately reached for the glass of water on the table. "Here." I took it from him and drank slowly. "How long have you been sitting there?" "Long enough." There was something guarded in his voice. I lowered the glass. "What?" He hesitated. "You were talking in your sleep." My fingers tightened around the glass. "What did I say?" Ronan studied me for a moment. "You called out for Darius." The room seemed to grow quieter. I looked away. "I don't remember." "Elara." "I said I don't remember." He didn't push. That w
(ELARA’S POV) The rain was freezing. It struck my skin like tiny shards of glass as I stumbled through the mud, my bare feet sinking into the cold earth with every step. I couldn't feel my fingers and my toes. But I could feel the wound in my neck. And it burned— pulsing beneath my skin, the silver mark Darius had once shared with me now twisted into something I barely recognized. I pressed a trembling hand against it. Gold blood covered my fingers. I didn't understand anything anymore. I turned around, and Ironridge stood behind me, its gates closing. "Please!" My voice broke as I stumbled towards the gates. "Darius!" He stood on the other side of the gates. Still watching. Still angry and refusing to believe me. "I didn't do it!" My voice disappeared beneath the thunder. He didn't move. "You know me, Darius!" His face remained cold. "You betrayed this pack— betrayed me. You're no longer my mate." The words hit harder than the claws had. I reac
Chapter 23: Devotion (Ronan’s POV) “Elara!” I caught her before she hit the ground. Her body went limp against me so suddenly that for one terrible second, I couldn’t understand what had happened. One second she had been standing beside me, looking exhausted, and the next, she was unconscious in my arms. “Elara!” Another scream tore out of my throat. Still nothing. Her face was frighteningly pale, her eyes closed, as her head rested against my chest. “Get the healer!” Maeve shouted. Maren was already moving. “I’ll get one.” Selene turned toward the servants who had begun gathering around us. “Give her space. Move!” I barely even heard them. All I could see was Elara. I lifted her limp body into my arms, then hurriedly carried her inside. Her body was so still it terrified me. “Elara, wake up.” Nothing. My heart hammered against my ribs. I had seen wolves injured in battle. I had watched warriors bleed. I had stood over bodies and forced mysel







