Broken chains, rising shadow

Virelle’s POV

The dawn of the third day was finally here, the day everyone in the park was looking forward to, cold and merciless over the Crescent Moon courtyard.

The pack gathered in a tight ring—hundreds of wolves, faces carved with grief and fury. The pyre for Alicia still reeks at the far edge, black smoke curling like fingers. They had come for justice. They had come for my blood.

I could already hear voices and whispers in the dungeon, my heart raced, iron chains bit into my wrists and ankles as two warriors dragged me to the center stone. My bare feet scraped across the ground. The rough dress they had given me hung in shreds. My belly pressed against the fabric with every breath.

The executioner waited, broad axe gleaming in his hand.

No one spoke my name anymore. Just “the murderer.” “The traitor.” “The one who killed our Luna.”

I kept my head high, looking for Kairox in the crowd.

He stood at the front—blank-faced, eyes unreadable. He hadn’t spoken to me since the dungeon door slammed. Hadn’t come to see me. Hadn’t even looked at me through the bars.

The elder raised his hand.

“Virelle of the moon pack,” he recited, “you stand condemned for the murder of Luna Alicia and the unborn heir. By pack law, I hereby order your death by axe.”

Murmurs and agreeable roars rose—some angry, some grieving, all hungry.

The executioner stepped forward and placed my head on the wooden block set aside for execution. Lifted the axe.

I closed my eyes.

The baby kicked, my heart thumped with fear, hoping, praying that something would change, that someone would see something.

Then a familiar voice halted—

“Stop.”

One word.

Kairox’s voice cracked the silence like thunder.

The axe froze mid-swing.

He stepped onto the platform.

He looked broken but his eyes burned.

“Virelle is innocent,” he declared. “Of all charges.”

Gasps ripped through the crowd.

The executioner lowered the blade slowly.

Kairox turned to the elders.

“By ancient law—section seventeen, clause nine—if an Alpha believes a condemned wolf innocent beyond doubt, he may invoke the Sacrifice of Crown. He relinquishes his title. The condemned is spared. A new Alpha must rise immediately.”

Murmurs exploded into shouts.

“You would give up everything—for her? A murderer? She killed your Luna and your child” one warrior bellowed.

Kairox didn’t flinch.

“Kaelric’s child—not mine, but Virelle carries mine and I already gave everything.” Everyone was shocked, I was shocked, she lied just to be his luna? I thought to myself.

He faced the pack.

“I, Kairox, Alpha of Crescent Moon, hereby quit. My title, and my authority—I surrender them all.”

He removed the heavy silver torque from his neck. Hold it high.

Then he turned.

Looked straight at Kaelric’s eyes who now seemed to be heavily bothered but tried to hide his pain behind his cold aura.

He stood at the edge of the platform—eyes wide, lips parted in stunned hunger.

Kairox’s voice dropped low, meant only for him and the front rows.

“I name Kaelric as my successor. Let the pack witness. Let the Moon bear record.”

Kaelric’s face transformed—shock melting into triumph so raw it bordered on madness.

The elders hesitated.

Then the eldest stepped forward, took the torque, and placed it around Kaelric’s neck.

The pack howled—some in acceptance, some in confusion, many in rage.

Kairox didn’t wait.

He crossed to me. Knelt beside me, and unlocked the cuffs with shaking hands.

The chains fell away.

He lifted me into his arms gently.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered against my hair. “I’m so sorry.”

I buried my face in his chest.

Tears soaked his shirt.

“Why are you helping me?”

“Because you can’t stop getting in trouble and I can’t bear losing you silly,”

He carried me through the parting crowd, and I leaned back into his chest—smiling.

No one dared stop us.

We left Crescent Moon at the same hour and took the fastest route to Red Moon.

We traveled light—two horses, a single backpack, no warriors, just us and I felt peace wash all over me.

Kairox spoke little. When he did, his voice was rough.

“I should have believed you, I saw the pendant. Your eyes, your emptiness—but grief blinded me.”

I touched his cheek.

“You lost a mate by my hands. I don’t blame you.”

He looked at my belly.

“Our child,” he said softly. “Is still alive. Because of you. I couldn’t protect our child.”

I smiled faintly.

“Yes.” he leaned forward and kissed me, light, passionate but very light.

Soon we arrived at the Red Moon and we were welcomed at dusk.

Gabriel himself waited at the gates for our arrival, ordering the maids to prepare a small house near the river—to keep us refreshed and warm, I walked in slowly, taking in the smell of cedar and pine.

That first night, I curled under thick furs, I took Kairox’s hand and placed it on my stomach.

The baby kicked against his palm.

His breath caught.

He pressed his forehead to mine.

“I love you,” he said. I kissed him—slow, and deep, like I was trying to heal through his lips.

Mornings were peaceful. Afternoons were more gentle, mindful of the child. Nights were his arms around me, his heartbeat steady against my back.

Peace.

Real peace.

For two weeks.

Until the shadows I once feared returned.

I woke to the scent of old blood and iron, noise filled the air, warriors fighting, Kai had left, he was not close to me, I panicked, looked through the window, and saw a familiar figure standing so close to the door.

Rodrick.

My hand flung to my mouth, and I rushed close to the door to lock it but it flung open before I got the chance.

He came at midnight—silent.

“Hmm… It’s been ages virelle, don’t you miss your master?” he asked, lunging toward me. His middle finger lifted my chin to meet his gaze. I turned my face away but he landed a slap on my face.

“You forgot how obedient your master wants you to be hun?” he muttered and clicked his fingers.

Two men came to me and took me.

“No please, let go of me,” a cloth pressed to my mouth before I could scream.

I fought, throwing my legs apart as they dragged me away.

I tried to summon my tribrid strength—fangs shut out, claws pushed out sharply but pregnancy slowed me. One of the men landed a blow to the temple and I dropped me, my eyes went blank.

When I woke I was chained in a stone cellar—I was hit with nostalgia as my eyes scanned through the familiar room, same damp stink as the dungeon I used to be, but deeper. I finally shut my eyes.

Rodrick stood over me.

Eyes glittering with something wild.

“Hello, pet,” he purred. “Miss me?”

I spat at his feet.

“You’re dead,” I rasped. “Kairox will tear you apart.”

He laughed—low, delighted.

“Kairox is no Alpha anymore. He’s a rogue with no pack. And you…” He leaned, traced a finger down my cheek. “You’re worth more now than ever. A tribrid carrying an Alpha’s heir? The black markets will pay a fortune.”

He leaned closer.

“Or perhaps I’ll keep you myself. One more night, and another for old times ' sake.”

I lunged—chains rattling.

He backhanded me so hard my vision blurred.

“Still fighting,” he murmured. “Good. Makes it sweeter.”

He stood.

“Enjoy the accommodations. We move at dawn, no food for you and your bastard child.”

The door slammed behind him.

Darkness swallowed me again.

But this time I wasn’t alone.

The baby kicked—fiercely, reminding me of what I still have to live for.

And somewhere out there, Kairox was searching for me.

I could feel it through the faint echo of our bond.

“Safe me kai,” I whispered faintly, hopes filling my guts again. I told myself he was coming.

And when he did…

Rodrick would learn what it meant to take what belonged to an Alpha—even one without a crown.