Chapter 3: The Luna's Awakening

I woke up to the smell of pine and blood.

For a second, I didn’t know where I was. The bed was too soft, the blankets too heavy. Then the memories crashed into me—the rejection, the freezing river, Kael’s golden eyes.

I sat up fast, my hand flying to my chest. The hollow ache of Jason’s rejection was still there, a phantom pain, but it was muted now. Dull.

I looked down. My arm was bandaged. The torn, bloody clothes I had worn across the border were gone, replaced by a clean, oversized black shirt that smelled entirely of Kael.

My face burned. He had changed my clothes.

Before I could panic, the bedroom door swung open. It wasn’t Kael. It was the woman from last night—the one with the short black hair and the sharp, hateful eyes. Two other wolves stood behind her, blocking the hallway.

"So, the Silver Creek trash is awake," she sneered, crossing her arms. "I’m Vera, the Head Warrior of this pack. And I’m here to tell you that you won’t last a week here."

I swung my legs out of bed, refusing to look small. "I didn't ask to be here."

"Doesn't matter." Vera stepped closer, her lip curling. "You're a liability. A rejected, weak wolf who couldn't even keep her own Alpha. The only reason you're breathing right now is because Kael’s wolf has a temporary obsession with you. But Alphas get bored. And when he does, I’ll be the first to rip your throat out."

My wolf surged forward. She didn't whine this time. She didn't cower. She woke up with a furious, blinding heat that rushed through my veins.

"Try it," I heard myself say.

Vera laughed, reaching out to grab the collar of my shirt. But the second her fingers brushed the fabric, something inside me snapped.

A shockwave of pure, invisible energy exploded from my chest.

It wasn't a physical push. It was heavier than that. It felt like gravity had suddenly tripled in the room. Vera froze. Her eyes went wide, the color draining from her face. Behind her, the two other wolves dropped to their knees, gasping for air as if an invisible hand was crushing their throats.

Vera stumbled back, hitting the wall. She looked at me, and the hatred in her eyes was entirely replaced by terror.

"What... what are you?" she whispered.

I stared at my trembling hands. I didn't know. I had never felt power like that in my life. I wasn't just a weak omega. I wasn't just a rejected mate.

"What is going on here?"

Kael’s voice cut through the room like a blade. He stood in the doorway, his shoulders filling the frame. He looked at the wolves on their knees, then at Vera pressed against the wall, and finally, his eyes landed on me.

The anger on his face melted into something else. Something that looked like fierce, savage pride.

"Get out," Kael commanded.

Vera and the others scrambled out of the room, tripping over themselves to escape.

Kael closed the door and walked toward me. I backed up until my shoulders hit the wall. He stopped right in front of me, his gold eyes burning into mine.

"You felt it," he said softly. It wasn't a question.

"What was that?" I demanded, my voice shaking. "What did you do to me?"

"I didn't do anything, Elara." Kael reached out, his large hand gently cupping my cheek. His thumb traced my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear. "That was you. That was the blood of the Moon Goddess waking up."

I shook my head. "I don't understand."

"Your mother wasn't a normal wolf," Kael murmured, leaning in so close I could feel his breath on my lips. "And neither are you. You aren't just a Luna, Elara. You are the True Heir. And Jason just handed you right to me."