Chapter 3

Nikolai’s POV

“This is a joke, right?” I cut into the chamber, my voice sharp, disbelief cracking through it. “You all just want to prank us.”

Niven snorts beside me, leaning back in his chair like this whole thing amuses him.

“You don’t actually expect us to believe that rubbish, do you?” His eyes flick toward the council, filled with open disdain.

“So you want us to believe our father would make our coronation depend on how we treat… low lives?” He sneers. “You probably made that nonsense up.”

I grit my teeth, struggling to keep my temper in check. The council had gone far beyond anything we ever imagined.

The lawyer clears his throat and reaches into his briefcase.

He pulls out a thick file and places it carefully on the table, like he knows exactly how heavy his words are about to be.

“You heard correctly,” he says calmly, his gaze steady on both of us.

“Even after you are declared Alphas, the council has decreed a two‑year probation period before you are deemed fully fit to rule.”

My jaw tightens.

“Your actions toward the Luna and her daughter will be closely observed during this period,” he continues. “Any violation will result in consequences.”

“I honestly want to believe this is a nightmare,” I mutter, clenching my fists at my sides.

Niven scoffs.

“We already discussed this in the last meeting,” he snaps. “You told us to find a mate. We did. We chose one we love, and she’s here.”

He gestures lazily toward Selene.

“We present her to the council for acceptance.”

I catch Selene’s smug smile from across the room.

She glides toward the center of the chamber, her steps graceful like the place already belongs to her.

“Greetings, elders,” she says sweetly. “I am Selene, princess of the Moonstone Pack, and…”

“Enough,” one of the elders cuts in sharply.

Selene freezes.

“We said find your fated mate,” the elder continues, his voice hard. “Not a chosen one. The bond with a destined mate is essential for the alpha rituals.”

The room feels colder.

“Any attempt to substitute a chosen mate for a fated one invalidates the entire process.”

Selene’s smile shatters.

I see panic flash in her eyes just before tears spill over. She lets out a sob and storms out of the chamber, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

Niven slams both fists on the table.

“Are you trying to mock us?” he growls. “You know we’ve been searching for our destined mate for three years. Three years! And we found nothing.”

I step forward, unable to keep quiet.

“Selene is perfect Luna material,” I snap. “She’s a princess from a powerful pack. She’s trained, respected…she’s everything a Luna should be.”

“These rules have existed for centuries,” another elder says calmly. “And we will not be the ones to change them.”

That’s it.

Neither Niven nor I say another word.

We turn and storm out of the chamber, the doors slamming shut behind us.

The corridor echoes as I drive my fist into the stone wall.

“I feel like killing someone right now,” I snarl. “Those elders are unbearable.”

Niven exhales sharply, pacing.

“It’s simple,” he says darkly. “We go to the hospital. We threaten that wicked witch. We make her say whatever the elders want to hear.”

He stops in front of me, eyes blazing.

“You know how much we’ve sacrificed for this throne,” he adds. “If we lose it, we lose everything we’ve worked for. We’re doing this for Mom, remember?”

Before I can reply, footsteps approach.

“There’s a problem,” Dorian says.

I whirl around.

“What now?” I snap. “What the fuck is wrong with today?”

Dorian’s expression hardens.

“The elders moved her.”

My chest tightens.

“Moved who?”

“Eliara’s mother,” he replies. “They transferred her to a secret location for treatment. They said they’re protecting her… from your wrath.”

Niven goes still.

“I think I know what’s going on,” he says slowly. “That woman is probably sleeping with one of the elders.”

I turn sharply toward him.

“Think about it,” he continues. “She was supposed to be mourning her husband when she was made Luna. Now suddenly, they’re bending rules, hiding her away, protecting her like she’s some precious treasure.”

His lips curl.

“What we need is evidence. Once we have it, we banish her and that useless daughter of hers from this pack for good.”

Dorian thinks it over, then nods.

“Sounds reasonable.”

“Follow the elders,” I order immediately. “Find out where they took her. I want every detail.”

Dorian dips his head. “I’ll handle it.”

He turns and walks off down the corridor.

Niven and I climb the stairs in silence.

Just as we reach the landing, his hand clamps around my arm, forcing me to stop.

“Tomorrow night is the full moon,” he says quietly. “You know what that means.”

My jaw tightens.

“Let’s not talk about it,” I mutter. “Please.”

His grip tightens.

“Why?” he snaps. “Are you afraid of the truth? Afraid the elders will find out we’re incapable when we’re supposed to be looking for solutions?”

I glare at him.

“Can you stop, Niven? Stop acting like you know everything. We’ve been to every hospital. The doctors said nothing is wrong with us.”

“Fuck the doctors!” he growls. “Fuck you, Nikolai!”

My stomach knots as he leans closer, lowering his voice.

“We haven’t shifted in years,” he says. “Our wolves won’t speak to us. And every full moon, we nearly die from fainting spells. Have you ever stopped to think how we’re supposed to perform the alpha rituals without our wolves?”

The sound of heels clicking against marble interrupts us.

We both turn.

Selene stands at the end of the corridor. Her face is pale, eyes glossy, arms wrapped tightly around herself like she’s barely holding together.

“I’m leaving,” she says quietly. “I guess this is goodbye.”

“No,” I say instantly, stepping toward her. “Selene, no. You’re not leaving.”

She lets out a hollow laugh.

“Didn’t you hear them in there, Nikolai? I don’t stand a chance with you anymore.”

“You belong to us,” I snap, harsher than I intend. “We chose you.”

Niven steps closer too, his voice softer.

“You do have a chance. We’ve wanted you since our college days. This didn’t start today.”

She takes a shaky breath, then straightens like she’s made a decision.

“I know the timing is terrible,” she says slowly, “but there’s something you need to know.”

A cold unease creeps down my spine.

“What is it?” I ask.

She swallows, her hand drifting to her stomach.

“I’m pregnant.”