Chapter 22: We march there

The noise inside the tent refused to settle.

Several Alphas were speaking at once, trying to make sense of what I had just revealed. Some looked openly doubtful, while others kept asking the people beside them whether they had ever heard of a surviving member of the Lunar family.

I get it. They had every reason to question me. I also spent months without knowing I truly was, and now I was standing in front of them claiming a throne that had been forgotten

“Gareth took our kingdom. He took our home, our people, and everything that belonged to my family. Losing the throne did not make him the rightful owner of it. It only means that no one has taken it back yet.”

I looked at each alpha, refusing to soften what I was asking of them.

It made no sense that Gareth could just take whatever he wants, act however he liked and not face consequences. 

Speaking of consequences I wonder what my fake parents are doing right. Has Gareth thrown them into prison or were they working with Gareth to bring me back?

I quickly removed those thoughts from my head and tried to convince the alphas to join us in taking down Gareth.

“I am not asking you to follow me because my name sounds important. I’m asking you to decide what side you want to stand on.”

I turned slightly, taking in the outlaw leaders seated throughout the tent.

“You can stand with me against Gareth, or you can continue living under the rule of the dynasty that destroyed mine. Those who want nothing to do with this fight are free to walk away. I won’t force anyone to swear loyalty to me.”

The last part was very important. I didn't need anyone feeling like I forced them into battle with Gareth. I need real people who are ready to make Gareth face his judgment.

An Alpha near the entrance stood up.

“My pack has no love for Gareth.”

Another voice came from behind him. “Neither does mine.”

Wow, I never realized there are those who hated being under Gareth's tyranny. It's good to see people standing up against Gareth.

Before the discussion could gather any shape, one of Lyra’s supporters pushed forward.

“This is absurd. She expects us to abandon everything because she claims to be a lost princess?”

A second supporter rose beside him. “And what happens when Gareth comes for us? Will this supposed queen protect our packs?”

The questions came quickly, but the room had already shifted.

“You’ve been following Gareth for years,” an outlaw Alpha snapped. “How has that worked out for you?”

The supporter tried to answer, but another Alpha cut him off. “If you trust Gareth so much, you know where the door is.”

That alone silenced him. Then an Alpha from the far side of the tent walked toward me.

He stopped several steps away before dropping to one knee.

“My pack recognizes Queen Ava Lunar.”

The words sent another murmur through the gathering.

A second Alpha followed.

Then a third.

Soon, several of the outlaw leaders were on their knees, each swearing loyalty to me and acknowledging my claim. Others remained standing, uncertain but no longer challenging me. A few refused outright and stayed where they were, making their position clear without another argument.

I accepted that. I had never expected everyone to choose me.

Darius remained beside me throughout it all, his hand resting against my back. He didn’t speak for me or try to convince anyone. He simply stayed there, making his position unmistakable.

Eventually, the meeting came to an end.

The leaders began leaving the tent in small groups, carrying the news of my identity and the decisions they had made back to their packs. I stood with Darius near the entrance, watching the gathering break apart when hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Three soldiers came running across the grounds.

One of them stopped in front of Darius, breathing hard.

“My King, we have urgent news.”

Darius’s expression changed. “What happened?”

“Gareth has mobilized his full army.”

The words wiped away whatever relief the meeting had created.

“How far away?” Darius asked.

“They’re already marching.”

The soldier swallowed before continuing. “They’re heading toward Hollow Fang. Our scouts believe Gareth intends to burn the entire kingdom rather than leave anything behind.”

My attention shifted to him.

“And Lunar?”

The soldier looked at me.

“He knows about the abandoned Lunar city. His forces are heading there too. We believe he intends to burn that city as well.”

The place where my family had once ruled. The place that had survived empty and forgotten after Gareth took everything else.

Now he wanted even that gone.

Darius looked toward me, and I knew the decision had already been made. 

He turned to the soldiers. “Ready the warriors.”

The soldiers moved immediately.

Darius reached for his sword before looking back at the gathering grounds.

“If they are coming to meet us, we also go to meet them. Some soldiers will have to attack Silvercrest with the help of outlaws who are ready to fight. Some will go and defend Hollowfang. While some will go and defend the abandoned kingdom of Lunar.”

He sounded really ready.

He continued. “We march there tonight.”