Chapter 5: Breaking the Rules

The next morning dawned with a restless wind, carrying the scent of change. Mira awoke with Lucian’s warmth still lingering on her skin, her body thrumming with memory and anticipation. She sensed, even before she opened her eyes, that nothing would ever be the same again.

The pack’s routines unfolded as usual, but a subtle tension hung in the air. The elders moved through the village with sharp eyes and hushed voices, glancing at the woods as if expecting something to emerge from the shadows. Mira kept her head down, helping Anya with chores, but her nerves were raw. She couldn’t shake the sensation that the world itself was holding its breath.

Lucian was summoned to his father’s cabin before midday. The Alpha Elder stood by the hearth, arms crossed, his expression thunderous. Lucian entered, closing the door behind him, and braced himself.

“Sit,” his father commanded, voice clipped.

Lucian obeyed, jaw set. The silence stretched, broken only by the crackle of the fire.

The Alpha Elder’s gaze was unyielding. “There was a shift last night. The council felt it—something powerful, something old. You were leading the hunt. Explain.”

Lucian met his father’s eyes, keeping his voice steady. “The hunt was uneventful. The pack returned safely. If there was a disturbance, I didn’t sense it.”

His father’s lips curled in a thin, skeptical line. “Don’t insult my intelligence. The elders felt magic in the woods. It wasn’t natural. You’re Alpha now, Lucian, but that doesn’t mean you can keep secrets from me.”

Lucian forced himself not to flinch. “I’m not keeping secrets. I was with the pack.”

The Alpha Elder’s eyes narrowed. “You were seen leaving the clearing. Alone. For nearly an hour. Where did you go?”

Lucian’s mind raced. He could still feel Mira’s skin against his, the wild surge of energy that had passed between them. He kept his face impassive. “I was patrolling the perimeter. Making sure the area was secure.”

His father slammed a fist onto the table, making Lucian jump. “Don’t lie to me! I know you, Lucian. I know when you’re hiding something. Whatever happened last night, it shook the entire council. If you’re involved, you need to tell me now.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened. “I’m not involved in anything that threatens the pack.”

The Alpha Elder stared at him for a long moment, then leaned in, voice low and dangerous. “If you are breaking the old laws, if you are awakening what should remain dormant, you endanger us all. You know what happened the last time a Luna’s power was unleashed without guidance. We lost half the pack. I will not let that happen again.”

Lucian felt a chill run through him. He remembered the stories—the devastation, the chaos—but he forced himself to hold his father’s gaze. “I understand my responsibility.”

His father’s eyes bored into him. “Do you? Because being Alpha means more than leading the hunt and barking orders. It means making choices for the good of everyone. Which brings me to another matter.” The Alpha Elder straightened, his expression shifting from suspicion to calculation. “The pack is watching. The council is restless. It’s time you chose your mate.”

Lucian stiffened. “I’m not ready.”

His father’s mouth tightened. “You don’t have the luxury of waiting. The Luna’s place cannot remain empty. The pack needs stability, especially now. There are several strong candidates—daughters of the council, women with proven bloodlines. You will announce your choice at the next full moon gathering.”

Lucian’s pulse hammered in his ears. “I will not be forced.”

“You will do what is necessary,” his father snapped. “Or you risk losing their trust—and your title. If you want to lead, you must act like it. No more delays, no more secrets. Do I make myself clear?”

Lucian rose, fists clenched at his sides. “Perfectly.”

The Alpha Elder watched him for a moment longer, then dismissed him with a curt nod. “Go. And remember—whatever happened last night, I will find out. If you are hiding something, it will come to light.”

Lucian left the cabin, heart pounding. The air outside felt colder, the sky heavy with storm clouds. He walked quickly, needing distance from the suffocating scrutiny. Every step reminded him of the secret he and Mira now shared, the wild, inexplicable power that had passed between them.

Back in the village, Mira felt the weight of every glance, every whisper. She caught Lucian’s eye across the clearing, and in that brief moment, she saw the same fear and resolve reflected in his gaze. Whatever force they had awakened, it was only beginning to ripple through Blackpine.

That night, Mira lay awake, listening to the hush of the woods and the distant call of an owl. She knew the elders would not stop searching for answers. And she knew, deep down, that breaking the rules had set something unstoppable in motion.

But even as uncertainty pressed in, Mira did not regret what had passed. She clung to the memory of Lucian’s touch and the wild, impossible hope that their secret might yet become something more.