Chapter Nine

Daron’s POV

The pack was alive with activity when we finally arrived. Lanterns hung from every building, and the air smelled of roasted meat, pine, and the faint metallic tang of magic from the upcoming Moonlight Ceremony. Banners fluttered in the night breeze, celebrating both the festival and the Wolf Lord selection. My people moved with purpose, but I could feel the undercurrent of tension. Everyone knew what tonight meant.

“Leo,” I ordered as we dismounted near the main square, “take Lily and the rest back to the residence. Tan, you’re with me to the palace.”

“Yes, my Lord,” they answered in unison.

I stepped into the palanquin one last time. Lily lay on the floor, still recovering from her wounds. I crouched beside her and gripped her chin, forcing her to look at me.

“I’m in a very bad mood,” I said quietly. “And it’s only going to get worse once I reach the palace. Be a good girl and stay still. I don’t trust what I’ll do if you frustrate me again tonight.”

She stared at me for a full second. Then she wrenched her arm out of my grip and turned her face away.

I didn’t say anything else. Let her have that. She’d need it.

I walked out of the palanquin. My horse, a black war stallion, was waiting. I mounted in one motion.

Tan fell in beside me. “To the palace, my Lord?”

“To the palace,” I said.

The streets parted for us. Wolves bowed. Children were pulled inside. They could smell it on me. Blood. Death. The Wolf Lord selection starts tomorrow. The Hunting. Only one Alpha claims the title. 

The grand palace gates loomed ahead, glowing with ceremonial lights. A lower-ranking omega stepped forward nervously as we approached.

“My Lord, you cannot enter. The Alpha King has ordered that no one is to disturb the celebration while it is ongoing.”

Tan shoved him aside without a word and pushed open the heavy courtroom doors. Silence fell instantly as I stepped inside. The pack elders turned to stare. My brother, the Alpha King, sat on the high throne, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stifled it quickly.

I bowed. “Greetings, my King. I heard upon entering the city that tonight is the Moonlight Celebration. As Wolf Prince, I thought it best to join my brother so no one thinks we are at odds.”

“That is fine, Daron,” my brother replied, his voice warm but measured. “You arrived just in time for the Wolf Lord selection. I was worried you might not make it, but I should have known better. Our pack has the most powerful wolf born in all the continents. No one can stop you.”

Before I could respond, Elder Zhang spoke up, his voice tight. “Alpha Daron, you have just returned from a long journey at the border. You should have gone straight to your residence to rest instead of coming to the palace.”

I looked at him. Old. Greedy. Father to my brother’s Luna. Father to the man I killed earlier ago.

“Sure,” I said. “But I have a gift for you to celebrate the Moonlight Festival.”

I gestured to Tan, who stepped forward and placed a wooden box in front of the old man.

Zhang frowned. “What is this?”

I smirked. “Open it and see for yourself.”

He lifted the lid slowly. The moment he saw what was inside… the severed head of his son, Wills… the box slipped from his hands and thudded to the floor. Gasps rippled through the room.

“I stepped forward. My boots were loud.

“Yes,” I said calmly. “That is the head of the pack gate commander who tried to stop me from entering my father’s pack. I thought it fitting to use him as a warning to any other low-ranking wolves who might think to test me.”

I turned to Zhang. His face was purple. His hands were folded so tight his knuckles were white. His eyes were all misery and rage.

“Do you love my gift, Elder Zhang?” I asked.

All the Elders bowed their heads in fear. No one looked at me. No one looked at Zhang.

That look on his face just made me happy. This is worse than torturing him. Watching him break without laying a finger on him. I thought.

“The meeting is adjourned, Elders,” the Alpha king said. His voice was tight. “I will see you all tonight at the official ceremony.”

The elders filed out. None of them met my eyes.

When the doors closed, my brother got down from his throne and walked over to me. His smile was gone.

“Daron, you really killed Zhang’s son?” he asked in disbelief. He kept his voice low.

“I would have killed Zhang himself if not for you and the Luna.”

“That greedy old bastard is determined to become Wolf Lord. You must win the selection, Daron.”

“Of course.” I allowed myself a dark smile. “His spirit is broken now. I’m sure he’s already plotting a thousand ways to kill me. But why was the Moonlight Ceremony moved up?”

“I suspect Zhang convinced the Council of Elders to advance it.” He wanted you to miss it.

I nodded. “No matter. It changes nothing.” 

 My brother studied me. “How was your journey to the border? Any clues about our parents?”

“I captured someone from the Red Moon Pack. She’s at my residence now.”

“Do you think she knows something about the attack?”

“I doubt it, but she may have valuable information about their weapon-making techniques.”

“And why didn’t you bring her to the palace?” He asked.”

“I will handle her myself. She’s… different from other women. Smart. Tough. Brave. She won’t break easily under torture.”

My brother raised an eyebrow, a rare spark of amusement in his eyes. “This is the first time I’ve heard you speak of a woman with anything close to respect, Daron.”

“I am not praising her,” I said. My jaw was tight. “I just wanted you to know that no one can handle that little wolf except myself.”

He studied me for a second too long. “Hmmn… I am counting on you. The Hunting starts tomorrow. You can go back and rest now.”

I turned to leave, then paused. “You should go console the Luna. She just lost a brother. She must be heartbroken.”

I walked out of the courtroom before he could reply, the weight of the coming selection settling on my shoulders. The palace corridors felt heavier tonight, filled with the scent of incense and anticipation.

Time to deal with Lily.

The Wolf Lord selection starts tomorrow. I won’t have the time or energy to deal with her after that.

So I’ll deal with her now.