A Luna by Decree

Ragnar

The conference hall smelled of old stone, smoke, and stubborn tradition.

Elders filled the long table on both sides, gray hair, hard faces, heavy rings flashing under torchlight. Their murmurs bounced off the walls like flies I couldn’t swat away.

I sat at the head. Where an Alpha belonged. Elbows on the armrest. Fingers still. Expression colder than steel.

They talked. They always talked. “SilverShade needs stability.”

“The pack needs gentleness.”

“You cannot rule with strength alone, Ragnar.”

My jaw tightened. Here it comes.

“You need a Luna.”

I didn’t blink. “I govern just fine.”

Elder Markus leaned forward. “Peace is not built with fear alone.”

“Fear works,” I muttered.

“It breeds rebellion,” another snapped. “ A Luna softens the people. She balances the Alpha. She gives the pack hope.”

Hope? Useless thing! Hope got wolves killed.

“We have a candidate,” Elder Clara added carefully. “Cassandra.”

Of course. Always Cassandra.

“She is strong. Noble blood. Loyal to SilverShade. She would unite the warriors and the civilians. The pack already sees her as your match.”

“My match?” I gave a dry laugh. “She’s a childhood friend.”

“Then it is perfect.”

“It is political,” Markus corrected. “And it's necessary.”

“I said no!” The word cracked through the chamber.

Several elders stiffened. “You’ve ruled alone for five years,” Clara said. “That ends now. Before the next full moon, you will choose a Luna.”

“Or?” I asked quietly.

Their eyes hardened. “Or the council will choose for you.”

My wolf stirred. Bane growled low inside my chest. Let them try.

I stood. The chair scraped against stone like a blade being drawn. “No one chooses for me.”

Without waiting for dismissal, I walked out. The doors slammed behind me.

The corridor was quieter. Cooler and better. I exhaled slowly, rolling the stiffness from my shoulders.

A Luna.

They wanted softness beside me. Warmth and comfort. They didn’t understand. Comfort weakens a leader.

Then….My steps slowed.

She sat alone near the far wall. Scrubbing the marble floor. Her head down, chains around her wrists. Bruises on her skin.

Seraphina.

Most slaves begged, cried, and broke. But she didn’t.

My eyes narrowed, interesting.

Don’t, Bane warned.

I ignored him. If the elders wanted a Luna so badly…Why not choose the one wolf that would make them choke on their own demands? A fallen Luna. A slave. A symbol of disgrace. No noble blood, no politics, no control. Just perfect.

This is foolish, Bane growled. She’s Crescent Moon.

Exactly.

Before I could think further.. “Alpha!” I heard fast footsteps. Rowan, breathing hard. “Emergency.”

“What?” I asked.

“The Crescent Moon sent a message.”

My mood darkened instantly. “Speak.”

“They found the real murderer.” My gaze snapped to him. “They say the former Luna… Seraphina… is innocent.”

The hall felt colder.

Rowan continued, “They’re demanding her return.”

I said nothing.

“They’re offering an exchange,” he added carefully. “All captured SilverShade wolves from the last war. Every prisoner. For her.”

For her? My eyes drifted back to the girl on her knees, scrubbing blood stains from stone like she didn’t exist.

Crescent Moon suddenly wanted her back. After stripping her wolf. After selling her, after branding her. Now she had value again.

Disgust twisted in my chest. They didn’t want justice. They wanted their property returned.

“She’s theirs,” Rowan said quietly. “Politically… it might be smarter to…”

“No.” The word cut him off.

Rowan blinked. “Alpha…”

“I said no.”

He stared at me like he’d misheard.

“Send her back and they win,” I continued. “They think they can command us? Trade with us? Like we’re merchants?”

My hands curled. The last war flashed in my head. Blood, smoke. My father falling. Crescent Moon banners over his body.

Bane snarled. They took everything.

I looked at Seraphina again. An idea settled into place. Slow, cold and certain.

Rowan frowned. “Then… what do we tell them?”

My voice came out calm. Dead calm. “Tell Crescent Moon their request is denied.”

“Alpha..?”

“She stays.”

Bane growled. Why?

A faint smile touched my lips. “I’ll make her my Luna.”

Rowan froze. “What?”

“My bond slave Luna.”

Shock spread across his face.

“Send word back,” I said, turning away. “Tell Crescent Moon…” My gaze locked on Seraphina. “…she belongs to SilverShade now.”