°•♡Chapter 26~ Politics and History

Just two days after the Moongala, I stood before the tall double doors of the high council chamber for what was to be my first official meeting with the elders and clan leaders. My fingers clenched at my sides so tightly I could feel my ring bitting into my skin.

Breathe, Aria. You’ve faced worse than this.

And yet, the memory of the tension frok that night still clung to me, like a second skin. Lucien’s presence… his scent, his eyes, the way they locked onto mine across that ballroom. It all made something insde me stir a. Something I wasn’t ready to face.

Not now. Not when the clan heads and the Alphas were waiting beyond these doors, demanding a ruler, a Moonborn, who would stand tall and command respect.

The guards opened the doors. I held my chin up.

Inside, the great council chamber was packed. Banners from every major pack and clan hung overhead. Alphas lined the long table, their eyes sharp, already weighing me from the moment I entered.

The elders sat in the upper tiers,