Chapter 5

Chapter 5 — The Luna Who Builds

The city smells different from Silvercrest — less pine, more smoke and steel.

I watch it from the hotel window as dawn slips between the buildings.

Somewhere beyond those clouds, the moon hides her face.

Mira is still asleep on the couch. She insisted on staying close, just in case.

I don’t wake her. For the first time in years, I like the silence.

No guards, no gossiping maids, no Kael. Only the soft hum of the air-conditioner and the sound of my own heartbeat.

---

By noon the messages start coming.

Old pack elders, minor Alphas, cousins of councilmen — names that used to ignore me now crowd my phone.

Mira frowns at the screen. “Half of these people didn’t even greet you at the last gathering.”

“I know.”

“They don’t want alliance, Elara. They just want safety. If Silvercrest collapses, they’ll want to say they stood beside you so they won’t fall with him.”

I smile faintly. “Exactly.”

She blinks. “Then why meet them at all?”

“Because loyalty bought with fear still counts for something,” I say.

“Because they remember who rebuilt Kael’s empire from ashes. They remember the girl who made alliances when no one else could. And they know I can do it again. Maybe they don’t love me, but they *believe* I can win — and that belief is a seed. I can grow a forest from it.”

Mira crosses her arms. “You’re turning into him.”

“No.” I shake my head. “He used people to feed his pride. I’ll use them to build something that lasts. And when they realize I don’t need them, they’ll start needing me.”

Her lips press together. She doesn’t argue again.

---

Evening slides in quietly.

We step out for dinner — a small place on the top floor, golden lights glinting against glass.

I haven’t eaten in two days, but the smell of roasted meat finally stirs hunger.

Mira scrolls through her tablet while we wait. Suddenly, she chuckles under her breath.

“What is it?” I ask.

She turns the screen toward me. “The coronation.”

I almost tell her to turn it off, but curiosity wins.

The feed shows chaos.

Lyra’s crown tilts sideways; her dress tears at the shoulder.

Guests murmur instead of cheer. The ceremonial flame sputters out halfway through the oath.

A storm bursts outside, wind whipping through the open hall.

And Kael — Kael stands pale and stiff, his speech drowned by thunder.

Somewhere in the back, wolves argue about omens. Others walk out.

Mira grins. “The Goddess herself rejected them.”

I slide the tablet away. “Let her handle it then. I’m not part of that story anymore.”

---

Night deepens. We have another meeting scheduled — this time not with opportunists.

Alpha Doom.

Even saying his name feels heavy.

He’s the kind of Alpha parents warn their pups about — one who built power on ruins, who never forgives betrayal. He doesn’t collaborate. He consumes.

So why me?

Mira walks beside me through the hotel corridor, her heels tapping softly. “You’re sure about this?”

“I need resources,” I answer. “Territory, protection, trade lines. If Doom wants to talk, I’ll listen.”

We reach the elevator. The doors open, and I catch my reflection in the mirrored wall.

Hair tied high. Black suit. No Luna crown, no mark. Only me.

For the first time, I like what I see.

---

The elevator opens to the private lounge on the top floor.

Dim lights. Low music.

A man stands near the window, tall, broad-shouldered, his back to us. The city’s lights cut his silhouette in gold and shadow.

Even from here, his aura presses against my skin — old power, cold and calm.

Before I can speak, footsteps echo behind me.

“Elara.”

Kael.

My breath catches.

He looks… different. Disheveled. Eyes tired, shirt half-buttoned, like he ran here.

“Is it true?” he demands. “You’re building your own pack?”

I study him quietly. “Word travels fast.”

He steps closer. “You don’t have to do this. I know you’re angry, but acting out of spite won’t help.”

“Spite?” I almost laugh. “You think this is about spite?”

He reaches for my hand, but I pull back.

“Elara, listen to me. Lyra’s — she’s pregnant. She’s been diagnosed with depression. That’s why I marked her. The rumors were destroying her, and I couldn’t let the pack turn on her. It wasn’t about love; it was about protecting someone vulnerable.”

His voice softens, practiced. “You know me. I’d never hurt you on purpose.”

I stare at him. “So you crowned her, humiliated me, and erased our bond to *protect* her? Is that your story now?”

He flinches. “You don’t understand—”

“I understand perfectly. You want me to believe you betrayed me for convenience, not love. Tell me, Kael, does that make it better?”

He swallows hard. “I just want you back home. The house is empty without you. Ethan needs you.”

“No.” My voice is steady now, almost calm. “You need me. You need someone to cook, clean, sign your deals, fix your messes. But I’m not yours anymore.”

He takes a step closer. “Elara, please — ”

“Stop.” I raise a hand. “You stripped me of your mark and your title. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

Something in him cracks then. His mouth opens, closes again, but no sound comes out.

I turn away. “Go back to your Luna, Kael. You chose your crown; keep it.”

I walk toward the lounge. The air shifts as I near the window.

The tall man there finally turns around. His eyes catch the light — a strange, stormy gray.

A faint smile curves his lips, not warm, not cold.

“Alpha Doom,” I say quietly.

He inclines his head. “Luna Elara.”

Kael stiffens behind me.

Doom’s gaze slides past him, back to me. “I’ve been waiting.”