Chloe's Return

Reya’s POV

I didn’t expect to feel honored.

But when Chloe—Luna of Riverdale—rode through Mooncrest’s gate escorted by her Alpha Tristian and a swarm of loped packs, all eyes turned in her direction. Lungs went quiet. Whispers stopped. Time slowed.

I fixed Xander’s coat as he stepped to the dais, but I could barely see him. My focus was on her, striding across the yard like she owned it—silver cloak billowing, Luna’s tiara of wolf’s teeth glinting in the morning sun.

"By the right of lineage and pack blood," Xander began, steady, solemn. "I bring Riverdale’s rightful Luna home."

Silence.

Chloe dipped her head. "Thank you."

A breathless hush.

I crunched something underfoot—my fist, curled tight.

Xander raised his voice: "Chloe, do you swear service to Riverdale's alliance?"

Chloe's grin flashed. "I do."

The blessing flowed—packs knelt. Mooncrest’s banners waved. Riverdale’s Beta, Nero, looked furious, but knelt anyway. Even Riverdale’s elite had to honor the oath or break the bond.

Xander’s smile texted relief—touching. But something inside me twisted.

Chloe caught my gaze.

She smiled—slowly. Eyes sharp.

It was a cold, beautiful gesture. She knew I’d feel it.

After the ceremony, I slipped behind the marble pillars of the hall. No one followed. No one needed to.

Chloe emerged engrossed with Riverdale's council—smiling, confident, peaceful. She couldn’t see me—but I watched tight jaw, calculating mind.

She didn’t need to look. She knew I was there.

Finally, she excused herself from the throng and found me leaning against stone, arms crossed.

"Reya," she said, soft, mocking. "Didn't expect to see you here."

My reply was calm—icicle finish. "I expected to reclaim my home. You, too."

Her eyes drifted upward. "You did well in the trial. The pack saw it."

I nodded. “You don’t change my past.”

She circled me—slow. "No. But I do know it."

My breath hitched.

"You remember me." Her voice cut sharp.

"I remember nothing from before five years." My chest tightened.

"Truth is…" she whispered, leaning close. "I never left you behind. I watched you. At Riverdale. At the contest. From the shadows."

Heat drained my face.

Her smile softened. "You kept our ring. The one Tristan gave you. You wear loyalty like armor, but I know it betrayed you."

I blinked.

"I found one too," she offered—slipping a ring across from her pocket. "I kept it safe." She stared into my eyes. "For you, Reya."

Anger crashed inside. It echoed all the hurt inside me. But my voice remained cold. "What game are you playing?"

"Not a game." Her eyes glimmered—almost sympathy. "But I saw the message at Rogue camp, Reya. Someone's pulling strings. Xander’s emblem stolen. There was a note." She shifted. "Claiming it was Riverdale traitors, but word is… someone's framing you."

My blood ran ice.

"What are you saying?"

She stepped back. Quiet laughter. "They told you. I’ll find proof. But until then… be careful."

She vanished into the crowd.

I stood, spearhead-proof. But my heart shattered once more.

A firm hand tapped my shoulder.

"Isaac."

Riverdale’s Beta stood there. Tall, arrogant chaos in his eyes.

"Your blood binds you to a throne you don't hold, Reya. Remember that."

I didn’t answer.

He pressed a sealed envelope into my hand and backed off.

Inside—threats. Speak up? Lose your life. Stand with Xander? Lose the pack.

The truth hit me like wildfire.

I ran.

Outside, the training yard glowed grey under clouded sun. My boots struck stone—my pace an unfinished scream.

I paused and shifted.

Silver wolf—cold, lean, muscular. I circled the yard, stalking shadows, pacing tension.

My reflection flickered in blade steel leaning against training post.

I drew it, low.

Alone.

Fighting past me.

Every strike—one I didn’t land on an enemy. Each victor blow—rage I didn’t want, self-punishment.

Blood brushed my palm each time I parried a blow.

I stopped mid-strike.

Breathed.

It was me I fought.

“Stop,” I whispered. “Stop fighting me.”

My echo replied: I’m fighting for all of us.

Xander’s voice in my head: You’re not broken.

I dropped to my knees, blade still clutched, wolf breath steaming evening air.

The duel mirror ended.

I had fought my reflection and won.

But as I stood, a rustle.

“Reya?”

Lydia stepped into the yard, letter in hand—wrapped in Xander's seal.

She stood tall, but her eyes… worried.

“He’s waiting inside,” she said simply.

My blood slowed.

The letter cut open in my fingers.

Inside: Meet me at the war room. Urgent.

My name, scrawled, red.

I clenched my jaw.

Past broken chain. Past haunted mind.

Something new stirred.

Determination. A war cries.

I looked to Lydia.

“Let’s go.”

I followed Lydia back inside the castle’s dim corridor. Torches flickered, shadows dancing on the walls. The seal on the letter burned my fingertips. Urgent. A summons from Xander.

He must’ve read it on pack alarm.

Lydia paused outside the War Room. I squared my shoulders and knocked.

A deep voice called: “Enter.”

Inside, Xander stood behind the central table. Maps, scrolls, and weapons were spread across its surface. He looked up the moment we entered.

His golden gaze landed on me. There was relief—like a wound closing.

“Close the door,” he said, voice firm but gentle.

Lydia slipped it shut behind us.

Xander turned to me. “Reya. Thank you for coming.”

I said nothing. My eyes flicked to the maps—detailing Riverdale’s borders and Mooncrest’s lines. Intersecting. Tensions.

“Chloe,” Xander began, voice low, “announced she’ll lead the Riverdale ward tonight. 

Campfire sparks. A show of unity.”

I nodded. “I saw.”

He shifted. “But threats have reached both sides. No attacks yet. But hostile murmurs.”

My fingers tightened around my wrist. “Dexter’s threat wasn’t idle.”

Xander pressed his hand to his forehead. “Will is strong. Rivers run deep. Some won’t accept allegiances.”

Lydia’s eyes flicked to me. I met her stare. “What’s on your mind?”

I swallowed. “Chloe… she knows more.” My voice didn’t waver. “She knows about the ring. And someone’s framing me.”

Xander exhaled. “I believe you, Reya. But it’s serious. A wedge between allies… could ignite open war.”

I stepped forward. “Then let’s stop it here. Now.”

He closed his eyes. When they reopened, fire burned inside them. “Agreed.”

Lydia knelt and drew a deep breath. “I have updates from my scouts—Riverdale’s outposts near the border. camp reported seeing… wolves. Not map-marked Mooncrest ones. Something else. Something silent.”

Suspicion turned my spine to ice. “Dexter Webb has subverted rogue packs before. This matches his style.”

Xander’s lips pressed into a line. “We’ll use Chloe’s warding ceremony.”

Something low cut the tension—Guard Ral stepped in. “The riverpack soldiers confirm. 

Bodies found. Tossed over the border. Some marked with half-pack insignias.”

My heart slammed into my throat.

“These are false flags.” Xander’s voice cracked. “Someone wants us to turn on them. To blame us.”

“Dexter’s fingerprints.” My voice was frozen fury. “He’s leading the war behind the curtain.”

Xander’s eyes locked onto mine. “Then we need proof.”

I nodded. “And tonight, at Riverdale’s fire—we find it.”

Riverdale’s ward overlapped half-moon sky and molten sun. Packs gathered around bonfires, flickering orange walls dancing on weathered faces.

Chloe stood near the largest fire, clad in Luna’s cloak of white and black—wolf fur and shimmered steel. Her face was serene. Calm. But her eyes were locked on mine as I approached from the crowd.

My chest heated.

I stepped forward; shoulders squared.

Xander joined me, cloak pinned with his emblem. Between his silent power and Clover’s protective presence, I felt a flicker of strength.

Chloe glanced at Xander, then at me. She nodded once—neutral.

High emotion ignored; regional Alphas stepped forward in ceremonial line to greet her. I shook hands with Riverdale’s envoy. Tension danced past smiles.

I caught Chloe’s eye again. She lifted her chin.

A challenge—or an offering of alliance?

I wasn’t sure.

Chloe raised her voice. “By the wolf gods and our ancestors, we stand together. Mooncrest and Riverdale—two packs, one fierce future.”

Silence. The flames pulsed. A Thames of anticipation.

I stood rigid—listening.

Suddenly, a whistle. Sharp steel Q resonated.

Chloe froze. I reacted.

Two figures bolted from the crowd—daggers raised.

Instinct hit. I leapt into action, fangs flicking and claws ready. Screams erupted.

Xander dove next to Chloe. A rogue pack member lunged at her—dagger met metal. 

Nightmare smile appeared.

I barreled into the fray.

One attacker fell beneath slash and roar. Another lunged behind Chloe. I yanked her back.

The blade glanced mine.

Metal rang.

I pivoted. One down. Another rose from the crowd—silver cloak peeking behind. It was her—someone who wore no pack crest. Familiar face.

Tense inches between us.

She snarled. Body twisted.

My blade halted.

“Reya.”

Air stilled.

Chloe.

My heart stuttered.

The rogue was disarmed and detained.

Blood shimmered on concrete.

Chloe’s gaze was fierce. “Reya, thank you.”

I exhaled. “I wouldn’t leave you.”

Xander appeared—arms around both of us. Firelight flickered in his eyes. Relief and anger wedged deep.

Some watchers cheered. Others watched with suspicion.

Chloe limped near me. “I had my doubts. But you saved my life.”

My heartbeat thundered again—uncertainty flashing warm.

She added quietly, “Be ready. This is the start.”

Castle corridors felt thin with anticipation.

Lydia waited by the door. She slipped us inside.

Xander shut it and spoke directly.

“We have eyes now on rogue factions near the border. Two rings found—your burned one, but also one near Dexter’s known hideouts.”

My skin tightened. “He’s moving now.”

Xander nodded. “And that woman attacker… we saw her face. Not Mooncrest, not Riverdale. But bloodline-marked.”

I exhaled. “He’s sending his pawns.”

Lydia stepped in. “Letter arrived this morning. From deeper inside the empire.”

Xander opened it—swift eye—slid it to me.

It read: “Beware those who carry blood not your own. Wolves can ache. But they can also betray. A puppeteer’s pull begins where loyalty ends.”

My eyes burned.

“From Dexter?” I asked.

He looked grim. “Yes.”

I left the War Room and found open terrace overlooking Mooncrest’s grounds. The wind roared, night sky bound black except for waning moon and stars.

Xander joined me.

“Tonight proved your loyalty,” he said, voice low.

I looked at him. “And now they’ll keep trying.”

He nodded. “They will.”

I looked at the sky. “Then we fight back.”

Xander's hand slid over mine. “Together.”

The moonlight glinted on my hand.