All Chapters of The Alpha’s Bane : Chapter 161 - Chapter 168

The Council chamber was quiet again. The last echo of Beta Darian’s voice still hung in the air, his denial sharp, his arrogance clear. But now, all eyes turned toward Kael and Aria as Elder Moren lifted a hand.“You said you wished to speak,” he said, his tone grave. “Now is the time.”Kael gave a short nod, then looked at Aria. The gesture was small but steady, an invitation. She stepped forward.Her palms were damp, but her voice didn’t shake. “I came into Nightfang under a false name. I didn’t do it to deceive the Alpha or his people. I only came seeking proof, proof of what really happened to my pack.”A murmur passed through the Council. Elder Thalia leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. “Your pack… Silvermane?”“Yes.” Aria nodded. “Silvermane was wiped out years ago. I was the only one who survived. I needed to know why.”She paused, then continued quietly, “When I arrived in Nightfang, I didn’t tell anyone who I was. I just wanted to find traces of Silvermane in their archi

The night was still when the sound of hooves broke through the courtyard.Laura turned from the foot of the watchtower, a bottle of water in her hand. Torches flared along the wall as armored wolves in the Council’s crest rode through the gate. For a heartbeat she couldn’t breathe, no one ever came from the Council at night.Their leader dismounted first. “By order of the High Council of Elders,” he announced, voice sharp and steady, “we seek Selene Darian and General Thorne of Nightfang.”Laura’s fingers went numb. “General Thorne?” she echoed, the bottle slipping and shattering at her feet. “He’s… he’s my father.”The soldier looked her over, surprised. “Then you’ll take us to him.”She hesitated only a second before nodding. “This way.”They followed her across the courtyard, boots striking the stone floor in rhythm. The air smelled of smoke and iron. Two guards at the prison gates shifted uneasily when they saw the Council insignia.Laura squared her shoulders. “Open it,” she sai

The council hall was silent enough to hear a heartbeat. Torches flickered against stone walls, throwing restless shadows as Beta Darian stood before the elders. His chains clinked each time he shifted, a slow, metallic reminder of his fall.“Beta Darian,” Elder Rowan said, voice cutting through the hush. “You stand accused of treason, deceit, and the manipulation of war records. Before we pronounce judgment, you have one chance to speak.”Darian lifted his head. The proud line of his jaw was still there, though his eyes were hollow. “You want to know why I did it,” he said quietly. “Why I turned Nightfang against Silvermane. Why I turned this pack against its Alpha.”The words hung like frost.He exhaled, long and steady. “It began long before Kael wore the Alpha’s crest. Back when his parents ruled, Nightfang was strong, feared. Yet they allied with Silvermane.” His gaze flicked to Aria as she spoke. Kael caught sight of it and his grip instinctively tightened around her fingers. “

Four weeks had passed since the council’s judgment, and Nightfang had finally begun to breathe again. The air no longer stank of fear and blood. The pack yard buzzed with laughter, the clang of preparations, and the faint smell of roasting meat drifted through the morning mist. Tonight, they would crown their Luna, and welcome a new Beta. Inside the Luna’s chamber, Aria stood before the mirror, still trying to get used to the gold-threaded cloak draped over her shoulders. Her reflection stared back with calm strength, though the butterflies in her stomach refused to quiet down. Selene moved behind her, fussing with the pins in her hair. “Hold still, Luna,” she said, smiling. “If you keep turning your head, I’ll have to start all over.” “I still can’t believe I have to sit through another ceremony,” Aria muttered, her lips twitching. “Didn’t they crown Kael enough times already? The man’s probably exhausted from being celebrated.” Selene laughed softly. “You’re the one we’re celeb