Chapter 21

Ravynna’s POVA smile filled my face and as I did, it was almost as though whatever tension I had sensed left the room. I could see the warmth and respect in their eyes.It caught me off guard.Luna Elara stood at the center, where I was guessing I was supposed to meet her… The moment my eyes met hers, they softened instantly and then slowly filled with tears.She moved toward me before I could, her hands reaching for mine, “You’ve done so much already,” she whispered,“More than we could have hoped for.”I swallowed… pushing back the tears that threatened to spill.“I’m only doing what I should… I haven’t done enough.”Holding me in her arms, she guided me to where she had been sitting.And the ceremony began.One by one, the women approached, each carrying hand-woven flowers and honey cakes.As they came, they greeted me with smiles and then blessings.With each offering, something inside me shifted.I hadn’t expected this… hadn’t expected them to accept me so… fully and easily eve

Chapter 22

Kael’s POVI whipped my head towards the window watching the sun set as evening settled heavily over the pack.It wasn’t the kind of quiet that brought peace.It was the kind that forced thoughts to rise…unwelcome, persistent, impossible to ignore.I didn’t bother returning to the new house because after stepping into the office, there was just a lot that needed attention.The whispers had reduced since they noticed my presence.Rose didn’t like it and she had sulked about it before heading home.I didn’t know how she did it… Ravy had somehow gotten their approval so much so that the dislike for Rose almost seemed planned.Not like she should be worried… She was my Luna.Rather than heading home immediately, I decided to go check up on dad.We might not agree but… he was still my dad and watching his health deteriorate so fast was scary.As I stepped inside the hospital, the sharp scent of the antiseptic hit me.Mom had sent me a message that he had moved to a secure wing very early t

Chapter 23

Kael’s POV His voice was barely above a whisper but it was enough. Before he could reach out for me, I leaned forward instinctively… wrapping my hands around his. “I’m here dad.” He looked up at me and for a while he just stared… his eyes searching. “You’ve grown,” he murmured faintly, as his eyes warmed up. I didn’t respond because I knew I hadnt… perhaps a moment of reflection was all I had needed to know that I missed my Dad. His hands were still wrapped around me when he said, “She’s a good girl.” His words caught me off guard and mybrows furrowed slightly. “…who?” But I already knew. “Ravynna.” Of course. My jaw tightened slightly. Father’s breathing grew uneven as he continued, “Strong… capable… so loyal to a fault.” Each word felt deliberate as though he needed me to hear it but I felt otherwise. We had better things to talk about than Ravynna… this was a sore topic and he knew that… I let him talk however, letting myself get riled up when my fa

Chapter 24

Kael’s POVAgain with this Ravynna sponsored praise…I didn’t respond.Aiden didn’t wait for one.He simply greeted dad before stepping back out of the room.Leaving me alone again.Slowly, I reached for the report and flipped it open.The first page alone was enough to make me pause… It looked too detailed and I could see myself pausing to readI turned to the next page.Then another.Each one filled with analysis that its implementation would be perfect in owing back the reins in our fight.How she had been able to set time aside to do this was beyond me… each page tackled something important from our weak points in our defenses.To her predictions of attack patterns and counter-strategies, coalition formations that would make up the offensive.Dad didn’t say anything as I read in silence, nothing here was hearsay.Six years’ worth of her training offered to our pack without being asked or told was…I was speechless before the more I flipped over, page after page, the pressure on th

Chapter 25

Ravynna’s POV Day Three After hearing Kael walk off with her, I quietly went to bed. I had a mission and he just wanted to cause confusion even though I wouldn’t lie, I was curious… Why? Why had he taken his time at the door? What prompted him to visit that late at night? ‘Don’t you think you have spent enough time with your head in the gutter?’ Lyra teased and I shrugged her off. By the time dawn broke over the Blood Moon pack, I had already made my decision. I wasn’t going to spend my last day as Luna, smiling at women who pitied me, or pretending I belonged in a place that had never truly been mine. No. If this was going to be my final day here… then I would spend it the only way that had ever made sense to me. Dressed in a tank top and leggings, I stepped out of the packhouse. I had done whatever was necessary already… The ball rested in Kael’s court. Rather than heading for the office or Luna Elara resting quarters, I headed to the only place I felt everything disap

Chapter 26

Ravynna’s POV ‘Oh we are so back!’ Lyra squealed at the attraction we had just drawn our way. Just for today? I laughed softly… Tomorrow should worry about itself,’ she said, shutting down my thoughts. “The Alpha king would take one look at your performance and realize how weak this army is… is this perhaps the best you got?” A few flinched at that. Good. “Is this how you plan to join the war? By struggling to find your footings in a comedic way?” I asked. Silence answered me. They avoided my eyes because they knew I was right. I stepped closer. “Let’s go again…you aren’t here to sleep on the ground.” And just like that… training resumed. But this time, it was different. I didn’t stand in silence and watched as they made fools of the pack rather I moved amongst the sparring pairs, throwing corrections. Adjusting stances and breaking down more complicated movements and rebuilding them piece by piece. One-on-one. “That’s going to hurt, your stance is just too open.” I