All Chapters of THE LUNA’S CROWN: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

There was only one council meeting every year that every northern Alpha made enough time to attend.It was called the Border Summit.It was more than a gathering, It was where alliances were strengthened, disputes were settled, and every Alpha gave an account of the state of their territory before the end of the year.Reports of rogue attacks, trade agreements, border disputes, missing wolves, and security improvements.Every pack stood before the council and accounted for the safety of its people.At the end of the summit, one pack received the Northern Shield. It was an award with the highest honor among the northern territories.For the past ten years…Only one name had ever been called.It was the Icefall Pack.Alpha Edwin had defended his borders so fiercely that rogue attacks had become almost nonexistent within his territory.Every Alpha respected him, every warrior admired him, and every elder measured themselves against him.Even Kael.The packhouse had been unusually busy fo

I used to believe losing someone always happened all at once.A single moment, a single betrayal, and a single decision that changed everything.I was wrong. Sometimes, losing someone happened quietly.A question asked too many times, a hesitation before answering, and a look that lasted a second too long.Doubt did not enter like a storm, It slipped in like a shadow.And once it was there…It was difficult to chase away.**********The first incident seemed meaningless. At least, that was what I told myself.A week after we returned from Icefall, Elder Rowan requested the latest border supply reports.I had prepared them myself.Every number, every record, and every request from neighboring packs.The documents were kept in my office, exactly where they had always been.Except…When the council meeting began, they were missing.“I placed them on the left side of my desk.” Kael frowned as he searched through the files. “They aren’t here.”“I know.” I tried to remain calm. “They must

I did not cry the next morning, perhaps I had run out of tears.Or perhaps there came a point where pain simply settled too deeply to find its way back out.The packhouse stirred to life outside my window as it always did. Servants hurried through the halls, warriors changed shifts, and somewhere in the distance, a child laughed.The future Alpha.I closed my eyes for a brief moment before getting dressed.The world had not stopped because my heart had broken, and neither would I.I was arranging flowers in the great hall when I heard familiar footsteps behind me.“Elara.”It was Kael.I didn’t turn immediately. I finished placing the last white lily into the vase before facing him.“Good morning.”His brow furrowed ever so slightly.“You’ve been avoiding me.”“I’ve been busy.” I gave a polite smile. “You weren’t in our room when I woke up.”“I had duties.” He peered into my eyes.It wasn’t a lie, but just not the whole truth.Kael stepped closer, his face shadowed with exhaustion.He

Dinner had once been my favorite part of the day.No council meetings, no elders, and no responsibilities.Just Kael and me.Now, the dining table felt larger than ever.Lily sat to Kael’s right with the child resting peacefully in a cradle beside her.I sat opposite them, quietly cutting into my meal.The only sounds were the clinking of silverware and the occasional soft babble from the boy.For a while, It was peaceful.Then Lily smiled.“My Luna.”I looked up. “Yes?”“I’ve been thinking about the letter from Alpha Edwin.” She said without looking up.My fingers paused around my fork.“Oh?”She smiled sweetly. “It was very thoughtful of him. It was courteous or more than courteous, I’d say.”I frowned slightly.“He praised your wisdom.”“He simply asked for advice.” I dropped my cutlery.Lily tilted her head. “It must take quite a lot to impress Alpha Edwin.”Kael remained silent, though I noticed his hand still against his glass.I forced a small smile.“I only answered a few qu

I barely slept that night.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same word.REJECTION.It followed me through the darkness, It waited behind my eyelids, It whispered from the deepest corner of my mind, and every time I remembered what it meant, my chest tightened.It was permanent. There would be no returning to Kael afterward.No pretending the past could be restored, and no waking up one morning and deciding I had made a mistake.Once I rejected him…He would no longer be my mate and I would no longer be his Luna in the way the Moon Goddess had intended.I had spent years dreaming of becoming his.Now I was considering how to stop being his.***********By sunrise, I had made a decision.Not to reject him. Not yet, but to stop pretending I hadn’t considered it. I returned the book to the cabinet before anyone could discover it.Then I went about my morning as though nothing had happened.I dressed, I ate breakfast, I reviewed the winter reports, I spoke to the healers, and I inspec