Semua Bab The First Luna : Bab 81 - Bab 90

Lane's POV After Kian and his army left, only the sound of the wind remained across the wasteland.I looked at Ethan. "If you want to save Maris, just take your trusted men up the mountain."I said that to save some of their dignity.If the Valkirks were planning to pay back the shame their crown prince suffered, whatever was waiting up there was going to be stomach-turning.But Ethan stared at the ridge, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. "I'm worried the Valkirks left an ambush up there. Lane, can you bring your soldiers and come with me?""You sure?""I'm sure."Ethan nodded."You can't fully trust what Kian said. If you come with me, we can ask Maris together. If she admits it in front of you, then..."His face darkened. He couldn't even finish the sentence.If Maris admitted it, what would he do? What could he do?Those were mistakes that couldn't be fixed. Lives that could never be brought back."Fine."I let out a tiny, cold smile and agreed immediately.I gave you a w

Ethan's POVI stared at her face, which was all twisted up because she was so worked up. The slave mark on her cheek moved as her muscles twitched, like it was alive and mocking me.Strange. Distant.Cruel. Terrifying.I suddenly realized I never actually knew the person standing in front of me."What about you?" I asked. My voice sounded weirdly calm."Would you do it?""Would you give up your own life for this 'peace' you're talking about?"Maris froze."If you would—"I shot to my feet and leaned in. "Then why were you cursing them out?! Didn't you say it was a 'necessary price'? They're dead, so why aren't you? Why don't you just die right now?!""I..." Her lips trembled. No words came out."Did you ask the civilians whose towns got wiped out?! Did you ask the packs that lived around Nothern front for generations?! Did they agree to trade their pups' lives for your 'first-class merit'?! Huh?!"I braced my hands against the edge of the bed. I was falling apart.Maris burst into tea

Lane's POVKaelen glanced over at me.The moonlight in his smoke-grey eyes looked like a frozen lake—calm, but capable of reflecting every secret.My whole face instantly burned."Dammit, Nyra, get your pheromones under control!" I snapped at my wolf spirit.Nyra lazily yawned. "But he smells so good, Lane. And I bet he can smell us, too. He's smelling it, and he's holding back.""Enough. He's my superior, not my mate. Stop releasing that damn heat!""Oh, darling," Nyra's voice was full ofmischief, "I don't plan on stopping."I felt hopeless.Kaelen's nose twitched slightly. The moonlight cast a soft shadow over the bridge of his nose."Y-your pheromones...""Your Highness!" I practically jumped up, my voice hitting a high note. "I've heard you're one of the best fighters in the Royal Court. Can I ask for a sparring?"Nyra whistled inside my mind. "Best fighter? You mean in battle ... or other areas?""Shut. Up."My cheeks felt hot enough to fry an egg.Luckily, Kaelen nodded and sto

Lane's POVKaelen didn't answer right away.The silence between us grew again, broken only by the wind slipping through the rocks.Sometimes, silence was more than enough.We both knew Maris wouldn't take her own life. She didn't have that sharp pride that would turn against herself."If she won't, then we'll kill her ourselves!"Nyra growled in my mind, finally free again. Since the battle started, she hadn't gone into heat."Ember ridge has been taken back, Lane."Kaelen suddenly changed the topic.His voice stayed calm, but it carried weight."You helped your father fulfill his final wish. The fallen Conlays would be proud."He turned toward me, moonlight outlining him in silver."Your name, Lane Conlay, will be carved on the Royal Court's victory monument. The people of our Kingdom will speak of you by their fires and in their stories for generations."I was stunned.Only then did certain pieces click together. With so many experienced Alpha commanders, Kaelen had still given me t

Third-person POVWord of Maris's achievements rushed back to the Blackwood Pack like a long wolf howl over empty land.Brenda was so excited she could hardly sit still. She quickly told the servants to prepare a big ceremony and personally led a group to the clan's sacred altar, Luminar Rock, to thank the Moon Goddess.Servants from the Blackwood Pack carried deer, snow sheep, and precious moonstones as offerings. They marched proudly through the stone streets and busy market.Sacred-flame grass burned along the path. Whips cracked loudly in the air. The whole scene grew more and more dramatic. The watching townspeople became even more sure that the legendary female general had to be Maris."Look! That's an honor being given to General Maris!""She must be the Moon Goddess's chosen daughter, the sharpest weapon of our Kingdom!""Listen to that! That's what a true warrior sounds like! My daughter, if you grow up to have even a little of General Maris's grace, I'll die happy!"Hearing