, her fingers brushing over the polished wood of an old armchair that once belonged to her father. She was waiting with the Elders, Beta Jack, and her best
line with an attempt at a reassuring smile, but even he seemed uncertain. Aveline didn't respond; sh
you sure you don't know what this is about?" Her concern
tness in the air, something heavy and foreboding. She couldn't tell Hazel that she, Luna, had been kept in the dark.
all turned toward the entrance just as
organa. Even her name carried weight-a whisper from a bitter past. She was dressed in deep crimson robes that clung to her frame, sta
ng on, as if dismissing her existence. Aveline's breath caught, and the world seemed to shif
voice came out hoar
s rigid, authoritative. He was the Alpha, and he wore the title like armor. B
ian declared, his voice echoin
ing the breath from her lungs. The Elders exchanged confused, concerned glances, but no one spoke. Hazel's hand
ence, his brows knitted in a frown. Jack had always been Killia
o longer..." He hesitated for a moment, but continued, "Av
that superseded any other-a connection granted by fate itself. But how could that be? She h
head slightly. "It seems fate has a way of righting wrongs,"
g more than a maid-a whisper of a shadow from Killian's past. Rumors had circulated that she had
ced out, her voice trembling with the e
clipped. His eyes flickered with something-regret, anger, fear? She c
oming a distant, distorted hum. Her thoughts scattered like leaves in
e dark, gleaming eyes, Aveline saw a quiet tri
line's voice faltered, her wo
explaining a simple fact to a child. "You were given a secon
ne's composure. She felt her hands begin to tremble, her vision
one last attempt to find so
t's done," he said, the words as e
ont of his chosen Luna. Hazel opened her mouth, but Aveline shook he
hall, their footsteps echoing down the long corridor u
et, her heart echoing with the quest
th out of the room. No one moved. No one spoke. Even the Elders, who had se
e right there on the stone floor. Her entire world had collapsed in the span of a f
he wrapped an arm around Aveline's shoulders, tryi
d disbelief. How could Killian have done this? And how could he have replac
d filled with uncertainty. Aveline barely registered their words. Her ears
e title sounded like a mockery now, a cruel reminder o
uncertain, searching her for any sign of strength. But Aveline didn't have the answ
ng," he said, his voice firm and filled with the authority of someone who wa
ulling her back from the edge of despair. She met his
ugh each word felt like a knife in her chest. "If he's...
't just accept this, Aveline. You've been
ice steady. "What would you have me do, Hazel? Beg him
aid, his voice hard with resolve. "You have allies. We can challe
was fighting a losing battle, and Killian had made his choice. If she stayed and fought, it w
mind like a bolt of clarity. She had to protect them, no matte
time. "I won't put the pack through
is is over, Jack," she said, a finality in her tone that she didn't e
you want," he said quietly. "But know this, Aveline-we'
rt and a burden. Aveline offered him a weak smile, but
out of the hall, their steps slow and uncertain. Beta Jack lingered a mome
with unshed tears. "You can't leave, Av
d, her voice barely above a w
a weight, and she swallowed hard, nodding in acceptance. "W
d. "Somewhere where he can't fi
ealization, and she covered her m
e cut in, her voice breaking
wn tears spilling over. "Promise me you'll b
d, knowing she could
steeling herself for what came next. She needed to leave
ing down on her like a heavy shroud. As she stepped into the cool night air, the moon overhead see
ak. Not yet. Not while she still
sed behind her with a resounding thud, s
hispered through the trees, carrying with it the faintest