The temple remained silent.
Every wolf waited.
They waited for punishment.
For anger.
For the Moon God to react to the disrespect.
But Theron only watched Aiden.
Then, slowly...
He lifted one hand.
The command was simple.
"Release him."
The alphas froze.
"Lord Moon God?"
Theron's amber eyes remained on Aiden.
"I said release him."
Immediately, the pressure around Aiden's wrists disappeared.
The chains fell away.
For the first time since waking...
He was free.
Everyone expected him to run.
He didn't.
Aiden moved before he could think.
One step.
Two.
The entire temple held its breath.
The closer he got, the heavier the air became.
Theron's aura.
A god's presence.
It pressed against his skin like invisible weight.
Most wolves would have lowered their heads.
Most would have struggled to breathe.
Aiden didn't.
His black wolf ears pressed against his hair.
His shoulders lowered.
His teeth showed slightly.
A warning.
Not submitted.
He stood close enough to feel the overwhelming power radiating from Theron.
Close enough that one mistake could end him.
Yet he looked up.
Straight into those amber eyes.
Again.
The same eyes.
For one impossible moment...
Aiden forgot.
Because he wasn't seeing this Theron.
He saw another.
The god who held their pups.
The mate who whispered promises beneath the moon.
The wolf who rested his head against Aiden's shoulder after exhausting battles.
The father who intended not to enjoy being climbed on by three energetic pups.
His heart hurt.
Because the eyes were the same.
But the person wasn't.
Aiden blinked.
And the illusion shattered.
This Theron was younger.
His hair was shorter.
His face carried fewer years.
Less exhaustion.
Less sorrow.
Their eyes were the same...
but they had not yet learned love.
Aiden's expression hardened.
He took a breath.
Then growled.
"Don't look at me like that."
Theron's brow lifted slightly.
Aiden's voice was low.
"I'm not some weak omega."
The wolves around them stared.
No one interrupted.
"I don't care if you're a god."
His claws slowly extended.
"I don't care if everyone here bows to you."
Aiden leaned slightly forward.
"If it comes to it..."
His eyes narrowed.
"I will fight you."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
Theron smiled.
Not mockingly.
Not cruelly.
Interested.
For the first time since arriving...
the Moon God looked genuinely curious.
"Fight me?"
Aiden's ears twitched.
"Yes."
Theron studied him.
A human.
Node.
A werewolf.
An omega.
Someone who should have been afraid.
Yet standing before him like an equal.
"You are aware I could crush you?"
Aiden's answer came instantly.
"Yes."
Another pause.
"And you still threaten me?"
Aiden stared.
"Yes."
Something changed in Theron's expression.
Fascination.
Not love.
Not yet.
But interesting.
This creature was strange.
Every offering before him had been begged.
Cried.
Pleaded.
This one threatened him.
Theron stepped closer.
"You are unusual."
Aiden's ears flattened.
"That's not a compliment."
The smallest hint of amusement appeared in Theron's eyes.
"It was meant to be."
Aiden frowned.
He hated that.
He hated that this younger version of Theron could still make expressions that reminded him of home.
Theron turned away.
"The ceremony is over."
The wolves looked surprised.
"But Lord Moon God—"
"I have accepted him."
Aiden froze.
Accepted?
Before he could argue, Theron continued.
"He will come with me."
The temple erupted into whispers.
The Moon God had never personally taken an offering away before.
Theron looked back at Aiden.
"Come."
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
"And what if I refuse?"
Theron considered the question.
Then they answered honestly.
"I will carry you."
Aiden's expression darkened.
"Try it."
For some reason...
Theron found himself wanting to laugh.
Not because Aiden was amusing.
Because for the first time in a very long time...
someone had made the Moon Temple feel alive.
And Theron wanted to know why.