Aria's POV
Every eye in the summit hall turned to stare at me.
I'd never seen so many powerful people in one place. Alphas from across North America filled the massive room, each radiating authority. Their pack members stood behind them in formal delegations.
And they were all looking at me like I was either a miracle or a threat.
Maybe both.
Stay close, Kade murmured, his hand at the small of my back.
Then I saw them.
Marcus stood near the front with the Crimson Moon delegation. His cold blue eyes locked on mine, and rage flashed across his face.
Behind him, Sienna sneered. And Drake... Drake looked like he wanted to disappear.
My heart hammered but I lifted my chin. I wasn't his servant anymore.
The Council will come to order. The voice boomed from the front of the hall.
An ancient man sat in the center of ten massive chairs arranged in a semicircle. Alpha Donovan. His hair was silver, his face lined with age, but power radiated from him like heat.
We are gathered to verify a claim that many believed impossible, Donovan said. A living Lycan.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Aria Stone, Donovan's eyes found mine. Step forward.
My legs felt weak, but Kade's hand pressed encouragingly against my back. I walked to the center of the hall. Alone.
Ten Alphas stared down at me from their seats. Hundreds of wolves watched from behind.
There are those who claim you are Lycan, Donovan said. Prove it. Shift.
My mouth went dry. In front of all these people?
You can do this, Kade's voice whispered in my mind through our bond. Show them what you are.
I closed my eyes and reached for my Lycan. She was there, waiting. Eager, even.
The shift came fast. My bones cracked and reshaped. Silver light exploded from my skin. Fur sprouted across my body.
When I opened my eyes, gasps filled the hall.
I stood on four massive paws, my silver fur gleaming in the torchlight. I was easily twice the size of any wolf in the room.
The silence was deafening.
Then Donovan stood. By the ancient gods, he breathed. It's true.
I shifted back to human form. My legs shook but I stayed standing.
Impossible. That was Marcus, on his feet, face twisted with fury. That girl is MY ward! She ran away from Crimson Moon Pack after stealing pack property! Alpha Kade is harbouring a criminal!
Kade rose smoothly. Aria took nothing but what belongs to her by birth. And she's not your ward, Marcus. She's the daughter of Kieran and Seraphina Stone the Lycan Alphas you murdered twenty-three years ago.
The hall erupted.
Alphas shouted. Pack members argued. Donovan's voice cut through the chaos: SILENCE!
Everyone stopped.
Marcus's face had gone red. This is a lie! I saved Aria from a house fire when she was five! Her parents died in an accident!
It wasn't an accident. My voice rang out clear and strong. You killed them. I remember. I was there.
Marcus's eyes went wide for just a second before his expression hardened. The child speaks lies fed to her by this Alpha who holds her captive
I hold her captive? Kade's laugh was harsh. She came to my territory running from YOU. From the pack that humiliated her, rejected her, threw her out with nothing.
Other Alphas were listening now. Watching Marcus carefully.
Alpha Donovan raised his hand. These are serious accusations. The Council will investigate both claims. Alpha Marcus, until we determine the truth, you are not to leave summit grounds.
Marcus looked like he wanted to argue but he bowed stiffly. As the Council commands.
And you, Aria Stone, Donovan turned to me. You will remain under Alpha Kade's protection until we convene tomorrow.
Thank you, Alpha Donovan.
As the session broke apart, I turned to leave and froze.
A woman stood in the doorway.
She was beautiful in a terrifying way. Dark hair. Pale skin. And eyes... her eyes were wrong. Too knowing. Too ancient.
Dark magic rolled off her in waves that made my skin crawl.
My Lycan snarled inside me, recognizing a threat.
Who is that? Kade whispered beside me.
Felix appeared at our other side, his face grim. Morgana. The most powerful dark witch in North America. He paused. What's she doing here?
As if she'd heard him, Morgana's eyes found mine across the crowded hall.
She smiled.
It was the smile of a predator who'd just found prey.
Then she walked directly to Marcus and whispered something in his ear.
Marcus's expression changed from rage to something worse. Cruel satisfaction.
They knew each other.
Of course they did.
We need to leave, I said urgently. Now.
But Kade was already moving, his hand tight around mine as he guided me out of the hall.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
The image of Morgana's smile kept haunting me. The way Marcus had looked at me after she'd whispered to him.
Something bad was coming. I could feel it.
Around midnight, I gave up on sleep and crept out of my room. The summit lodge was huge, with dozens of hallways and rooms. Maybe a walk would clear my head.
I was passing a private meeting room when I heard voices.
Marcus's voice.
I pressed myself against the wall and peered through a crack in the door.
Marcus and Morgana stood inside, alone.
How did she awaken? Marcus demanded. You said the spell would hold until I was ready to remove it!
The spell was keyed to her twenty-third birthday, Morgana said calmly. It broke automatically. I told you this could happen.
You said you could control it!
I said I could try. Morgana's smile was cold. But this works out better. Now she's powerful. Her blood is ripe for harvesting.
My blood turned to ice.
The ritual, Marcus said. You can still do it?
Of course. I just need three things. Morgana counted on her fingers. Her blood. The deaths of her three mates. And the lunar eclipse in four weeks.
Three mates?
She only has one mate, Marcus said. That Shadow Fang Alpha.
Morgana laughed. Oh, Marcus. You really know nothing about Lycans, do you? A Lycan's power is so immense they require three mates to balance it. She hasn't met the other two yet, but she will. The bonds will snap into place whether she wants them to or not.
And then?
Then we kill all three during the eclipse while draining her blood. The ritual will grant me immortality and the power to control every wolf in North America. Morgana's eyes glowed red. I've been waiting twenty-three years for this, Marcus. I'm not going to fail now.
What about me? Marcus asked. You promised me power
And you'll have it. Once I control the wolves, I'll make you my puppet king. Her smile was vicious. You'll finally have the power you've always craved. All you have to do is help me capture the girl.
I backed away from the door, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would break through my ribs.
They were going to kill me.
Kill my mates I hadn't even met yet.
I had to warn Kade. Had to
A hand clamped over my mouth from behind.
I tried to scream but the hand muffled it.
Quiet, a voice hissed in my ear. Drake's voice. Don't make a sound or they'll hear you.
He pulled me around a corner, his hand still over my mouth.
When we were far enough away, he released me.
What are you
I've been following you, Drake said urgently. I saw you listening at the door. Did you hear?
I nodded, shaking.
Then you know. His face was pale. Morgana's going to try to take you. Tonight. She has people positioned all over the lodge.
Why are you telling me this?
Because I'm done being Marcus's pawn. Drake's jaw clenched. My father helped murder your parents. I can't undo that. But I can help you survive.
Footsteps echoed down the hall. Coming toward us.
Drake shoved me toward a side passage. Run. Get to Kade. Don't trust anyone from Crimson Moon except
He never finished.
An arrow pierced his chest.
Drake gasped and fell.
Behind him stood three wolves I didn't recognize. And behind them, Morgana smiled.
Hello, little Lycan, she purred. We've been looking for you.