Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Something felt wrong the moment I woke up.

The castle was too quiet. Usually, Cindy or one of the rogues would have escorted me to Declan’s room by now.

He liked having me beside him while he ate, like we were some twisted version of a real couple.

But today, nobody came.

Maybe it was punishment for the escape attempt.

Then, memories from last night came rushing back.

Declan throwing me over his shoulder while I fought him the entire why back to the tower. My fists pounding uselessly against his back while he carried me through the castle like I belonged to him.

The flames.

Goddess… the flames.

I pushed myself upright in bed and immediately looked toward the massive tower window. Smoke still drifted through the dark morning sky. All along the castle walls, blackened remains of the giant vines curled like dead snakes while rogue guards walked the perimeter carrying torches, making sure every last escape route burned to ash.

Orange embers still glowed between the stones.

Declan had destroyed all of it. Every path out. Every hope.

By midday, the rogue guards finally showed up. I knew instantly that the day was going to get worse.

They led me deep into the castle, through corridors where the sunlight barely reached. Then I heard it–a low rumble of voices, men growling and arguing up ahead.

The heavy doors to the council hall swung open. I stopped. Huge black arches reached for the ceiling, and fire burned in iron bowls along the walls, turning the room orange. In the middle of it ail sat a long, black stone table.

The wolves were all there. Traitor Alphas. High–ranking rogues with scars and mean faces.

Declan sat at the head of the table, looking like a king who had already won. But then I saw someone else sitting among them. I stopped cold.

Ryan. My ex.

He looked pale and out of place, his jaw tight as he stared at me. What the hell was he doing here?

Declan leaned back and crooked two fingers toward himself. “Come here, Emily.”

The entire room watched me. I hated it. Still, I forced my legs to move, stopping beside his chair, Immediately,

My fature Rogue Queen,” he announced, his voice lazy and confident.

Several rogues grinned. Others looked uncomfortable.

Declan’s eyes swept across the table. “You all know why you’re here,” he said, his voice echoing off the stone.

“The Rogue King, my father, is weak. Humans are spreading like a plague. And wolves…” He curled his lip. “Wolves forgot that they are predators.”

An older rogue slammed his fist onto the obsidian. You’re a reckless pup, Declan.”

The room went taut. The elder rogue sneered at him. “You think wearing your father’s crown makes you king? In a real fight, half the wolves in this room could tear you open.”

A chorus of agreement broke out. “You’re too young.” “You haven’t earned this.”

Declan went still beside me. A dangerous, unnatural kind of still. Then a smile touched his lips–the kind of smile

that made my skin crawl.

“You still don’t get it,” he said softly. The fire in the braziers flared. “By the next Blood Moon, the world will crawl to us.”

Declan slowly stood. “Humans are nothing but livestock,” his voice grew colder. “Weak creatures breeding across

lands that belong to predators.”

Several rogues began nodding eagerly.

His eyes were bright with an obsession I didn’t recognize. “The Alpha Kingdom tried to chain us with laws and mercy. But rogues… rogues are pure instinct. Nature without a leash. And nature always eats the weak.”

I gasped, and instantly Declan grabbed me. He pulled me tightly against his chest, turning my head into him while his hand covered the side of my face.

No one answered. Even Ryan stood frozen now, covered in blood from head to toe, fear written clearly across his ace. One by one, the Alphas and rogues bowed their heads. They weren’t agreeing; they were submitting. They were choosing to survive.

Declan’s smile widened. “Good.”

Cindy escorted me back to my room afterward. I barely remembered the walk.

The second the door closed behind me, I locked it immediately before rushing into the bathroom. I turned the vater on, making it as hot as I could stand, and climbed into the tu. I grabbed the sponge and scrubbed. I rubbed ny skin until it was raw and red. I did it again. And again.

But the scent of blood stayed in my nose. I could still hear the screams echoing off the stone walls and see Declan miling while wolves died at his feet. I lost track of time.

I sank deeper into the water, trembling. How much time passed, I didn’t know. Long enough for the water to grow old around me.

Then, a knock hit the bathroom door.

Emily.”

Declan. I went completely still, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Open the door, sweetheart.”

I didn’t say a word. I stared at the wood, waiting.

His voice dropped, becoming smooth and dangerous. “Open it,” he warned. “Or I’ll break it down.”

I stayed exactly where I was. One second passed. Then two.

CRACK.

The door smashed open. I jumped, sitting up fast in the tub as Declan stepped over the broken wood. He froze.

Our eyes met, and the anger on his face vanished, replaced by a heated look.

I was completely naked in the water, and I had nowhere to hide.