"Fuck that." Lucian pushed off the door frame and walked into the room.
"She’s our mate. Their Luna. They don’t get to remove her just because they’re scared."
"They can if we can’t prove she’s not a threat." Nicholas ran a hand through his hair. "The law is clear, Lucian. If a majority of the pack elders agree that a Luna poses a danger to the pack’s survival, they can petition for removal. And we’d have to comply or risk pack revolt."
"Then we don’t let it come to a vote." Lucian said, looking at his hand.
"How?" Nicholas asked.
"We show them she’s not dangerous. We show them she’s in control. We show them she’s OURS and anyone who tries to remove her will have to go through all three of us first." Lucian replied.
Nicholas looked at his brother and saw the gold bleeding into his eyes. Zev was close, protective, ready to fight anyone who threatened their mate.
"Tonight needs to go well," Nicholas said quietly. "If the pack turns on her...."
"They won’t." Lucian interrupted him.
"You don’t know that."
"Yes I do." Lucian’s voice was absolutely certain. "Because they know if they try to remove her, we’ll tear the pack apart before we let them take her. And they’re not stupid enough to push us that far."
Nicholas wanted to believe that. Wanted to trust that the pack would choose loyalty over fear. But he had seen fear turn wolves against each other before. Had seen how quickly stability could crumble when uncertainty took root.
"Where is she now?" Lucian asked.
"With Sebastian. Getting ready for tonight."
"And how is she handling it?"
"Terrified. But trying not to show it."
Lucian nodded slowly. "Good. Fear keeps you sharp. Just as long as it doesn’t break her."
"It won’t," Nicholas said, and he made himself believe it. "She’s stronger than she thinks."
"She’ll need to be." Lucian walked to the window and looked out over the estate grounds where pack members were already starting to gather in preparation for tonight’s meeting. "Because tonight is going to determine everything. Either they accept her as Luna, or we’re going to have a serious problem."
Nicholas did not answer because there was nothing to say. Lucian was right.
Tonight would determine everything.
And Nicholas could only pray that Lilith was ready for it.
****
Lilith’s POV
Lilith stood in front of the mirror in Nicholas’s bedroom and barely recognized herself.
Sebastian crossed the room to her and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "You’re going to be perfect."
"I’m going to try not to throw up on anyone."
"That’s the spirit." Sebastian said and smiled at her.
Lucian snorted from the doorway and Lilith shot him a look. He raised his hands in surrender. "What? I think honesty is refreshing."
Nicholas shook his head and held out his arm to Lilith. "Come. Let’s not keep them waiting any longer than necessary."
Lilith took his arm and let him lead her out of the room with Sebastian on her other side and Lucian following behind. Sera fell into step beside them and Lilith was grateful for her presence, one friendly face in what was about to be a sea of judgment and fear.
They walked through the estate in silence, and with every step Lilith could feel more and more eyes on her. Pack members stopped what they were doing to watch them pass. Some looked curious. Some looked afraid. And some looked angry.
***
By the time they reached the main hall, Lilith’s heart was pounding so hard she thought everyone must be able to hear it.
The hall was massive, designed to hold the entire pack for formal gatherings, and tonight it was packed. Hundreds of wolves filled the space....standing along the walls, sitting on the floor, crowding together in tight groups. And every single one of them turned to look when Nicholas walked in with Lilith on his arm.
The silence was deafening.
Nicholas led her to the front of the hall where a raised platform had been set up. Three chairs sat in the center....thrones, really....for the Alphas. But there was no chair for her.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sacrificed To The Triplet Alpha Kings