The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 The Dawn of Judgment

James’s POV:

Evelyn’s plan was undoubtedly risky, but right now, it felt like the only option left.

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The Silverpeak Packinheritance… The thought hit me like a fiery shot of whiskey–powerful and impossible to ignore.

I quickly called together the key elders of the Duskfang Pack: the wise and respected Grand Elder, Robert, several seasoned old wolves, the Beta leaders who ran vital parts of the pack, and my sister Hannah, one of my closest allies. Evelyn, whom I now recognized as the future Luna, was there too.

The council chamber was thick with tension, like the air before a thunderstorm.

I gave a short but serious rundown of Grandma’s dire state, Rupert refusing to step in, and Cindy’s cruel taunts–carefully leaving out the part where she mentioned King Ryken since I considered that a bluff.

“Elders, leaders,” I said, my voice steady but firm carrying the weight of the Alpha’s authority, “My grandmother’s life is hanging by a thread, and the pack’s treasury is empty. Cindy, who’s not just a member of this pack but also my lawful mate, ignores the danger her elders are facing and the pack’s desperate situation. Instead, she hoards a fortune without giving us a shred of loyalty or help. This selfishness puts the Duskfang Pack’s survival and honor at risk!”

I paused, looking at each wolf in the room, my tone sharpening. “So, I’m proposing we officially kick Cindy out! Take control of all the private assets she brought from the Northmere Silverpeak Pack to save my grandmother, strengthen our defenses, and get through this crisis!”

The room erupted in chaos.

“Alpha, you have to think this through!” Robert was the first to stand, his old face marked with worry. “Cindy’s father, Benjamin, was a hero of the kingdom, and her three brothers died for Northmere. Treating a family like that this way will ruin our reputation throughout the kingdom and could break the ancient covenant, drawing the Royal Court’s anger!”

“Exactly!” the elder in charge of discipline chimed in. “Expelling the Luna and seizing all her family’s property without solid proof will be hard to justify, and it’ll give other packs a reason

to attack us!”

“What reason?!” Hannah slammed her hand on the table, her voice fierce. “Cindy’s already been running roughshod over us! She scared Rupert away, endangered Grandma, and now demands repayment and the selling of our ancestral lands! If that isn’t betrayal, what is? If we don’t remove her, how can the Duskfang Pack keep any pride?”

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Chapter 23 The Dawn of Judgment

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A Beta leader backing Evelyn jumped in, fired up. “Right! Cindy acts like the Silverpeak Pack’s inheritance makes her untouchable! She behaves as if she’s above the pack and the Alpha! Keeping her here is just asking for trouble!”

“Exactly!” Another trusted warrior, responsible for the weapons, added, “She’s sitting on piles. of money and won’t help, while our fighters can’t even get new armor! Winter’s coming, pups are starving, and she just watches us fall apart. A woman like that doesn’t deserve to be Luna.”

Voices clashed, the chamber came alive with shouting and heated debate. The wolf spirits sparked in the air, tension crackling like a powder keg ready to blow.

I sneered. These old wolves were too cautious, too weak!

“You’re all wrong.” Evelyn’s voice cut through the noise–clear, sharp, and commanding- instantly silencing the uproar. “The Duskfang Pack is fighting for its survival right now! Mrs. Priscilla’s life hangs by a thread, and the treasury is empty. Doing nothing is the same as waiting to die.”

She stood, her eyes blazing. “Cindy’s got a fortune but ignores the pack’s crisis—that’s betrayal. She defies the Alpha and disrespects our elders–tha

guilt. The real heirs of heroes, like her father and brothers, give everything to their pack, not clutch gold and watch from the sidelines.”

“Well said!” Hannah quickly agreed, bitterness flashing in her eyes. “She even hit me! A woman on her way out, daring to lay hands on me! If we don’t drive her out, how can Grandma stand this insult?”

Evelyn softened, her voice laced with pity. “We’re not trying to destroy her. We’re just temporarily managing her wealth to save Mrs. Priscilla and the pack. Once this crisis passes and Mrs. Priscilla recovers, we can return some to her. That’s mercy. What do you all think?”

Her words were airtight, exposust how desperate our situation was.

Some of the opposing elders faltered, ey

the punishment elder frowned silently.

“Well said!” the Beta leader applauded. “Cindy’s Heartless. We owe her nothing. Her inheritance belongs to the pack!”

“Enough!” Robert barked sharply, and silence fell. His gaze, cold and cutting, swept over Hannah and the supporters. “Have you forgotten Benjamin’s sacrifice? The Silverpeak Pack’s service to the kingdom? Expelling her and seizing her inheritance will make the Duskfang Pack the enemy of all, and the Royal Court won’t stand by!”

“The Royal Court?” Hannah sneered. “Our pack’s deeds for them are no less than Silverpeak Pack’s. Why should they interfere? Besides, Cindy hasn’t been their pride for a long time. She’s a selfish disgrace.”

III

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Chapter 23 The Dawn of Judgment

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