The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 You’ve Let Me Down

Chapter 43 You’ve Let Me Down

Cindy’s POV:

64)

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The great hall of the Royal Court was built from massive slabs of black obsidian. The air was heavy. It carried the old pressure left behind by generations of Wolf Kings. It also carried something sharper. King Ryken’s Alpha pheromones filled the room and pressed down on my chest.

The scent was like burned earth. Dry. Harsh. Absolute. It demanded obedience and tried to bend every spine in the hall.

But I stood straight.

My knees were shaking. Not from fear, but from Diana. My wolf spirit growled inside me. The sound echoed through my bones.

“Your Majesty!” My voice rang through the hall. I forced it to stay steady, even though every part of me wanted to lash out. “What I said is true. Evelyn slaughtered vampire civilians. She tortured and killed noble vampires as well. That was the spark. That was the start of this war.” I took a breath and went on. “The vampire army is already gathering at Southreach. This is not just revenge. They are preparing to

invade.”

On the high throne, King Ryken leaned back; white tiger fur covered the back of his seat. He looked relaxed. Almost bored.

He was not angry. He did not even lift his eyes.

“Cindy,” he said at last. His voice was low and slow, like distant thunder rolling through stone. There was a lazy edge to it. And quiet contempt. “I know you’ve just been through an ugly bond break. James betrayed you. Your pride took a hit. That’s understandable. Wolves of Silverpeak have always been proud.”

“This has nothing to do with James!” I stepped forward, but steel crossed in front of me. Two royal guards blocked my path with their long halberds.

Inside my head, Diana roared. “He’s mocking us,” she snarled. “He’s laughing at our warning. Cindy, let me take control. I’ll teach him respect.”

“Quiet, Diana,” I said in my mind. I grabbed onto her with everything I had. My nails dug deep into my palm. Pain flared. It helped me stay clear.

I lifted my head and met King Ryken’s gaze. His eyes burned like two dark green flames.

“Your Majesty,” I said, steady but firm, “Evelyn hid the truth about the village massacre to claim military credit. If we wait until the vampires break through the Sandskeep line, all of Southreach will turn into a hunting ground. Please allow me to contact the Southreach Wolfguard or at least send scouts to confirm

this.”

At last, King Ryken sat up straight. The Alpha pressure around him surged. It felt like a mountain crashing down on my shoulders. Any normal Beta would have dropped to their knees, lowered their head, and

shown their vulnerable neck.

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Chapter 43 You’ve Let Me Down

But Silverpeak blood ran in my veins. I endured it.

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“Enough.” He waved his hand, irritated, as if shooing away a buzzing fly. “Evelyn is a hero of the realm. She brought back victory. And you, Cindy-what you’re doing now looks to me like a bitter woman who was cast aside. You’re trying to smear your ex-husband’s new mate just to get attention. It’s ugly.”

“Ugly?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Tens of thousands of lives of your people mean nothing to you? You think this is jealousy?”

“Do I need to be clearer?” King Ryken stood and walked down the steps. Each step tightened the pressure until my lungs burned. “Your pack is gone. All you have left is the reputation your father and brothers earned. Do not let your envy and selfish desire strip away even that last bit of dignity. You claim Evelyn slaughtered towns. Where is the proof? Just the intelligence you received?”

“My academy does not spread lies!”

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