The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54 King Ryken’s Regret

Chapter 54 King Ryken’s Regret

Cindy’s POV:

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“Breaking the bond… ” Forrest scratched his head, his face full of fear. “I heard the backlash is terrible. It’s like tearing your soul in half. Back in my town, there was a woman who tried to break her bond. The pain drove her mad. She turned into a wild werewolf and lost all control.”

“It does hurt,” I said, staring into the flickering fire. “Luckily, King Ryken granted the Bond-Breaking Order. I was spared that pain. James took all of it on himself. Still, he didn’t lose his mind. I have to admit, he’s a strong Alpha.”

“But he doesn’t deserve to be your Alpha,” Sterling cut in. His voice was sharp and cold. “Anyone who betrays their mate for power is trash. He’s not even fit to be a rogue.”

“Exactly!” Viola snapped. She tossed a bone into the fire. “That blind fool! Giving up the jewel of Silverpeak Pack for someone like Evelyn?”

“He wasn’t just blind. He was stupid,” Tyrone said. He lay on the sand with his arms behind his head, staring at the stars. “He thought Evelyn would bring him glory. Instead, she brought him shame. I heard many at the Royal Court laugh at him. After the bond was broken, his wolf spirit was damaged. I bet his fighting strength dropped by a lot.”

“Cindy, you did the right thing,” Viola said softly. She moved closer and rested her head on my shoulder, just like when we were kids. “It’s better to cut away a rotten bond than cling to it. You may not have a mate now, but you’re stronger. You’re the bravest Luna we’ve ever known. No, now you’re an Alpha yourself.”

Warmth filled my chest, and my eyes burned a little.

Yes. I lost what people called a home, but I found friends who would die with me.

“No matter what,” I said, raising my rough cup of cheap liquor, “we’re going to win this war for Silverpeak Pack. And to make sure those pieces of trash never laugh at us again.”

“Cheers!” Five wooden cups clinked together. The spilled liquor splashed into the fire, and bright flames leaped into the night.

King Ryken’s POV:

Midnight wrapped the Royal Court in a silence so deep it felt dangerous.

The only sound was the slow hiss of sand falling inside a massive hourglass. Each grain felt like a countdown for the kingdom.

I sat on the throne, crushing an urgent report in my hand until it was nothing but wrinkles.

It was a thin sheet of parchment, stained with dark red blood. That blood came from a Night Dove; the messenger bird had flown itself to death and coughed up its heart’s blood before delivering the message.

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18:05 Sat, Jan 10 GR

Chapter 54 King Ryken’s Regret

The report was short, only a few lines, but every word struck my head like a hammer.

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“Emergency! 300,000 vampire troops have gathered in Uclela. They are moving through Blooddune. Less than 300 miles from Southreach. The Rogue King has defected. Southreach is in mortal danger-Adam, Grand Marshal of the Southreach Wolfguard.”

Three hundred miles.

For an undead army strengthened by blood magic, one that never slept or tired, that distance meant only two or three days.

My hand began to shake.

I am King Ryken, ruler of all werewolves. I have always believed myself wise, strong, and careful.

This time, my face burned in embarrassment.

Ten days ago, in this very hall, Cindy had warned me and shouted herself hoarse.

She told me that Evelyn had wiped out vampire towns. The vampires had gathered to fight us. This wasn’t as simple as revenge-it was an invasion.

And what did I do?

I mocked her from my throne. I called her a bitter woman cast aside. I said she was imagining threats. For the sake of “royal dignity” and “peace and quiet,” I placed her under house arrest at the old Silverpeak Pack

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