THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 28

Episode 19-2

“I promise.” I met his gaze. “But Marcus, if they try to force Damien to reject me early, if they push for immediate consequences…

“Then we fight. All of us.” His hand covered mine on the table. “You’re not alone in this.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

I stood on my balcony looking out over pack territory, feeling the power hurmming through me, more stable now but still building. Eleven days until my birthday. Eleven days until it peaks completely.

Could I hold on that long?

A knock at my door. I tensed, then smelled Lucas’s familiar scent!

“Come in.”

He entered carrying two cups of tea. “Thought you might need this. Chamomile. Helps with pre–battle

nerves.”

“Is that what this is? A battle?”

“What else would you call it?” He handed me a cup. “You’re going before the Council to defend your right to challenge the pack hierarchy. They’re going to fight back. That’s war, Luna.”

We stood in silence, drinking tea, watching the moon rise over the trees.

“My mate wants to meet you,” Lucas said finally. “After tomorrow, regardless of how it goes. She says any Luna brave enough to stand up to the Council deserves her respect.”

“I’d like that.”

“She also said to tell you something.” He turned to face me. “The night your mother saved her life, she asked why. Why risk Council’s attention by using her power? Your mother said, ‘Because some lives are worth the risk. And some lunars are born to break the rules that need breaking.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “She knew. Even then, she knew what I’d become.”

r

“She prepared you as best she could. The journals, the contacts, the breadcrumbs leading to Katherine.” Lucas smiled. “Your mother was playing a long game. Making sure that when the time came, you’d have what you needed to survive.”

“I miss her.”

“She’d be proud of you. Terrified, but proud.” He set down his cup. “Get some rest, Luna. Tomorrow, you show them what Elena Nightshade’s daughter can do.”

Monday morning arrived too quickly.

I dressed carefully in a charcoal suit that said professional without being submissive. Katherine had

< Episode 19-2

Clam

advised me on every detail, down to the silver necklace that marked me as Selene’s Daughter to those who knew what to look for.

Marcus drove me to the Council chambers, a formal building at the center of pack territory. Adrian’s sleek black car was already there, along with vehicles from a dozen other packs.

“There are more observers than I expected,” Marcus muttered.

“Word travels fast.” I checked my reflection one last time. “How do I look?”

“Like a Luna who’s about to make history.”

We entered the building. The chamber was circular, with Council members seated in a semicircle on a

raised platform. Below them, a single chair faced the assembly. For the accused.

The observers sat in tiered seating behind the chair. I spotted Adrian immediately, his ice–blue eyes finding

mine across the room. He gave the slightest nod.

I’m here. You’re not alone.

Damien sat in the front row, positioned as my Alpha. But there was distance between us now, visible to

everyone.

Aldric Thorne sat in the center of the Council platform, his silver hair catching the light, those too–knowing

eyes fixed on me.

“Luna Sera Nightshade,” Council Member Brennan began. “You stand before us to answer questions regarding your recent cct. Do you understand the charges?”

mya as Luna.”

“I understand you’re quest 201

“We’re questioning your judgment. Your stability. Your fitness to continue in your role.” Aldric leaned forward. “Tell us, Luna. Why did you think it appropriate to publicly challenge your Alpha?”

And so it began.

For two hours, they questioned every decision I’d made. Every action I’d taken. They twisted my words,

( implied instability, and suggested the broken bond had damaged my mind.

I stayed calm. Answered clearly. Refused to be baited.

Then Aldric changed tactics.

“Let’s discuss your mother, shall we? Elena Nightshade. A remarkable woman.” His smile was predatory “Tell me, Luna Sera. Did your mother ever mention why she died so young?”

The room went silent.

“She had cancer”

“Is that what you were told?” Aldric’s eyes gleamed. “Or did she die because she refused to hide what she was? Because she used power that drew our attention?”

Episode 19-29

Helt Marcus tense behind me. This was it. The real attack.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Claim

“Don’t you? Your mother was investigated for unauthorized power usage. We found evidence she’d been healing wolves without proper documentation, using abilities that suggested…” He paused. “Unusual heritage.”

“My mother was a healer. She helped people.”

“Your mother was dangerous. And we’re beginning to suspect her daughter is too.” Aldric stood. “The bond

you shared with your Alpha. How did you break it?”

“I didn’t break it. It dissolved on its own.”

“Bonds don’t dissolve. Not real ones.” He moved closer to the platform’s edge. “Unless you’re suggesting it

wasn’t real to begin with. That someone interfered with a sacred mate bond. That would be heresy, Luna

Sera.”

The trap was set. If I said the bond was artificial, I’d be admitting the Council created it, forcing them to act against me. If I claimed I broke it myself, I’d be admitting to powers they feared.

Either way, I lost.

Unless I changed the rules.

I stood, “said Council Member Thorne. Are you asking if i’m Selene’s Daughter?”

The chamber erupted.

TO BE CONTINUED…

D Dewumi Ezekiel

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