The Vengeful Warrior Luna's Return novel Chapter 7

Kieran’s POV

Typical.

A humorless laugh left my lips as I looked over the bare residence. Yet another ploy for attention. Astra was so desperate, she would do anything to force my hand.

“Let her go,” I said, coldly. “She’ll be back.”

In the days that followed, Astra kept up her performance. She didn’t return, but I didn’t care. I moved Isla into the main house.

When Astra was done with her act, she would have nowhere to return to.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Brother!!”

Sasha burst into my office one afternoon. Breathless and wide-eyed as she rushed to my table.

I frowned immediately. “I’m busy.”

I had a tribal meeting to attend to.

Sasha’s gaze fell to the preparation letter on my table, and she shook her head. “Forget all that, this is more important.”

The urgency in her tone finally caught my attention. “What is it?”

"The warriors' equipment." She was panting, as if she'd run all the way from the training grounds. "Half the leather is rotting. The swords need resharpening. And the winter cloaks—"

"So replace them."

"With what money?" She threw up her hands. "The treasury is nearly empty! Mother's medicine alone costs a fortune, and without Astra's contributions—"

I froze. "What do you mean, without Astra's contributions?"

Sasha's mouth opened and she suddenly looked very uncomfortable.

"Sasha."

"Don’t get mad," she said quietly. "Astra's been funding the pack since you left for the war. The weapons, the food, the repairs—all of it came from her."

“Then go ask her to replace it.”

Sasha hesitated, and something cold crawled up my spine.

“Brother.” She started carefully. “Astra isn’t here.”

“Find her.” I slammed my hands on my desk. Cursing out loud. “Foolish woman.” The weapons and warriors’ gear were the most important part of border protection. “How can she prioritize petty matters over important tribal affairs?”

I began to push up from my table.

“I’ll find her myself! I’ll—”

“Brother, Sasha is not in the pack.” Sasha wrung her hands, distressed. “I’ve looked everywhere. And… “ She swallowed, her face taking on a strange expression.

“Astra went to the Elder Council. Most likely to attempt to persuade them about revoking Isla’s Luna appointment. That’s the only way she can reclaim her position.”

What?!

My table toppled from the force of my hands as the room went red.

“I won’t allow it!” My voice thundered as my wolf growled furiously.

Foolish, dreadful woman. She was trying to claw her way back into power by tearing Isla away from me.

“No.” My voice resounded the room as I grabbed my coat, and Sasha jumped out of my way. “She’s gone too far this time.”

My fury burned hot as I stormed for the Elder Council tower myself. But the guards wouldn’t open the gate.

“Apologies, Alpha.” The shaking General in front of me bowed again. “The Elder is ill. He cannot see anyone.”

No matter how I worded my command.

The response never changed.

The High Elder was sick, and I couldn’t demand an audience.

It enraged me even further. I could hardly restrain my wolf as my hands shifted into claws and my blood boiled over.

I was the Strongest Alpha in the land. Fresh from Victory! And a pesky tower guard dared to turn me away.

This was her doing.

Astra.

“So that’s why you’ve been acting so tough all of a sudden—you’ve found yourself a protector.” His lips curled.

“You went crying to him, didn’t you? You tried to stop my bonding with Alpha Isla.”

“I should’ve known,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt.

“A omega like you only knows how to cling to a wolf when things get tough. Bat your lashes, beg a little, and—bam—the problem’s solved, right?”

My fingers curled tight around the chair’s armrest, knuckles whitening as I fought the urge to slap him across the face.

How dare?! How dare he say that to me?!

“Whatever I said,” I managed at last. Thankfully, my voice was steady. "Had nothing to do with you."

“You think I believe that?” His laugh was sharp and humorless. “Come on! I already know!”

He was pacing now, his movements agitated, restless.

“I went to Graystone Keep today. Waited outside for two hours. The High Elder made up an excuse not to see me!"

"He said he was tied up in a meeting. But I didn’t see a single wolf come or go in those two hours!"

"I was wondering why, until the guards told me they saw you there yesterday.”

His eyes narrowed. “No wonder the High Elder’s attitude toward me has completely changed overnight. You went there to beg him to call off my bond with Isla!”

“You’re vile,” he hissed. “And to think Isla actually defended you yesterday. She said it was natural you’d be upset. She pitied you! But she was right—an omega housewolf like you can’t survive without an alpha to cling to.”

I didn’t rise to his bait.

I just kept looking at him, and the wolf in front of me felt like a stranger.

Cold crept into my bones, the kind that came from the inside, not the winter air outside.

Maybe I had never really known him at all.

Kieran must have mistaken my silence for guilt. His eyes burned.

“Say something! What else did you tell the High Elder? Did he promise you he’d stop my bond with Isla?”

“The High Elder didn’t agree to anything about you and Isla,” I said at last, my voice flat, unreadable. “Your bonding ceremony will go on exactly as planned.”