Chapter 9
416words
He arrived at our territory border with a small delegation. From there, he saw me.
I stood on the ceremonial platform, draped in a black battle robe, the Moon Goddess's crown gleaming on my head.
I was leading the full moon ritual.
The Goddess descended in a column of light that bathed our entire territory in silver.
The Night Wolves knelt in reverence.
"Moon Chosen One..."
"Our Queen..."
Karl stood frozen in disbelief.
Queen?
Ella—the Queen Luna of his sworn enemies?
He stared at me on the platform.
My aura radiated power—nothing like the meek Omega he'd discarded.
After the ceremony, guards discovered them and brought Karl to my hall.
I sat on my throne, looking down at him from above.
He looked haggard, worn thin by worry and sleepless nights.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His face was gaunt, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion.
He raised his eyes to mine.
"Ella..."
"Queen," I corrected coldly. "Address me as Night Queen."
He bit his lip, swallowing his pride.
"Queen Ella, my pack is dying."
"So I've heard."
"Please..." His voice cracked with desperation. "Come back. My pack needs you..."
I studied him from my throne.
"Alpha Karl, three years ago, you declared before your entire pack that I was no longer your Luna."
"You ripped away my mark, cast me from your territory, and left me to die in a blizzard."
With each accusation, I descended one step toward him.
Karl couldn't meet my eyes.
"Now your pack withers, and you crawl to me for help?"
"Ella, I know I was wrong..."
"Wrong?" I laughed bitterly. "You weren't wrong—you just regret banishing the Moon Chosen One."
I stood before him, forcing him to meet my gaze.
"I could accept that you never loved me. I could even forgive you for marking me without affection. But you should never have broken me."
He sank to his knees, hands flat on the stone floor. I stepped forward deliberately, my boot crushing his fingers.
The heel ground into his knuckles until I felt bone creak beneath.
He bit back a cry of pain but didn't pull away.
"Guards, escort him out."
"Ella, wait!" Karl called desperately.
I didn't turn around.
"If you truly want to save your pack... prove your sincerity."
"How?"
"Surrender your Alpha position."
Karl's head snapped up in shock.
"Relinquish your position and submit to me. Then I'll consider saving what's left of your pack."
