Chapter 2

The Head Elder's voice shook as he read, every word forced out.

"The late Alpha's second decree: Should the new Alpha neglect his duties for personal pleasures or permit any mate to overstep her place"

"—the Luna holds the right to strip all ranks from those involved. No appeal. No council vote. Effective at once."

Silence. Then every pair of eyes turned to the same spot.

Chloe stood behind Kaelen. Her face had gone gray. Her nails dug into her palms so hard they nearly drew blood.

The Decree bore the late Alpha's blood seal and scent. Every stroke, every mark is unmistakable. Impossible to forge.

Kaelen's jaw clenched. He couldn't get a single word out.

I rose to my feet.

Every wolf in the room turned to look at me.

The old guard in the front lowered their gazes. The younger wolves in the back were shaking.

"Beta Hendricks failed to teach his daughter her place. He let her snatch the late Alpha's Blood Decree in front of the entire pack. A direct insult to this council."

"The Blood Decrees carries the late Alpha's blood seal. Only the Luna has the right to unseal it. "

"Beta Hendricks failed to teach his daughter her place. She tried to snatch it in front of the entire pack—that's not just disrespect. That's a direct challenge to his final command."

My voice was calm. But everyone heard it.

On the left side, third row—Beta Hendricks, Chloe's father, went purple in the face. He swayed twice but forced himself to stay standing.

My voice was calm. But everyone heard it.

"Effective immediately: stripped of his rank and banished from the inner territory. He runs with the strays now."

I looked at Kaelen.

"Alpha. Any objections?"

His lips pressed into a thin line. His jaw was clenched so tight a vein bulged at his temple.

Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He'd bitten through his own lip.

Behind him, Chloe clutched his arm, trembling all over.

Kaelen closed his eyes for a moment.

"...Granted."

The word came out through gritted teeth.

Beta Hendricks stood frozen.

Chloe's knees buckled. She collapsed against Kaelen, sobbing without a sound.

He held her shoulder and lowered his head.

But when his eyes lifted to meet mine—

Pure hatred and ice cold.

Less than two hours after the council ended, every guard outside my quarters was gone.

Replaced by Kaelen's warriors. The marks on their collars bore his initial.

I stood by the window, watching them line up in the courtyard.

Finley came in with tea, his steps lighter than usual. He set down the cup and gave me a small bow.

"Luna. The guards have changed. We'll need to be more careful from now on."

I glanced at him but said nothing. He backed out quietly.

I opened the hidden compartment and spread out the third Blood Decree and the Obsidian Fang on the table.

My fingers traced over the fang's carved surface, inch by inch.

Before my mate —the late Alpha died, he had pressed these into my hands.

His last words to me—

"Keep them. Don't give them to anyone."

I thought he was being paranoid.

That night, an unfamiliar servant walked in carrying a bowl.

He set it on the table without so much as a nod. His eyes swept over me with open contempt.

"Alpha's orders. The Luna hasn't been well. One bowl Every day. No exceptions."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"And if Luna still refuses to hand over the Obsidian Fang... well, the recipe for this tonic might change."