“Third.”
“Fourth.”
"Me too!"
The voices come from all different directions, and I realize they are all members of different packs. Then suddenly, to my shock and utter horror, Alpha Daxton drops to one knee, crossing an arm over his chest as he bows his head in confident decision.
What the fuck?
One by one, people follow suit around him, bowing and dropping to their knees. Soon enough, there's only four of us standing. I turn to the guys, to look for solidarity that this is ridiculous, when they copy.
My lips part in disbelief, unable to form words. "I can't be queen. I'm—"
"Luna of the Blood Moon Pack, Night Pack and New Moon Pack," Alpha Daxton says sharply, lifting his head. "I can't think of anyone better for the role. I think the higher beings would approve."
"It's a full moon, Red," Lex says, standing up. "It's still in the sky. We could do the luna ceremony now."
"It's the daytime," I point out. Suddenly, it feels like my encounter with Ophelia was more realistic than what I'm currently in the middle of.
Maverick stands too. "So, what? Let's do it now. The light can be a sign of change, our new direction. Get it over and done with. We have all these people here and having the Moon Goddess be witness might help guide our lost pack family home. Plus I'm done waiting to make you mine, Nyx. I'm ready for you to be my Luna."
My eyes scan the field, heart sinking.
"Do it for them,"Mira says."For the ones we lost. Don't let their deaths be in vain. Since the witches only had enough magic for you, they deserve the honor of being guided home by the Moon Goddess, and the respect of knowing their deaths are the end of a world of chaos. That it wasn't for nothing."
"Okay," I say out loud, wiping away a stray tear. "For our people—our loved ones who don't get to go home today. Alpha Daxton… would you please do the honors? I can't think of a more fitting person to officiate my luna ceremony."
After the ceremony, Alpha Daxton leads us to his office building. We bypass his door, heading downstairs to the cells.
My heart is pounding erratically, unsure who I am about to find.
When we enter the cells, Alpha Daxton stops, crossing his arms. "Here you go, Stevens. The decision is yours."
Tobias looks up at me, his face marred with blood and dirt. But to my surprise, he's in old clothing, indicating he hasn't recently been naked.
"I had no idea," he says, voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."
"What the hell is happening?" I whisper to Alpha Daxton. Wait—do I still call him Alpha? It seems weird not to.
"We asked around to confirm his story," he replies sternly. "He didn't shift or harm anyone."
My brows crease as I turn back to the younger boy. "Your father orchestrated this entire thing," I tell him. "He's killed thousands of wolves, had a hand in the kidnapping and rape of females, stole land."
Tobias lowers his head. "I understand if you need to punish me on his behalf. I accept whatever you feel is fitting. I don't have a home to go back to anyway."
That comment stops me in my tracks. I turn to Cade. "What would Ophelia do?"
Cade smiles softly, reaching for my hand. "The better question is… What would Luna Nyx do?"
Frowning, I mull over my options. Finally, I glance at Alpha Daxton before facing Tobias.
"The Seventh Circle land now belongs to Alpha Wyatt. If he agrees to it, will you join his pack?"
Maverick tenses up next to me, pushing Cade out of the way to lean down so he can whisper. "Nyx—are you sure?"
I nod, this time, feeling confident in my words. "I have no reason to doubt him. I don't want to paint him as a monster just because of association. The Moon Goddess spared him for a reason. I believe good can come of this."
He stares at me for a few seconds before slowly, he nods. "Okay. I trust you." Sending a glare at Tobias, he adds, "But I'll be watching you, kid."
