“I know,” I whisper. “But they have to know what the world really is.”
At last, the drums fall silent.
Elder Thane steps forward.
Kade tenses, a low growl rising from his chest. I feel it echo faintly in the bond—anger, shame, the ghost of a wolf.
Thane lifts a scroll. “The next petition,” he announces, “concerns the Luna of Silvercrest, Freya Vale-Thorne. A Luna Competency Trial, sanctioned by the High Council, to determine the legitimacy of her claim to title and bond.”
A gasp escapes before I can stop it.
Kade surges to his feet. “You can’t—”
But Thane only smirks. “The Council may hear any petition made under the Blood Moon.”
I glance toward Rowan. His expression mirrors my own disbelief. We intercepted that petition. The original never reached the Council.
So, what is this one?
A decoy.
The Council doesn’t care. The trial was always going to happen by any means.
From the crowd behind Thane, a figure steps out.
Izel’s white gown ripples like smoke, her red hair loose around her shoulders, her smile poison-sweet. “I am the petitioner,” she says clearly. “Silvercrest deserves a Luna of strength and devotion, not deceit.”
Kade’s roar shakes the air. “I will not accept her as my Luna! She’s a witch!”
Whispers ripple through the circle. Some laugh. Others look away.
I rise slowly, bending to kiss my children’s foreheads. “Stay with Tamsin,” I tell them. Ivy’s eyes glisten, but she nods. Finn’s small hand clutches my sleeve until I gently pry it free.
“We love you, Mama,” they both tell me in unison, drawing tears from my eyes. I wipe my cheeks and kiss them again. I know very well I may not return, and maybe somehow. they understand it too.
Then I look at Kade. “You brought this on yourself. But I won’t let her win.”
He says nothing, just bows his head in silent shame.
I step past him, my cloak trailing over stone. Suddenly, I hear him speak. “I’m sorry, Freya,” he utters.
I don’t turn back.
As I cross the arena’s edge, Thane leans slightly toward me, his voice just low enough for me to hear.
“Prepare to lose, High Luna,” he murmurs. “The verdict was written before you arrived.”
I keep walking even though my pulse pounds like war drums.
If the game’s rigged, then I’ll burn the board—and everyone playing it.
THE COMPETENCY GAUNTLET
Freya
The drums strike again, loud as thunder.
Elder Thane raises his arms. “The Luna Competency Trial will have three tests: wisdom, ferocity, and mercy. The one who prevails shall be named rightful Luna of Silvercrest.”
