Elara POV:
The next morning came with no sunlight. I was strapped to a moving stone bed. Thick silver chains wrapped tightly around my wrists and ankles. The silver burned my skin, leaving black, smoking marks on my pale arms. Two large Warrior wolves pushed my bed into the Seventh Council Chamber.
The chamber was a massive, circular room built from dark stone. It looked like a gothic cathedral from the nineteenth century. The high seats were filled with the Elders and top Warriors of the Blood Moon Pack. But I noticed, with a sinking heart, that several senior Elders who had always supported the Alpha were absent—replaced by Iron Claw representatives wearing neutral expressions that did not reach their eyes. The air was heavy with the smell of old leather, sweat, and tension.
I was pushed to the center of the room, right under the bright magic lights. Selene stood at the front, wearing a formal black suit. She pointed a remote at a large magical screen on the wall.
"Take a good look at these financials," Selene's voice echoed off the vaulted ceiling. The screen showed lists of expenses.
"Every month, this Omega consumes five pounds of pure moonstones," Selene said loudly. "She uses the rarest healing potions from the Western Mountains."
The Elders murmured nervously, casting glances at the heavily armed Iron Claw mercenaries Selene had stationed at every exit. She had not taken the room hostage—she had simply made sure that anyone who might speak against her understood the cost.
"Why does an Omega get the Alpha's resources?" a Warrior muttered.
"It is a waste," another agreed.
They did not know the truth. The penthouse was a forbidden zone. Only Silas and Elder Kael knew the real secret of the Soul Tether.
An old Elder with a grey beard stood up.
"Selene, a public trial violates the ancient laws of the Moon Goddess," he said sternly. "Where is Elder Kael?"
"Elder Kael is visiting the borders," Selene lied smoothly. "My father's patrols reported rogue activity near the eastern pass. Elder Kael agreed to inspect the situation personally. He entrusted me to manage internal affairs in his absence."
The grey-bearded Elder's eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth to challenge her, but one of the Iron Claw mercenaries shifted his weight, the silver spear in his hand catching the light. The Elder closed his mouth and sat down.
Selene smiled. "As your future Luna, it is my duty to clean up the pack's internal rot. This girl is a rogue spy using black magic to drain our wealth."
She walked down the steps and stopped next to my bed. She slammed a thick piece of parchment onto my chest. It was a Confession of Heresy. It was filled with fake medical records and lies about black magic.
"Press your bloody thumbprint on this," Selene demanded. "Admit you are a thief."
I looked up at her. My vision was blurry from the Wolfsbane, but my mind was clear.
"No," I whispered. My voice was weak, but it carried in the silent room.
"If you cut this rune out," I took a shaky breath, "the Alpha... will die."
A loud burst of laughter erupted from the Warriors' benches.
"Did you hear that?" a Warrior mocked. "The Omega thinks she controls the Alpha's life!"
"She is delusional!"
They laughed because it sounded insane. In our world, an Alpha is a god. An Omega is dust.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the back of the chamber. The heavy wooden doors burst open. Silas stood there, his clothes torn, his face covered in sweat and dirt. He was holding a large, glowing Soul Crystal in his hands. The crystal was flashing rapidly with a sickly grey light.
"Stop the trial!" Silas screamed.
Two guards immediately grabbed his arms, holding him back.
"The Alpha's soul has fractured three times in the last hour!" Silas yelled, fighting the guards. "The Sanctuary has started the highest level of soul-summoning! He is slipping away!"
Silas pointed a shaking finger at Selene.
"She poured Wolfsbane down the Omega's throat! That is attempted murder of our Alpha!" Silas roared.
The room fell into a shocked silence. Selene did not panic. She turned to the pack's law enforcers.
"Record Silas as a traitor," Selene ordered coldly. "He is an accomplice to this Omega's witchcraft. Lock him up."
The guards dragged Silas away. His screams echoed down the stone hallway until they faded.
Selene turned back to the crowd.
"I will prove to you all that this is a lie," Selene announced. She looked at the Chief Surgeon, an older wolf in a white coat standing nearby.
"Bring the silver knife," Selene commanded. "We will cut this fake rune out of her neck right now. In front of everyone."
The Chief Surgeon's face turned pale.
"Miss Selene," the surgeon stammered. "Her soul is unstable from the poison. Operating with silver violates every medical law. It is torture."
"Do it," Selene hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "Or by my authority as future Luna, I will have you and your entire bloodline exiled. You will be stripped of your wolf-form and cast into the barren lands, to live and die as nothing more than beasts."
The surgeon swallowed hard. His hands shook as he opened his medical kit. He pulled out a small, curved scalpel made of pure, shining silver. He walked slowly toward my bed. The bright lights above me felt like the sun. I closed my eyes, waiting for the end.
But somewhere deep in my chest, my White Wolf lifted her head and snarled. We were not done yet.
