"I have a wolf," Ayesha replied politely. "Yes, I can shift. It happened late, so I'm still learning to control it."
A wave of murmurs swept through the ministers.
"An omen—it's a curse if we end up with a weak Luna!"
"She isn't of noble blood."
"Didn't you hear earlier? She was nothing more than Alpha Ronan's whore."
Ayesha's jaw tightened, her fingers curling against her gown. The words stung, but before she could speak, the room fell silent.
Alaric had arrived.
His presence alone was enough to command obedience. Without a word, he crossed the floor and stopped at her side. He reached for Ayesha, pulling her firmly into his arms, his gaze sweeping coldly over the ministers.
"She is the one," Alaric declared, his voice sharp and final. "Ayesha will be your future Luna and Alpha Queen. No one else."
The weight of his words left no room for doubt.
