It was dusk and Jax stood outside the tents on the edge of the camp, observing. His arms crossed over his chest, eyes scanning the summit grounds like a soldier on edge. This reminded him of the war that still haunted him and put him on edge.
Aeron's portal was in Fin's tent, which Nova would be taking. It was the largest, with a few rooms and soldiers standing guard at all times.
He and Cael had arrived early—reading the terrain, marking every Alpha in attendance like a game of chess. Battle lines weren't drawn in blood here. Not yet. But in words, glances, the tilt of a crown or the twitch of a blade hand—Jax saw it all.
But none of it prepared him for her.
The air shifted. No—stopped.
Jax's breath caught. His heartbeat slowed to a crawl. He didn't blink.
Her hair spilled over her shoulders down to her waist in soft, thick curls, catching the light from torches lining the camp and sunset. It glowed faintly against her olive-toned skin, her cheeks brushed with a natural flush from the wind, her lips slightly parted as she scanned the field ahead. But it was her eyes—those unreal green eyes like verdant flame—that locked him in place.
There were beautiful women. And then there was Nova. She wore a midnight blue thick cloak and dark gloves covered her hands, just as Marra advised. It was chilly so that worked out perfectly.
And atop her head, as if it had always belonged there, sat the crown Fin had given her—gold with diamonds. Elegant and unyielding.
Alphas, Betas, and Gammas all stopped. Literally—stopped walking, mid-conversation, mid-step. One tripped watching her.
A voices fell silent. Heads turned.
Some stared like they'd seen a goddess descend to earth. Others had the decency to mask their awe—but barely. Several looked shaken, even confused, like no one had warned them that Shadowclaw Luna Queen was carved by the Moon Goddess herself.
Jax still hadn't moved. Couldn't.
She looked at him. Their eyes locked. And Jax felt the whole world tilt.
Cael noticed everyone gawking at Nova and muttered under his breath, "Gods, Fin is going to hate this."
Marra walked just half a step behind and to the right of Nova—her expression poised. She leaned close every so often, whispering in Nova's ear as they made their way through the summit grounds.
"Looks like we have ourselves a second Gamma." Cael said grinning. They couldn't hear, but he could read lips well enough to get the general gist.
"That's Alpha Alaric Darkhowler —neutral, but he's ambitious. Smile, but don't commit." Marra said.
Nova gave a gracious nod as Alaric approached and inclined his head deeply, clearly not expecting to be acknowledged. Marra didn't miss the way his eyes widened at being recognized, but then also traveling up and down Nova's body.
"That's Alpha Fenrir Moonfang from the Moonfang Pack within the Icevein Clans. Conservative, cautious. He respects strength. Let me handle him later."
Everywhere they walked, eyes followed. But Marra kept Nova grounded—guiding her not just through the crowd, but through a web of political minefields. She spoke just loud enough for Nova to hear, and occasionally allowed certain ears to overhear if she wanted them to.
And the effects were immediate.
Alphas straightened their postures when Nova passed. Betas bowed slightly, unsure if protocol required more. Even those who had come expecting a puppet Queen looked shaken by the composure, the steel cloaked in velvet, the sheer intelligence behind every move.
Nova handled it all with grace—her smile subtle, never too soft. Her green eyes didn't waver. But Jax knew—he knew—she was holding it together on the inside with sheer will.
And still, she looked like she belonged here more than anyone.
Cael stood beside Jax, arms crossed, observing Nova and Marra walking the tents like seasoned diplomats.
He let out a low whistle. "Tell me again," Cael said dryly, glancing sideways at Jax with a crooked grin, "why your ancestors rejected her?"
Jax didn't answer. He knew why. They rejected her because he loved Nova with everything in his core. They were made for each other. She took his breath away. Her scent. Her soul. Her kindness. Her wit. Her mind. Her heart. Her touch. Her courage. Her loyalty. All of it. All of her.
She took his breath away. Every time he saw her, he felt like he was seeing her for the first time. Today was no exception, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of love and protectiveness towards her as he observed.
His bond with Marra wasn't comparable, and Jax understood that wasn't something that he could control fully. He thought he loved his first mate who was fated. He never thought he'd love again. But then, he met Nova. And he loved her so fiercely, so deeply, it made him question his first relationship.
Jax knew he didn't love Marra, but he did respect her. Her story was one to be heard and Jax also felt a need to protect her. He knew she was sharp, but right now, she was impressing the hell out of him. First day on the job as Gamma and Marra just made herself invaluable.
Nova smiled warmly at Jax and Cael as they came into view—her gaze a lifeline in a sea of posturing Alphas and calculating stares. Jax felt it through the matebond, the relief she felt seeing him. She wanted to get to them, to be out of the lion's den and back among those she trusted—and he couldn't blame her. He felt the same.
Jax and Cael walk forward to greet them. The four of them converged with silent coordination, eyes still on them from every direction.
Marra leaned in, her voice low, sharp, and quick—delivered only for their ears. "Don't look or you'll be forced to greet him. Starfang, fifteen feet behind Cael, approaching fast."
Jax and Cael didn't turn. Their posture remained neutral, but their muscles tensed beneath the surface like a bowstring drawn taut.
"Turn left. Walk to Alpha Renwick Lunaris. Green cloak, Silver serpent clasp. Insufferable, but Starfang hates him." She continued.
Nova didn't flinch. Her expression remained open, she pivoted fluidly, moving as if this had been her plan all along. Marra followed, falling into step at her side like a shadow with teeth.
Jax and Cael turned slowly, pivoting just enough to see without making it obvious. Sure enough, ten feet behind them, Alpha Starfang was cutting through the crowd with deliberate, hungry steps—his eyes locked on Nova like a predator marking his kill.
Jax felt a surge of rage so visceral his vision narrowed. The way Starfang looked at her—made his wolf snarl under his skin.
Cael leaned closer, voice flat and dangerous. "He takes one more step, I break his jaw."
And Nova, cool and untouchable, never even looked his way.