Aria's POV
The Moon Goddess stood before us, and every instinct screamed to run.
She was beautiful the way a blade is beautiful sharp, cold, deadly. Silver hair flowed around her like liquid moonlight. Her eyes were white fire that saw everything, knew everything.
Every wolf in the room Shadowfang and Silvercrest alike dropped to their bellies. Even Kael bowed his head.
I stood.
Kneel, the Goddess commanded. Her voice was wind and starlight and ancient fury.
My knees trembled. My body wanted to obey. But I locked my legs and stayed upright.
No.
Shock rippled through the room. The Goddess's eyes narrowed.
You dare defy me, child?
You ordered my mother's murder. My voice shook but held. You've been hunting my family for three hundred years. You want me dead. Why would I bow to you?
The Goddess tilted her head. Interesting. Your ancestor said the same thing before I destroyed her.
Then destroy me too. I raised my chin. But I won't kneel.
Kael grabbed my hand. Through the bond, I felt his terror. Aria, don't
The Goddess smiled. It was not a kind smile.
You have her fire. Her defiance. She circled me slowly. The First Luna challenged my authority. She said wolves should choose their own mates, their own destinies. She wanted to free them from my divine order.
And you killed her for it, I said.
I killed her because she was chaos incarnate. Do you know what happens when wolves choose freely? War. Bloodshed. Packs destroying each other over mate disputes. The Goddess's eyes blazed brighter. Fate maintains balance. Choice creates destruction.
That's not true
Isn't it? She gestured to Marcus, still forced to kneel on the floor. He chose to betray you. Lyanna chose cruelty. How many wolves have chosen violence over peace? Greed over honor?
I had no answer for that.
The First Luna believed in free will, the Goddess continued. And her bloodline carries that power the ability to break fate bonds, to give wolves choice. But choice without wisdom is disaster.
So you'd rather we all be puppets? Anger flared in me. Following your plan whether we want to or not?
I would rather maintain order than watch my children destroy themselves.
The bracelet burned hot on my wrist. Power surged through me.
You're afraid, I realized. That's why you killed them. You're afraid of losing control.
The Goddess's expression went cold. Careful, child.
They challenged you. Made wolves question your authority. And you couldn't let that stand.
I am a goddess. I do not fear mortals.
Then prove it. I stepped forward. Let me live. Let me use my power. If choice is really so destructive, it'll destroy itself. You won't need to interfere.
And if you succeed? If you give wolves the power to choose and they thrive?
Then maybe fate isn't the only answer.
Silence filled the room.
The Goddess studied me with those burning white eyes. You're clever. Brave. Foolish. She glanced at Kael. And you've already begun breaking my carefully woven plans.
What do you mean? Kael asked quietly.
You two. The Goddess gestured between us. You're not fated mates. I never paired you. Yet the bond formed anyway because she carries the First Luna's powerthe power to choose destiny instead of accepting it.
My heart stopped. We chose each other?
Your souls recognized each other and decided. Without my permission. Without fate's design. The Goddess's voice was ice. It's exactly what I feared would happen if her bloodline survived.
Kael's hand tightened on mine. Through the bond, I felt his wonder. His joy. We weren't fate. We were choice.
So kill me, I said. That's why you're here, isn't it?
I should. The Goddess raised her hand. Light gathered around her fingers. But I'm curious. Three hundred years I've ruled unchallenged. Perhaps it's time to see if I was right to fear your kind.
The light faded.
I'm giving you one year, she announced. Prove that choice can coexist with order. Show me wolves can choose wisely. If you succeed, I'll let your bloodline survive.
And if I fail?
I'll erase you from existence. You, every wolf you've touched, every bond you've created. It will be as if you never existed.
Horror flooded through me. You'd kill everyone? The whole pack?
I've done it before. No mercy in her voice. Choose carefully who you give power to, Aria Winters. Their choices will determine everyone's fate.
She started to fade.
Wait! I called. The curse on Shadowfang. Did you create it?
The Goddess paused. No. That witch's dying curse was her own. But I didn't stop it either. Kael needed a reason to search for you. Fate works in mysterious ways.
You let them suffer, Kael snarled. For ten years. My people died so you could set a trap.
And now she's here to save you. You're welcome. The Goddess's smile was cruel. One year, children. Use it well.
She vanished in a flash of silver light.
The room erupted in chaos. Wolves scrambling to their feet. Confused shouts. Marcus trying to escape.
Kael's command cut through it all. SILENCE.
Everyone froze.
Marcus. You and your wolves leave now. If you ever set foot in my territory again, I'll kill you myself.
Marcus stumbled to his feet, eyes full of hate. This isn't over.
Yes, it is. I stepped forward. My eyes blazed silver. I release you from your Alpha position. I strip you of your authority. From this moment, you're omega. The lowest rank.
Power flowed from me. Marcus screamed as his Alpha status shattered. His wolf howled in agony.
When it was over, he looked smaller. Broken.
Get out, Kael growled.
Marcus fled with his surviving wolves.
Then it was just Shadowfang. My pack. Watching me with awe and fear.
One year, I said to them. We have one year to prove the Moon Goddess wrong. To show that choice doesn't mean chaos.
How? Dante asked. She's a goddess. How do we fight a goddess?
We don't fight her. I looked at Kael. We prove her wrong. We build something better than fate.
River stepped forward, his expression grave. Luna, there's something you should know. The Moon Goddess said your power lets wolves choose their destinies.
Yes?
That includes breaking existing mate bonds. His eyes were troubled. If you give wolves the choice, some will leave their fated mates. Families will break. Packs will fracture. It could destroy everything.
The weight of it hit me. This power wasn't just freedom. It was potential devastation.
Then we have to be careful, I said. We have to teach them to choose wisely.
In one year? River shook his head. Luna, that's not enough time.
Then we'll make it enough.
Kael pulled me close. Together.
Together, I agreed.
But as the pack began to disperse, as wolves tended to their wounded, I felt something shift.
The bracelet pulsed. Not with power. With warning.
And in my mind, I heard a whisper. Not the Moon Goddess's voice. Something older. Darker.
She's not the only one watching you, child. The old gods are waking. And they want what you carry.
I spun around. Who said that?
Kael frowned. Said what?
You didn't hear
The lights flickered. Shadows lengthened unnaturally.
And in the darkest corner of the hall, I saw eyes. Red eyes. Watching.
Then they were gone.
Aria? Kael's voice was concerned. What's wrong?
I wanted to tell him. But the words stuck in my throat.
Because I recognized those eyes.
I'd seen them before. In my nightmares. In my mother's final moments.
Something had been hunting my family long before the Moon Goddess started.
And now it had found me.