The Silver Moon Palace was not a palace.
It was a fortress carved into the side of a mountain, hidden from human eyes by ancient wards and sheer arrogance.
We arrived by helicopter at dusk (Noctis refused to let me drive the six hours while pregnant). The landing pad sat on a cliff that dropped straight into clouds.
Hundreds of wolves waited below.
Some in human form, some shifted, some half-way. All of them staring up at the helicopter like it carried their future or their doom.
Noctis stepped out first, hand extended back to help me down.
I took it.
The second my feet touched stone, every wolf in sight dropped to one knee.
The sound of hundreds of bodies hitting the ground at once was deafening.
I tried not to fall over.
Noctis's arm slid around my waist, steadying me.
"Eyes up," he commanded.
They obeyed.
Golden eyes, green eyes, ice-blue eyes (every shade of predator) locked on me.
I was wearing a simple silver dress that hugged the five-month bump, hair loose, mating mark glowing proudly on my shoulder.
I looked like a human.
I felt like a queen.
Noctis raised our joined hands.
"This is Tanya Everhart-Lysander," he announced, voice carrying without effort. "My fated mate. Your Luna. Marked and claimed under the moon's own witness. Any who challenge her challenge me."
Silence.
Then a massive gray wolf at the front threw his head back and howled.
The sound ripped through the valley, raw and joyous.
Every wolf followed.
The mountain shook with it.
Tears pricked my eyes. I didn't know why.
Noctis leaned down, lips brushing my ear.
"They accept you," he whispered, voice thick. "They feel the curse gone. They feel hope."
I squeezed his hand.
The throne room was worse.
Thrones (plural). Two massive silver seats side by side on a raised dais. One already occupied by Elder Morgana and five other council members.
The other seats were empty.
Waiting.
Noctis led me straight to them.
A low growl rolled through the room from the back.
Caspian.
Noctis's half-brother lounged against a pillar in a white suit, smirking like he owned the place.
"Well," he drawled, "the king brings home a human pet. How progressive."
Noctis's grip on my hand tightened.
I stepped forward before he could speak.
"Caspian, right?" I said sweetly. "I've heard so much about you. Mostly that you're jealous of anything with a stronger claim than you. Must be exhausting."
Snickers rippled through the younger wolves.
Caspian's smile froze.
I kept going.
"I'm not here to play politics. I'm here because the moon herself put me in your king's bed and your niece in my belly. You can either get in line or get run over. Your choice."
Dead silence.
Then Morgana stood.
"All hail Luna Tanya," she declared.
The entire hall dropped again.
Caspian's face twisted, but he knelt too.
Noctis looked like he was two seconds from dragging me to the nearest dark corner.
Later, he promised with his eyes.
The meeting began.
Reports. Border issues. Rogue sightings.
Then Morgana dropped the bomb.
"Selene Vex has been sighted in the northern territories," she said. "With rogue wolves. And vampires."
The room erupted.
Noctis went predator-still.
"Details," he barked.
"She's gathering an army," Morgana continued. "Claims the throne belongs to Caspian by right. Claims the human Luna will kill you both before the next blood moon."
I laughed. Couldn't help it.
Every head turned.
"She tried that already," I said, standing. "With fake DNA tests and a bad dye job. Didn't work out great for her."
Laughter rippled again.
I looked straight at Caspian.
"If your girlfriend wants round two, tell her to bring better material. I'm bored of slapping the same dog twice."
Caspian lunged.
Noctis caught him by the throat mid-air and slammed him to the stone floor so hard the ground cracked.
"Touch my mate," Noctis snarled, eyes fully black now, "and I will end your bloodline in front of the entire pack."
Caspian choked, nodding frantically.
Noctis dropped him and turned back to me.
"Meeting adjourned," he declared. "My Luna and I have private business."
He threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing and strode out while the entire hall howled approval.
Halfway down the corridor he finally set me down, backing me against the wall.
"You just threatened my brother in front of the royal court," he growled, hands already under my dress.
I grinned. "You're welcome."
He kissed me until I forgot my own name.
War was coming.
But first, the king was going to remind his Luna exactly why the moon chose her.