Caelan's POV
"You didn't kill anyone, and we can prove it," I said firmly, stepping between Lyanna and the furious Elder Marcus.
The old wolf's face was red with rage and grief. I understood loss—I'd lost my sister five years ago. But grief didn't excuse false accusations.
"Prove it?" Marcus spat. "She arrived today, and my son dies? That's not coincidence, that's murder!"
"Your son died hours ago," I said coldly. "The Moon Judge arrived with my guards only thirty minutes ago. She was in the council chamber with me when your son was killed. I'm her alibi."
Marcus hesitated, his certainty cracking. Around us, the crowd murmured.
"Then someone working with her—" he started.
"No." I let my Alpha power fill my voice, making everyone fall silent. "The Moon Judge works alone. She answers only to the Moon Goddess herself. Accusing her without evidence is accusing the Goddess."
That made several wolves step back nervously. No one wanted to anger the Moon Goddess.
But Marcus wasn't done. "My son opposed her coming here! He said divine judges were tyrants who would destroy our way of life!" His voice broke. "And now he's dead!"
I felt Lyanna tense behind me. When I glanced back, her silver eyes were wide with hurt. She was already doubting herself, already wondering if Marcus was right.
No. I wouldn't let anyone make her feel worthless. Not after she'd just proven her power and justice.
"Your son opposed many things," I said carefully. "Including investigations into his gambling debts and the pack funds that went missing under his watch."
Marcus's face went white. "How dare you—"
"I dare because I'm the Alpha King, and the truth matters more than your feelings." I turned to my warriors. "Secure the crime scene. I want every detail examined. Find out who really killed Marcus's son and why."
Captain Reed saluted and took half the warriors into the warehouse.
I turned back to Lyanna. She was shaking, her earlier confidence shattered by Marcus's accusations. My wolf growled, wanting to comfort her, but we had an audience. The Winter King couldn't show weakness.
Still, I lowered my voice so only she could hear. "You did nothing wrong. Don't let him make you doubt yourself."
"But what if he's right?" she whispered. "What if me being here causes more death?"
"Then every criminal's death would be blamed on judges and lawmen," I said firmly. "You're not responsible for what others do. You're only responsible for serving justice."
Before she could respond, Captain Reed emerged from the warehouse, his expression grim. He carried a bloody knife wrapped in cloth.
"Your Majesty," he said quietly. "We found the murder weapon. And there's something you need to see."
I followed him inside, gesturing for Lyanna to stay put. The warehouse was dark and smelled like death. Marcus's son lay in the center, throat cut, eyes staring at nothing.
"The message on the wall—it's fresh," Reed explained. "Written in his blood within the last hour. But look at the body."
I examined the corpse carefully. The blood had dried, the skin was cold. "He's been dead much longer than an hour. At least six hours."
"Exactly." Reed pointed to the knife. "This was left at the scene deliberately. And look at the handle."
I studied it and froze. The handle bore the symbol of Shadowpine Pack—Lyanna's former pack.
"Someone's framing her," I growled. "Someone killed this Alpha hours ago, then waited until she arrived to write that message."
"But who?" Reed asked. "And why?"
I thought about the three Alphas who'd escaped. The convenient timing of their break-out right when Lyanna arrived. The way they'd attacked her specifically, screaming about killing the Judge.
This was planned.
"Someone wants the Moon Judge dead or discredited," I said slowly. "Someone who knew she was coming and prepared."
"Elder Marcus?" Reed suggested carefully.
"No. His grief is real." I'd seen enough fake emotion to know the difference. "But someone used his son's death to turn him against her." I headed for the door. "Double the guard on the Moon Judge. And send word to all territories—anyone with information about this murder reports directly to me."
When I emerged, Lyanna was surrounded by curious wolves asking questions. She looked overwhelmed, her silver eyes darting around nervously.
"Enough," I commanded, and everyone backed away. I held out my hand to her. "Come. You need rest."
She took my hand—her fingers were freezing—and let me lead her away from the crowd. Elder Marcus tried to follow, still shouting accusations, but my warriors blocked him.
We walked through the fortress in silence. I could feel her trembling beside me, her earlier strength crumbling under the weight of everything happening.
"I thought being the Moon Judge meant bringing justice," she said quietly. "But all I've brought is more death."
"You stopped three murderers from escaping," I reminded her. "You saved that mother and her children. That's justice."
"But someone died because of me—"
"Someone died because a murderer killed him," I interrupted. "You can't take responsibility for every evil act in the world. That's not justice. That's just drowning in guilt."
We reached the guest chambers I'd prepared for her. I opened the door, revealing rooms far nicer than anything she'd probably ever had. But she barely looked at them.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked, turning those silver eyes on me. "Really helping me, not just because of ancient law or your sister's dreams. Why do you care?"
The question caught me off guard. Why did I care?
Because when I first saw her in the council chamber, looking terrified but standing strong anyway, something in my chest had tightened. Because her gentleness felt like sunlight after years of cold darkness. Because she reminded me that power could be used for good, not just control.
Because she was everything I'd forgotten a wolf could be.
But I couldn't say any of that. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
"Because you're the Moon Judge," I said instead. "And you deserve protection."
Disappointment flashed in her eyes before she masked it. "Right. Of course."
She started to close the door, but I caught it. "Lyanna. You're not alone anymore. Whatever happens, you have allies here. You have me."
She studied my face for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Thank you, Alpha King."
"Caelan," I corrected. "When we're alone, call me Caelan."
A small smile touched her lips. "Goodnight, Caelan."
She closed the door, and I stood there like an idiot, staring at it.
"You're in trouble, Your Majesty," Thorne's amused voice came from behind me.
I turned to find my Beta leaning against the wall, smirking.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said coldly.
"Sure you don't." Thorne pushed off the wall. "You haven't looked at anyone like that since—" He stopped, his expression sobering. "Since your sister disappeared."
The reminder hurt. "Have you found anything? Any trace of her?"
"No. But..." Thorne hesitated. "One of our spies reported something strange. There's a dark witch operating in the northern territories. She's been cursing Alphas, driving them toward corruption. And witnesses say she keeps a prisoner—a young woman with prophetic powers."
My heart stopped. "My sister?"
"Maybe. The descriptions match." Thorne's jaw tightened. "But Caelan, if it is her... this witch is powerful. Dangerous. Going after her could mean war."
"Then we'll have war." I started walking toward my chambers. "Send word to our best trackers. I want that witch's location within the week."
"And the Moon Judge?"
I paused. "She's investigating Alpha corruption. If this witch is cursing Alphas, their paths will cross eventually." The thought made my protective instincts roar. "When they do, I'll be there."
"To protect the Judge or find your sister?"
"Both," I said firmly.
I entered my chambers and poured myself a drink, trying to calm the chaos in my head. Everything was happening too fast. The Moon Judge awakening. Marcus's son murdered. My sister possibly alive but imprisoned.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Enter," I called.
Oracle Mira swept in, her eyes glowing with prophetic power. My aunt looked troubled.
"You've seen something," I said. Not a question.
"The Moon Judge's thread is tangled with yours," she said. "Your fates are bound together now. Where she goes, you follow. What threatens her, threatens you."
"I know. I'm her sworn protector."
"No." Mira's voice was urgent. "It's more than duty, Caelan. The threads show two possible futures. In one, she brings justice and saves your sister. In the other..." She paused. "In the other, she dies, your sister dies, and the wolf world falls into darkness."
Ice spread through my veins. "Then I'll make sure the first future happens."
"It won't be that simple." Mira touched my arm. "Someone powerful wants her dead. Someone who's been planning this for years. And they won't stop until either she's destroyed... or they are."
Before I could ask who, a warrior burst through the door without knocking.
"Your Majesty! Emergency!" he gasped. "Shadowpine Pack—they're marching toward the capital with a full war party. Alpha Dante Blackwood demands the Moon Judge be turned over to him for judgment. He says..." The warrior swallowed hard. "He says she murdered five of his pack members and must face Alpha justice."
The glass in my hand shattered.
Dante Blackwood. Lyanna's mate who rejected her.
And now he was coming to kill her.