Silence spread across the courtyard after the Elder's words.
Moon Queen.
The title echoed in my mind like thunder.
I could hear the shocked whispers of the wolves around us.
"Did he say Moon Queen?"
"That bloodline was supposed to be extinct."
"No… it can't be."
My chest felt tight.
I didn't understand any of this.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
The three Elders slowly walked into the courtyard.
Every warrior stepped aside respectfully.
Even the strongest wolves lowered their heads as they passed.
The oldest one stopped a few feet in front of me.
His sharp gray eyes studied my face carefully.
"You truly don't know," he said quietly.
Kael stepped forward immediately, placing himself slightly in front of me.
"That's enough," he said coldly.
His Alpha aura filled the courtyard like a storm.
"My pack is not a place for interrogation."
The Elder looked at him calmly.
"And yet the girl standing behind you may decide the future of every pack."
Damon let out a dark laugh.
"So the rumors were true."
All eyes turned to him.
He was staring at me in disbelief.
"The reason I felt the mate bond first…" he muttered.
"…was because of her bloodline."
My stomach twisted.
I shook my head.
"This doesn't make sense."
The Elder raised his hand slightly.
"The Moon Queen bloodline is older than any pack."
His voice carried across the courtyard.
"A wolf born from that bloodline has the power to strengthen—or destroy—every mate bond in the region."
Gasps spread through the crowd again.
Lucas looked stunned.
Selene's face had gone pale.
Kael's expression darkened.
"You're saying every Alpha will come after her."
The Elder nodded slowly.
"Yes."
A chill ran down my spine.
Damon suddenly stepped forward.
"Then she shouldn't stay here."
Kael's head snapped toward him.
"And where exactly do you think she should go?"
"With me," Damon replied.
The tension exploded instantly.
Growls echoed across the courtyard.
Kael's silver eyes flashed dangerously.
"You rejected her."
Damon didn't back down.
"And you think that means the mate bond disappears?"
Kael stepped closer to him.
The ground between them felt like it might split.
"She stays in Blackwood."
Damon smirked slightly.
"You don't own her."
Both Alphas were seconds away from attacking each other.
I could feel it.
The power in the air was suffocating.
Then suddenly—
"STOP!"
My voice echoed across the courtyard.
The wolves fell silent instantly.
Both Alphas looked at me.
My hands were shaking, but I forced myself to stand tall.
"For once," I said,
"this isn't your decision."
Damon frowned.
Kael's expression softened slightly.
I took a deep breath.
"If what the Elders are saying is true…"
"…then everyone is going to try to control me."
The Elder nodded slowly.
"That is correct."
I looked around the courtyard.
At Kael.
At Damon.
At the hundreds of wolves watching.
"For the first time in my life…"
"…I'm choosing for myself."
Damon's eyes narrowed.
Kael waited silently.
My heart pounded.
Then I said the words that shocked everyone.
"I'm not choosing either of you."
The courtyard exploded with whispers.
Damon stared at me in disbelief.
Kael looked genuinely surprised.
"I'm staying here," I continued,
"But not as anyone's Luna."
The Elder raised an eyebrow.
"Then what will you be?"
I met his gaze.
"The one who decides what happens next."
And deep down…
I could already feel the storm coming. 🌙🔥