RISE, LUNA OF ASHES

rounded by stone, snow, and wolves that would not meet her gaze. She could st

e's not from our pack." "Why doesn't he say anything?" "Was it a mistake?" Gina said nothing. Not when the Elders exchanged worried glances. No

on. She remained at the stone altar, the Moonlight above still burning white-hot, as if waiting for someone to make this right. Bu

ced him in a semi-circle. Robes billowed. Eyes gleamed. It was Elder Mave who spoke first. She wa

ored the bo

ex replied coldly. "T

ut edged with steel. "It was witnessed by every Alpha-blooded w

t mean I wil

th twitched. "And yet, I feel nothing." Lies. He had felt it. The way the air had split. The way his wolf had lunged forward l

er? To the bloodlines? A Luna is not just a mate she is your spiritual equal. A chosen Luna cannot be replaced by a l

Are you afraid of what it means to be bound to someone even stronger?" Rex turned to the window. The moonlight bled in like judgment. "I don't love Gina," he said fina

ad ignited something, something sacred and then torn itself in half. She could still feel it fraying inside her. Her wolf was silent, c

y

if only to h

is this,

egs with performative ease. "This must be hard for you. Being chosen... and then left standing alone." Gina turned her head, voice low. "You don't have to gloat." "I'm not gloating," Jessica said sweetly. "I'm warning you. Rex is mine. Always has been. He's just... confused. But

THAT

en. Gina had been placed in a guest chamber deep within the castle, alone and far from the Luna's wing. She sat by the fire, numb, trying to remember who she h

tch Jessica wear a crown that was never meant for her. No one stopped her. And as she crossed the boundary stones, t