lver light, shadowing the weathered stone of the old ring into a holy thing. The Moon Circle-once where Sele

et falling behind her like living shadows. Delicate silver filigree embroidered crescent moons down he

s her

hese years d

Kael cast

Each hostile glare w

acquired in learning to

nobility, but the elders, the guard, and even lower

ressed in full Alpha gear. Midnight a

r the first time, Selene noticed the tensi

not look away. She was in shimmering sapphire, a colour too vivid

e inner circle and stopped just short of Luna's da

oved with slow grace, her white hair coiled in ceremonial loops. Her rob

orwen murmured beside her without tur

to listen before speaking. I've do

a line. "They'll devour y

ones carved into the ring wall's stone seats of

now stood beside Kael, her hand

ed Caden silently standing in the darkness by the lower terrace. He

came for her... o

Three measured beats. The e

ur bargain, to judge with wisdom, and to speak truth." His

igh Seer was not intimidated by blood-but sh

reath

ne steppe

ike waves throu

e's smi

id not

her voice tight and deliberate. "

cle, her toes pressing

e continued, "sees

fog, heavy and pricking with unease. Some of the gathered wolves l

en Adr

circle, a lone figure in the moonlight

, his face unreadable. "Ai

he impudence it took to utter it as if nothing had happe

't take

ders' silence for failing to ask questions. Silence that allowed a Luna to be mu

ippled across th

lightly, calcul

like a huntress. "You speak as if you hadn't been co

And you speak as if you ha

from one to another of

omplaints are made. You besmirch the proced

her fully. "My histo

"A Luna must learn when t

hen it's a good thing

. Selene had landed the blow without raising her vo

't here

me to be r

her voice cracked with suppressed irritation. "Say your grievance

masses a second ti

A verdict is given without trial. I was killed based on forged reports, s

landed lik

itted h

not shift her knuckles

ut the moon will attest. And if this council intends to show its

seale

now, more urgent. The other Elders edge

iced it. T

hade of the ring and b

beginning," she s

cle before anyon

s not with a sword

des down the inner corrid

voice strained and hard. "Yo

d her set her eyes alight with sil

. "You said you'd

ied. "You're not the fir

just accuse Adrienn

hem to perspire. I want them to fear wha

ared

ve ch

s cold. "You have

ng the hall, anoth

et against the pil

th humour, but s

said to himself. "Now let's se