Page 197 of Moonlit Fate

“Ours,” she corrected softly, almost convincingly. “If we are united.”

“United.” The word hung between us, heavy and hollow. We spun in time to the music, a flawless display of harmony that was anything but truthful. She was an enigma, a puzzle I wasn’t sure I wanted to solve.

“Trust in the path laid out for us,” she said coaxingly. “In time, you’ll see the wisdom in it.”

I nodded curtly as the song drew to a close. “We’ll see about that.”

A strange sensation pricked at the edge of my mind, a persistent whisper trying to break through the silence. My mental shields were up, but there was something probing, searching for a way in. I followed the trail, a thin silver thread in the darkness of my consciousness.

Valora, I realized. Her presence felt different, sly and smooth, like silk sliding over skin. I let her believe she had founda weakness, feigned a crack in my armor. It took only an instant for her to slip inside.

Her emotions hit me like a wave: longing, desire, contentment. They tried to wrap around me, urging me to embrace the lie. I pushed back my disgust and played along, letting her weave her magic a little longer.

“Atticus?” Even as she spoke, her power worked to coax me into false submission.

“Everything all right?” I asked, keeping my tone even. Inside, I was pushing her influence away, nudging it gently but firmly from the corners of my mind.

“Perfectly.” Triumph flashed in her eyes as she mistook my question for ignorance.

“Good.” The word was a stone, dropped into the still pool of her deception. With a silent exertion of will, I reinforced my shields, sealing them tighter than before.

“Shall we continue?” I offered my arm, the perfect picture of an engaged man, while inside, walls fortified, I was more alone than ever.

48

ARIA

Istrode through the village center, my boots thudding against the worn cobblestones. Gazes followed me, whispers fluttered on the breeze like leaves in a storm. They all saw the absence of the alpha’s mantle around my shoulders. I tucked my hair behind my ear and kept walking.

“Morning, Aria,” a familiar voice called out.

I turned to see a group of pack members huddled close, their expressions ranging from curiosity to distress.

“Morning,” I replied, nodding at them briefly before continuing on my way to retrieve the books and Thea’s journal from my room.

The manor loomed ahead, its grandiose structure suddenly foreign. I felt like an outsider in the only place I had ever called home. I had failed my pack. Pushing my shoulders back, I knew I had to make a decision. I could continue on my path, head down, or I could take a stand and let the people I used to lead know that I was still committed to them, no matter my title.

When I reached the square, I paused and looked up at the fountain. It stood as a monument to victories past, a place whereI had once been respected. Now, I climbed onto its edge, feeling the coolness of the stone beneath my fingers.

“Listen up!” My voice echoed off the surrounding buildings. Heads turned, bodies shifted, all attention on me now. “I know you think I have given up on you, but hear this: my title might have changed, but my commitment to this pack hasn’t.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd as more and more of the pack appeared in the square. Watching. Listening.

“Whether I’m your alpha or not, I’m still Aria Winters. I am one of you, a member of the Silver Claw pack. I will continue to fight for this pack, for our future. Nothing has changed for me. Your well-being is, and always will be, my priority. Look around you,” I said, gesturing to our surroundings. “This isn’t just a village, it’s our home and place of belonging. Yes, we’ve seen hard times, but we’ve also known strength. We can and will rebuild.”

Miren stoodwith Branan and Corin at the back of the crowd, their sneers reflecting their obvious disapproval. It didn’t matter, this speech wasn’t meant for them or any of the other dinosaurs who clung to outdated traditions and biases.

“There is power in our unity, against any threat, any challenge.” I continued. Heads nodded, whispers grew into a chorus of agreement. The scene before me gave me a newfound sense of hope. It was working. They were listening to me, believing me.

“Remember who we are. We’re the Silver Claw pack. We stand strong, we protect our own, and we never back down. We will rise again!”

The gathered crowd howled in response, a sound of solidarity that vibrated through my bones. I stepped down from the fountain, a wide grin on my face.

“Thank you,” I whispered to no one in particular.

“Nice speech,” Eldan said, appearing beside me. His presence was comforting, familiar.

“Thanks.” I let out an exhausted chuckle. “Felt good to get that out.”

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