The council hall was so silent that Keona could hear the uneven rhythm of her own breath. The air was thick with expectation, the wolves around her poised as if the weight of the pack's future hung on Kalethorn's next words.
Selene stood tall beside him, her hand brushing the Alpha's arm in a gesture that looked casual but pressed like a blade. Her eyes shined as she leaned close enough for only him to hear.
"Do it," she whispered, lips barely moving.
Kalethorn's jaw clenched. His gaze swept over the council, over the rows of warriors, over the elders in their robes. And, unsought, his eyes lingered on Keona. She met his stare head-on, her eyes steady, defiant. For the briefest heartbeat, he faltered.
Selene felt it. Her nails grazed his arm, her voice sharper. "Stop giving the pack room to doubt me—us, end this. Choose me. Or you'll lose the pack."
Elder Morric rose, impatience showing in his voice. "The Blood Moon throne demands stability. Alpha, speak. Who is your Luna? Who do you swear your oath to?"
The hall leaned forward, waiting.
Kalethorn's voice broke the silence, steady, strong, and cold. "Before the council, before my pack, I swear my oath to Selene Duskfang—as my Luna."
The words cut through the chamber like a blade through butter.
Selene exhaled a sigh of relief.
Some wolves frowned, some bowed their heads in immediate approval, while others exchanged uneasy glances. Selene's smile blossomed triumphantly and viciously, her hand sliding possessively into Kalethorn's.
"Of course my Alpha," she cooed, "there's no one else to choose but me," her eyes moved to Keona, with a smirk on her face, she continued. "No one else is worthy."
Keona stood frozen. Her chest tightened, but no sound left her lips. Even though she had expected this, she still dreaded it. And the sting of rejection burned like new.
Nyra hissed under her breath, loud enough to carry. "Coward."
The elders spoke over one another, their voices splitting the chamber into factions.
"Good. This is the will of the Moon."
"At last, order restored."
"No! He should not dismiss the silvertail's vision."
"She is cursed. Better Selene than doom!"
The chamber broke into arguments.
Elandra rose above them, her thin hands raised. "Silence! Your Alpha has spoken. The oath binds him, and while it doesn't bind him like the bond, it still carries some weight. But do not mistake this day as the end of Keona Stormfang. The Moon has not finished with her."
Selene's lips curled. "Enough of this nonsense, old woman. The Moon chose me."
Nyra barked out a laugh, sharp and mocking. "No it didn't, the Moon doesn't choose spoiled brats—it endures them. But fine. Enjoy your little crown."
"Hold your tongue!" Elder Veyra snapped.
"Why?" Nyra spat back. "Because the truth stings worse than Selene's perfume?"
The chamber erupted in murmurs, wolves torn between outrage and amusement.
Kalethorn slammed his hand on the stone platform, his voice commanding. "Enough! There will be no more insults in this hall. My decision is final."
His eyes flicked to Keona again, but the look in them was unreadable—a mixture of pride, regret, and something he buried beneath his Alpha's mask.
Keona's throat felt raw, but she forced her voice to steady. "Then I understand. The Alpha has chosen. So let the pack see me not as cursed, but as free."
The words hung heavy. The chamber stilled, as if no one knew whether to cheer or to recoil.
Selene's eyes narrowed, fury flashing beneath her smile.
—————
Outside the hall, the pack split into groups, arguing as they went. Some celebrated Selene's triumph, others muttered about the vision, and whispers of Keona's silver energy swirled louder than before.
Nyra stalked at Keona's side, fuming. "He doesn't deserve your loyalty. He never did. I swear, Keona, if you tell me to stay quiet one more time, I'll—"
Keona touched her arm, voice calm but taut. "Don't. I need to think."
"Think? After what he did?"
Keona's lips trembled, but she lifted her chin. "I will not let Selene see me broken. Not again."
Nyra stared at her, then sighed, fierce pride for her friend softening her anger. "Moon above. You're stronger than you know."
—————
Back inside the council chamber, Selene cornered Kalethorn the moment the elders dispersed.
"You hesitated," she accused, her voice low and hostile.
"I did not," he said flatly, but his eyes betrayed the lie.
"You looked at her," Selene pressed. "Even as you spoke my name, your eyes sought hers. Do you think I didn't see? Do you think the council didn't see?"
Kalethorn turned on her, his presence towering. "In the name of Lumina, Selene stop this. I gave you what you wanted—a declaration before the council—an oath. Why do you nag me about it now? Do not push me further."
Selene's smile sharpened, her triumph undimmed. "I don't need to push. Every wolf here heard the oath. You are mine now, Kalethorn. And she—" Selene's eyes flicked toward the door, where Keona's shadow lingered beyond—"is finished."
"If you believe so then leave it be, do not let her become an issue," Kalethorn responded woodenly.
—————
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, the elders argued late into the night.
"She is cursed. We cannot risk her presence dividing the pack further."
"No—the girl is silvertail. We all know that power is the only thing that stops the dreadwolves."
"The Alpha has chosen Selene. We must fall in line."
"And if his choice weakens us in war?"
The debate spilled into whispered alliances, factions growing sharper.
—————
Alone in her chambers, Keona sat by the window, the moonlight pale on her face. Her hands trembled, but her voice whispered steady.
"You've sworn your oath to Selene Kalethorn as well as rejected me. But I will not vanish. I am not broken. I am not cursed. I am a silvertail, and I will prove myself not just to you but to this entire pack, and you will all respect me."
Somewhere deep inside, the bound wolf within her stirred.
Outside the window, a lone dreadwolf stood at the edge of the forest, its eyes glowing faint green. Watching. Waiting.