The Ancient Blood Luna

Chapter 3: Clinging to my Throne

Nebula's point of view.

The hall descended into silence. I watched the elders before me. They showed little or no surprise. Even my father's expression didn't change in the slightest.

They knew? All this while? I was shocked. It seemed I was the only one oblivious to their affair.

"Nebula, Lillian is Selene's will for Alpha Adrian. We cannot deny that," one of the elders broke the silence.

"She is the rightful Luna of the pack," another one said.

'Shameless,' Scarlett cursed in my head.

"I can't believe this!" I said. "What did you all take me for? A temporary replacement?" I barked. Obviously, I had been served the short end of the stick.

Lillian wore a sneer on her face, while Adrian chucked like everything was going according to his plans. I realized how naive I had been. Adrian and Lillian had been scheming against me for years. The elders must have been bribed—or worse threatened into their camp.

"Father, are you on their side too?" I questioned, my eyes locked on my dad. The situation was extremely hard to believe.

"I'm sorry Nebula, I can't risk my position to protect yours. My hands are tied," his voice came out low. His head hung low, failing to meet my gaze.

I staggered backwards, a stinging pain tearing through my chest. My own father had betrayed me. My eyes closed, as I struggled to stabilize the turbulence within me. It took me a couple of deep breaths before I opened them again.

"My child, we know it's hard, but the will of the goddess must be followed," an elder said.

"Truly remarkable," I mocked, as I walked into the middle of the gathering. "You speak like righteous saints. I am almost convinced to concede.”

Their faces twisted, and none of them could look me in the eye.

My hands folded behind my back, my chin raised high with grace. "I became the Luna of this pack due to my strength. If you all want a replacement for me, she must prove herself worthy. I wouldn't step down just because of your commands, or a fate bond."

Turning towards Lillian, a smile formed on my lips. "A scheming document isn't enough to get you my position, Lillian. Try harder please... Maybe something physical— if you dare."

She shuddered, gripping Nexus.

"As always, your cowardice surpasses your beauty." My steps were steady and firm on the marble floor as I walked out of their midst.

"Nebula, you dare walk out of the elders during a meeting," Adrian growled.

I paused in my steps. But I didn't turn to face them. "This meeting is officially closed. You are all dismissed."

"Have you no manners!" He shouted.

I took a deep breath. "Adrian, we gathered here to debate on your manners, not mine."

I glanced back. They couldn't refute my words. I continued walking, until I was out of the hall. Even if I was caught off guard, I wouldn't allow anyone to trample over me.

Diane followed me, leading the way to my room. We climbed up the stairs before we arrived at a golden-plated door. She opened the door and I walked in.

"I'll be right here if you need me, Luna," she said, closing the door after me.

I gently tucked away my heels before collapsing on the luxurious bed in the middle of the room.

'This problem is way bigger than we expected,' Scarlett said mentally.

'I never expected this. Even in my wildest dreams. Today was supposed to be our happiest day, but why all this?'

'It's not your fault. They hid their cards too well. I admire your courage during the meeting.'

'I couldn't let them have their way,' I replied.

My door squeaked open and I heard someone step in.

"Diane, who did you allow in without my permission?" I instantly mind-linked my assistant.

My nerves relaxed when I saw a familiar face with a pair of spectacles. "Helen, do knock before invading someone's privacy next time, will you?"

"I'll try," she giggled. "I thought I would meet a party, but the entire mansion feels somewhat gloomy. Haven't you announced the news yet?"

I sat up on the bed, running my fingers through my hair. "My mate is having an affair."

"What?" Her eyes popped behind her glasses."How could he?"

"I caught him with Lillian, it appears she's his fated mate."

"Lillian? Adrian is having an affair with Lillian? She's his fated mate?" Helen looked thunderstruck.

"That's not the main problem, they're planning to make her the new Luna."

"What about the elders?"

"Those old geezers. They are all on Lillian's side."

"Nebula, how can you be this calm under all this?" Helen held my shoulder, shaking me.

I didn't know what to say. But I wasn't calm. I had never been calm since I saw the transfer deed. Silence was my own way of dealing with my internal turmoil.

"Let's go get some fresh air, Helen. The air in this mansion is suffocating me," I told her, getting up from the bed.

"Prepare my car, I'll be driving myself," I mind-linked Diane, who stood outside the door.

"My Luna, please, it's not safe—"

A side glare cut her off.

"I will prepare it right away."

She ran down the stairs, bumping into Beta Nexus who was on his way up.

"Luna Nebula, I have a message for you," he said.

"Be quick. Seeing you irritates me," I shoved him out of the way as I walked down the stairs with Helen.

"Miss Lillian challenged you to a duel for the position of Luna," he ran after me.

"Splendid," I paused in my steps. "The coward finally mustered up enough courage."

He passed me a polished black stone and an engraving pen. Lillian's signature was already written on one side. I etched my signature on the other side before returning it.

"Are you really going to fight her?" Helen asked.

"No, honey. I'm going to end her," I said. "The duel holds tomorrow at nightfall."

The stone gave off a faint glow. The challenge had been accepted.

I walked out of the mansion with Helen, leaving Beta Nexus behind.

"A duel, really?" Helen asked when we entered my car.

"Yes, a duel," I replied, rolling my eyes. "With the elders supporting Adrian, a duel is the only way out for me."

"But Nebula, you're pregnant. You're not supposed to be dueling in this state. What if you lose?"

"Relax, nothing can go wrong. Besides, if I lose to a weakling like Lillian, then I don't deserve to be Luna," I laughed.

As I drove out of the mansion, three black sedans followed my car. I was sure it was Diane and my guards. My gaze briefly lingered on Lillian's house as I drove through the estate. 'I'll burn it down when I'm done dealing with her,' I thought.

The night was fast approaching, and golden streetlights lit the road on both sides. Neon lights from different stores reflected on my windscreen. As I turned onto another street, all the lights suddenly went off.

"A blackout," I frowned, but I continued driving. The sight of my guards behind reassured me.

Halfway through the street, a figure mysteriously appeared in front of my car. I clutched the brakes out of instinct. Friction filled our ears. It was too late. A violent collision occurred.

Bones snapped. No, it wasn't bones. The figure didn't flinch. It was the sound of crushing metal. The front of my car caved in.

My eyes widened. 'He was strong. Too strong.'

The figure snorted. He kicked the car. The car tumbled backwards.

I saw doubles and triples. Soon, everything was quiet. I crawled out of the car in pain. My pale skin was covered in bruises. Helen had fainted.

Several guards had surrounded me. I stood up, searching for the attacker.

The figure stood in the distance, silent. It was an old man, clothed in a red hood. Only his crooked smile and rusty teeth could be seen. The aura he gave off was stronger than anything I had faced before. Just by standing there, it was like the entire world was beneath him.

'An assassin?' I thought. 'Was Lillian and Adrian behind this?'

'This is bad,' Scarlett's voice rang in my mind.

The old man's eyes were locked on me, with no regard for my guards."For eighteen years, I searched for you, oh daughter of the blood Jade," he said. "After everything, I finally found you, my little red."

The moment he spoke, my chest tightened. My heart pounded loudly, not just because of his words, but because I felt something for him. A longing or so. And that name, Little Red, only a handful of people ever called me that.

'Nebula, his scent is very familiar, but I don't recall knowing him from anywhere,' Scarlett said mentally.

I blinked twice, my mind in chaos. I felt the exact same way. But the person in front of me looked like he was sent to assassinate me. He had fatally attacked my car without a second thought. My head screamed he was an enemy, my heart the exact opposite.

‘Who could he be?’ I wondered, extending my wolf senses to see through his hood. I was met with fierce resistance. My eyes burned as blood trickled out from the backlash. The pain felt like lava poured into one's eyes. ‘The hood must be magical,’ I thought as Scarlett steadily healed me.

"This is the territory of the BlackWoods Pack. Attacking our Luna is an unforgivable crime. Reveal yourself," the head guard shouted.

"I am, the Phantom Killer," he replied. His chest puffed up, and his smile stretched to his ears.

A cold chill ran down my spine. 'The infamous Phantom Killer! The rumored alpha killer! What have I done to catch the attention of such a notorious figure?'

My gaze sharpened.

A ruby dagger had appeared in his hand out of nowhere. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, little red," he said.