The Lycan King's Ghost Luna

Chapter 1 — The Luna on Trial The first thing Aria Sterling noticed was the blood. Three of the Silvermoon Pack's most respected elders lay unconscious behind the council table, their pale faces terrifyingly still. The second thing she noticed was her husband's silence. Alpha Gideon Blackthorn stood at the center of the great hall beneath the enormous silver wolf crest. His black ceremonial coat was perfectly pressed, his expression cold and unreadable. He wouldn't look at her. Aria's bound hands trembled behind her back. "Gideon." His eyes finally lifted. For six years, that look had been the one place she felt safe. Today, it held nothing but suspicion. "Elder Magnus," Gideon said quietly, "continue." The oldest council member turned toward Aria. "Luna Aria Sterling, you have been accused of poisoning three sacred elders of Silvermoon Pack." A wave of whispers moved through the hall. Aria stared at him. "That's impossible." "The poison was discovered in the elders' wine." "I didn't touch their wine." A guard stepped forward and placed a small glass vial on the council table. "This was discovered in Luna Aria's private chambers." Aria's heart dropped. The vial contained a dark purple liquid. "I've never seen that before." "You expect us to believe that?" Elder Magnus asked. "Yes, because it's the truth!" Her gaze moved desperately around the room. Hundreds of pack members watched her from the balconies. Some looked frightened. Others looked disgusted. Nobody stepped forward to defend her. Then a soft voice came from beside Gideon. "I wish there were another explanation." Aria's stomach tightened. Chloe Laurent stepped into view. She wore an elegant burgundy gown and a necklace decorated with the Blackthorn family crest. Aria recognized it immediately. It had belonged to Gideon's mother. Chloe touched the necklace nervously. "I saw Aria near the elders' chambers last night," Chloe said. Aria's eyes widened. "You're lying." Chloe lowered her head. "I don't want to accuse you, Aria." "Then don't!" "I saw you carrying a small vial." "I was carrying medicine for Elder Thomas." A murmur spread through the crowd. Chloe looked toward Gideon. "I didn't know it was poison." Aria's blood ran cold. "Of course you didn't." Gideon's expression hardened. "Aria." She turned toward him. "You know me." His jaw tightened. "Do not make this emotional." "Emotional?" She almost laughed. "They're accusing me of murdering our elders!" "You were seen entering their chambers." "Because Elder Thomas summoned me!" "Then why was poison found in your room?" "I don't know!" Aria looked around desperately. "Someone planted it." Chloe immediately shook her head. "Who would do something like that?" Aria's eyes locked onto hers. "You." The entire hall went silent. Chloe's eyes filled with tears. "I've done nothing to you." "Stop pretending." Aria stepped forward despite the guards. "For months you've been trying to take my place." Gideon moved between them. "Enough." Aria stared at him. "She sits beside you at council meetings. She gives orders to my servants. She wears your mother's necklace. How much more evidence do you need?" Gideon's face darkened. "You are making accusations because you're afraid." "I'm afraid because I'm being framed!" Before Gideon could answer, the great doors opened. A healer rushed into the chamber. "Alpha!" Gideon turned. "What happened?" "The elders are getting worse." The healer's face was pale. "The poison is spreading. We've tried every antidote." Aria's heart pounded. "Let me help them." The healer looked toward her. "I trained with Elder Thomas. I know the herbs he uses. Let me examine them." Chloe stepped forward. "Alpha, surely you won't allow the accused to approach the victims." "I can save them!" Aria shouted. Gideon stared at her. Then he looked toward the healer. "Take them to the infirmary." Aria's hope disappeared. "Gideon—" "Do not interfere." The guards grabbed her arms. She struggled. "Let me go!" Nobody moved. Not the council. Not the servants. Not even her husband. As she was dragged from the hall, Aria looked back. Chloe stood beside Gideon. Her fingers were wrapped around his arm. And he allowed them to remain there. --- Hours later, Aria sat alone inside the underground holding cell. Her wrists were bruised. Her Luna bracelet had been taken. Above her, the pack bells suddenly rang. Once. Twice. Three times. An emergency council session. Aria rose. The cell door opened. Gideon walked inside. For one foolish moment, relief filled her chest. "Gideon." He closed the door behind him. "Tell me the truth." "I already have." "Did you give the elders anything last night?" "No." "Did you threaten them?" "No." "Did you resent their opposition to your decisions?" "I disagreed with them. That doesn't make me a murderer." Gideon looked away. Aria stepped closer. "Someone framed me." "Who?" "Chloe." His expression immediately hardened. "Don't accuse her without proof." "I know what she's doing." "Aria." "She wants my title." "Enough." His voice echoed through the cell. Aria froze. She had never heard him speak to her that way. Gideon reached inside his coat. He pulled out a folded document. Aria stared at it. "What is that?" He placed it on the table. "The council has reached a decision." Her stomach twisted. "What decision?" Gideon remained silent. "Tell me." His eyes finally met hers. "You are stripped of your Luna title." Aria's breath caught. "No." "The council has also sentenced you to death." The words seemed to destroy the air around her. "Death?" "Execution by silver blade." Aria stared at him. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then she whispered, "You're going to let them kill me?" Gideon said nothing. "Look at me." He did. "Do you believe I poisoned them?" His jaw tightened. "I believe the evidence points to you." Aria's eyes filled with tears. "That's not what I asked." Silence. She nodded slowly. "I understand." "Aria—" "No." She stepped backward. "I stood beside you for six years." "I know." "I defended your pack when other territories attacked." "I know." "I gave everything to this family." Her voice cracked. "And now you won't even believe me." Gideon looked toward the door. "I never wanted this." "But you're allowing it." His expression changed. For the first time, something resembling regret appeared in his eyes. It was too late. The cell door opened. A guard bowed. "Alpha, the execution grounds are ready." Aria's heart began pounding. "No." The guards entered. She backed away. "Gideon." He didn't move. "Please." He closed his eyes. "Take her." The guards grabbed Aria. She fought against them. "Gideon!" He turned toward the doorway. "Look at me!" He stopped. Aria's tears finally fell. "Please don't let them do this." For one heartbeat, she believed he might turn around. Instead, Gideon walked away. The doors slammed shut. Aria stared after him. Something inside her broke. Then her wolf stirred. Run. Aria swallowed. Where? Anywhere. The guards dragged her toward the execution grounds. Outside, thunder shook the mountains. Rain began falling against the windows. Aria looked toward the dark horizon. She didn't know it yet, but the storm was about to change everything. Because before Silvermoon could execute its Luna... Aria Sterling would disappear. And five years later, the world would know her by another name. Ghost.