Chapter 10: The Hearing
352 Words
Chapter 10: The Hearing
The hearing would decide everything. My past, my future, and whether Keal and I could ever stand as mates again.
The hall was silent as the Council took their seats. Every pair of eyes in the pack was on me. Five years of being forgotten, and now I was the center of it all again. It felt right.
“State your case, Luna Lyra,” the lead elder said.
I stepped forward. “Five years ago, I was attacked by rogues on Alpha Keal’s orders—or so I was told. I survived. I spent five years building strength outside this pack, and I came back to find my people weak and divided. I’m here to reclaim my title and make sure it never happens again.”
Gasps. Keal’s head snapped up.
“That’s a lie,” he said, voice low. “I never gave that order.”
“Then who did?” I shot back. “Because someone did. And the rogue we caught said he was sent by someone inside this pack.”
The elder’s gaze shifted to Keal. “Alpha, do you deny this?”
Keal looked at me, really looked at me. For the first time since I walked back in, the mask dropped.
“I deny it,” he said. “But I failed you. I should’ve searched longer. I should’ve believed you were alive.”
The words hung there. It wasn’t an apology, not fully. But it was close.
The elder turned to the pack. “What says the pack?”
Mira stepped forward first. “Lyra bled for us. She fought for us. She’s Luna.”
One by one, others followed. “Luna Lyra.” “Luna.”
The vote was clear.
The elder nodded. “The title is restored. Lyra, you are Luna once more. Alpha Keal, you will answer for your failure, but the pack has spoken.”
Keal exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for five years. He met my eyes.
“Partners?” he said quietly.
I held his gaze. “Partners.”
The pack roared.
- Writer
