The Luna Who Couldn't Love

Selene woke before the wolves. She preferred the quiet. She dressed and went to Rowan's study barefoot. The cold of the stone floor seeped into her body, but it was comforting in a strange way. For a few hours each morning, before Moonridge stirred and the Council began reminding her that a woman had no place on the throne, she could be Rowan's widow instead of his regent. It had been five years since her mate died, but she still came here almost every morning. Selene walked to the window and held the railing as she looked into the blue-black skies. Nearby a bird called out from the parapet. His cloak remained where he had left it. His books still filled the shelves. In the first year after his death, his scent had been everywhere in the room. Sometimes she would close her eyes and imagine he was still there. Lately, the scent had begun to fade. Selene swallowed. Soon there would be nothing of Rowan left in this room except his belongings. Cold sweat broke out across her forehead. It was all for Lucian. It was for preserving Rowan's lineage. They had suddenly forgotten what Rowan was to them. How valiantly he fought for them and protected them? She inhaled and exhaled, forcing herself to remain calm. After a few practice breaths, she went to sit at the oak table. She reached for the first ledger with all the discipline her heart could muster. By the time this morning ritual was complete, she was ready: composed and controlled. *** Selene Vale slammed her palm on the heavy oak table. “Enough!” She bellowed as the din of the Council threatened to take over the meeting. She stood from the head of the table, and the bickering quietened instantly. Every eye turned toward her. “We are going to have an orderly meeting,” Selene said, settling back into her chair. “If you have something to say, raise your hand.” Elder Marrow cleared his throat, folding his arms. “We cannot keep pretending these rogue attacks are random, Luna. The Beckley family was nearly slaughtered three nights ago, and these scentless wolves grow bolder with every moon. We can't just do nothing.” “The rogues have been apprehended,” Selene replied, her voice cold as steel. “They are in the dungeons as we speak, and Beta Aldric is leading the interrogation. We will have answers soon.” “And if the answers point inward?” Aldric asked smoothly, breaking his silence. “A pack without an Alpha is seen as easy prey. Other packs smell weakness, and our own people are starting to whisper.” The room grew deathly quiet. Selene kept her spine straight. Inside, her wolf was pacing. One wrong word and they’d smell the doubt. But she gave them nothing. Rising slowly, Selene’svoice filled the chamber. “I have held these walls for five years without faltering. If any of you doubt my ability to protect this pack, speak plainly.” “Perhaps it is time to seek an alliance,” Elder Ashley suggested. Selene considered him for a moment. “An alliance must strengthen Moonridge, not announce that we are desperate for protection.” “But you won't deny that our situation is unique,” Beta Aldric pushed, seizing the opening. “We are the only pack ruled by a Luna. You cannot continue to rule Moonridge without an Alpha.” The council chamber went ice cold. Selene's fingers pressed into the armrests of Rowan's chair; her chair now, no matter what any of them thought. “Say that again,” Selene paused and raised her voice a notch. “Louder this time.” Aldric's jaw tightened, but he backed down, lowering his eyes. “Forgive me, Luna. I spoke out of turn. I have simply heard the rumors for too long.” “Lucian is the rightful heir,” Selene stated, her voice echoing in the silence. “He is ten years old. Until he comes of age and claims his wolf, I rule Moonridge. It is what Rowan would have wanted. No?” “Definitely, Luna,” Aldric murmured. “Good. I will look into whether any worthy packs are open to an alliance,” Selene concluded, giving a sharp nod. “We meet again in a fortnight. In the meantime, Gamma Garrick will double the patrols. May the Moon Goddess watch over us all.” Selene walked out of the council chamber with rigid shoulders and fury simmering beneath her skin. She entered Rowan's study, leaned against the door, and closed her eyes to steady her breathing. A light knock came against the wood. “Mama, it's me,” Lucian called softly. Selene exhaled. The last person she wanted seeing her like this was her son. She opened the door and managed a smile. “Walk with me.” By the time they reached the garden behind Moonridge Palace, her anger had cooled, but Aldric's words had not left her. “Mama, everyone has a wolf except me.” “Not everyone.” Selene smiled. “Yours will come when the Moon Goddess decides you're ready.” Lucian frowned. “What does it feel like?” “Painful.” His eyes widened. Selene laughed and ruffled his hair. “Your bones will feel as though they're breaking, but when it's over, you'll meet the wolf who has been waiting inside you all this time.” “Will you be there?” Something softened inside her. “If I can be. But whether I'm there or not, you won't face it alone.” Lucian seemed satisfied with that. After a moment, he slipped his hand into hers. “You know I'll always love you most, Mama.” Selene glanced down at him. “We'll have this conversation again when you meet your Luna.” He pushed out his chest. “Nothing can surpass my love for you.” Selene laughed. “Don't make promises you can't keep, young Alpha.” As they kept walking, they passed some guards at the Moonridge gates who bowed in respect. “Speaking of becoming Alpha, we need to discuss your sword training.” “Oh Mama, you can't be serious.” Lucian groaned and glanced at Selene's face. There was no humor in them. “I can't even lift a sword.” “You will use a practice sword.” “But I'll have my wolf to defend me.” “Which wolf are we talking about now, eh?” “The one you haven't met?” Lucian kept quiet. “I'm glad you see it my way.” They reached the stream that divided the Moonridge Palace grounds from the pack forest. “One day these people will look to you for protection, Lucian. I want you ready when that day comes.” Lucian picked up a few smooth stones and tossed them into the water. They watched the current carry the ripples away, peaceful in a way Selene no longer trusted. A rustle came from the trees. Selene moved instantly, pulling Lucian behind her. She lifted her head and tested the air. Damp earth, running water, pine and Lucian. Then a deer burst through the undergrowth and disappeared between the trees. Selene did not relax. The deer had a scent. The forest had a scent. Whatever had been standing behind it did not. “What was that, Mama?” “A deer.” Lucian frowned. “I know what a deer is. I mean you were scared for a moment.” “I wasn't.” “You know you can always tell me.” Selene looked once more toward the trees. “We're going home. And you are not to mention this to anyone.” “Not Beta Aldric or Gamma Garrick?” “Lucian.” He nodded. By the time they returned to Moonridge, Lucian was tired. Selene was not. She waited until he disappeared into his chambers before turning toward Rowan’s study. Someone had come close enough to watch her son. And Selene had smelled nothing. The thought stopped her cold. Whoever had been watching them had crossed Moonridge’s borders without leaving a scent trail. Which meant the problem was no longer whether something was trying to get in. Something already had. “I’ll be in Rowan’s study,” she told the guard outside the door. “I am not to be disturbed.” “Yes, Luna.” Selene stepped inside and shut the door behind her. She crossed to Rowan’s old maps. If a scentless wolf was already inside Moonridge, then someone had either failed to stop it— or someone had let it in. Selene’s hand froze over the first map. She did not yet know which possibility frightened her more.