Rebirth of Luna Iris

Chapter 3

Ashwood had changed.

Alicia now sat proudly on the Luna’s throne, wearing a silver gown that shimmered under the light. Her eyes were sharp, her smile cold. Servants rushed around her, afraid to upset her even by mistake.

Outside, the pack moved like shadows, silent and obedient. No one dared to question their new Luna. She had the Alpha's trust and the pack’s fear.

Inside the grand hall, Alicia sat with her legs crossed, tapping her fingers on the wooden armrest. She looked like she owned the world.

Elara, dressed in plain gray, stepped into the hall. She bowed low before speaking.

"My Lady," Elara said quietly, "may I speak?"

Alicia raised her eyebrows. "Speak quickly. I don’t have time for useless talk."

Elara swallowed hard. Her voice shook a little. "I... I did everything you asked. I stood against Iris. I helped you. You promised me a reward. You said you would make me wealthy and also protect me.”

Alicia stared at her for a long moment, then chuckled. "Ah, Elara. You think promises mean something in power?"

Elara shifted nervously. "I I only want what you promised. I kept your secrets. I risked everything."

Alicia rose from her seat slowly, her silver gown brushing the floor. She walked up to Elara until they were only inches apart.

"You did what you were told," Alicia said in a low voice. "That is your reward you are still breathing."

Elara looked down, clenching her fists. "But you said "

"I said many things," Alicia interrupted sharply. "The past is gone. You should be grateful you still have a place here at all."

Elara bowed her head quickly. "Yes, my Lady."

Alicia smirked and turned back to her throne. "Good. Remember, Elara loyalty is not paid with gold or titles. Loyalty is paid with survival.”

The hall fell silent again. Elara backed away, her heart heavy with anger and fear. She had betrayed her Luna, Iris, for this?

As Alicia sat back down, she smiled to herself.

Lissette she called, keep an eye on Elara she is acting quite strange.

Alright my lady, Lissette answered as she nodded.

Elara walked out of the grand hall, her heart heavy with regret. She had betrayed Iris, her Luna, for promises that now seemed hollow. The memory of Iris's trusting eyes haunted her. What had she done?

As she stepped into the cool evening air, Elara felt a shiver run down her spine. She had played both sides, hoping to gain favor with Alicia, but now she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake. The pack's whispers and suspicious glances seemed to follow her everywhere.

Elara's thoughts swirled with fear and doubt. Had she traded her loyalty and integrity for a fragile sense of security? Only time would tell if her decision would prove worth the cost.

~ Alpha Alexander POV ~

The wind howled through the towers of Ashwood, carrying a strange silence. Alexander stood on the northern balcony, staring into the fading forest. The woods had once echoed with life. Now they watched in silence.

Everything had changed since Iris’s death.

A knock at the door broke his thoughts.

“My Lord,” Rowan said, stepping inside. “They’ve arrived.”

Alexander didn’t turn. “Which pack?”

“Stormfang. Bloodridge is on their way too. That makes five packs this month.”

He finally faced him. “And still no one dares speak her name?”

Yes my lord, Rowan reply.

Alexander nodded. “Bring them to the chamber.”

******

The large wooden doors creaked open as the delegation from Stormfang stepped inside. Alpha Kael led them, tall and firm, with a respectful bow of his head.

“We thank you for receiving us, Alpha Alexander.”

Alexander stood at the head of the table and gestured for them to sit. “You came a long way. I assume this is more than a friendly visit.”

Kael nodded. “We came to propose an alliance. The world beyond our borders is shifting. Tensions rise, and we believe it is time for the stronger packs to unite.”

Alexander folded his arms, studying them. “Stormfang and Ashwood have not stood together in generations.”

“That is why this meeting matters,” Kael replied. “We no longer have the luxury of distance. Our enemies grow bolder. Unity may be our best defense.”

Before Alexander could respond, the war chamber doors suddenly opened again.

Alicia stepped inside, wearing a deep green cloak trimmed with silver, her presence commanding and cold.

All eyes turned to her.

“Forgive the interruption,” she said smoothly. “But I must speak with Alpha Alexander. Privately.”

Kael narrowed his eyes but held his tongue. Alexander’s jaw tightened.

“This is not the time ”

“It concerns the future of this pack,” Alicia said calmly. “Your future.”

Alexander hesitated, then looked at his guests. “Excuse me for a moment.”

He followed her out into the corridor.

The moment the doors closed behind Alexander and Alicia, quiet murmurs filled the air.

Kael leaned toward Rowan. “She doesn’t like the idea of others getting too close to Ashwood, does she?”

Rowan kept his voice low. “She doesn’t like what she can’t control.”

Another whispered, “Is it true what they say? That she runs Ashwood from the shadows?”

“We’re not here to question their politics,” Kael replied. “If the alliance holds, that’s all that matters for now.”

“But how long before she becomes the problem?”

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

*****

“You welcome outsiders into our halls like old friends,” she said softly, her voice calm but sharp. “Are you sure they want peace? Or are they planning something bigger?”

Alexander’s expression stayed firm. “They came to talk. To join forces. We need allies, Alicia.”

Alicia took a slow step closer. “What you need is to be careful. Outsiders bring problems. They’re not loyal to this pack. Not like I am.”

He met her gaze. “Loyalty doesn’t mean control.”

Her smile was cold. “And trusting the wrong wolves doesn’t make you strong it makes you weak.”

She turned, her cloak sweeping the floor behind her. “Think hard before you promise them anything. Not every smiling face is a friend, Alexander.”

She disappeared down the hallway, her footsteps echoing behind her.

Alexander stood alone, the silence pressing in.

He looked back toward the war chamber, his thoughts suddenly clouded.

Had he made the right call?

Or was this alliance just the start of something worse?

*****

The air in the war chamber felt different when I stepped back in heavy, like a storm was brewing just beyond the walls. Every Alpha turned to me, their eyes full of questions they didn’t dare speak.

I gave a curt nod, trying to keep my face unreadable. “Just a short conversation,” I said, even though my mind was still echoing with Alicia’s voice.

“Not every smiling face is a friend.”

Alpha Kael stepped closer to the table. “We were just reviewing your southern borders. The alliance will benefit both sides. Patrols, trade, and protection.”

I looked at the map before me lines drawn between lands, promises sketched in ink.

But all I could see was risk.

I wanted to believe this alliance would bring strength. That unity was the path forward. But Alicia’s words had planted something a shadow of doubt I couldn’t ignore.

I folded my arms, speaking slowly. “I’ll need time. This isn’t something I can rush. My pack’s safety comes first.”

Kael’s face didn’t change, but I saw the shift in his eyes. Disappointment? Maybe. Or suspicion.

“We understand,” he said carefully. “But understand this, too the longer you wait, the weaker your position becomes.”

I nodded once and sat down, but my thoughts were no longer in the room.

Could I really trust them?

Or were they only here because Ashwood looked like prey?

I stared down at the map again. But it wasn’t lines or names I saw.

It was Alicia’s cold warning.

“Choose wisely, Alexander.”

And now… I wasn’t sure if I had.