power of the moon goddess

8

Chapter Seven: The Council and the Caged Wolf

The Council chambers weren’t hidden deep underground like Aria expected. They were on the top floor of the main Academy tower—an ancient, gothic structure that loomed over the entire school like a watching god.

Damien walked beside her, but didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. The heat of him was always there—dangerous, grounding. The moment they stepped into the glass-paneled elevator, she felt the shift. The air thickened. The magic in the tower didn’t like her.

The elevator dinged.

Aria’s breath caught.

The Council was already seated.

Seven members. Each more terrifying than the next. Old blood. Powerful. Untouchable. And in the center—Headmistress Thorne, regal in her silver-trimmed robes, a cold smile curving her lips.

“Miss Whitaker,” she purred. “You’ve caused quite the stir.”

Aria straightened her back. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Didn’t mean to summon a moonlit power surge in front of a rogue werewolf?” another Councilman asked, amused. “How clumsy of you.”

Damien growled beside her, but Aria lifted her chin. “He attacked me. I defended myself.”

The Headmistress leaned forward. “You think you understand what you did? That was not defense, girl. That was a call. Ancient magic. Long buried. You drew from the Moon herself.”

Aria’s fingers twitched at her side.

Calm. You can’t lose control again.

“You think I wanted that?” she snapped. “I don’t even understand what I am.”

That silenced the room.

Damien stepped forward then. “She’s Moonborn. I saw it with my own eyes. She didn’t ask for the power, but she bears it. And you’ll give her the respect she deserves.”

“You’re out of line, Alpha Nightshade,” a woman hissed. “Your bond clouds your judgment.”

“She’s my mate,” he snarled. “Not even your judgment can undo that.”

Whispers shot across the room like arrows.

Mate?

The air crackled.

Then the Headmistress smiled again, slower this time. “So it’s true. A human girl… claimed by the strongest werewolf in the academy. This year’s shaping up to be interesting.”

She stood, walking toward Aria. “Very well. You may stay. But you’ll be tested. Watched. Judged.”

Aria swallowed. “And if I fail?”

The woman leaned close, whispering so only Aria could hear.

“Then you won’t survive long enough to see your final year.”

---

When they exited, Aria was quiet. Too quiet.

Damien took her hand gently, surprising them both. “You did good in there.”

“No,” she said softly. “I survived in there.”

They didn’t notice the girl waiting at the bottom of the steps until it was too late.

She was beautiful—tall, sharp, cruel. Dressed in designer black, a snake of a smile on her face.

“Alpha Nightshade,” she said smoothly, ignoring Aria entirely. “Don’t you usually walk alone?”

Damien’s entire body went rigid.

“Lilith.”

Aria blinked. Lilith?

“I see you’ve found a… new toy,” Lilith said, eyes finally sliding over to Aria. “Cute. Human. Breakable.”

Aria opened her mouth, but Lilith stepped closer.

“Let me guess. Poor little charity case stumbled into power she can’t control. How precious. Tell me, how does it feel knowing the only reason you’re breathing is because the Alpha claimed you like a pet?”

Aria’s hands began to glow.

Lilith didn’t flinch.

But Damien did.

“Back off, Lilith,” he warned. “Or she’ll show you just how breakable she isn’t.”

Lilith raised a brow, but stepped aside.

“Careful, Alpha,” she whispered. “Even wolves have weak spots. And now they know yours.”