Chapter 214
FAYE
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I stepped out onto the balcony and let the morning air wash over me, cool and soft against my skin.
It had been a while since I felt this kind of peace–this gentle, unburdened quiet that made the world feel still for once. It almost tricked me into believing everything was finally over. That all the chaos, fear, and uncertainty had faded into distant memory.
But it hadn’t even been twenty–four hours.
Just one day since Alexander had won what had easily been the biggest fight of his life. Since Marcus had taken his last breath in that arena. Since the pack had watched the rise- and fall–of a man who had terrorized them for far too long.
Marcus was gone. Gone. The word felt unreal even in my own thoughts.
No more looking over our shoulders.
No more expecting some last–minute stunt from one of his blind loyalists.
No more wondering if he would try to use another deranged follower to strike at Alexander again.
That fear had become so normal I hadn’t realized how deeply it had settled in my bones until
now.
But after what happened to Marcus and Gerald… well, no one would be foolish enough to test the Alpha again. Even those who had once considered supporting Marcus–whether out of fear, spite, or stupidity–had learned a very real, very permanent lesson.
I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with fresh air, and released it slowly. Peaceful as the morning was… there was something missing. Someone… Alexander.
His presence was the one thing the world always felt tilted without.
He hadn’t been seen since last night.
He’d gone into isolation–a three–day period of healing and meditation required by ancient pack tradition after a fight of such magnitude. Only the old healer, Martha, was allowed to enter that space with him. Not even his Beta, Delta, or mate could cross the threshold.
It was a cultural rule. A sacred one.
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And I respected it.
Well… mostly.
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Because a very selfish part of me wished I could ignore it all, walk into that room, and just hold him for one minute. One minute.
But I couldn’t. He needed this time–spiritually, mentally. No matter how much I wanted him near, I couldn’t interfere with a healing rite that had been followed for generations.
I didn’t understand why it required so much time to heal from a fight that hadn’t needed any special ritual beforehand.
The thought puzzled me, and before I knew it, my mind was drifting deeper down that path. There was a lot I didn’t fully understand about werewolf traditions–even after growing up in Silver Hollow, which was one of the most culturally grounded packs in the entire universe.
I should know better. I should have answers. But everything suddenly felt complicated in ways it hadn’t before.
“Stop it, Faye. You’re doing it again.” I stopped myself.
This wasn’t me thinking clearly… It wasn’t logic. It was… everything else. The pregnancy, missing Alexander… one or both were pulling my mind in unnecessary directions.
I pressed both palms against the balcony railing and breathed out.
I didn’t need to understand everything right now.
I just needed to trust the process.
And trust Alexander.
He wasn’t hurt… not physically. His injuries had healed moments after he shifted back. But spiritually? Emotionally? Mentally?
He needed time. And I had to give it to him, no matter how much the urge clawed at me to go
find him.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I called.
Cole stepped inside. “Luna,” he said with a respectful nod, “the council is waiting.”
My eyes widened for half a second.
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“Right. The council meeting.”
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I had almost completely forgotten about it. In Alexander’s absence, responsibilities didn’t pause or vanish–they shifted. And they shifted straight to me.
Everything fell on my shoulders until he returned.
I straightened up, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll be there in five minutes,” I told Cole.
He nodded once before stepping out, closing the door behind him.
I inhaled again, deeper this time.
Alexander was gone for now.
But the pack still needed leadership.
And until he came back…
I had to be that.
Even if my heart was pacing a few steps ahead of me, looking for a man who wouldn’t return to my arms for another two days.
I didn’t waste time. A quick adjustment to my hair, a deep breath–and I headed down the hall toward the council chamber.
The moment I stepped inside, every conversation halted.
Twelve council members rose to their feet automatically, giving the traditional bow of respect to the Luna. It felt strange, considering these same people had a hard time accepting me before. Most of them only acknowledged me that way when Alexander was right there.
At what point did they think I deserved being bowed to? I almost laughed.
“Please,” I said, lifting a hand, “sit.”
They obeyed instantly.
I took Alexander’s empty seat at the head of the table–the seat that carried weight, authority, and responsibility. I felt all three press gently at my shoulders as I sat down.
Elder Roland cleared his throat. “Luna, thank you for joining us so promptly.”
“I apologize for the delay,” I replied. “Let’s proceed.”
Elder Tessa leaned forward, her fingers folded neatly. “We’ve compiled a list of remaining
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Marcus loyalists who fled the territory after the fight. Some may attempt to regroup or hide in neighboring lands.”
I nodded. “Any signs of organization among them?”
“None so far,” Beta Lucian answered from my right. “Most scattered the moment Marcus fell. I doubt any of them have the spine to rise again.”
There was a collective murmur of agreement, but I didn’t let it sway me.
“Fear makes cowards,” I said, “but desperation makes bold fools. We can’t rule out the latter.”
Several heads nodded.
Elder Miro spoke next. “What are your orders regarding search and capture, Luna?”
It still felt strange–giving orders in this room full of people who had advised my mate long before I ever entered his life, and who had at some point thought I wasn’t even qualified to sit in the council. I briefly wondered if I had anything to say that would matter to them.
But Alexander trusted me. A good number of the pack trusted me. And I had to trust myself.
“Keep patrols doubled for the next forty–eight hours,” I said. “No aggression unless we’re provoked first, but any known Marcus supporter found within our borders is to be detained immediately… we can’t take any more chances.”
Roland smirked slightly. “Spoken like a warrior.”
I shrugged lightly. “Old habits.”
A ripple of light laughter moved through the table, easing the tension in the room.
Roland tapped another file in front of him. “There’s also the matter of border alliances. Word of Marcus’s claim and the fight had already gone far. We’ve received two requests from smaller packs seeking reassurance that Blood Crescent remains stable.”
“Stable?” I echoed. “We’re stronger than ever.”
Tessa smiled. “We know that, Luna. But outsiders will always doubt what they don’t
understand.”
Fair enough.
“We’ll send official statements to both packs,” I said. “Calm their nerves. Assure them leadership hasn’t changed and territory security is intact.”
Tessa nodded.
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“…and finally,” Elder Roland said, drawing my attention back, “the arena. It sustained heavy damage from the ring of fire. Repairs will take about a week.”
“Good,” I replied. “Make sure the workers move in groups. No lone assignments while some of Marcus’s supporters are still unaccounted for.”
“Already planned,” Roland assured me.
I nodded. “Is there anything else?” I asked.
Tessa studied me for a moment before speaking gently. “Only this, Luna… you’re doing well.”
The words caught me off guard.
I blinked. “I’m just doing what needs to be done.”
I stood, and the council stood with me.
“Thank you all,” I said. “Maintain communication with me directly for anything urgent. Otherwise, carry on with your assignments.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
