Chapter 81: Careful, Luna

Rhea’s brows pulled together as she stared at the Beta. "Where is Kaleb?" she asked, her voice cutting through the damp mountain air.

The warrior adjusted his stance, his shoulders broadening as his gaze turned stern. "Our Alpha is waiting, and you know better than to keep a king waiting," he said. His tone was calm, but the threat in his words was unmistakable.

Rhea looked at him for a quiet moment, letting a slow breath fill her lungs to steady her racing heart. She smoothed her tunic with her palm, finding her focus. "Lead the way," she said.

The Beta gave a nod and turned around, leading her through the arched entrance. The moment her boots crossed the threshold, the heavy scent of ash and strange wolves washed over her. She noticed Blackfang warriors posted at every doorway and corner, their hands resting on the pommels of their swords.

Whoever this new ruler was, he was far more anxious than he wanted to admit. The absurd number of guards stationed in the hallway only meant one thing. He was afraid. Fear made an Alpha unpredictable, but Rhea kept her chin high and kept walking.

She moved down the stone corridor toward the main hall where Kaleb’s throne sat.

As she approached the grand doors, she spotted familiar faces. Former Ironfang guards stood on either side of the entrance. When their eyes met hers, their gazes twitched, and their throats bobbed as they swallowed hard.

Rhea drew a deep breath and pushed past them into the room.

The hall was completely transformed. The tapestries she had helped weave were gone, stripped away to erase every trace of Ironfang history. Yet behind the main chair, the original crest still hung against the stone wall. A crude Blackfang banner had been pinned over the side, but the old iron mark remained visible beneath it.

Her gaze shifted to the throne itself, and her boots froze against the flagstones.

The man sitting in Kaleb’s chair was a total stranger. But that was not what made her blood run cold. It was the warrior standing right beside the chair. The war chief of Ironfang.

Pure disgust surged through Rhea as she stared at the man who had trained her pack’s recruits.

"Traitor!" River growled in her mind. The silver wolf bared her teeth, her claws digging into their shared consciousness.

The war chief showed no remorse. He met her stare with a flat face, his eyes revealing nothing at all.

"Why?" Rhea asked, her voice dropping to a whisper that carried across the hall. "You betrayed your own people?"

The chief scoffed, waving his hand off. "Do not give me that speech," he growled, his voice rough. "Loyalty died the day Kaleb decided to put a blade through your chest."

"So you sold your people out?" Rhea asked, taking a step closer. "Ironfang has a king."

The stranger on the throne chuckled, a dry sound that echoed off the ceiling.

"Can there be a king without a crown?" the war chief retorted. "Would you follow a man who was stripped of his command?"

Rhea shook her head, her throat tight with rage. Before she could muster another word, the new ruler stood up from the wooden chair and began walking down the stone steps toward her.

"Luna Rhea," he said, stopping just inches away. A smirk played on his lips. "If you were not so valuable, I would have taken your head the second you walked in here and ignored my presence."

Rhea glared at him, her lips curling with contempt. "I do not know your name, but I do not respect usurpers."

The Alpha smiled, his eyes lingering on her face with obvious admiration. "I am Alpha King Aaron, and I rule these mountains now," he declared. His voice carried a mix of authority and something that made her skin crawl.

Rhea did not break eye contact. "An Alpha king with rival packs laying claim to his borders? How embarrassing for you."

Aaron’s smile flickered for a second, his eyes darkening before he recovered his composure. "I know powerful Alphas are hunting you," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. "I consider myself fortunate that you chose to walk straight to my door."

Rhea’s jaw hardened, her chest heaving as she forced herself to stand her ground. Beside her spirit, River snarled in fury, her eyes flashing silver behind Rhea’s pupils.

"I came here to speak to Kaleb. Show me to him," Rhea said, keeping her tone firm as anger settled deep in her gut.

Aaron frowned, raising a dismissive hand. "Kaleb is insignificant now," he said casually. "Stay here with me. Together, we can build something stronger than what you ever had with him. And I am loyal. I will never try to stab you in the back."

Rhea clenched her fists at her sides until her knuckles turned white, but she kept her mouth shut.

Aaron closed the tiny bit of space remaining between them, his warm breath brushing against her skin. "I have no mate," he murmured, his gaze dipping to her mouth. "And you are unclaimed. I wonder how different your life would be with a king who knows how to satisfy his Luna."

Rhea’s silver eyes flashed with cold annoyance. "You will show me respect," she said firmly, "or you will learn the hard way."

"Feisty," Aaron whispered. He took another half-step, closing the gap between their bodies in an instant.

He bent his head down, aiming his nose toward the exposed crook of her neck to catch her scent. Before his skin could touch hers, Rhea’s hand shot upward, her fingers locked around his throat.

Steel screamed from its scabbards as Aaron’s smile disappeared.

For one heartbeat, neither moved.

Then a pulse of Alpha power slammed into Rhea, making her knees nearly buckle.

Aaron’s amber eyes burned brighter. "Careful, Luna," he murmured.

Rhea tightened her grip instead. "You first."

Instantly, the sharp metallic sound of drawn steel filled the air. Blackfang warriors drew their swords, stepping forward in unison. Alpha Aaron’s eyes flared a bright amber as his lips widened into a dark smile against her hand.

"You should never put your hands on a king," he murmured right in her face. "Not in public, at least."

"Let me out so I can take his tongue!" River roared in her mind, thrashing against her ribcage.

Rhea tightened her grip on his throat, her nails digging into his skin as her chest heaved. "Before any of your men take a single step, you will be dead," she warned, her voice deadly quiet. "Shall we experiment?"

Aaron’s smile vanished.