"Well?" The voice was sharp—cutting through the air like a blade. "Care to explain why she's here in your garden instead of being in the council room, Ravhiel?"
Luna stiffened as the newcomer approached.
"Vaelen," Ravhiel said evenly.
It was the first time Luna had heard his voice like that—flat, cold. Not a trace of the gentle amusement or bittersweet charm he always tried to wear, even when bruised and bleeding. She turned her head slightly, watching as Ravhiel's gaze hardened into something distant and unreadable.
He was always smiling before—when Nohlan mocked him, when the others treated him like a ghost, even when they hit him.
But now?
There was no smile.
Vaelen, tall and imposing, stood before Ravhiel with equal coldness in his stare. They locked eyes like predators testing the waters, but there was no bark, no growl. Just frost.
'So that's him… the adopted son.' Luna glanced between them. 'Ravhiel is the chief's real son, but… Tyrnhael chose Vaelen.'
She studied them more closely—Ravhiel in his wheelchair, regal but broken. Vaelen, strong, unbothered, not even a scar to his face.
'Tyrnhael must have adopted him after Ravhiel became… like this. He wanted a replacement. Someone stronger.'
It made sense now—the silent tension, the way they avoided speaking each other's names unless they had to.
But Ravhiel didn't answer Vaelen's question. He simply turned his head away, refusing to meet the other male's eyes.
A quiet rebellion.
Vaelen's eyes narrowed, but he didn't raise his voice. He didn't bare his teeth or strike him down like the others might have.
'Isn't he the one who stormed out earlier? He must hate Ravhiel the most.' Luna braced herself for a sudden outburst, for violence.
But instead… Vaelen simply let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his auburn hair.
"Whatever. I don't have time for this," he muttered.
He turned away, already walking off. "Make sure she gets to the council room. She's overdue for her formal introduction… and the marking."
He glanced back only once—to glare at Luna with eyes like burning coals—but then he left. No cruel words. No threats. No strange comments. No violence.
He just walked away.
Luna stared after him, stunned.
'He didn't insult Ravhiel… or touch me.' She frowned. 'That's… odd.'
As if sensing her confusion, Ravhiel was already looking at her by the time she turned. His gaze was knowing, tired.
"Vaelen," he said softly. "The Enforcer. My adoptive brother, if you can call him that. He keeps order. Punishes disobedience. Keeps the other alphas from tearing each other apart."
He sighed, glancing off in the direction Vaelen had left.
"And out of the five ruling males… he's the most dangerous."
Luna blinked. 'Really? Him? Even though he seems the most proper out of all of them?'
"He doesn't act like the rest because he doesn't have to," Ravhiel continued, as if hearing her thoughts. "Vaelen has the most loyal supporters—especially among the betas. He's calm, calculating. Colder than the others. He rarely loses his temper… and when he does, it's controlled. Intentional. He's not the diplomat, nor the strategist, but make no mistake—he might be smarter than all of them."
'But I literally saw him throw a tantrum earlier…' Luna crossed her arms. 'Still, he's definitely more restrained now.'
Ravhiel shifted in his seat, wincing slightly as he adjusted.
"And as I was saying earlier—this all connects, Luna." He gestured at her now, making her eyes widen. "You're important. More than you think. The elders, my father—they don't just see you as a novelty. Your womb is everything to them. You're the only hope of birthing a female werewolf. The child you will carry? Sacred."
Luna flinched at the word.
"Vaelen probably realizes that," Ravhiel continued. "Nohlan does too. Maybe all five are beginning to understand. The agreement is clear: the one who gets you pregnant becomes the next chief. That's the deal. So they won't dare truly harm you. Some may test the line… but they won't cross it."
He smiled at her again, softer this time.
"But you? You hold the strings, Luna. Despite how powerless you feel, despite the fear—you might be the only person besides my father and the elders who has real control over them."
Luna felt a chill run down her spine.
'Control? Me?'
Her voice cracked a little when she asked, "H-How can that even… I mean, how do I hold any power over them if they all agree on what they want from me?"
What kind of power does she have exactly?