Chapter 140: The New Silverpaw Luna

Azandra POV

Since she didn't get to go to Crimsontail territory, Azandra packed for the trip to Graywolf City. Efficiently, she sorted all her clothes, and held up the ball gown she would wear, pale green with lace trim on the bodice, sleeves, and full skirt.

Fairmont pulled on it. "Pretty."

Azandra smiled at her pint-size delicate-faced daughter, who, like her, bossed everyone around. "Thank you. You're going to have a new dress too."

Fairmont's little face lit up. "Show me, Mommy."

Kyon, leaning against the doorway, pretended to grumble. "You do realize we'll have to leave Patch in charge if we go?"

"Nonsense, we won't be gone that long," Azandra huffed. "We missed out on the trip to the Crimsontails because someone had to stay behind with so much uncertainty. We're not missing out on a bonding ball. And neither are Patch and Anneliese. Aunt Ilya's part of the family–she can take command for a few days. Or Cousin Reinard."

She hadn't been anywhere since everyone went to Brighmere to uncover a shocking Hades/Dark Goddess plot and help newly mated pair Thessi and Dirge. Granted, no one but Kyon could have held down the fort when Dane and Lilia embarked on their wild quest. No one except maybe Ravyn, but she instigated the quest. 

Azandra loved Ravyn to pieces, loved the entire family to bits. As insane as daily life got, with "routine" a suggestion even for controlled Jiro, she always had someone to watch the pups or help her if she'd had a hard day or just someone to laugh with and share the trials and joys of parenthood and packhood with. 

She pulled out the little pink frock that Fairmont would wear. The girl reached out her tiny hands, absolute delight on her face. "Pretty. I'll show Nana Ta."

Azandra hid a soft smile at her mother being called "Nana Ta." Titania embraced being a grandmother in a big way. "Yes, you should. But wait till we get–"

Fairmont rushed out of the bedroom with the dress clutched in her greasy little hands. Sighing, Azandra beckoned Kyon. "When I finally pack the trunk, will you come over here and just sit on it?"

Kyon eyed the pile of clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup, and other belongings. "We're only going away for–"

"Kyon Cresta, I haven't been anywhere that wasn't dangerous."

Kyon rubbed his chin, which now sported a beard. "Crimsontail territory was hardly threat-free this time around, what with somebody spoiling Hades' last rites, and Jude feeling under the weather and falling in the lake."

Azandra waved a hand. "Minor by Cresta standards. I want to enjoy the ball, the festivities, and Silverpaw territory."

Lightening the mood, Kyon smirked. "And you want to rub Ravyn becoming the Silverpaw Luna in the bad Hemmings' faces."

Azandra stacked their shoes in the bottom of the suitcase. "YES. And if you think my parents aren't eager to watch those pompous people's faces fall, think again."

Kyon laughed, thunder rolling. "That's one reason your father and I get along. He HATES his family in Silverpaw territory. He especially hasn't forgotten how they tried to lead Bram astray recently. He thinks Bram is a nice man."

Azandra grunted. "And he's going to be the Alpha in another ten years. I can't see Jude hanging onto the crown for too much longer."

Kyon helped her pile everything in the suitcase. "I don't blame him. I've been acting Alpha for a minute, and Dane and Jiro can have the job. I never realized how happy I am being Beta."

Azandra kissed him. "Then you wouldn't object to a little getaway when we're in Jude's territory? I hear Diamond Lake is spectacular."

Kyon's face lit up. "No pups. No responsibilities. Just you and me and an art contest where we paint each other's bodies and wash it off in the lake."

Excited, he ran to the bedroom door and yelled, "Fairmont, Winston, Primrose! Move your little tails! We're getting packed, and if you're not downstairs in an hour ready to go, you'll miss all the fun!"

* * * * *

Jude POV

Graywolf City, whose spelling was never consistent even in official records, appeared majestically in the distance. Along the main road to the city, Jude and Ravyn drove the cart with their belongings, wanting to ride through the streets officially. Already, Jude heard the people gathering in the streets. He smelled the excitement in the air and felt it like a cozy fleece throw all around him, or like an electric storm, the thrilling kind.

"Ready?" he asked Ravyn.

She trembled, adjusting the dwarf-made circlet on her head and pulling her cloak around her. "Ready."

The onyx deer, sure of foot, trotted toward the city, with its buildings rising before the couple. Shades of pink dominated in the city's buildings, to match the castle's pink sandstone. The long-standing pack joke went that "Pinkwolf City" wouldn't sound nearly as majestic. 

Shifters spilled out of the diamond-shaped city and lined the main road, waving to Jude and Ravyn. Smiling, she waved back to the crowd, and even howled, her voice deep and authentically a wolf's howl. The people's eyes turned red and gold, and everyone besieged Jude and Ravyn with welcome-home howls.

"Long live Alpha Jude! Long live Luna Ravyn!"

This was it. 

The pack now welcomed Ravyn as its new Luna. Its queen. Her regal profile captivated them. The elegant onyx doe pulling the cart conveyed them closer and closer to their destination, the city square and Faolan Castle. Shifters poured from the alleys and side streets to greet the new Luna.

Wolf noses stuck out to sniff Ravyn. Hands brushed her violet-and-gold robe. She smiled, baring her cute little sharp teeth. The wolves all howled for joy, and followed the cart until Jude and Ravyn rolled into the city square in front of the castle gates. 

Climbing down from the cart, Jude held out a hand to Ravyn, helping her down. She practically floated down to stand by his side in front of the overzealous welcoming crowd. Beta Harland, Wise Woman Eirika, Bram, Mali, and Eamon all welcomed Jude and Ravyn.

"Our Alpha is home," Bram shouted. "Our new Luna is home as well. They've returned victorious after their dangerous quest. Our alliances with Evenhide, Crimsontail, and even Lugdunum–the human royal court–are strong! Hades Ombra is no more. And … Luna Ravyn carries another Faolan pup in her belly! Truly, this is the Silverpaw Golden Age."

Deafening cheers met Bram's enthusiastic announcement. Jude embraced his son while Mali and Eamon hugged Ravyn. The council hailed the shining new era in Silverpaw history. Eirika, trying not to look smug, offered prayers to the Moon Goddess.

Glowering in the crowd, Ewan and Grainne Hemming clearly didn't share the joyful mood. 

Jude addressed the pack. "Our new Luna is home for good, and in just a few short days, we'll have our bonding ceremony and Bonding Ball. It'll be a social event that will bring the entire pack together as well as strengthen our bonds with our allies in the Shifter Federation, with the wood elves, with the human court representatives–"

Scattered booing in the throng.

Ravyn waved her golden staff with the clear quartz topper. "They helped us. They're our friends. And they brought us the Blackthorns, who are part of our family. I expect you all to behave."

Mild grumbling rippled through the assembled pack, but the wolves quieted down. 

Jude smirked, smelling the respect. "Thank you."

Harland bared his teeth, looking strangely feral. Although a warrior, Harland always seemed solid and even-tempered. "Fools," he growled.

Ravyn coughed. "We'll all celebrate later, but we've had a long journey and we have many matters to attend to. Thank you all for welcoming us."

She hustled Harland through the gates, Jude on their heels. As soon as the gates shut behind the cart, Ravyn turned to Jude. "Harland is gravely ill. Shifters don't get ill, but he–"

Coughing up blood, Harland collapsed on the pink sandstone floor.

Jude smelled the unmistakable foul scent of wolfsbane mixed with silver. He nodded to Eirika. "Get him to the Healarium. Harland's been poisoned!"

Ravyn grabbed Jude's arm. "Start an investigation immediately. No one leaves or enters the castle!"