A Throne of Wolves

The Rise of the Moon's Chosen

Chapter 8: A Throne of Wolves

The battlefield was silent.

Marcos stood tall, his silver-and-gold aura slowly fading into the air. The Moon Goddess' presence had vanished, leaving only the echo of her final words.

"Lead them well, my Alpha of Alphas."

The surviving warriors of the Blood Wolf Pack knelt before him, their heads bowed in submission.

Even those who once followed Hadrian had no choice but to acknowledge the truth—Marcos was their Alpha now.

Selene approached, her emerald eyes filled with pride and relief.

"It's over."

Jax whistled. "Damn… I never thought I'd see the day Hadrian was put down like that."

Darius crossed his arms, nodding. "It's not just over, Jax. It's the beginning of something else. A new rule."

Marcos exhaled. He could feel the weight of history settling on his shoulders.

This wasn't just about his revenge anymore.

This was about rebuilding everything.

---

Hadrian's Fate

Marcos turned his gaze toward Hadrian.

The once-mighty Dark Lycan now lay on the cold ground, his body stripped of power. His breathing was shallow, his face twisted in pain and disbelief.

Hadrian forced himself up, his golden eyes dimmed with exhaustion. He looked at Marcos, something unreadable in his expression.

"You… you should just kill me."

A murmur rippled through the gathered wolves.

Selene tensed, her hand drifting toward her bow.

Jax growled, "After everything he's done, you think we'll let you live?"

Marcos stared at Hadrian for a long moment.

Then, he shook his head.

"No."

Hadrian's eyes widened. "What?"

"I won't stain my reign with another execution."** Marcos' voice was steady.** "You lost. That's your punishment."

Hadrian clenched his jaw, but he didn't argue. He knew what this meant.

Without his dark power, without his title, he was nothing.

The warriors of the Blood Wolf Pack would never follow him again.

Darius stepped forward. "What do you want us to do with him?"

Marcos didn't hesitate.

"Exile him."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

Hadrian's fists tightened, but he said nothing.

Jax scoffed. "That's too merciful, Marcos."

"No." Marcos' gaze never left Hadrian. "There is nothing worse than living with the weight of your failures."

Hadrian let out a bitter laugh. "…Fine."

He didn't beg for mercy.

He simply turned and walked away.

And just like that—

The Dark Lycan was gone.

---

The Gathering of Alphas

By dawn, messengers had already spread the news.

The Moon's Chosen had defeated Hadrian.

The Alpha of Alphas had risen.

One by one, the packs began to arrive.

From the Stormfang Pack of the eastern mountains.

From the Shadowclaw Pack of the cursed woods.

From the Ironhide Pack, known for their strength in battle.

All of them came, their Alphas kneeling before Marcos.

For the first time in centuries, the werewolves stood united.

Marcos looked at them, his chest heavy with responsibility.

Selene whispered, "They're waiting for your first command."

Marcos took a deep breath.

Then, he stepped forward.

"From this day on, there will be no more wars between us." His voice carried across the field. "The era of division is over."

The warriors listened in silence.

"We will rebuild, not as enemies, but as a united force." Marcos' eyes burned with determination. "From the ashes of war, we will rise as one."

The gathered wolves roared in agreement.

And in that moment—

A new age began.

---

The Shadows of the Future

That night, as the celebrations began, Marcos stood alone, staring at the full moon.

Selene approached him. "You did it."

Marcos nodded. "For now."

Selene frowned. "You don't sound relieved."

Marcos exhaled.

"Hadrian was only the beginning."

Selene's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Marcos turned to her, his silver eyes filled with something dark.

"The Moon Goddess wouldn't have chosen me unless there was something worse coming."

A cold wind swept through the night.

And somewhere, in the shadows of the unknown—a new threat watched.

Waiting.

To Be Continued…