Chapter 7

The journey back from the Sanctum was silent, but not empty.

Each step through the forest felt different like they were returning as someone more, as if the earth recognized them now. The bond between Damien and Avelyn pulsed like a second heartbeat, humming just beneath their skin.

Damien's fingers brushed hers as they approached the edge of the Bloodthorne estate. "Are you ready?" he asked.

Avelyn nodded, though her stomach coiled. "Let's find out if the rest of the world is."

But as they emerged into the clearing, the scent hit them before anything else

council wolves.

Dozens of guards in dark robes and leather armor stood between the trees, their insignia glowing faintly with rune-magic. Tents had been erected on the edge of the village. Elders loomed in front of Damien's pack house, their expressions solemn, their backs straight.

At the center of it all, stood Alpha Rygar of the Northern Tribunal, silver-haired, ruthless, and deeply respected for it.

Damien tensed immediately.

"What the hell are they doing here?"

"They're early," Avelyn muttered.

"They weren't supposed to arrive until next moon. Someone must've told them about you. About us."

As if summoned by the tension, Rygar turned his head sharply. His eyes fell on Avelyn, and narrowed.

He stepped forward, flanked by two enforcers. "Alpha Damien Blackthorne. I hope we aren't… interrupting."

"You're on my land without notice," Damien said, jaw tight. "You better have a damn good reason."

Rygar smirked. "There have been reports. A rogue marked as Luna. Prophecy signs. Magic in the forest. We came to investigate."

Avelyn stepped beside Damien, chin high. "So you invade."

Rygar's smile thinned. "We protect. If what we heard is true, then the Bloodthorne line stands on the edge of collapse."

"Be careful, Rygar," Damien growled. "You're on the edge of disrespect."

The council Alpha's eyes gleamed with condescension. "Then prove us wrong. Show us this rogue who carries your Luna bond."

Damien placed a hand gently on Avelyn's lower back. "This is Avelyn. She is Luna to my blood and mate to my soul. The bond has been sealed."

Gasps echoed around the camp.

One of the council Elders stepped forward. "That's impossible. The bond cannot seal until the prophecy's curse is fulfilled."

"We faced the Trial of Truth," Avelyn said firmly. "Together."

The elder turned sharply. "Lies. The Trial hasn't been accessed in over a century. You think we'd believe that a roguebroke that threshold?"

"I'm not asking you to believe it," Avelyn said, eyes dark with calm fury. "I'm asking you to get out of our way."

The camp quieted.

Rygar's voice dropped. "You're confident for someone with no pack, no heritage, and no name."

"I have a name," Avelyn said. "The moon gave it to me. And your laws, your arrogance won't change what fate has already marked."

For a beat, no one moved.

Then a low voice broke through.

"She's a liar."

Damien turned instantly.

From the packhouse steps, Seren, his second cousin, stepped forward, her hair twisted into ceremonial braids, eyes gleaming with something sharp and bitter.

"She's using him," Seren said. "That rogue came here to infiltrate us. She didn't break into the ruins, she desecrated them."

"Seren," Damien growled. "Watch your mouth."

But Rygar was already nodding. "A member of your bloodline questioning your Luna? That complicates things."

"It's not complicated," Damien said, voice low and furious. "It's treachery."

Avelyn narrowed her eyes. "Why would she betray you?"

Damien didn't answer at first.

Then, "Because she thought she'd be Luna one day."

Seren scoffed. "I would've been a stronger Luna than her. At least I'm loyal."

Avelyn stepped forward. "You think being Luna is about title or favor? It's about surviving the bond. Carrying its weight. Loving a man cursed by blood."

Seren's lip curled. "You're not worthy of loving him."

The crowd stirred.

Then Damien moved.

In a blur, he stood before Seren, his Alpha aura slamming into the space like a storm. "You forget your place, Seren. You do not speak of worth. You do not speak of my mate."

Seren flinched, her mouth tightening.

"I warned you," he said softly. "Your ambition has blinded you."

But Rygar lifted his hand. "Enough. We will settle this by law. A formal challenge will be issued. The Luna will face the Tribunal's test at first light."

Avelyn blinked. "What test?"

Damien snarled. "There's no such test"

"There is now," Rygar cut in. "This is unprecedented. A rogue claiming Lunahood without pack lineage must prove she can hold the bond… without your influence."

"What does that mean?" Avelyn asked.

"You'll be stripped of the mark. Temporarily," Rygar said. "If it's real, it will return. If not… we'll know."

Damien lunged. "If you touch her, I swear by the moon"

"Let him," Avelyn said suddenly.

Everyone turned.

She stepped forward, eyes burning. "You want to test me? Do it. Strip the mark. I don't need magic or prophecy to know who I am."

Damien's throat worked silently.

"Avelyn"

She looked at him.

"I trust it," she whispered. "Us."

His breath caught.

And he nodded, eyes shining with something raw and unspoken.

Rygar clapped once.

"Prepare her."

Later That Night

In the packhouse, silence hung like smoke.

Damien stood by the window, fists clenched.

Avelyn sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the mark on her shoulder. It still glowed, but fainter now as if bracing for what was to come.

He turned, finally. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did," she said. "Because they won't stop until we prove them wrong. And I'd rather face their fire than hide behind your protection."

Damien crossed to her, kneeling before her.

"Every bone in me wants to tear them apart for even threatening to lay a hand on you."

"I know," she whispered, brushing his cheek.

"But if they strip the mark"

"It'll come back."

"And if it doesn't?"

A pause.

She smiled gently. "Then you'll mark me again."

He pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I've never feared losing a fight," he whispered. "Until you."

She ran her fingers through his hair. "You won't lose me."

Dawn

The ritual circle had been drawn in silver ash, glowing softly against the dark soil. Elders stood at each point, chanting in low voices. Damien stood at the edge, seething with every breath.

Rygar raised his hand.

"Avelyn of no pack. Do you accept the Tribunal's trial to validate your Luna bond?"

"I do," she said clearly.

The Elder stepped forward, palms glowing.

"Prepare yourself."

She closed her eyes.

And the magic struck.

White-hot pain tore through her body as the mark on her shoulder began to fade, burning like acid, searing her soul. She screamed, knees buckling, eyes wide and wet.

Damien rushed forward but Kade held him back.

"She's strong," he said. "Let her finish it."

Avelyn collapsed to the ground.

And the mark disappeared.

Silence.

Then

The wind shifted.

The ground trembled.

And with a sudden flash, the mark reappeared, brighter than before, glowing gold and silver.

But now, there was a third line, a crimson thread laced through it.

Gasps echoed.

The Elder fell to one knee.

Rygar's mouth opened.

"That's not possible," he whispered. "That's the mark of the"

"Moonborn," the Elder finished. "She's not just Luna. She's chosen."

Damien was already at her side, lifting her into his arms.

Avelyn blinked up at him, breathless. "Told you it'd come back."

He laughed, broken and whole all at once. "You terrifying, beautiful woman."

The council had no more words.

Only silence.

Only awe.

And as Damien carried her past the Elders, past Rygar, and back to the packhouse, one thing became clear:

The prophecy had not come to end him.

It had come to change everything.