Negotiation

Negotiation
Chapter 130 – Negotiations 

“You expect us to shelter the man whose Council burned our sanctuaries?” Selene’s voice cracked like a whip. Her eyes blazed gold in the moonlight, fixed squarely on Lucien. “The same man who turned his back when the others hunted us like animals?”

“They weren’t burned,” Aria hissed through her teeth. “They were sealed. To keep you safe!”

“Safe?” Selene spat the word. “You sound just like him!” she hissed, stabbing a finger in Lucien’s direction.

Lucien didn’t even flinch. “I wasn’t part of that Council,” he said evenly. “And if you think I approved of what they did, you’re wrong.”

Selene laughed, harsh, humorless. “Wrong. You watched and did nothing. Which is way worse.”

Her grip tightened on her dagger. “Turn back, Lucien. Take your rogues and your broken king’s pride somewhere else. You’re not welcome beyond this ridge.”

Kael stepped between them. “Selene, enough. This isn’t the time.”

Her glare cut to him. “You think I’ve forgotten what you did, Kael? You left with her. You disappeared when everything fell apart.” Her eyes flicked to Aria. “You two always did have a talent for that.”

Aria’s jaw tightened. “We didn’t leave,” she said quietly. “We ran. There’s a difference.”

That gave Selene pause, just for a heartbeat, before her mask returned. “You talk as if running excuses it.”

“It doesn’t,” Aria said. “But we came back. That has to count for something.”

Selene’s fingers flexed around her dagger. “We’ll see.”

The rogues stood behind them in tense silence, their weapons lowered but ready. The cold air buzzed with unease, too many wolves, too much history, and not enough trust.

Kael’s voice broke the silence. “Selene, we didn’t come to fight. Take us to the Elders. Let them decide.”

Selene’s expression turned dark. “You think the Elders will even grant you an audience? You forfeited that right,” She snapped. “The moment you chose him.”

“You can either tell them yourself,” Kael said evenly. “Or I can shout their names and bring the entire valley down.”

Her nostrils flared. “You haven’t changed.”

“No,” he said simply. “I haven't.”

The two stared at each other, a silent exchange passing between them, before Selene finally turned away.

Her face hardened. “Fine,” she said. “Follow me. But keep your blades sheathed, or I’ll have every sentinel in these mountains on you before you can draw breath.”

She disappeared into the snow, not checking to see if they followed. Kael motioned for Aria and Lucien to move. The rogues behind them hesitated, glancing at one another, but when Lucien started after her, they followed.

The climb was silent.

They wound through narrow trails and ridges slick with frost, their breath misting in the cold air. Runes carved into the stone glowed faintly as they passed, warnings or protection, Aria couldn’t tell which. Every step felt heavier the closer they got.

Selene walked ahead without looking back. Her hand never leaving the hilt of her dagger. 

When they reached a plateau, Aria froze.

Below them, nestled into the cliffs, was a city, if it could be called that. A network of halls and bridges carved directly into the rock, illuminated by veins of silver light that pulsed through the stone like lifeblood. Figures moved in the shadows, women, all armed, all watching.

Lucien exhaled quietly. “So the city survived.”

Selene’s tone was dry. “Survived? No. We had to rebuild everything that your Council destroyed.”

Aria glanced at Kael. His expression was unreadable, but something in his eyes had softened, nostalgia, maybe pain.

They followed Selene down steep stairs cut into the rock. The guards at the base crossed their spears but parted when they saw her. Murmurs followed as Aria and Lucien entered, whispers of names, curses, disbelief.

“The Alpha King.”
“Traitor.”

Aria’s shoulders stiffened. Kael touched her arm briefly, a silent warning: “Don’t react.”

Selene led them through a wide corridor lined with crystal torches. The walls shimmered faintly, alive with energy that pulsed beneath their feet. Aria remembered this place, the scent of burning herbs, the echo of chanting, the way the air had always felt alive with divine power.

She never thought she’d see it again.

At the end of the corridor stood a set of tall doors made of black stone, with silver lines carved into it, that pulsed like veins. Two guards stood at attention. Selene stopped before them.

“Tell the Elders,” she said, her voice cool, “that the exile has returned — and she didn’t come alone.”

The guards exchanged a look. One disappeared through the doors while the other kept his hand on the hilt of his weapon, watching them closely. The wait stretched, heavy and silent.

Finally, the doors creaked open.

A voice, shaky with age, but still clear and commanding, echoed from within. “Bring them in.”

Selene glanced at Aria. “Don’t speak unless spoken to,” she warned, then pushed the doors wide.

The chamber beyond was vast. The ceiling arched high above them, carved with phases of the moon. A circular pool of still water lay at the center, reflecting the soft silver light from the torches. Around it stood five figures, the leaders of the Moon-Blessed, each marked by the same faint glow of light beneath their skin.

Aria’s breath caught. She recognized two of them, women she had once trained under. They didn’t look surprised to see her. Only enraged.

Selene stopped a few paces from the pool and bowed her head slightly. “Elders,” she said. “They crossed our borders. The exile. Kael. And the Alpha King.”

The murmurs rippled instantly. One of the Elders, a tall woman with white hair braided down her back, stepped forward. Her voice was low, cold. “Aria Varyn.”

Aria lifted her head slowly. “Elder Mirelle.”

“I thought you dead.”

“Almost,” Aria responded softly.

Mirelle’s gaze slid past her to Lucien. “And you. The wolf who calls himself King. What brings you to the sacred grounds you helped destroy?”

Lucien met her gaze evenly. “To make amends,” he said. “And to ask for your help.”

That earned a laugh from another Elder, sharp and humorless. “Help? From those your kind exiled and branded as dangerous?”

Lucien didn’t waver. “I’m not my Council.”

“And yet you wear their crown.”

Kael stepped forward. “That's enough. We didn’t come here for accusations. We came because we need your help. Someone is planning something and we need a place to regroup.”

Mirelle’s eyes narrowed. “And why? Pray tell, exactly, should we help you?”

Kael hesitated. Then he looked at Aria. “Simple, because of her.”

All eyes turned to her.