Chapter 54 True Power
ARYA
“Luca!” I grabbed his arm, stopping him from going forward. “Don’t. That’s what they want.”
I felt his rage like it was my own, his desire to rip Theron apart. I wouldn’t say I didn't want that too but now isn’t the time. And we have more important matters to deal with.
Slowly, he lowered Theron, though his eyes remained molten gold. Burning with a fire that I could almost feel seeping through his skin.
“My mate asked me to show restraint. So I will.” He stepped back. “This time.”
Theron rubbed his throat, fury and fear warring in his expression. “You’ll regret that mercy.”
“The only thing I regret is not ending your family line when I had the chance centuries ago.” Luca’s voice was deadly calm. “But I’m a fair king. I’ll give you one opportunity to retreat. Take your coalition and leave. Never threaten my mate or my territories again. Do that, and you live.”
“And if we refuse?” Theron’s voice was mocking. It was taking everything in Luca not to storm over there and make good of his promise. But he showed restraint because I wanted him to. And that was one of the sexist things I have ever seen.
“Then I’ll show you exactly why I’ve ruled for eight hundred years.” Even though his voice was calm, power radiated from him like a physical force. “And why crossing me is the last mistake anyone makes.”
Elira laughed. “Big words for someone outnumbered three to one.”
“Numbers mean nothing when you have true power.” I stepped forward, letting Lean rise to the surface. My eyes glowed silver, and I felt my hair lift as if caught in an invisible wind. “And you have no idea what true Moonborne power looks like.”
I’d been practicing with Bardon, learning to channel my abilities. Learning that Moonborne magic wasn’t just about physical strength but also was about connection with our roots, drawing power from the earth, the moon. The very bonds between living things.
And right now, bonded to the most powerful Lycan King in history, I had access to more power than I’d ever dreamed possible.
“Last chance,” I said softly. “Leave. Now.”
“Or what?” Elira sneered. “You’ll bore us to death with speeches about unity and compassion? We know your type. All talk, no action.”
“Then let me educate you.”
I reached down into the earth, feeling the ley lines of power that crisscrossed the territory. A current ran through as Luca let me into his mind, allowing me to reach his wolf. Channeling all that strength.
The ground began to shake. Their warriors were losing balance, some of them even fell on their asses.
“That’s impossible,” Theron breathed. “Moonbornes can’t—”
“Moonbornes bonded to Lycan Kings can do many impossible things.” I smiled, and I knew it wasn’t a nice smile. “Would you like a demonstration?”
I raised my hand, and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the ankles of the front row of warriors. I made sure it wasn’t tight enough to do any real damage but hold them off.
“The earth recognizes me,” I said clearly. “The moon recognizes me. Every living thing in this territory recognizes me as what I am. The bridge between your kinds. The unifier the prophecy spoke of.”
“Prophecy is horseshit,” Elira spat. But I could see fear creeping into her expression.
“Is it?” Luca stepped beside me, his hand finding mine. The moment we touched, I felt the air shimmer. “Because I’m looking at a female who was supposed to be impossible. Half-wolf, half-Lycan. The perfect balance. And she’s mine.”
The possessiveness in his voice sent shivers down my spine.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I continued. “Easy way is you leave and you disband your coalition. You stop spreading lies about my bloodline. And the hard way,” I paused, letting a small smile play on my lips. “I will show you exactly what happens when you threaten a Moonborne.”
“You’re bluffing,” Theron said, but his voice wavered. “You don’t have the stomach for violence.”
“Try me.” And I meant it. These people had attacked Luca’s–our territory. Had killed our people. Had threatened everything and everyone I was coming to care about.
I was done being underestimated.
“Besides,” Luca added conversationally, “you’re forgetting something important. Even if you somehow managed to kill both of us—which you won’t—what do you think happens next? You’ll live happily after and rule the world?” he laughed. “My kingdom would burn yours to ash. Every ally I have would hunt you to the ends of the earth. And I have a lot of allies.”
“He’s right,” Caspian called from behind us. “And even if they didn’t, I’d personally make it my life’s mission to end every last one of you.”
Other voices joined in. The wounded warriors we’d helped today, the territory pack members, even some of the staff from the estate who’d apparently followed us here.
“We stand with the King!”
“We stand with the Moonborne!”
“Touch them and die!”