Chapter 61 The Pack divides
LIRA POV
The whispers started the moment I entered the dining hall.
"She's training with a rogue."
"Sneaking off pack lands every morning."
"Disrespecting the alpha's authority."
I kept my head high, grabbing food despite my lack of appetite. Three days of training with Dmitri had left me covered in bruises and barely able to move without pain.
But I was getting stronger.
"Luna Lira." Aria appeared beside me, her expression troubled. "Can we talk?"
"If this is about the training"
"It's about the pack." She pulled me toward a quiet corner. "They're choosing sides. Some support your independence, while others think you're betraying Kael."
"I'm not betraying anyone." I bit into an apple, tasting nothing. "I'm learning about my heritage."
"From a rogue who appeared out of nowhere claiming to be family." Aria's voice was gentle but firm. "You have to see how that looks."
"I see how it looks." I met her eyes. "I also see the proof. The photographs, the journal, the way he knows things only family would know."
"And if you're wrong?" She touched my arm. "If this Dmitri is using you?"
"Then I'll deal with it." I pulled away. "But I'm done letting fear control my choices."
Movement caught my eye. Mira sat at a table surrounded by pack members, her throat still bandaged from our fight. She caught me looking and smiled—cold, victorious.
"She's been gathering supporters." Aria followed my gaze. "Painting herself as the victim. You as the unstable Luna who attacked her unprovoked."
"Let her." I turned back to my food. "The truth will come out eventually."
"Will it?" Aria leaned closer. "Or will it get buried under politics and manipulation?"
Before I could answer, Elder Eldric's voice boomed across the hall.
"Pack meeting. Immediately, all members are required."
Wolves stood, moving toward the central gathering area. I felt their eyes on me—some sympathetic, others hostile, most just confused.
Kael entered from the opposite door, his expression unreadable. Our eyes met across the room, and the bond flared with complicated emotions.
"Thank you for gathering." Eldric stood at the front, his bearing authoritative. "We need to address the growing concerns about pack leadership."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
"Our alpha has been... distracted lately." Eldric chose his words carefully. "Making decisions based on personal feelings rather than pack welfare."
"Be specific, elder." Selene appeared beside him, her ancient face stern. "Vague accusations help no one."
"Very well." Eldric pulled out documents. "Alpha Kael has allowed his mate to train with an unvetted rogue. To leave pack lands without proper escort, to undermine his authority publicly."
"I haven't undermined anything." I stepped forward before I could stop myself. "I've been learning about my family. My heritage. Things Kael supports."
"Does he?" Eldric looked at Kael. "Or does he simply lack the strength to control his mate?"
The challenge in those words was clear as serval pack members shifted uncomfortably.
Kael moved through the crowd slowly. "My mate doesn't need controlling. She needs support. Something you seem incapable of understanding."
"Support or enabling?" Eldric countered. "Where's the line between respecting her independence and allowing chaos?"
"What chaos?" Thomas stepped forward. "Luna Lira has done nothing but try to strengthen herself. To learn skills that benefit the entire pack."
"From a rogue." Mira's voice cut through. "A strange male who conveniently appeared right when she needed an ally."
"He's my uncle." I turned to face her. "My father's brother. The resemblance is obvious to anyone with eyes."
"Or carefully constructed." Mira stood, her supporters rising with her. "DNA tests can be faked. Photographs photoshopped, how do we know this Dmitri is who he claims?"
"The elders verified his bloodline." Aria spoke up. "His story checks out."
"The elders verified documents he provided." Eldric corrected. "But we have no independent confirmation. For all we know, he could be an enemy agent sent to infiltrate our pack through the Luna."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through some wolves. I felt the division clearly now—those who trusted me and those who didn't.
"This is ridiculous." I looked at Kael. "Tell them. You've met Dmitri, you have seen the proof."
But Kael's expression remained carefully neutral. "The evidence suggests he's Silvermoon bloodline. But I agree we should proceed with caution."
His words felt like betrayal. "Caution?"
"Until we're certain of his intentions." Kael wouldn't meet my eyes. "It's reasonable to be careful."
"Reasonable." I laughed, but it came out broken. "You're siding with them."
"I'm being objective." His alpha voice—cold, distant. "As I should be."
"Objective." I moved toward him, anger replacing hurt. "Like you were objective when you believed Mira's lies? When you doubted me in the cavern?"
"That's different"
"How?" I got in his face despite the audience. "How is this different? You're choosing pack politics over your mate. Again."
"I'm choosing pack safety." His control cracked slightly. "If there's even a chance Dmitri is dangerous."
"Then I'm the fool for trusting family over strangers." I stepped back, the bond screaming with our conflict. "Got it."
"Lira"
"No." I addressed the entire pack. "You want to know why I train with Dmitri? Why I left pack lands? Because here, I'm nothing but a problem to be managed. A burden to be controlled. At least with him, I'm family. I'm valued. I'm believed."
"You're valued here." Ryn tried to intervene. "We believe you"
"Some of you do." I looked at the divided crowd. "But not enough. And certainly not the ones who matter."
My eyes found Kael's as he flinched.
"I formally request permission to visit Silvermoon territory." I announced. "To see my ancestral lands. To meet any surviving pack members. It's my right as Silvermoon heir."
"Denied." Kael's response was immediate. "Silvermoon is controlled by Elias Thornfield. It's too dangerous."
"Then I'll go without permission." I held his gaze. "Because you don't own me. The mate bond doesn't make me your property."
"It makes you my responsibility." His voice rose. "And I won't let you walk into a death trap."
"You don't get to decide what risks I take!" My power flared, dancing at my fingertips. "I've survived worse than anything Elias could do to me!"
"Have you?" Mira's voice was smug.
The hall erupted. Wolves shouting over each other, choosing sides, the division becoming violence.
"Enough!" Selene's command echoed around the room. "All of you, silence!"