Chapter 100 Crown of Ashes
Kier’s POV
Nothing was registering. Not the elders still talking. Not the way the chamber buzzed like my world hadn't just been torn apart. Not even the echo of my own roar.
They moved around me like I wasn’t standing there, like I wasn’t unraveling in front of them.
“Remove the accused.”
I heard the order like it came from underwater.
My eyes locked on her as the warriors stepped forward, unlocking the glass enclosure.
Sable didn’t look at me again.
They took her by the arms and turned her toward the exit.
“Sable,” I said. My voice cracked. I didn’t even recognize it.
She didn’t stop, hesitate, or flinch. Like I had never been.
My chest seized, something raw and jagged clawing its way up my throat.
Move.
Go to her.
Stop this.
My body didn’t listen.
My wolf slammed against whatever invisible wall the council had wrapped around this place, snarling, clawing, desperate to break free.
Let me out, he demanded.
I can’t, I forced back, my fists trembling at my sides.
The warriors led her through the doors.
And just like that she was gone.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
“Kier.” Jaxon’s voice cut through it, sharp and grounded.
Hands gripped my shoulders.
“Don’t,” I snapped, jerking away from him.
“Hey!” he started.
“I said don’t touch me.” My voice came out low, dangerous, and barley holding it together.
Jaxon stilled, hands lifting slightly in surrender, but he didn’t back away.
Neither did my father.
He stepped up on my other side, his presence solid and unyielding.
“You need to stand,” he said quietly.
“I am standing,” I bit out.
“Not like an Alpha.”
I turned on him, anger flashing hot and immediate. “Don’t Alpha me right now!”
“Look at me,” he cut in, voice firm.
“What did they do to her?” I demanded, my voice rough.
My father didn’t answer right away.
“What did they do to her?” I repeated, louder now.
“I don't know,” he said finally.
I laughed. A sharp, humorless sound.
Jaxon stepped in then, voice tight. “Kier...”
“She rejected me,” I snapped, turning toward him. “Do you understand that? She rejected me.”
Jaxon’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. I heard.”
“Then you know something’s wrong.”
Silence, because he did.
“She wouldn’t do that,” I said, shaking my head. “Not like that. Not without...” I broke off, running a hand through my hair. “She didn’t even look at me.”
My wolf snarled again, throwing himself against the barrier.
“You’re going to have to think,” my father said. “Not react.”
“I don’t want to think,” I growled. “I want to tear this place apart until they give her back.”
“And that,” he said calmly, “is exactly what they want.”
I stilled.
The words cutting through the chaos.
“They’re pushing you,” he continued. “Trying to make you lose control. Make you look unfit.”
My jaw clenched.
“I don’t care how it looks.”
“You will,” he said. “If it costs you her and this pack.”
That hit deep because he wasn’t wrong. I exhaled slowly, forcing the rage down. Forcing it into something sharper, colder and controlled.
“What happens now?” I asked.
Jaxon answered this time. “They set her sentencing.”
“When?”
He hesitated. “Fourth night from today.”
Four days they were going to keep her locked up.
My hands curled into fists again.
“They don’t get four days,” I said.
“They already took them,” Jaxon replied quietly.
I turned away from both of them, dragging in another breath.
I needed to piece this together. There had to be something.
Something we are missing.
“Alpha Blane.” Orion’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.
I turned slowly. He was watching me. Like nothing had just happened. Like he hadn’t just orchestrated the destruction of my bond.
“While you are here,” he continued, “there is another matter that requires your attention.”
I stared at him. “You really think now is the time for anything else?” I asked.
“I think,” he said smoothly, “that it would be wise for you to remain.”
My wolf growled. I don’t like him.
“Make it quick,” I said.
Orion inclined his head slightly. “Bring her in.”
The doors opened again.
And when I saw who walked through my blood went cold.
Liora.
She stepped into the chamber her posture straight. Her expression composed. But her eyes, they flicked to me and there was something in them.
Triumphant.
“What is this?” I asked, my voice hard.
Orion folded his hands. “A continuation of council proceedings.”
“For what?”
“For you.”
That made me pause.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Liora stopped a few feet away, hands resting lightly in front of her, playing the part perfectly.
“She has brought a claim before the council,” Orion said.
“A claim?” I echoed.
“Yes.”
I looked at her. Really looked this time. The way she stood. The way she held herself. Something about it felt off. "Say what you need to say,” I told her flatly.
She met my gaze, her expression softening just slightly. Calculated. "Kier,” she said quietly.
I didn’t respond.
She took a small breath.
“I didn’t want it to come to this,” she continued.
“Then get to the point,” I cut in.
Her eyes flickered. Just for a second. Then, “I’m pregnant.”
The words hit the room like a bomb.
My mind didn't process it. Didn’t accept it. Didn’t even react. “…What?” I said finally.
Orion stepped in before she could answer. “She has informed the council that the child is yours.”
A sharp disbelieving laugh left me. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I assure you,” Orion said, “we are not.”
I looked back at Liora, searching for something anything, the truth, a lie. All I saw was intent. “She’s lying,” I said flatly.
Liora’s expression crumpled just enough to look convincing. “I’m not,” she said softly. “You know what happened.”
My stomach twisted. That night in the shower. Rage flared hot and immediate. "This is a setup,” I snapped, turning back to Orion. “And you’re entertaining it?”
“She has made a formal claim,” he replied. “And provided testimony.”
“Testimony isn’t proof.”
“No,” he agreed. “But it is enough to require your response.”
I laughed again, sharper this time. “You want a response? Here it is. No.”
Murmurs spread through the chamber.
“She is not my mate,” I continued. “And she never will be.”
“She carries your heir,” Orion pressed.
“I don’t care,” I shot back.
Liora flinched like I’d struck her.
“You will care,” Orion said calmly, “because the council requires you to.”
My eyes narrowed. "Requires?”
“Yes.”
The room stilled.
“You will take her as your chosen mate,” Orion continued, “and she will assume her place as Luna.”
The words settled like poison in the air. My wolf went still. Dead still. Before something darker took its place. "You don’t get to make that decision for me,” I said quietly.
“On the contrary,” Orion replied. “We already have.”
I looked at Liora again. At the way she stood there. Believing she had already won. My jaw tightened. “You’re out of your damn mind,” I said.