Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Ava's POV
Nathan waited in the meeting room like he owned it, sitting in Marcus's chair at the head of the table. He'd dressed all in black, making his silver eyes even more striking. When we entered, he smiled but didn't stand.
"Brother, sister-in-law," he greeted mockingly. "Though I suppose after tonight, the titles might change."
"Get out of my chair," Marcus growled.
"Our chair, surely? We're twins after all. What's yours is mine." His eyes moved to me. "Or who's yours."
I placed my hand on Marcus's arm before he could lunge. "You wanted to discuss terms?"
Nathan finally stood, moving with that same predatory grace Marcus had. "Straight to business. I like that about you, Ava. No pretense."
"The terms," I repeated coldly.
"Simple. When I win, Marcus steps down as Alpha. I take over Moonvalley, merge it with my Silvercrest alliance. You become my mate and Luna over both packs." He moved closer, and Marcus stepped partially in front of me. "Our children will be the strongest Lycans born in centuries."
"And if I win?" I asked, moving around Marcus to face Nathan directly.
"You won't."
"Humor me."
Nathan's smile was sharp. "If you win, I'll withdraw all claims. Disappear. You'll never see me again."
"Not good enough. If I win, you surrender your fortune to the Moonvalley pack and confess to orchestrating the warehouse attack."
"Ambitious." He laughed. "Fine. But I want something else if I win."
"Which is?"
"Marcus watches. He stands at the edge of the circle and watches as I claim what should have been mine from the beginning."
The cruelty of it took my breath away. Marcus's hand found mine, squeezing so tight it hurt.
"No," Marcus said flatly.
"Then I invoke the ancient right of grievance," Nathan said smoothly. "A twin separated at birth, denied his birthright, has the right to challenge for everything his twin possesses. The Elders will support me."
"You planned this," I said, understanding dawning. "Every move, every word. You've been planning this for years."
"Longer. Since the day I learned I had a twin. Since I discovered what Moonvalley stole from me." His mask slipped for a moment, showing real pain. "Do you know what it's like growing up knowing you were thrown away? That your mother chose one son and discarded the other?"
"That's not Marcus's fault."
"No, but he benefited from it. He got the pack, the parents, the perfect life. Until Sarah, of course." Nathan's smile returned, cruel and knowing. "Tell me, has he told you the whole truth about that night?"
"Stop," Marcus warned.
"The truth about how he begged? How he offered me everything to save her?" Nathan continued, his eyes never leaving mine.
My blood ran cold. "You were there that night?"
"Oh yes. Watching from the shadows as Garry killed her. Watching as Marcus found her body. Watching as he was banished for a crime he didn't commit."
Nathan laughed. "I could have saved him with one word. But why would I? He had everything, and suddenly, he had nothing. It was poetic."
Marcus lunged before anyone could stop him. The brothers crashed into the wall, both partially shifting. Claws and teeth flashed as they fought with a viciousness that spoke of years of hatred.
"Stop!" Elder Selene's voice boomed as she entered with the other Elders. Power radiated from her, forcing both men to separate. "Fighting outside the trial is forbidden."
Marcus's lip was bleeding. Nathan had claw marks across his face that were already healing.
"He just confessed to letting Sarah's murder happen," Marcus snarled.
"Accusations without proof mean nothing," Elder Thorne said dismissively. "Save your grievances for tonight."
Nathan straightened his shirt, his wounds nearly gone. "Tonight then. Moonrise. Don't be late, princess."
After he left, I turned on the Elders. "You heard what he said. He's manipulated everything."
"And yet he's broken no Lycan law," Elder Selene said.
"The trial will proceed."
"This is wrong and you know it."
"Many things are wrong, child. But law is law." She studied me carefully. "Have you made your decision about the essence?"
I touched the vial in my pocket. "Not yet."
"Decide soon. Moonrise is in three hours."
When the Elders left, Marcus pulled me against him, his body shaking with rage. "I'll kill him. Trial or no trial."
"No, you won't. Because that's what he wants. For you to break the rules, to give him an excuse." I pulled back to look at him. "He watched Sarah die. How can you stand it?"
"Because I have something to fight for now. You." He cupped my face gently. "I couldn't save her, but I'll be damned if I lose you too."
"You might lose me anyway if I drink the essence."
"I'd rather lose you to evolution than to him."
My father appeared in the doorway. "The crowd is gathering. Representatives from fifteen packs. News crews from human media who think it's some kind of cultural demonstration. This is going to be very public."
"Good," I said. "Let everyone see what Nathan really is."
"Ava," my father started, then stopped. "Your mother would want you to know she loved you. More than anything. She would be proud of your strength."
"Would she want me to drink the essence?"
"She would want you to survive. By any means necessary."
I looked between him and Marcus, these two men who claimed to want to protect me. "I need time alone. To prepare."
Marcus didn't want to leave, I could feel it through our bond. But he nodded. "I'll be close if you need me."
When they left, I pulled out the vial, watching the silvery liquid swirl. My mother's essence. Her power. Her legacy. If I drank it, I would become something more than wolf, more than human. But I might lose Marcus in the process.
My phone buzzed with a new message from an unknown number. This time it was a photo. My mother, young and beautiful, standing between two babies. The message read: "She loved us both equally. She didn't choose. The pack did. Tonight, you have the same choice. Choose wisely, princess."
I deleted the message and walked to the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky blood red. Soon, I would face Nathan in combat. Soon, I would know if I was strong enough to claim my birthright or if I would become another casualty in Nathan's quest for power.
I uncorked the vial, the scent of moonlight and ancient power filling the room. One sip and everything would change. But change was coming whether I drank it or not.
The only question was: would I face it as myself, or as something more?