Chapter 9 CHAPTER 9
Ava's POV
The warehouse was a disaster. Millions of dollars in medical supplies, food, and building materials destroyed in what looked like a coordinated attack. Pack members stood around in shock, staring at the bloody message on the wall.
"Who would do this?" Beta James asked. He was Marcus's newly appointed second in command, an older wolf I'd known since childhood.
"Silvercrest wolves," someone said. "Their scent is everywhere."
"But why claim the Luna?" another asked.
I felt everyone's eyes on me. They didn't know about my bloodline yet, but they would soon. Secrets didn't last long in pack territories.
Marcus addressed the crowd. "Double the patrols. No one goes anywhere alone. And I want a full inventory of what was destroyed."
"That'll take days," James protested. "And the cost—"
"Will be covered," Marcus said firmly. "No pack member will suffer because of this."
As the crowd dispersed to follow orders, I studied the message more carefully.
Something about the blood smelled familiar. Then it hit me.
"It's not real blood," I said suddenly. "It's synthetic. Mixed with Silvercrest scent markers."
Marcus frowned. "How can you tell?"
"I don't know. I just... can." It was true. My senses were sharper than they'd ever been. I could distinguish between dozens of different scents, could hear heartbeats from fifty feet away.
"The suppressants," my father said quietly from behind us. He'd insisted on coming despite my anger. "Your true abilities are emerging."
"What other abilities?" I asked.
"Lycan royalty can sense deception, can compel truth from lesser wolves, can even influence pack bonds. Your mother could calm an entire battlefield with her presence alone."
"And you hid this from me."
Before he could respond, Rachel Mitchell appeared, out of breath. "Luna, Alpha, you need to see this."
She led us to the back of the warehouse where a hidden camera was still intact. On the footage, we saw the attack clearly. Wolves in masks destroying everything methodically. But one stood apart, directing them.
"Zoom in," Marcus ordered.
Rachel enhanced the image. Even with the mask, the build was unmistakable. Nathan.
"Your brother orchestrated this?" I couldn't hide my shock.
"He's trying to force your hand," Marcus said grimly. "Make it look like Silvercrest is after you, so you'll turn to him for protection."
"Or to make you look weak," Rachel added. "Unable to protect your own Luna."
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "Warehouse was just the beginning. Submit to your true mate or watch Moonvalley burn. - N"
I showed it to Marcus, whose eyes flashed dangerously gold.
"He's declaring war," Marcus said.
"Then we give him one," I replied. "But first, we need to know exactly what we're dealing with. Dad, tell me everything about the Lycan bloodline. No more secrets."
We returned to the pack house where my father finally revealed the truth. My mother wasn't just Lycan royalty—she was the direct descendant of the first Lycan king. Her bloodline carried the ability to command any wolf, to break or forge bonds at will, to shift into a form that hadn't been seen in a hundred years.
"The full Lycan form is three times the size of a regular wolf," he explained. "Faster, stronger, nearly invincible. But the power is dangerous. Without proper training, it can consume you."
"Then train me," I said.
"I can't. Only another Lycan can."
"Nathan," Marcus said with disgust. "He's Lycan too, isn't he? That's why he's so confident."
My father nodded. "The Silvercrest Pack has been collecting Lycan bloodlines for decades. They must have known what Nathan was when they took him in."
A knock interrupted us. A young wolf entered, bowing low. "Alpha, Luna, the Lycan Council representatives have arrived. They request an immediate audience."
"That's impossible," my father said. "Nathan said they'd take a week—"
"Unless they were already on their way," I finished.
Three figures entered the room without waiting for permission. Two men and a woman, all with an ancient presence that made my wolf submit instinctively. Their eyes glowed with an inner light that marked them as pure Lycan.
"Ava Montgomery," the woman spoke, her voice like silver bells. "Last princess of the Silvermoon line. We've been waiting for you to awaken."
"I didn't know I existed until today," I said carefully.
"No, but we've been watching. Waiting for the suppressants to fail. Your father's crime bought us time to prepare." She turned to my father with cold eyes. "Joseph Montgomery, you will answer for your actions. But first, the princess must be tested."
"Tested?"
"To verify your bloodline and determine if you're worthy of your inheritance." She gestured to her companions. "This is Elder Maximilian and Elder Thorne. I am Elder Selene. We will oversee your trial."
"What trial?" Marcus stepped forward protectively.
Elder Maximilian smiled coldly. "The trial of blood, of course. She must face another Lycan in combat. To the death, if necessary."
"Absolutely not," Marcus growled.
"You have no say here, Alpha," Elder Thorne said dismissively. "This is Lycan law, older than your pack, older than your bonds."
"I'll do it," I said, surprising everyone. "When?"
"Tomorrow at moonrise. Your opponent has already been chosen."
"Nathan," I guessed.
Elder Selene's smile was sharp. "How perceptive. Yes, Nathan Stone has claimed right of challenge for your hand. If he wins, your mate bond with Marcus Stone will be severed, and you will be bound to Nathan instead."
"And if I win?"
"Then you truly are your mother's daughter, and all Lycan will bow to your authority."
Marcus's hand found mine, squeezing tightly. Through our bond, I felt his fear and rage in equal measure.
"I won't let you do this," he said quietly.
"You don't have a choice," I replied. "Neither of us do."
Elder Selene stepped closer, studying me with ancient eyes. "There is something else. The bond you share with Marcus Stone—it's unusual. Stronger than it should be for such a new connection."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, princess, that your mate bond may not be as accidental as you think. The Moon Goddess has plans for you. The question is: will you survive long enough to fulfill them?"