Chapter 77 Kaden's POV
The summit hall was filled with Alphas from neighboring territories.
I stood at the head of the room with Ethan beside me, listening to discussions about Erebus threats, border security, and resource sharing. The same topics we'd covered in the last three summits, but with increasing urgency as the attacks escalated.
"Blue Moon Pack has experienced multiple incursions," Alpha Marcus from Silver Creek was saying. "Three attacks in the past month alone need coordinated defenses."
"Agreed," Alpha Helena from Red Stone Pack said.
"But coordination requires trust and frankly, some of us are concerned about the instability in Blue Moon leadership."
I felt my jaw tighten of course the rumors had spread pack politics moved faster than wildfire.
"My leadership is stable," I said firmly.
"The concerns you have heard are internal politics. Nothing that affects our ability to defend our territory or honor our alliances."
"Is it true you attacked one of your own elders?" Helena pressed.
"I defended my mate from disrespect. That's not instability. That's protecting my family."
"Your rejected mate," Marcus corrected.
"The omega everyone's talking about. The one who can wield Luna power without being Luna."
The room went quiet with every eye on me.
"The rejection was a mistake I'm correcting," I said. "And her power is being trained and controlled. Neither situation affects Blue Moon Pack's strength or reliability as an ally."
"Doesn't it?" Helena leaned forward.
"An Alpha distracted by personal drama is an Alpha who can't focus on pack security. And an unstable mate with uncontrolled power is a liability we all share if our packs are connected through alliances."
"Elara is not unstable-"
"She nearly killed a dozen pack members," Marcus interrupted. "That's the definition of unstable."
I felt my wolf pushing forward, wanting to defend Elara more aggressively. But starting a fight at a summit would only prove their point.
Ethan stepped in smoothly. "The incident was isolated and occurred under extreme provocation. Since then, there have been no further issues. Elara is learning control with the help of experienced trainers."
"What trainers?" Helena asked. "Who understands Luna's power wielded by someone who isn't officially Luna?"
"That's being handled internally-"
The door to the summit hall opened, cutting off Ethan's response.
Alpha Xavier walked in, his presence immediately commanding attention. He was dressed formally, his Dark Moon Pack insignia visible on his jacket.
"Apologies for the interruption," Xavier said, his voice carrying easily through the room. "But I believe I can address some of your concerns about the Blue Moon Pack."
I stiffened. What was he doing?
Xavier moved to stand beside me. "I'm Alpha Xavier of Dark Moon Pack. As of today, I'm formally proposing a military and trade alliance with Blue Moon Pack."
Murmurs rippled through the assembled Alphas.
"An alliance?" Helena looked surprised. "Dark Moon Pack has remained neutral for decades. Why get involved now?"
"Because the Erebus threat is real and growing. Because isolation makes us all vulnerable. And because I have observed Alpha Kaden's leadership firsthand and found it sound."
Xavier looked at me. "Blue Moon Pack is strong. Organized, capable of exactly the kind of ally Dark Moon needs."
"What about the instability?" Marcus asked. "The concerns we just raised?"
"What I've seen is an Alpha making difficult decisions during a crisis protecting his mate and future heir while simultaneously defending his territory from external threats. That's not instability, that's strength under pressure."
Xavier's words carried weight. Dark Moon Pack's reputation for neutrality and careful judgment meant his endorsement mattered.
The Alphas were whispering now reassessing.
"I propose we hold a formal alliance signing," Xavier said. "Here today let all assembled packs witness Dark Moon and Blue Moon uniting our strength."
I looked at Xavier, trying to understand his game. Why help me? Why push for this alliance so publicly?
But I couldn't question it now, not with every Alpha watching.
"Blue Moon Pack accepts," I said. "We welcome the alliance with Dark Moon."
The summit devolved into discussions about the alliance terms. Ethan and Xavier's Beta worked out details while I fielded questions from other Alphas who were suddenly much more interested in maintaining good relations with Blue Moon.
Two hours later, we reconvened in the formal council room for the alliance signing.
The contract was elaborate pages of terms covering military cooperation, trade agreements, shared intelligence about Erebus movements, and mutual defense pacts.
Xavier and I signed simultaneously, our signatures binding our packs together.
"To new alliances," Xavier said, raising the ceremonial glass. "And to the defeat of our common enemies."
"To alliances," I echoed.
The other Alphas raised their glasses as well, the tension from earlier mostly dissipated.
Alpha Helena approached after the formal ceremony concluded. "This changes things. Dark Moon Pack's support legitimizes Blue Moon's position. I'd like to discuss expanding our own trade agreements."
"Ethan can arrange a meeting," I said.
Other Alphas followed, suddenly eager to maintain or strengthen their relationships with my pack. Xavier's endorsement had shifted the entire political landscape.
When most of the Alphas had left, Helena approached again with several others.
"We should celebrate this alliance properly," she said. "A formal gathering. Let all the packs participate. Show unity against Erebus."
"A party?" I asked, not bothering to hide my skepticism.
"A strategic display of strength," She corrected. "Show Erebus's followers that we're united. That attacking any pack means attacking all of us."
Alpha Marcus nodded. "It would be good for morale. And good politics. Show the packs that we're not just defending….we're thriving despite the threat."
I wanted to refuse. The last thing I needed was to host a political party while dealing with Selena, the elders, and Elara's recovery.
But refusing would look weak. Would undermine everything Xavier's endorsement had accomplished.
"Fine," I said. "We will host a gathering. When?"
"Two weeks," Helena suggested.
"Gives everyone time to prepare and gives you time to... address any remaining internal concerns."
Meaning Elara meaning the elders, meaning all the drama they had heard about.
"Two weeks," I agreed.
After the details were finalized and the other Alphas had left, Xavier approached me.
"That went well," he said.
"Why did you do that? The alliance, the public endorsement. Why help me?"
Xavier's expression was unreadable. "Because I meant what I said. You are a strong Alpha dealing with difficult circumstances. And because..." He paused. "Because I have my own reasons for wanting Blue Moon Pack stable and secure."
"What reasons?"
"We will discuss that later. Right now, I'd like to request permission to stay at your pack house for the next few weeks. Until the celebration."
I frowned. "You have accommodations at the summit hall."
"Which are fine but isolated. If we're going to be formal allies, I should spend time in your territory. Learn your pack. Build relationships with your people."
It made sense strategically but something about Xavier still made me uneasy. The way he looked at Elara. The way he had appeared so conveniently when she was being attacked.
"Fine," I said. "You can stay in the guest wing."
"Appreciated."
We left the summit hall and drove back to the pack house together, Ethan following in a separate vehicle.
"How much does your pack know about Damian?" I asked as we drove.
Xavier's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "That he's my half-brother? Very few. It's not something we advertised."
"Why not?"
"Complicated family history. My father had an affair. Damian was the result. It caused significant problems in my parents' marriage. When my mother died, my father tried to bring Damian into the pack fully but there was resistance and resentment."
"Is that why he left?"
"Partially but there were other factors. Things he saw. Things that disturbed him about our pack traditions."
Xavier glanced at me. "Has he told you anything about why he left?"
"No. He refuses to discuss it."
"That's probably for the best. Some things are better left in the past."
We drove the rest of the way in silence when we pulled up to the pack house, I immediately noticed something was wrong.
Selena was standing on the front steps, dressed immaculately as always, wearing what looked like a hostess smile.
"What is she doing?" I muttered.
We got out of the car and Selena immediately moved forward.
"Alpha Xavier," She said warmly.
"Welcome to Blue Moon Pack, I have taken the liberty of preparing the best guest quarters for you. I will personally ensure your stay is comfortable."
Xavier looked at her with polite interest. "That's very kind."
"Not at all. It's my pleasure to host such a distinguished guest."
She gestured toward the house. "If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms and give you a tour of the facilities-"
"That won't be necessary."
The voice came from behind us.
I turned to see Elara being wheeled out of the house by Kara. She was dressed simply but looked stronger than she had that morning. Her eyes were fixed on Selena with cold determination.
"Elara," Selena said, her smile not wavering. "You should be resting when you are injured."
"I'm fine. And I'll be handling Alpha Xavier's accommodations."
"You? But you're barely able to move. Surely it would be better if someone more... capable... took care of our important guest."
"I'm perfectly capable. Thank you for your concern."
The two women stared at each other. Selena's smile was starting to look strained.
"I really think it would be better-"
"Alpha Xavier is an honored guest," Elara interrupted.
"Which means he deserves to be welcomed by someone who actually cares about his comfort, not someone using him as a political prop."
Selena's smile disappeared entirely. "How dare you-"
"How dare I do that? Offer genuine hospitality instead of calculated manipulation?"
Elara's voice was calm but firm. "Alpha Xavier, if you follow Kara, she'll show you to your quarters. They've been prepared with fresh linens, and dinner will be brought to your room if you prefer privacy after your long day."
Xavier looked between the two women, clearly amused by the power play.
"Thank you, Elara," he said. "I appreciate the thoughtfulness."
Selena's face was flushed with anger and humiliation. "This is inappropriate you are a guest here, not-"
"Not what?" Elara asked quietly.
"Not the Alpha's mate? Not carrying his heir? Not someone with the authority to welcome guests to this pack house?"
The challenge was to clear the gauntlet thrown down. Selena opened her mouth to respond, fury radiating off her in waves.
And I realized Elara wasn't backing down. Wasn't hiding, wasn't letting Selena control the narrative anymore.
She was fighting back.
This was going to get very interesting.