Chapter 58 Inherited Power
“Cancel the wedding,” Lycian said immediately. Voice hard. Final.
“What? No.” I stared at him. “We’re not canceling because they’re watching.”
“They just threatened us. Directly. At our wedding, we’ll be exposed. Vulnerable. Perfect targets.” He was already pulling out his phone. “We postpone. Move it somewhere private. Somewhere we control.”
“Or we use it. Like we used the spring gathering.” I grabbed his phone before he could call anyone. “They want us scared. Reactive. Let’s give them the opposite. Confidence. Control.”
“You want to use our wedding as bait?” His eyes flashed gold. “Absolutely not.”
“Not bait. A message. That we’re not afraid. That they can watch all they want but they can’t stop us.” I softened my voice. “I’m tired of living in fear. I want to marry you. On schedule. In front of everyone.”
Through the bond, I felt his war. Protection versus respect. Fear versus love.
“We increase security,” he said finally. “Triple what we had at the gathering. Every guest vetted. Every entrance is covered.”
“Deal.”
We spent the next week diving into my family history. Bloodlines.
What we found was disturbing. My father’s family wasn’t just connected to the Collective. They’d founded it.
“Your great-great-grandfather started the Silvermoon Collective,” Sienna said. “William Hale.”
“How is that possible? He was human.”
“Was he? The records are unclear.” She pulled up a faded photo. “This is him.”
I stared at the man in the picture. Same eyes as my father. Same stubborn jaw.
“What happened to the Collective after he died?”
“It splintered. Your grandmother Victoria was in the dismantling camp. That’s probably why she was killed.”
“And my father?”
“He found proof the Collective still existed. Was going to expose everything. So they killed him too.” Sienna’s expression was grim. “You’re the last of the Hale bloodline.”
The room went silent.
“They want me dead or controlled,” I said slowly. “Because if I’m alive and independent, I’m a threat.”
“Exactly. You have a legitimate claim.”
“I don’t want to lead a secret conspiracy. I want justice for my parents.”
“They don’t believe that,” Sienna said. “You’re a Hale. Manipulation and strategy are in your blood.”
After she left, I felt numb. My family wasn’t victims. They were architects of the system that killed them.
“This doesn’t change who you are,” Lycian said. “You’re not responsible for what your ancestors did.”
“But I benefit from it. They’re watching me because of my bloodline.” I looked at him. “What if they’re right?”
“You’re nothing like them,” he said. “You chose mercy. You risked everything to save your aunt.” He pulled me close. “You’re good. Don’t let them make you doubt that.”
I wanted to believe him. But the doubt had planted itself. Growing roots.
That night, I dreamed of William Hale. Standing in the shadows. Offering me power. Control. Everything I could want.
All I had to do was embrace my bloodline. Claim my birthright.
I woke up gasping. Sweating. The bond immediately pulled Lycian from sleep.
“Nightmare?”
“Something like that.” I couldn’t shake the feeling of wrongness. Of being watched. Judged. Found wanting.
The wedding plans continued despite everything. Elena was a force of nature. Organizing. Coordinating.
“You’re getting married in ten weeks,” she said, showing me invitation designs. “We need to finalize these.”
“They’re all beautiful. You choose.”
“Elowen. This is your wedding.”
“I do care. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“The Collective.” She said it casually. “I know you’re investigating them. My uncle told me.”
My blood went cold. “What did he tell you?”
“That you’re asking questions. Following money trails.” She set down the invitations. “He warned me to tell you to stop.”
“Your uncle is Richard Marsh. Did you know that?”
“Yes. I’ve known for years. He’s been a member since before I was born.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this?”
“It wasn’t relevant. Until you started digging.” Her voice hardened. “The Collective maintains order. Prevents wars.”
“They murdered my parents.”
“They eliminated a threat.” Her expression was firm. “I’m sorry about your parents. But they made their choice.”
I stepped back. “You’re defending them.”
“I’m explaining reality.” She gathered her things. “Stop investigating. Plan your wedding. Live your life.”
“Or what?”
“Or they’ll see you as a threat that needs eliminating.” She moved toward the door. “Is revenge worth dying for?”
After she left, I couldn’t move. Lycian found me on the floor.
“What happened?” he asked.
I told him everything. Elena’s confession. The warning.
His expression went dark. “She’s been working with them.”
“We don’t know that.”
“She’s known for years.” He pulled out his phone. “She’s out.”
“Wait.” I caught his hand. “If we cut her off, we lose our connection to Richard Marsh.”
“You want to use her?”
“She’s useful. We keep her close. Let her think we’re backing off.”
“That’s cold. Strategic. Very Hale of you.” He nodded. “We trust nothing she says.”
Over the next few weeks, I pretended everything was normal. Let Elena plan the wedding.
But I watched her.
I caught her meeting her uncle twice. Talking in hushed voices.
Two weeks before the wedding, another message came. This time to Lycian’s phone.
We’ve been patient. This is your final chance. Back off. Marry your mate. Be Luna.
With it, a photo of Aunt Clara. Leaving her appointment.
The threat was clear.
Lycian showed Thaddeus. They argued for hours.
I sat quietly. Thinking.
Finally, I spoke. “We give them what they want. Act normal.”
“You want to surrender?” Lycian asked.
“No. I want them to think we surrendered.” I looked at both of them. “We investigate quieter. Smarter.”
“How?” Thaddeus asked.
“We use my bloodline. I reached out. Say I want to join.” I forced the words out. “Controlled but actually playing them.”
“That’s dangerous,” Lycian said.
“Then I’d better be convincing.” I took his hand. “This is the only way.”
Thaddeus studied me. Finally nodded. “I’ll set it up. But you’re not going alone.”Lycian and I will be there. Hidden but ready.”
“Fine.”
The meeting was set for three days before the wedding. Neutral location. Public café.
I dressed carefully. Professional but not intimidating.
Richard Marsh was waiting when I arrived. Older. Distinguished. He looked like someone’s favorite uncle.
“Elowen. Thank you for reaching out.” His smile was warm. “I’ve been hoping we could talk.”
“I’m done fighting. Done investigating.” I sat across from him. “You were right. Revenge isn’t worth dying for. I just want to live my life. Be Luna. Build a future with Lycian.”
“I’m glad you’ve come to that conclusion.” He sipped his coffee. “The Collective does not quarrel with you. We wanted assurance you wouldn’t disrupt what we’ve built.”
“I understand now. What you do. Why you do it.” The lies came easier than I expected. “My father was idealistic. But I see value in order. Structure. Control.”
Something shifted in his expression. “The Collective could use someone like you. Someone with your bloodline.”
“What exactly would that involve?”
“Nothing dramatic. Information sharing. Helping us maintain stability.” He leaned forward. “In return, you’d have our protection. Our resources.”
“What kind of information?”
“Pack politics. Territory disputes. Anything that might threaten stability.”
It was a trap. Obviously. But I smiled anyway. “That sounds reasonable.”
“Excellent. Then welcome to the family, Elowen.” He stood and extended his hand.
I shook it. Felt his cold skin. His certainty he’d won.
As I left the café, I felt different. Powerful. In control.
For the first time, I understood the thrill of manipulation. Of playing a long game.
And it terrified me how much I liked it.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number.
Well played. But we both know you’re lying. The question is, will you figure that out before it’s too late?