Chapter 39 War Against Humans

Chapter 39 War Against Humans
The air around Rune’s office was thick enough to choke on. 

Eretria, the witch whose hand Rune had snapped, sat at one end of the room, her sister Lyria kneeling beside her, murmuring incantations as the injured limb slowly mended itself.

Lucien was staring into space, looking utterly indifferent to the tension crackling through the space.

Rune and Cassian glared at the other three visitors as if they were vermin that had crawled in through a crack. And Nova sat close to Rune, watching it all warily.

This was not what she expected the council to look like. She had pictured a panel of old men and women, gray-bearded warlords and witches with powers radiating through their bones. Instead, she was looking at a group of adults with behavioral issues.

Lyria and Eretria looked to be in their mid-thirties. Lucien appeared no older than thirty. And Rune, at twenty-eight, was the youngest in the room.

These were the people leading the supernatural world? It was hard to believe.

“I can feel you judging, Nova.”

Nova's eyes snapped up to meet Eretria’s amber ones. Could witches read minds?

The woman didn’t even look remorseful for throwing her into a wall. Her back still throbbed from being hurled across the room. It was an attack no amount of training could have saved her from. How was she supposed to defend against something she couldn’t see coming?

“No, we don't read minds. It’s written all over your face,” Eretria answered, her tone noticeably softer than her sister’s.

Nova wasn’t convinced. She coughed and looked away, schooling her features into something unreadable. If she wanted to survive this meeting, she couldn’t let them get a read on her.

Lyria sat back in her chair, a faint sheen of sweat on her brow. “All done. You’re fully healed.”

“Thanks,” Eretria muttered, flexing her newly repaired arm. Her gratitude lasted all of two seconds before her glare shifted to Rune. “You should really learn to control your rage, Alpha.”

“You threw my mate across the room. You’re lucky a bad arm was all you got,” Rune snapped back.

“It wasn’t intentional. I sensed something wrong.”

“Then keep your senses in check.” Rune’s jaw tightened. “Or next time, I won’t stop at one.”

“I dare you.” Lyria retorted.

Lucien clicked his tongue, brows furrowing in annoyance. “Noisy.”

Rune and Lyria both snapped at him at once. “Stay out of this, old man.”

Lucien cocked a brow but didn’t say anything.

Silence reigned for a moment before Rune broke it.

“You guys said you have something to discuss. Out with it then.”

Lucien scowled at Rune’s tone, but decided to let it slide. He straightened.

“We came here to see the human Luna for ourselves, since you’ve been hiding her from us.”

Nova’s brow furrowed. “Why do you need to see me? What do I have to do with anything?” 

Lucien’s gaze slid to her. “You’re the Alpha’s mate, which under normal circumstances would make you an unofficial member of this council. But given your unexpected…” He paused, letting the word hang. “Kind, we need to ensure we are all on the same page. There are matters you need to be informed of. Important matters.”

Nova sat up curiously.

“These are crucial times for the supernaturals,” Lyria added, her voice cold. “An anomaly like you could destroy our plans. So pardon our insistence, but we don’t trust the Alpha to convince you to join our side.” 

Nova blinked, genuinely confused. Join their side? She was already trapped here — what choice did she have? And most importantly, what plan were they talking about?

Remembering the ambiguous words Ruje had said to her earlier, she glanced at him, but he was already watching her, his expression carefully blank.

“They have some concerns. As you know, the last human Luna nearly drove supernaturals to extinction.” He spoke slowly.

“Is that what this is about?” Nova forced a smile. “Well, you don’t have to worry about me harming anyone. I have no powers. I couldn’t hurt you even if I wanted to.”

“That’s what Veronica also said,” Eretria said quietly.

Nova’s frown deepened. “Who is Veronica?”

“The last human Luna,” Lyria answered, her gaze cold.

Nova nodded. “Right.” She just now realized nobody had mentioned Veronica’s name at the pack despite always comparing them. It was as if it were a taboo.

“Well, I assure you, I am nothing like her.”

Lyria’s expression darkened. “Actually, you are. I sensed it the minute I saw you. There is a strange power within you.” She leaned closer. “You also bear a striking resemblance to her, which explains why the Alpha kept you hidden. You have the face of our worst enemy.”

The words hit Nova like ice water. Her head whipped toward Rune, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. 

He knew.

Even Cassian looked shocked by the revelation.

She turned back to Lyria, forcing calm into her voice. “How would you know what a woman who died centuries ago looked like?”

Lyria reached into her bag and, without a word, withdrew a small, weathered portrait. She held it up. 

Nova’s breath caught.

The woman in the painting had blonde hair and warm brown eyes, different from Nova’s dark hair and eyes. But everything else was similar. The resemblance was unmistakable. It was not identical, but close enough to make her skin prickle.

She stared at the portrait, her voice barely a whisper. “How is this possible?”

“My family has kept this portrait for years. Every race has one to remember the face of its traitors. Your mate must have failed to mention it.” She scoffed.

Nova’s gaze snapped to Rune. “You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?”

He bowed his head in shame. “The time wasn’t right. You needed to be ready.”

She shook her head and faced Lyria again, straightening her spine. “That portrait doesn’t mean anything. I’m not her.”

Eretria offered a tight smile. “We know. But you can’t expect us to just sit back after seeing a Luna who looks like the human Luna that tried to destroy us years ago and not react. Even if you are innocent, we still have to stay cautious. Especially with war approaching.”

Nova’s patience snapped. “What war?”

Lucien’s snicker sliced the tension. His eyes gleamed as he turned to Rune with undisguised delight. “You haven’t told her anything, have you?”

“The war has nothing to do with her,” Rune said flatly. “I don’t want her involved.”

“What war?!” Nova’s voice rose, sharp and demanding.

The room went still.

Rune finally turned to face her fully. His expression, but something dark flickered in his eyes.

He exhaled slowly.

“The war against the humans.”