Chapter 31: When Power Sleeps

The scent of aged cedar and old power clung to Alpha Jason’s quarters like a second skin.

Heavy with prestige and sharpened by silence, the chamber stood far from the ceremonial halls of Moonridge, nestled deep within the eastern wing where Crescent emissaries stayed during political gatherings. Here, decisions weren’t argued. They were made.

A fire crackled low in the hearth, but no warmth touched the room.

Elder Verin and Elder Gabriel stood across from Jason, cloaked in night-hued robes, their expressions carved from stone.

Jason, Alpha of Crescent, wore no formal regalia. Just a tailored shirt, pressed pants, and the quiet, brutal confidence of a man who’d made peace with cruelty long ago.

He tapped a single finger against the polished armrest of his chair.

Once. Twice. Then stopped.

“You’re losing control,” he said without raising his voice.

Gabriel stiffened. “On the contrary. We’ve laid everything precisely.”

Verin didn’t speak. He rarely did unless necessary. Jason preferred that in men, actions over noise.

“The mating ceremony hasn’t happened,” Jason said simply. “Cassian hasn’t claimed my daughter.”

Gabriel folded his arms. “There have been delays.”

“Delays,” Jason repeated. “In my house, that word means incompetence.”

Verin cleared his throat lightly. “Cassian suspects. He’s watching. But he doesn’t have proof.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “You think suspicion isn’t enough? He doesn't need proof to cut throats. If he acts before we do, it’s over.”

Gabriel stepped forward. “He won’t. He thinks he still has time.”

Jason’s jaw ticked. “Elira is vulnerable without the bond. A placeholder Luna, not a real one. If Cassian dies now, she gets nothing.”

Gabriel nodded. “Which is why we propose a full mating before the next summit. Once she’s bonded, the title is hers.”

“And afterward?” Jason asked.

“Cassian… falls.”

Jason looked between them. “You’re certain the council will accept Kael as Alpha?”

Gabriel didn’t blink. “Once Elira claims her full role, she can name a mate. Kael’s bloodline, paired with Crescent support, will sway the others.”

“And the dissenters?”

Verin finally spoke. “We bury them under protocol and favors.”

Jason chuckled. It was a low, sharp sound that didn’t reach his eyes. “You talk like power is paperwork.”

He rose, pacing slowly. “Cassian may be a cold bastard, but he’s not weak. And the girl in Blackridge—Thalia—she’s a storm wrapped in legacy. She moves fast. Too fast.”

Gabriel looked mildly amused. “We’re already moving to neutralize her.”

Jason stopped walking. “No. You’re not. You’re hoping her past stays buried.”

Silence.

“I read the Summit archive,” Jason continued. “Convenient, isn’t it? All the focus on Nerissa’s betrayal. No mention of who actually hunted her. No names. No faces.”

Verin’s fingers flexed against his thigh.

“Does Thalia know?” Jason asked.

“No,” Verin said quickly.

Gabriel’s mouth tightened. “But she’s digging.”

Jason leaned in, resting his hands on the back of a carved chair. “If she uncovers the truth about her mother’s death, she won’t just fight, She’ll burn the whole hierarchy down.”

Gabriel met his gaze. “Then we can’t let her.”

Jason straightened. “Then don’t waste time.”

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Kael stepped in, his expression unreadable.

Gabriel didn’t bother hiding his displeasure. “You’re late.”

“I wasn’t invited,” Kael said coolly.

Verin gave Jason a look, but the Alpha waved a dismissive hand. “Let him speak.”

Kael glanced between them. “Cassian knows.”

The room froze.

Jason’s fingers curled. “How?”

Kael didn’t answer.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “What did you do?”

Kael turned his gaze to Jason. “If you want this plan to work, you need to finish it. Fast.”

Verin stepped forward. “Did he confront you?”

“No. But he will.”

Gabriel’s voice was ice. “You’ve compromised everything.”

Kael finally snapped. “You’re the ones who sent me down this road! Don’t act surprised that I followed it!”

Jason crossed the room in three strides and grabbed Kael by the collar, slamming him back against the door.

“Control yourself,” the Alpha hissed. “You are not the chosen heir. You are a convenience. One more mistake and I’ll see you replaced.”

Kael shoved him off. “I don’t care about your throne.”

Gabriel growled, “You care about Elira.”

Kael’s silence was answer enough.

Jason looked at Verin. “Is the route confirmed?”

Verin nodded. “Cassian has a late-night patrol this week. South border, minimal escort.”

Gabriel added, “We’ll stage it as a rogue attack. No trace. No witnesses.”

Jason turned back to Kael. “You’ll lead the outer unit. Keep his guard distracted.”

Kael stared at him. “And if I say no?”

Gabriel smiled coldly. “Then you join him in the woods.”

\---

Later that night, after the meeting had scattered and the sky dipped into pitch, Kael sat alone outside the barracks, his hands trembling.

His father’s words echoed louder than the wind.

“One more mistake and I’ll see you replaced.”

He wasn’t sure anymore who he was trying to impress—Gabriel? Elira? Himself?

The truth was uglier.

He hadn’t wanted power.

He’d wanted purpose.

And somewhere along the way, the two had blurred.

\---

In the Crescent guest wing, Elira stood before her father with her arms folded tightly.

“You threatened him?” she asked.

Alpha Jason didn’t look up from the scroll he was reviewing. “I motivated him.”

“He’s not a soldier you can whip.”

“He’s a boy playing prince.”

Elira took a breath. “He loves me.”

Jason glanced up. “And you love the throne. That’s why you’re my daughter.”

She turned away.

“Don’t forget what this is,” Jason said. “Cassian dies, you ascend, Kael becomes your consort, and Crescent becomes the guiding hand of Moonridge. That’s what we agreed to.”

“And if I want something more?”

Jason’s voice didn’t shift. “You’ll do what I raised you to do.”

Elira said nothing.

She left the room without a sound.

But her silence screamed.