Page 72 of Full Moon
“I’m running on the theory that they don’t have to like me to respect my station. This is my mother’s birthplace, my birthright, and I will be damned if some tool sits on my throne.” There’s a growl in her voice that wasn’t there six months ago.
Feray has grown in ways I never expected. Unleashing her true nature has done wonders for her confidence. Thankfully, the power hasn’t gone to her head, and she doesn’t fully realize just how powerful she is. “I respect that. No one likes a ruler that has to rule through violence.”
My answer makes her stop, and she tilts her head, looking at me. The ice blue fades from her eyes as she gazes at me. “Wolves respect power and strength. I suspect I will be fighting quite often until I establish myself as the strongest. Sadly, many will die by my hands.” She sighs and turns back to the path ahead, and we start walking again.
The air grows tense as we approach the alpha house. The snow seems to fall more heavily, muffling our footsteps and creating an eerie silence. Each step forward feels like a step into an unknown destiny. The villagers’ eyes follow us, their fear palpable, a silent testament to the power shift about to unfold. The closer we get, the more I can feel the weight of Feray’s resolve. She is ready for the battles to come, and I am here, by her side, ready to face whatever comes next.
We leavethe house with Khal and Diaval in the lead. Feray has her arm looped with mine, walking by my side. Her gown leaves her shoulders exposed, but the way her hair falls covers her mate marks. The front of the gown comes up high enough to conceal Diaval’s scale.
As we move through the streets, a lilting tone escapes Feray’s lips. The resident wolves come to their doors and slowly fall in step behind Torben. Whatever her wolf has done, it’s gathering the masses gently. The air is charged with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, each step amplifying the tension.
When the alpha house comes into view, I decide to flex my muscles, so to speak. I tap Diaval on the shoulder, and he steps to the right, out of the way. Raising my hand, I concentrate my power on the path ahead of us. The snow on the ground melts, creating a narrow path of exposed earth directly before us. Steam rises from the melting snow, adding a mystical haze to our procession.
Feray smiles and gives my arm a squeeze, her touch warm and reassuring. Yet, her focus is sharp, scanning the surroundings with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. Something has her on high alert; her eyes have gone ice blue as she looks around, searching for an unseen threat. The surrounding air feels thick with an impending sense of danger, and I can’t shake the feeling that we are being watched.
Standing outside the massive carved mahogany doors are two guards, their imposing presence unmistakable. From what I can sense, they are polar bears, or at least a distant cousin. “Who goes there?” one demands, his voice a low rumble.
Rolling my eyes, I glance over at Feray, who smirks. With deliberate slowness, she reaches out, her fingers brushingDiaval’s and Khal’s shoulders as she parts them. “Thyra Feray Jökull, heir apparent of the Crescent Valley Pack,” she announces, her chin lifting in a display of authority. I feel the shift in the air as she unleashes Diaval’s intimidation power upon the unsuspecting guards. Their knees buckle, sending them to the ground, hands slapping against the stone at their feet as she presses down on them.
Feray folds her hands at her waist and smiles down at the guards before releasing her power. “I wish to speak with your alpha,” she says, her voice sweeter than honey. The tone she hits soothes any stress or fear away, an eerie contrast to the force she just displayed.
The guards scramble to their feet, eyes cast down, and swing the doors wide open. The corner of Feray’s ruby lips ticks up in a half-smile. She gives Diaval and Khal a nod, and we proceed, moving forward into the unknown. Her silence now is more terrifying than any words she could utter, a promise of what is coming.
