Chapter 8 - THE FATHER WHO CAME BACK
Marcus Cross walked through the western gate at noon.
He looked older than the portrait.
But unmistakably alive.
Damian waited in the courtyard.
I stood beside Aurelia.
Gideon's wolves remained beyond the northern ridge.
Nobody understood whose side Marcus was on.
Damian spoke first.
“You're dead.”
Marcus stopped.
“I needed you to believe that.”
“For fourteen years?”
“Yes.”
Damian laughed bitterly.
“You always were a remarkable father.”
Marcus accepted the insult.
Then he looked at me.
“Elara.”
I tightened my grip on the pendant.
“You knew me?”
“I carried you out of Frost Hollow.”
Aurelia looked away.
I stared at him.
“You saved me?”
“I helped.”
“Then why disappear?”
“Because Gideon discovered my betrayal.”
Marcus turned toward Damian.
“I thought leaving would protect you.”
“You were wrong.”
“I know.”
Damian's voice cracked.
“You left a twelve-year-old boy to become Alpha.”
“I know.”
“You let me bury someone else.”
“I know.”
Damian stepped forward.
Then stopped.
He couldn't hit him.
Couldn't embrace him.
Couldn't forgive him.
So he walked away.
Marcus watched him go.
Aurelia spoke quietly.
“You should have stayed hidden.”
“So should you.”
“They found Elara.”
“They never stopped looking.”
Marcus looked toward the northern ridge.
“Gideon has spent twenty-one years rebuilding the coalition.”
“What does he want from me?”
I asked.
“Your submission.”
“To him?”
“To a mate he chooses.”
My stomach turned.
“Why?”
“Because your blood can legitimize a ruler.”
Aurelia added, “If you willingly bond with an Alpha, every northern territory would recognize the union.”
I looked toward Damian.
He stood alone near the courtyard wall.
“So Damian could have gained that power?”
“Yes.”
“Did he know?”
“No,” Marcus said.
I believed him.
That somehow made Damian's rejection worse.
He hadn't rejected power.
He had rejected me.
Marcus continued.
“Gideon already has someone prepared.”
“Who?”
A howl rose from beyond the northern ridge.
The gathered wolves separated.
A younger man walked forward.
Tall.
Dark-haired.
Dressed in black.
A scar crossed his throat.
My wolf stirred.
Not attraction.
Recognition.
Fear.
Aurelia whispered.
“Cassian.”
I looked at her.
“Who is he?”
“My sister's son.”
My cousin.
Cassian stopped beyond the gate.
Gideon stood behind him.
Marcus cursed.
“They told us he died at Frost Hollow.”
Aurelia looked devastated.
Cassian raised his voice.
“Elara Vale.”
The valley went silent.
“I claim the ancient right of blood challenge.”
Damian immediately stepped forward.
“No.”
Cassian smiled.
“This has nothing to do with you, Cross.”
“It does now.”
I looked at Damian.
He looked back.
Cassian continued.
“By the old law, the surviving heirs must determine who carries the First Moon authority.”
Aurelia shook her head.
“The law was abolished.”
“Not by our bloodline.”
Cassian looked at me.
“Refuse, and Gideon attacks.”
“Accept?”
“You face me at moonrise.”
Damian growled.
“You'll kill her.”
Cassian's expression didn't change.
“No.”
He looked directly at me.
“I'll make her kneel.”
Something inside me answered.
The same force that had dropped Serena to her knees.
Only stronger.
The wolves around us shifted uneasily.
I stepped forward.
“Moonrise.”
Aurelia grabbed my arm.
“Elara.”
I didn't look away from Cassian.
“I accept.”
Cassian smiled.
May you like
And Damian whispered behind me.
“What have you done?”
