Chapter 6
1463words
Ethan's accusation echoed through the hall.
I regarded him calmly, unmoved by his outburst. Once, a single harsh word from him could shatter my heart. Now his raging felt like nothing more than a gentle breeze.
"I never deceived you, Ethan," my voice rang clear and firm. "I was willing to give up my identity just to love you."
My words silenced the hall. Everyone held their breath, including Liam.
"Three years ago, I left Moon Shadow to prove I could survive without my family's power and status. I wanted to be loved for being Selena—not for being the Luna of Moon Shadow."
My gaze swept across the hall before finally settling on Ethan.
"And you, Ethan—you never truly understood me. You only saw what you wanted to see."
Ethan's face darkened as he stepped forward, only to be blocked immediately by Liam's guards.
"Get your hands off me!" he snarled, struggling against them. "Selena, you can't do this to me! We were together for three years—how can you say I don't understand you?"
"Three years?" I let out a soft, bitter laugh. "In those three years, did you ever ask about my past? Did you ever care about my dreams? You don't even know my favorite color."
My words struck him like physical blows. A flash of panic crossed his face as the truth of my statement hit home.
"But none of that matters anymore," I continued. "What matters is that I've found where I truly belong, and someone who truly loves me."
I turned to Liam, whose eyes remained fixed on me, filled with pride and devotion.
Just then, Vivian suddenly lunged forward, her face twisted with rage.
"You bitch!" she screamed. "Who do you think you are? You're only standing there because of your family name!"
She raised her hand to slap me, but before she could make contact, silver light erupted from within me, forming an invisible shield.
Vivian's hand bounced off the barrier, sending her stumbling backward, her face a mask of shock.
"What the—" she gasped, unable to believe her eyes.
"The power of Moon Shadow," I said calmly. "My power."
I hadn't consciously summoned this power—it seemed to have activated on its own, protecting me instinctively when threatened.
"Guards," Liam said coldly, "escort this woman out."
Several guards stepped forward and seized the struggling Vivian. As they dragged her away, she hurled threats over her shoulder.
"You'll regret this! I'll make you pay for this!"
Ethan stood frozen, his face ashen. He watched Vivian being removed but made no move to intervene. Something seemed to dawn on him in that moment.
"Selena..." his voice dropped, taking on a pleading tone. "Can we talk? Privately."
I glanced at Liam. Wariness flashed in his eyes, but he respected my decision and gave a slight nod.
"Five minutes," he said. "No longer."
I followed Ethan to a quiet corner. He turned to face me, his eyes swimming with complex emotions.
"Why?" he asked, his voice low and pained. "Why didn't you tell me you were the Luna of Moon Shadow?"
"Would you have cared?" I countered. "If I had told you, would you have treated me differently?"
He fell silent, and his silence answered my question.
"We can start over," he suddenly blurted, his voice urgent. "There was a misunderstanding between us. Please, give me a chance to explain. We can start fresh—you're the most perfect Luna I've ever seen."
I studied him, feeling nothing but calm. Once, such words might have melted my heart. Now, I felt only pity.
"You don't love me—you love the idea of having the Luna of Moon Shadow," I said. "You never truly loved me, Ethan. You just can't stand losing."
"No," he shook his head, his voice growing desperate. "I love you, Selena. I've always loved you."
"If you really loved me," I said, "you wouldn't have humiliated me at the restaurant. You wouldn't have forgotten my birthday. You wouldn't have chosen Vivian when I needed you most."
Each sentence struck him like a physical blow. Ethan's face grew increasingly pale. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
"Goodbye, Ethan," I said softly. "I hope you find true happiness someday."
I turned and walked away without looking back.
When I returned to Liam's side, his eyes were full of concern. "Are you alright?"
I smiled and nodded. "I'm fine. It's all over now."
The banquet resumed. Liam and I stood together, receiving blessings from representatives of various packs. I could feel my power growing stronger, moonlight seeming to flow through my veins, giving me unprecedented strength and confidence.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the hall.
"The Blood Moon Pack is here!" someone exclaimed.
The Blood Moon Pack—werewolves known for their brutality who had always been hostile toward Moon Shadow. Their arrival could only mean trouble.
Liam's expression hardened as he stepped protectively in front of me.
The Alpha of Blood Moon, a massive, hulking figure, strode into the hall. His eyes glowed blood-red, radiating hostility.
"The new Luna of Moon Shadow," he sneered. "I've brought you a gift."
His followers carried in a large box. When opened, it revealed the mutilated corpse of a werewolf.
Gasps and cries of horror filled the hall.
"Consider this a warning," said the Blood Moon Alpha. "The reign of Moon Shadow is coming to an end."
Anger burned through me. This wasn't just a provocation against me—it was a threat to my entire pack.
I stepped forward to stand beside Liam.
"Alpha of Blood Moon," my voice was calm yet powerful, "I accept your 'gift.' But remember—Moon Shadow has never bowed to threats."
I raised my hand, and silver light shot from my palm, enveloping the corpse. Before everyone's astonished eyes, the body began to glow before transforming into specks of starlight that dispersed into the air.
"This is how we honor the dead," I said. "Not by using them as tools of intimidation."
The Blood Moon Alpha's face contorted with rage. He clearly hadn't expected me to counter his provocation so effectively.
"You'll regret this," he snarled through clenched teeth. "We're leaving!"
He stormed out with his followers, leaving stunned silence in his wake.
Then, applause erupted, growing increasingly enthusiastic. The entire assembly cheered my handling of the situation.
"Luna! Luna! Luna!"
Amid the cheers, I felt a power and confidence I'd never known before. I was no longer the girl who lost herself for love—I was Luna of the Moon Shadow Pack, the chosen heir of an ancient legacy.
Liam took my hand, his eyes shining with pride and admiration. "You were magnificent, Selena."
I smiled up at him, my heart overflowing with happiness.
Just then, I spotted Ethan in a corner. He stood alone, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Vivian was nowhere to be seen, and he looked utterly lost.
Our eyes met across the distance. He seemed about to speak, but in the end merely gave a slight nod before turning away.
I knew this was his farewell.
And I was ready to embrace my new beginning.
Meanwhile, in a secluded spot outside Moon Shadow territory, Vivian was engaged in hushed conversation with several Blood Moon members.
"I want her to pay," Vivian hissed through clenched teeth. "I want to see her humiliated in front of everyone."
"That won't be easy," a Blood Moon member sneered. "She's the Luna of Moon Shadow now, with the entire pack protecting her."
"But she has a weakness," Vivian's eyes gleamed with malice. "She loves Liam—and love is always the greatest weakness."
She pulled a small vial from her bodice containing a blue liquid.
"What is that?" the Blood Moon member asked.
"An ancient potion," Vivian laughed. "One that makes werewolves lose control and revert to savage beasts."
Her plan was simple: drug Liam's drink, make him lose control and attack Selena publicly. Not only would Selena be hurt, but Liam would be disgraced for attacking his own Luna.
"Are you sure this works?" the Blood Moon member asked skeptically.
"Of course," Vivian replied confidently. "I've already tested it on Ethan."
As it turned out, Ethan's recent erratic behavior—those sudden bursts of anger and loss of control—were all Vivian's doing. She'd been secretly adding the potion to his drinks, making him increasingly unstable.
"Tomorrow," Vivian said, "we strike during the Moon Shadow celebration."
Her eyes gleamed with malice, completely unaware that from the shadows nearby, a pair of eyes watched her coldly.
It was Ethan.
He'd heard everything, his face growing paler by the second. He finally understood the source of his recent uncontrollable rages and impulses.
He clenched his fists, determination hardening in his eyes.
He knew he had to act.
