Chapter 25

A burst of energy surged through my veins as I faced the crowd, their faces open with disbelief. The newfound power of my presence hummed beneath my skin, intoxicating yet controlled. I squared my shoulders, chin lifted high.

"I stand before you as your Luna," I declared, my voice ringing clear across the tense gathering. "That doesn’t change just because Alpha Elroy is elsewhere. Do you understand?”

Murmurs rippled through the assembly. I could smell their awe, their fear, and for some, their resentment. It was a heady mix that threatened to overwhelm me, but I held firm.

"I don't expect immediate acceptance," I continued, locking eyes with a gasping Blackwood. "But I will not tolerate blatant disrespect and I will not tolerate a threat to myself, my child, or anyone who would step in to protect me!"

As if summoned by my words, a familiar scent washed over me. Elroy materialized at my side, his powerful presence filling the space. The way we smelled together—his snow and my storm, a powerful blizzard, a force of nature—made my chest swell with warmth and pride.

This was my Alpha. His rage was for me. In spite of everything else, for that one moment I was absolutely certain that next to him was exactly where I was meant to be.

"Luna Olivia speaks the truth," he boomed, his hand coming to rest on the small of my back. "She is to be respected as your Luna, with or without me. Now tell me who raised their hand against my Mate!"

My heart raced at his touch, a cocktail of emotions swirling within me. Pride at his public support warred with the nagging doubt that had taken root in recent days. Would he truly stand by me this time?

Or would this be another promise left unfulfilled?

I watched as an Alpha stepped forward to explain what she’d seen, succinct in her summary, but quickly turned my attention to the man who’d taken the hit for me. It didn’t look good—he might have fractured his orbital socket, and he was definitely dazed and in pain. I helped ease him to the ground and called for a medic.

Someone hurried over just as pack enforcers seized Rita's father, dragging him away in chains. He shouted the whole way, claiming the Alpha witness was lying and that I was manipulating him, but even though a few crowd members tried to stand up for him Elroy shut them down with a vicious glare.

“This man was very clearly injured while protecting your Luna. Unless someone else is going to confess to the crime, you will have to kindly shut. Up.

"This pack stands united," Elroy continued, his voice brooking no argument. "Any who challenge Luna Olivia challenge me as well."

I nodded, maintaining my composure even as turmoil raged within. "Thank you, Alpha," I said, my voice steady despite my inner conflict. "I look forward to serving this pack alongside you."

As the crowd began to disperse, I couldn't help but wonder how long this united front would last. Trust, once broken, was not easily mended – even with the most public of gestures.

Still, the heat of Elroy's palm against my back sent shivers through my body, igniting a fire I couldn't ignore. His scent, a heady mixture of pine and musk, overwhelmed my senses. I needed to escape before I lost all composure.

"If you'll excuse me," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need a moment. Can you see to this man’s treatment?"

“Of course,” Elroy said. “I’ll take some more statements too—with this many witnesses, and such a direct threat, even the council will have to condemn him.”

And Elroy was right; there was no ambiguity in this situation, no technicality Blackwood could fall back on. He raised his fist with the intent to hit me, and it would have if it weren’t for the man who stepped between us. He wasn’t like Rita—he couldn’t worm his way out of this one.

I retreated to the Pearl Room, leaning against the door the moment it clicked shut behind me. Now that I was alone, the adrenaline starting to peter out, all I could think about was that scent.

It still lingered in my nose, the same way Elroy’s enraged profile seemed seared into my eyelids. My hands trembled as I unbuttoned my blouse. All else aside, I couldn’t deny that Elroy had never looked so hot.

I decided I would blame the hormones later. Right then, I could feel myself getting worked up.

I laid down on the bed, squirming out of my skirt. I could almost feel Elroy’s strong hands on my body, his lips trailing fire across my skin. A soft moan escaped my lips as I cupped my breasts, losing myself in the fantasy of what could be.

I didn’t have any toys—I wasn’t going to scar Jordan by making her buy them for me—but as I tweaked at my nipples I decided I might not need them. It might have been the pregnancy sensitivity kicking in, but every pass of my thumb over my hard nipple felt like a tiny electric shock that went straight between my legs.

It was good—shit, it was good—and I wasn’t in the mood for teasing. I kept one hand on my chest and smoothed the other down my stomach, remembering what Elroy looked like above me.

"Elroy," I whispered, my back arching as my fingers delved into my underwear. I was shocked by how wet I was already, but then again, why wouldn’t I be? There was just something about that smell, the way our scents mingled, and it called to me on a primal level.

Goddess, they could bottle that smell and sell it as a cure for low sex drive.

I rubbed my fingers in quick, slick circles around my clit, working myself up hard and fast. Elroy’s cock would fit perfectly inside me right about now, and I shuddered as I imagined the stretch. It was such a perfect cock, I wanted to pin Elroy down and use it like a dildo.

Something about that image flared a new wave of arousal in me. The competitive Alpha spirit, maybe, or just the age-old pleasure of watching a man’s face while I rode his cock. Elroy would look so good squeezing his eyes closed as he struggled not to thrust up.

I bit my lip as waves of pleasure washed over me. It was a good orgasm, but the second one would be better.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting patterns across the bedsheets. I stirred, momentarily disoriented. Elroy's arm was draped across my waist, a weight I was growing more and more used to.

I’d tried to beg out last night, wanting to sleep in my own room after my embarrassing lapse of rational thought earlier that day, but Elroy had looked genuinely concerned about the baby’s health and I’d caved. After Elroy’s display and my hormonal reaction, I felt like I’d taken several steps back in my plan to distance myself from him.

A sharp knock at the door jolted us both awake.

"Who is it?" Elroy called out, his voice rough with sleep.

“Beta Oliver Attol, Alpha.”

"What's this about?" Elroy demanded, his Alpha authority ringing in every syllable.

"I'm afraid I don't have that information, Alpha. I was only instructed to deliver the summons."

A chill ran down my spine. This felt ominous, like the calm before a storm. A summons?

"Luna Olivia Alleghany has been formally summoned to appear before the High Council of Eclipse," the servant said, unaware of my mounting horror. "Immediately."