Chapter 5: We'll Hear Her Name
Brenda’s POV
"Again," Zane said, hurling a knife in my direction.
I spun to discreetly land on my feet after ducking and caught it in midair. My footfall was as quiet as the breeze, and my scent was already concealed. The surrounding woodland didn't even bat an eye.
Zane nodded proudly. "You're prepared."
I dabbed at my perspiration and let out a breath. I no longer felt like the girl who had been hauled away and tossed out like trash, even though the training had been exhausting. I was no longer that person.
I was something more now.
Still gasping for air, I continued, "Teach me how to mask my power."
He smiled. "You are already. You've got better control. Unless you want them to, most people won't detect your vibe.
I couldn't resist grinning. For once, my motivation for concealing was power rather than fear.
Zane approached and put something in my grasp. An old but polished silver crescent-shaped pendant hangs from a thin chain.
"What is this?" I said.
"Your mother owned it," he remarked quietly. She constantly wore it. Lunar blood is thought to cause it to react.
My chest constricted. I felt a slight pulse, almost like a heartbeat, as I ran my fingers over the cool metal.
I put it around my throat. "I'm grateful."
Zane looked at me. "What are you going to do next?"
I turned to face the Lycan Pack's way. The name of the land that had taken everything from me was almost spoken by the swaying trees.
“I’ll return,” I said slowly. “But not as the girl they broke.”
He cocked his head. "Then how?"
I held on to the pendant tightly. “As the storm they’ll never forget.”
The fragrance of cooked meat, bonfires, and wolf musk reached me as I stood at the boundary of the Lycan territory.
The Blood Moon Festival has begun.
Hidden beneath a long hooded cloak, my smell muffled, my strength kept deep inside me—I walked like a shadow. Quiet. Not visible.
This time, I crossed the border without fear.
I was broken, bruised, and thrown out like trash the last time I crossed this line.
I crossed purposefully now.
Lanterns were lighting up the event grounds. There was laughter and a reverberation of music. Some wolves marched in traditional clothes, while others danced in human form. The elders were seated close to the holy platform on seats with gold trim.
It seemed as though nothing had occurred. Like I didn't exist.
But now I was here. I also had no intention of being silent any longer.
I kept my head down as I navigated the mob. I looked at everything: Luna Iris looking smug, Selene laughing with her phoney pals, the throng humming with enthusiasm.
Then I caught sight of him.
Damian.
Wearing deep red robes with the Alpha crest blazing on his chest, he stood erect in front of the hallowed platform. His face was unreadable.
I went cold.
Then, his look found mine.
There was silence for a heartbeat. The tunes. The laughing. The atmosphere.
He stopped.
The ceremonial blade slipped from his grasp and landed at his side. His lips parted slightly as his eyes expanded.
He appeared to have seen a ghost.
I wasn't a ghost, though.
I was alive and well.
I wasn't finished yet.
Damian was staring at me, and my heart was racing.
He remained still.
Was it possible for him to see me through the cloak?
I lowered my eyes and swiftly turned away, blending into the throng. I forced myself to breathe even though my hands were shaking beneath the cloth.
I said to myself in a whisper, "You're ready."
Every step I took as I made my way through the dense sea of wolves served as a reminder of who I was and what they had done to me. Nobody knew who I was. They likely thought I was just a visiting pack member because they only saw a stranger in a cloak. That was excellent. Until the time came, let them remain blind.
From the holy platform came a loud voice. The music ceased.
"We celebrate under the Blood Moon tonight—a time of unity and strength!" With a voice brimming with strength and dignity, Luna Iris declared. "And our Alpha will mark his selected Luna—Selene—tonight!"
There was a burst of cheers. I felt sick to my stomach.
Wearing a long crimson dress, Selene walked forward with a broad, phoney smile. Her pride, which was based on cruelty and lies, was evident in her eyes.
I balled my fists up. You thought you were going to win this night. However, you didn't expect me to live.
Standing next to her, Damian's jaw was clenched. He continued to look around the crowd. For me. He felt uncomfortable. He had a restless wolf. I sensed it.
Although it may have been weakened, my relationship with him remained intact.
I stepped forward, aiming toward the stage.
One of the guards squinted. "Explain your name and goal."
I raised my head just enough to look him in the eyes. "I'm here to bring about justice."
His face paled. He took a step back.
I continued to walk steadily and slowly.
Everyone started looking at me.
Selene furrowed her brows. “Who is that?”
Damian looked.
He was aware.
I walked steadily up the stone steps of the holy platform.
As I arrived at the summit, gasps echoed throughout the festival.
I drew my hood back.
Stunned stillness spread across the crowd.
With her mouth agape, Luna Iris stood up. Selene staggered back as if she had witnessed death.
Damian, too... It appears the ground had split beneath Damian.
Breathless, he said, "Brenda?"
I let my look go over the whole group.
A few appeared perplexed. Others appeared frightened.
Excellent.
"I was your Omega," I stated in a composed yet firm voice. “The one you beat. The one you cursed. The one you rejected.”
Another gasp. A goblet fell from someone in the audience.
Selene held Damian's arm, but he remained still.
Letting the silver crescent pendant at my neck catch the moonlight, I took a step toward them. It had a fire-like sheen.
Yes, I was weak. However, you attempted to delete me rather than simply rejecting me.
Selene's voice faltered. "You're not permitted here—"
"I'm not finished!" My voice reverberated with the force of an ancient object as I snapped. "You believed that I had been buried. However, I had a new birth. more powerful. Smarter. Blessed by the Moon itself.
“Guards, take her!” yelled Luna Iris.
They hurried ahead.
I raised my hand, though, before they could touch me.
A surge of silver-glow energy erupted from my body. With a moan, the guards flew backwards, senseless.
The pack let out a terrified gasp. The impact knocked a few wolves to their knees.
Even Damian staggered back, his inner wolf roaring.
I met his look directly.
"When I was weak, you turned me away. Now…” I took one final step and raised my voice for all to hear, “Kneel before your true Luna!”
The pendant around my neck gleamed like the Blood Moon itself, spreading a silver light over the platform.
Selene shouted, her voice shaking. “She’s a witch! A monster!
The audience, however, was quiet.
Everyone could sense it—the reality.
The sacred power of the Lunar Bloodline.
The elders exchanged horrified glances. A few even lowered their heads.
Damian's shocked eyes were wide. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
I wasn't denied by him.
He was unable to.
Because he knew in his heart.
He always knew.
Now, the whole pack was aware as well.
Before anyone could respond further, a piercing howl resonated from the trees.
Zane.
He came out of the forest, trailed by silver-clad warriors, and I turned slightly.
A tempest was building in Damian's eyes as they darted between Zane and me.
His voice was scratchy when he said, "Who is he to you?"
I gave a small smile. "My guardian. My ally.
Anger twisted Selene's face. It's a coup! You will never be in charge!
The silver light brightened as I raised my hand once again.
"Oh, but I am already,"
The earth shuddered.
Above, the Blood Moon throbbed.
And the battle for the truth was only getting started.