Chapter 16: The Pack Chose a New Path

By sunrise, the entire Stonebridge territory knew what had happened.

The southern packs were pulling their support.

The trade council was reconsidering its agreements.

And Red Mesa had become the first pack willing to negotiate with them.

I stood beside Wyatt in the council hall, listening as the elders argued.

Some wanted to threaten Red Mesa.

Others wanted to send an apology.

A few simply wanted Julian removed from negotiations altogether.

Then the doors opened.

Julian walked in.

He looked exhausted.

His coat was covered in snow, and there was dried blood along one sleeve.

But he was still standing straight.

His eyes immediately found mine.

He didn't look at anyone else.

Clara.

I remained silent.

Julian walked toward the council table.

The border patrol has been attacked.

Several scouts are injured.

The room fell silent.

One elder frowned.

By whom?

Julian hesitated.

We don't know.

Wyatt folded his arms.

Convenient.

Julian's gaze sharpened.

Are you accusing Stonebridge's enemies of attacking our own patrols?

I'm accusing you of ignoring a threat until it reached your doorstep.

Julian's jaw tightened.

Then he looked at me again.

Clara, I need your help.

The words were so unexpected that even the elders went quiet.

I shook my head.

You don't need my help.

You need someone you can actually trust.

His expression changed.

I trusted you.

No.

You trusted that I would never leave.

That was different.

His eyes lowered for a moment.

Then he reached into his coat.

He pulled out a folded document.

I found this in the old archives.

He placed it on the table.

Wyatt moved closer.

What is it?

Julian looked at me.

Your original marriage agreement.

My heart skipped.

I thought the document had been destroyed years ago.

Julian shook his head.

It wasn't.

And there's something you were never told.

I unfolded the paper.

At the bottom was a clause I'd never seen.

The Luna candidate was not required to possess a wolf.

My fingers went still.

The clause stated that the Luna would be chosen by the allied packs, not by the Alpha heir.

For five years, Julian had told me I wasn't ready.

He had told me I needed to prove myself.

He had made me believe my wolfless status made me unworthy.

But according to the contract, none of that had ever been true.

Wyatt's voice became dangerously quiet.

He lied to her.

Julian didn't defend himself.

He simply looked at me.

I thought I was protecting Stonebridge's traditions.

You were protecting your pride.

He closed his eyes.

Maybe I was.

A council elder picked up the document.

This changes everything.

Another elder nodded.

If the contract is valid, Clara's position was never dependent on Julian's approval.

The room erupted again.

I looked at Julian.

For the first time, he looked less like an Alpha heir and more like a man who had finally realized what he had lost.

But I felt no satisfaction.

Only exhaustion.

I pushed the document back across the table.

Keep it.

Julian stared at me.

Why?

Because I don't want the position anymore.

I stood.

You spent five years teaching me that I wasn't enough for Stonebridge.

Now you don't get to decide that I'm enough.

I walked toward the doors.

Wyatt followed beside me.

Behind us, Julian said my name one last time.

I didn't turn around.

This time, I knew exactly why.