Chapter 26: The Moon Court Summons

We returned to Hollowcrest with Elodie under protection.

For the first time, she didn't go back to Silvercrest.

She refused.

"Until I know whether my father knew what Mara was doing, I'm not going home."

Knox offered Stormridge protection.

She laughed in his face.

"Absolutely not."

Tessa offered her dorm couch.

That surprised everyone.

"What?" Tessa said. "I can dislike someone and still not want her kidnapped."

Elodie stared at her.

"Thank you."

"Don't make it weird."

By evening, another problem arrived.

An official Moon Court summons.

I opened the sealed packet at the Nightvale residence.

"Hearing scheduled in seven days," Rowan read.

"Seven?"

Cassian swore.

"Silvercrest moved quickly."

The petition challenged my legitimacy based on Mom's renunciation.

It also requested temporary suspension of my heritage claim.

"If they win the suspension?" I asked.

"You can't access Lunaris assets or territory while the case continues," Rowan said.

"How long could that take?"

"Months."

"Enough time to remove evidence."

Cassian nodded grimly.

Mom looked at the filing.

"This is Garron Snowe's work."

"Elodie's grandfather?"

"No. Her father is Alaric Snowe. Garron was his father."

"The man in Aurelius's recording."

"Yes."

Rowan's legal team began preparing immediately.

I hated almost every minute of it.

Bloodline statutes.

Renunciation precedent.

Territorial succession.

Mate law.

By midnight, my head hurt.

"I need air."

Rowan followed me outside.

"You don't have to memorize everything tonight."

"Apparently people can decide whether I'm allowed to inherit my dead family's land based on laws written before electricity."

"Basically."

"That's insane."

"Also basically."

I sat on the garden wall.

"What if I lose?"

"We appeal."

"And if I keep losing?"

Rowan was quiet.

"Then Lunaris territory might be redistributed."

"And the survivors?"

"They keep their identities, but the Pack won't legally reform."

I looked toward the moon.

"A week ago I didn't even know Lunaris existed."

"I know."

"Why does losing it suddenly feel unbearable?"

"Because now it has faces."

Mireya.

Garrick.

Lyra.

Cassian.

Mom.

Grandfather's recording.

He was right.

I looked at Rowan.

"If I become Alpha, everything gets harder."

"Yes."

"Politics. Territory. People depending on me."

"Yes."

"You're supposed to make it sound appealing."

"You asked for honesty."

I smiled faintly.

"Annoying."

"Consistent."

He stood between my knees.

Close enough that his scent wrapped around me.

"But you won't do it alone."

"Because you're my mate?"

"Because I love you."

I froze.

Rowan froze too.

His eyes widened slightly.

"That slipped out."

My heart began pounding.

"You love me?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"I don't know."

"Very romantic."

"I'm panicking."

I laughed softly.

Then he became serious.

"You don't have to say it back."

The lack of pressure made my chest ache.

"I know."

He nodded.

"Good."

I touched the half-moon pendant at his neck.

"I think part of me remembered you before my mind did."

His breathing changed.

"Nessa..."

"But I'm still figuring everything out."

"Take as long as you need."

He leaned his forehead against mine.

The mate bond hummed.

Warm.

Patient.

Safe.

Then my phone rang.

Knox.

Rowan groaned.

"Perfect timing as always."

I answered.

"What?"

"I found Mara."

I stood immediately.

"Where?"

"Not physically. Her financial trail."

"And?"

"She's paying someone connected to the Moon Court."

"Who?"

Knox hesitated.

"One of the judges assigned to your hearing."