Chapter 7: The Alpha Comes Begging

The wolves surrounding the clinic remained on their knees.

Not because Falcon had ordered them down.

Because they could feel my power.

The First Moon aura spread through the forest like a silent command.

I looked at them carefully.

"Who sent you?"

No one answered.

Falcon stepped forward.

"You have ten seconds to answer her."

One of the wolves raised his head.

"The First Moon Council."

My expression hardened.

"I don't recognize such a council."

"It was formed centuries ago."

"They believe the ancient bloodline must return to power."

"And they believe you're the chosen heir."

"I'm not interested in ruling anyone."

"They don't care what you want."

I released another wave of aura.

"Then they'll learn."

The wolves immediately lowered their heads.

Falcon glanced at me.

"You handled that well."

"I've had practice with arrogant people lately."

A trace of amusement appeared in his eyes.

"Fair enough."

He turned toward the wolves.

"Tell your council that Sloane doesn't belong to them."

"She belongs to no one."

"If they want to speak with her, they'll come through me."

I immediately looked at him.

"No."

Falcon turned.

"No?"

"They won't come through you."

"They'll come to me directly."

"You don't need to protect me by becoming a gatekeeper."

He nodded.

"Understood."

The wolves eventually left.

The forest became quiet again.

My mentor approached us.

"You two have attracted enough attention for one lifetime."

I sighed.

"We didn't exactly plan it."

"Neither did the First Moon."

Falcon looked at the healer clinic.

"You're staying here?"

"Yes."

"It's not safe anymore."

"I know."

"Then come to Northmere."

I shook my head.

"No."

"You still don't want to be Luna?"

"That's not what this is about."

"Then what is it about?"

"It's about having a life that belongs to me."

Falcon became silent.

I continued.

"Northmere has always been your territory."

"The pack expects me to become their Luna."

"The council expects me to become a political symbol."

"The First Moon faction wants to use my bloodline."

"I don't want any of that."

"I want to heal people."

Falcon looked toward the clinic.

"Then I'll help protect that life."

"Without taking it from you."

I studied his expression.

"Why?"

"Because I finally understand."

"Understand what?"

"That being your mate doesn't give me ownership over you."

His answer surprised me.

The old Falcon would never have said that.

I looked away.

"You're learning."

"I'm trying."

The next day, Falcon stayed in the neutral lands.

He didn't move into the clinic.

He didn't order anyone around.

He simply stayed nearby.

At first, it was irritating.

Then I started noticing things.

He repaired the clinic's damaged fence.

He brought medicine from Northmere.

He helped carry injured patients.

He never once asked for praise.

He never demanded my attention.

One afternoon, I found him chopping wood behind the clinic.

"What are you doing?"

"Helping."

"You're an Alpha."

"And?"

"You have people who do this."

"They're busy."

I laughed.

"You've changed."

He looked at me.

"You made me realize I had to."

I didn't know how to respond.

That night, we sat outside the clinic beneath the moon.

Falcon looked at the stars.

"When I first met you," he said,

"I thought you were difficult."

"You were right."

"I also thought you were going to try to control me."

"You were wrong."

"Completely."

He smiled.

"Then I thought you were simply stubborn."

"I am."

"I was wrong about that too."

"How?"

"You're not stubborn."

"You're independent."

I looked at him.

The words reached somewhere deeper than I expected.

"What else were you wrong about?"

He hesitated.

"Julia."

I said nothing.

"I spent years believing that because she loved me, I owed her something."

"You don't owe anyone love."

"I know now."

"And I hurt you because I didn't understand that."

I looked toward the fire.

"You did."

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"Is that enough?"

"No."

He nodded.

"Then I'll keep trying."

The following morning, trouble arrived again.

A messenger from Northmere reached the clinic.

"Alpha Falcon."

"The council has summoned you."

Falcon frowned.

"Why?"

"They say the First Moon faction has contacted several neighboring packs."

"They are demanding that Sloane be handed over."

My expression hardened.

"Absolutely not."

The messenger looked at me nervously.

"They have threatened military action."

Falcon stood.

"Then let them come."

I grabbed his arm.

"No."

"What?"

"This is my problem."

"It's our problem."

"No."

"I won't let them destroy Northmere because of me."

"And I won't let you sacrifice yourself because of us."

Falcon looked at me.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"I go to the council myself."

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"Because they want you."

"Exactly."

"Which means they'll come after me anyway."

"Then I can end this before people die."

Falcon stared at me.

"You really are impossible."

"You've noticed."

We returned to Northmere that afternoon.

The council chamber was already packed.

Alphas from neighboring packs stood on both sides of the hall.

Several elders looked at me with suspicion.

The council leader stood.

"Sloane Lunebom."

"You carry a bloodline that could destabilize the current hierarchy."

"We demand that you surrender your claim."

I looked at him calmly.

"I never claimed anything."

"Your existence is the claim."

"Then perhaps you should stop treating my birth as a political offense."

Several Alphas exchanged glances.

The council leader's expression hardened.

"You will submit to the council's authority."

I released a controlled wave of my aura.

The entire chamber fell silent.

"No."

The word echoed through the hall.

"You don't own me."

"You don't own my bloodline."

"And you don't get to decide what I become."

One Alpha stepped forward.

"Then we have no choice but to challenge your authority."

Falcon immediately moved beside me.

"You'll have to challenge mine first."

The Alpha sneered.

"You would fight your own allies for a woman?"

Falcon's voice became cold.

"She's not just a woman."

"She's my mate."

"And I won't allow anyone to treat her like property."

The hall erupted in whispers.

I looked at Falcon.

He wasn't protecting me because the council expected him to.

He was standing beside me because he chose to.

That difference mattered.

The council leader finally raised his hand.

"Then let the First Moon decide."

"A formal trial of power will be held."

I narrowed my eyes.

"What kind of trial?"

"A test of bloodline."

"You will face the strongest Alpha representatives from three territories."

"If you win, your independence will be recognized."

"If you lose, you will submit to the council."

I smiled.

"Fine."

Falcon looked at me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

I looked toward the assembled Alphas.

"Because I'm tired of everyone telling me what I can be."

"Tomorrow, I'll show them."

The council chamber fell silent.

For the first time, everyone understood.

The woman they had once dismissed as a simple healer...

Was now challenging the strongest Alphas alive.