CHAPTER 213: _TRUE LUNA QUEEN

"Some of the Alphas among us... See some logic with the words of the true Lord of the North."

There was a long, unbearable silence after Alpha Ironfang dropped that line. The air in the throne room felt like it had thickened, becoming harder to breathe.

Kaelos didn’t move or flinch. He didn’t even look away from the giant screen. But I knew that look in his eyes.

It was the look he had just before destroying an enemy. Calm, cold, and lethal.

I didn’t dare say a word.

Hell, even Sirena, who was usually the first to snarl or offer sarcastic commentary, had gone quiet for a moment in my mind.

Then Marcellus spoke up, his voice firm and cutting. "What do you mean by that? If any Alpha agrees with the true Lord of the North and his genocidal ideology, then why don’t you just leave the continent? Go join him in his little cave or whatever gutter he crawled out of. What, are you hoping for a reward? Maybe you want a raise from the Alpha King?"

A few of the Alphas visibly squirmed on screen, their expressions shifting from stoical to discomfort.

I almost pitied them.

Almost.

’Well, screw them!’ Sirena finally growled in my mind, laced with fury. ’They’re weaklings hiding behind political excuses while real lives are at stake.’

Kaelos finally spoke, his voice calm but colder than I’d heard in several days. "Who among you agrees with the Lord of the North’s stance? Please, signify."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Some of the Alphas blinked rapidly, clearly startled.

One pretended to shuffle papers on his desk like this was a business meeting and not an emergency call about war, murder, and treason.

Another rubbed his chin like he was considering the question for the first time—a ridiculous performance.

Gods, the sheer audacity!

"Come on, don’t be shy. We’re simply sharing options, right?" Kaelos added with a light chuckle, one that had absolutely no warmth.

I swallowed hard. That was his dangerous voice. The one he used when someone was about to disappear from the surface of the Earth.

I remember hearing it all too well during the coup attempt from Celine and Zane.

Still, none of them raised their hands. Not one of them had the balls to.

Suddenly, Kaelos leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the throne’s arms as his voice dropped even lower.

"You want to know why the so-called true Lord of the North is gaining traction? Because some of you have gotten too comfortable. You sit behind borders and politics while our people are being murdered in cages. And instead of owning up to your failures, you find excuses. You look to monsters for answers."

His eyes scanned the screen slowly. "Let me make this perfectly clear. If you or your pack aligns yourselves with him, even in thought, I will not hesitate to raze your territory to the ground. There is no middle ground in genocide."

My heart pounded at the weight of his words. But Kaelos wasn’t done.

"This is not just about witches anymore. It’s about what kind of leaders you are. If the humans are breaking the treaty and abducting our people, we respond. But we don’t side with murderers to make our lives easier. Not on my continent."

There was a collective silence from the other end, and then finally, a female Alpha I hadn’t heard speak until now cleared her throat.

"Alpha King, I’m Alpha Rain... with all due respect, perhaps some of our fear stems from ignorance. The world is changing and people are uncertain. Perhaps if we saw more of your wife... her strength, her control... we might feel safer."

My brows furrowed slightly.

Kaelos didn’t even blink before he said, "You will see more of her. We’re coming to Mexico."

Wait, what?

"What?" I blurted out, unable to help myself.

Kaelos finally turned to me.

His expression softened slightly as he held my hand. "We’re going to Mexico. I want you beside me when we meet with the human leaders and survey the areas where our people were taken."

Marcellus folded his arms, nodding. "It might be the perfect time to formally introduce Odessa to the public beyond the neighboring packs and the United States territories. The more people see her as the Luna Queen, the less room there is for doubt or hate."

That surprised me. Marcellus supporting this?

I stared at him, unsure of what angle he was playing, but he met my eyes with something that looked like genuine support.

"Besides," He added, relaxing on his seat. "The more presence you have among the wolves of Mexico, the more they’ll associate your power with stability. Right now, that’s what we need."

Kaelos nodded slowly. "Exactly. We don’t just need force. We need representation."

I took in a slow breath, glancing down at my hands. Was I ready to face an entire region that saw me as a monster?

No... I wasn’t sure. But I would go anyway.

"We’ll leave through a portal," Kaelos said, turning his gaze toward the nearest guard who stood silently at the door. "Have Althea prepare one immediately."

At the mention of her name, I tensed slightly. The bracelet on my wrist, meant for tracking my hybrid abilities, shimmered faintly, catching my attention.

My aunt would definitely want to argue about this. About me being put in the public eye when we were still figuring out the extent of my powers... especially after what happened at the Charity Ball.

But I had made up my mind.

The Alphas on screen still looked shaken, but Kaelos ended the meeting before anyone else could speak.

"That will be all," he said sharply, rising from his throne. "We’ll see you in Mexico."

And with that, the screen went black.

We didn’t speak immediately after.

I followed Kaelos and Marcellus down the long hallway to Kaelos’ office, where Layla and Elder Davina were already waiting, having listened in from a connectedness TV.

"Are we really doing this?" Layla asked, standing from her seat in the office.

"Yes," Kaelos answered, not missing a beat. "It’s time."

I remained quiet, unsure of how to feel, until I heard the door open and my aunt Althea stepped in, her face filled with concern.

"I just heard what you told the council," She said, looking directly at Kaelos and then at me. "You want Odessa to go to Mexico?"

"She needs to be seen," Kaelos said. "Not just by leaders but by the people."

Althea gave me a long look, the kind that saw through every wall I had ever built. "Do you think you can control it? Your hybrid nature?"

I nodded, even if I didn’t feel completely certain. "I have to."

She stepped forward, her hand brushing the bracelet she had given me. It pulsed faintly beneath her touch.

"Very well," she said softly. "Then I’ll open the portal myself."

.

.

Later that evening, I stood in the garden again with Caroline helping me pack a small bag.

She had insisted on helping, though she looked just as nervous as I felt.

"Are you scared?" She asked gently.

I paused before responding. "Yes. But I think... I think it’s time I stopped hiding. If I don’t, the rogues win. The true Lord of the North wins."

Caroline gave me a small, proud smile. "Then go show them that you deserve the Luna Queen title better than that traitorous bitch, Celine, ever did."

I smiled at her and we both chuckled before I drew in a deep breath.

As I turned back toward the mansion, I felt the wind shift and the bracelet flicker again.

A pulse of energy, like something powerful inside me, was waking up again.

"Maybe it’s time they all see what I truly am. Even if I have to keep my powers hidden." I remarked, tightening my grip on the bag and walking out of the garden.

.

.

Caroline escorted me out of the garden and toward the part of the building where Aunt Althea was going to prepare the portal.

When I stepped into the room, I held my breath.

The portal shimmered at the center of the dimly lit room. The room in question was one of the old ceremonial chambers that hadn’t been used for years according to Kaelos.

I spotted Marcellus and Layla standing at a corner side by side while Elder Davina stood at another corner.

Aunt Althea stood in the center of a runic circle, her arms outstretched as light bloomed from her palms, weaving glowing runes in the air.

"You’re just in time," She said, not turning as the magic flared brighter.

I spotted Kaelos standing close to the circle and walked up to him, squeezing his hand.

The air thickened with magic and the wind blew my hair as the runes spun faster.

Then, with a low hum, a swirling portal ripped open before us — silver-edged and pulsing with heat.

Mexico awaited just beyond it.

"Good luck! We’ll hold the fort while you’re gone!" Marcellus yelled from where he stood giving us a thumbs up.

Kaelos and I glanced at each other before nodding, bringing our gaze back to the glowing portal.

And with that, we stepped through hand in hand.