The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 245: Theo

I couldn’t take my eyes off of Ayla. She gave us both what we needed.

But we weren’t done yet.

“You see,” Charles Anderson yelled. “This is what we were fighting against. This kind of power can’t exist. She will take over everything.”

One of the guards gagged him. Ayla disregarded his outburst.

“Fellow Alphas and Lunas, please come forward,” she called.

They were hesitant. Worry gnawed at me as I hoped Ayla hadn’t just sealed her fate against them. The power she just demonstrated was impossible. It wouldn’t take much for them to fear they were being forced into something. And Ayla looked terrifyingly formidable as she stood by the carnage covered in blood. However, they all came to stand in front of Ayla.

She took a scrap of fabric and wiped her hands and arms clean.

“I understand that what you just witnessed has caused concern,” she addressed.

“You are all now aware of what I am capable of. I don’t want my heritage or my abilities to be a secret that can divide us. I want to assure you all that neither I, nor Theo, wish to disrupt or overtake the hierarchy our people have established.”

She moved to the podium and picked up the book she had brought with.

“In my recent endeavors to find out who I am, I have had the privilege to learn more about our history,” she said.

“Practices we have forgotten. Traditions that we no longer observe. I would like to revive one of those tonight.”

She opened the book and placed it down next to eight vials she had previously set out. She then picked up a velvet pouch and pulled out a silver dagger. Before I could say anything she made a deep cut in her hand. The silver slowed the healing process enough for her to fill each vial.

“The strength of the Dominis command lies in our blood. With these vials,” she stated, “I relinquish my ability to command or influence any Alpha or Luna of my fellow packs. I vow to never attempt to take power over another pack or have any interest in ruling as queen over our people. I vow to maintain the social hierarchy our people thrive under. If this oath is ever broken, you all have the power to stop me.

“How the hell is that?” Alpha Trent voiced.”

“Everyone is welcome to learn about the blood oath and how it works,” Ayla replied.

Trent snorted. “This sounds like a load of bulls hit to me.

Ayla shrugged. “It may be,” she replied. “I believe this to be a binding practice. But if I’m wrong, then these are worthless trinkets. Just harmless symbols. If that’s the case, what then? I can’t be anything but what I am.”

“So you just expect us to trust you?” Alpha Patrick added.

“I hope you will trust me,” Ayla said. “But if you can’t, and you choose to take action against me or my pack, then it will be no secret the risk you will be taking. Because like every one of you, I will protect my pack to the best of my abilities.”

“I think that is something we can all relate to,” Alpha Harden voiced.

“As another show of faith,” Ayla said, “I will remand former Delta Charles to your custody. We have provided evidence to crimes he has ordered within all of your territories. I wish to allow you all to decide how he will pay for them. Hopefully, you can provide your pack members who have suffered with some closure.”

The pack leaders looked between each other. Some, like Harden and Vincent, seemed accepting of the terms while others were still hesitant.

“We will give you time to think it over before you leave,” I said. “And we are open to any other suggestions you may have.”

“You may choose to accept the oath as an understanding of peace between our packs,” Ayla continued.

Harden and his mate, Victoria, stepped forward and took a vial.

“We would be honored to continue an alliance with you and the Greytooth Pack,” Harden said.

Alpha Vincent stepped forward next, followed by Alpha Weston and his mate.

“Our packs are connected by family,” he said kindly, glancing toward Mina. “We have our own history with the Onyxcrown. It’s a connection I would like to keep.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” I said as Ayla offered him a gentle smile.

There was a hesitation from the rest, and I had noticed that they had been mind linking among themselves since this was put forward. It wasn’t surprising, but that didn’t make it any less nerve-wracking. Luna Aniya stepped forward.

“We will consider the offering,” she said diplomatically. “While we do wish to continue our peace agreement with the Greytooth Pack, we feel the circumstances may require further negotiations.”

“Understandable.” Ayla said. “We are willing to meet with you as soon as you are ready. Would any of the other pack leaders wish to do the same?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

There were nods and remarks of agreement from the rest. Except for Kingston, who had been curiously quiet throughout the entire event.

“Very well,” Ayla said. “You can all return to your accommodations and we will follow up with a time and place shortly.” She turned back to the crowd. “The rest of you may go.”

Everyone began to disperse. A heavy feeling still lingered in the air at the severity of what just occurred. I knew that tensions would be high for a while.

Kingston lingered back with us. When the area was mostly clear he stepped toward us.

“You know I don’t need any kind of promise to be loyal to you, Luna Ayla,” he stated. He looked at me.

“We are all in this together.”

“Thank you,” I replied. We nodded to each other before he walked off.

It wasn’t long before Ayla and I and our family were the last ones there. No one was saying anything. I grabbed Ayla’s hand for support.

“Jimmy, get someone to come clean up this mess,” I said.

My parents walked up to us, and my mother immediately pulled Ayla into a hug.

“Before you speak with the others, we need to talk,” my father said.

I remembered we hadn’t had a chance to talk about what they had found on whatever mission they had gone on. Dad glanced behind himself. That’s when I noticed an older woman standing on the far side of the courtyard.

“Okay.” I said, but with the day I had been having. I wasn’t sure I could take any more surprises.

“Should we be worried?”

“We’re not sure yet.” my mother said. “But it will likely impact your talks with the other pack leaders.”