~Moonrise later~<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s return to the trial of Luna Kaia Nightshade, everyone,\u201d the elders announced, taking their seats.<\/p>\n
The council chambers were silent when I was dragged in but it wasn\u2019t the silence of respect.<\/p>\n
It was the silence of wolves waiting for a Luna to fall.<\/p>\n
I had ruled this pack alongside Draven for three years\u2014 through war, famine, and loss. I had stood at his side when he buried his father, when he took the Alpha crown, when the pack questioned why the Luna still had not given him an heir.<\/p>\n
I had endured the whispers. The pitying glances. The fact that my womb had become the pack\u2019s greatest disappointment.<\/p>\n
But nothing could have prepared me for this moonrise.<\/p>\n
Draven was already on the high seat, his expression stiff. To his left, standing where no one but I should stand, was her\u2014Liora. Beautiful and fragile.<\/p>\n
The sight of her twisted something deep inside me, but I kept my chin high.<\/p>\n
My hands bruised from struggle, I forced myself to look up, my heart still thundering.<\/p>\n
Soon, the rogues were brought in next;filthy, bloodied,forced to kneel before the council.<\/p>\n
Their eyes flickered between fear and malice. I felt my stomach twisting with fear.<\/p>\n
An elder\u2019s voice rang sharp. \u201cSpeak. Who commanded you to ambush The Alpha\u2019s Consort, Liora?\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the rogues hesitated, trembling. Then he lifted a shaky hand and pointed straight at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was her. The Luna. She promised us freedom if we killed the Alpha\u2019s Consort\u2026She wanted her gone before she had a chance to be crowned Luna and birth the heir\u201d<\/p>\n
The chambers burst into murmurs with the pack members pointing accusatory fingers and carrying judgmental glances my way.<\/p>\n
My chest seized.<\/p>\n
\u201c No, that\u2019s a lie!\u201d,\u201d I burst out crying with my silver chains biting into my bones. \u201cI never did such a thing\u2013\u201d<\/p>\n
But my voice was drowned by the angry wolves in the chambers.<\/p>\n
Liora stepped forward, her face stained with tears while clutching her stomach.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, Luna Kaia?\u201d Her voice broke, trembling.\u201cI begged the Alpha to spare you, not to shame you in front of the Pack. I prayed you\u2019d be spared. But still, you sent rogues after me and my child?\u201d<\/p>\n
The chamber erupted in growls and snarls. Some were already chanting for my death.<\/p>\n
My pulse pounded in my ears. \u201cLiora, stop this!\u201d I shouted. \u201cYou know I\u2019d never harm you, never\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
But Liora\u2019s sobs ered my protest. She leaned weakly against Draven, who caught her as though she were his treasure.<\/p>\n
The sight pierced a blade straight through my heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you spoke to the Luna herself?\u201d Elder Norman asked, I hope they retracted their statements.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sire. I can recognise Silvermoon\u2019s Luna very well. We\u2019ve met so many times in the past\u201d The rogue replied, and my heart sank.<\/p>\n
\u201cLies! I never spoke to you! This is madness!\u201d I rattled.<\/p>\n
But the rogue wasn\u2019t finished. Slowly, deliberately, he reached into his filthy cloak and pulled out something that gleamed under the torches.<\/p>\n
Gasps swept the chamber.<\/p>\n
It was a silver emblem. My Luna crest.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe gave us this,\u201d he said, holding it up for everyone to see. \u201cProof of her words. Proof that our deal came from the Luna herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart dropped. \u201cNo! That was stolen from me weeks ago! I never gave it to you\u201d<\/p>\n
However,my protests were drowned in the furious uproar of the pack.<\/p>\n
\u201cInfact, the Luna herself led us to wait in ambush in the woods for the Alpha Consort. She showed us the route\u201d the rogue continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d My voice cracked.\u201cI wasn\u2019t even near the woods! I was in the healer\u2019s chambers that night when the attack happened. She treated my wound herself. Ask them!\u201d<\/p>\n
For a minute I had hopes. Surely, Seraphine would defend me. The woman who taught me to stitch wounds, grind herbs and cure fever with tea.<\/p>\n
The woman who once said my hands were steady enough to heal a pack of my own.<\/p>\n
When I mentioned Seraphine, she was immediately summoned to the chambers to testify.<\/p>\n
I turned toward her, eyes wide, pleading.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, Seraphine. Tell them. Tell them the truth, I was with you that night\u201d<\/p>\n
But Seraphine didn\u2019t meet my gaze. Her face was tight when she bowed before the Alpha.<\/p>\n
\u201cForgive me, Alpha\u2026I do not recall seeing Lady Kaia in my chambers that night\u201d<\/p>\n
Like a dagger dug through my soul, I felt my leg go weak.<\/p>\n
My breath caught.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! No! You\u2019re lying!\u201d I shouted, jerking forward in my chains. \u201cYou treated me yourself \u2014I had a gash on my arm from training! You stitched it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Whispers turned to snarls.<\/p>\n
The healer, Seraphine, was an older lady with greying dark hair.<\/p>\n
Seraphine refused to meet my gaze. Her voice was flat as she testified.<\/p>\n
\u201cI treated many warriors that night. But the Luna? I did not see her\u201d<\/p>\n
Instantly, the Pack went up in uproar<\/p>\n
\u201cShes a liar, roping the healer into her schemes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTraitor. She has betrayed our trust!\u201d<\/p>\n
The words struck me like a blow. Her head snapped up, eyes wide.<\/p>\n
The healer lowered her gaze as if contemplating. Then, she spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I do recall, is that not long ago, the Luna came to me asking about a particular herb.Nightshade leaf;A poison that kills slow, without a trace\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook her head violently. \u201c..No I only asked because I wanted to learn, because..because healers must know what harms as well as what heals! You know me, Seraphine, you raised me!\u201d<\/p>\n
The chamber erupted again. Intensified by Seraphine\u2019s testimonies. Many of the wolves were demanding for my blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cNightshade leaf? Oh Moon Goddess\u201d Liora gasped dramatically, clutching her stomach. \u201cLuna Kaia, even if you hated me, how could you endanger my child\u2019s life?<\/p>\n
My voice was raw as I screamed over them. But my pleas fell on deaf ears.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re all being deceived! Don\u2019t you see? I\u2019m being framed!\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned to Draven, my mate, my Alpha. He didn\u2019t look at me; just at the mark on my neck, the bond we shared.<\/p>\n
Liora\u2019s sobs filled the silence. She clung to Draven\u2019s arm, whispering weakly,<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I wanted for us to live in peace. Why do you hate me so much?\u201d Liora asked, sobbing.<\/p>\n
\u201cDraven, you know me, right?\u201d I begged. \u201cTell them you know me. That you know I\u2019d never\u2013\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough.\u201d His voice was quiet, deadly. \u201cThe evidence is clear. You\u2019ve betrayed your pack, your people\u2026 and me.\u201d<\/p>\n
My legs gave way. \u201cNo\u2026 no, listen to me. This is a trick!\u201d<\/p>\n
Draven\u2019s eyes now burned with fury. \u201cEnough. The council has heard enough\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a healer,it is your sacred city to tend to sounds without bias. Head Healer,Seraphine, can you confirm that Liora was truly attacked by rogues and those claw marks belong to rogues\u201d Elder Norman asked.<\/p>\n
All eyes turned on Seraphine,mine as well,silently begging she will tell the truth and save my life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI examined Lady Liora\u2019s wounds immediately after the attack,\u201d Seraphine stated.\u201c The wounds were consistent with rogue claws,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I would lose my child that night,\u201d Liora whispered,her voice cracking.<\/p>\n
\u201cClaw marks can be staged. Who says they ain\u2019t self-inflicted?\u201d I asked,refusing to let them frame me without a fight.<\/p>\n
Seraphine frowns, refusing to meet my gaze, and then she answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI only speak what my eyes have seen. The scars are real. And they almost cost the Alpha his heir<\/p>\n
Liora\u2019s sobs cut through the air, fragile and vulnerable. She clung to Draven.<\/p>\n
\u201c I begged her to accept me, but she only wanted my death\u2026How can we be safe if she remains here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCast her out!\u201d One of the wolves bellowed, his fist slamming against the wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrip her of everything she\u2019s so greedy for\u201d another cried, his eyes glowing with rage.<\/p>\n
\u201cExile the traitor! Exile the traitor!\u201d<\/p>\n
The chant grew like wildfire. And for the longest time, I realised I would not escape Liora\u2019s scheme.<\/p>\n
All the pack members I had loved as a Luna. Looked after during wars and famine were calling for my head.<\/p>\n
And then, I saw her,Liora,her head buried in Draven\u2019s chest, trembling like a wounded dove.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, Alpha Draven,please protect me from her. Luna Kaia will kill me and my baby\u201d<\/p>\n
Draven turned to me,his eyes sharp with rage.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiora will be the mother of our pack\u2019s future heir. You\u2026You couldn\u2019t give birth to my child\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI , Alpha Draven Stormer of Silvermoon Pack reject you,Kaia Nightshade as my mate and Luna. You are no longer my Luna.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bond between us pulsed;then seared with a pain so sharp I nearly fell to my knees. He was severing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d The word ripped from my throat. \u201cDraven, please don\u2019t do this to me\u201d<\/p>\n
The pain tears through my heart , leaving a hollow.<\/p>\n
Before I could recover from the pain, Elder Norman\u2019s voice rang,<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the decree of the Alpha of Silvermoon Pack, and with the council\u2019s judgment, Kaia Nightshade of Silvermoon pack is hereby stripped of her title as Luna,her rank and her place in this pack. You have been casted out. Leave \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Draven coldly muttered as he slammed the armrest ,sealing my fate.<\/p>\n
\u201c Leave before dawn, or die where you stand.\u201d<\/p>\n
My breath caught in my throat,my world,everything I\u2019ve known collapsed in front of me.<\/p>\n
Then I heard the pack members\u2019 shrill voices.<\/p>\n
\u201cTraitor,leave this Pack or die!\u201d<\/p>\n
As the council\u2019s gavel struck, I realized the pack had already chosen their Luna \u2014 and it wasn\u2019t me.<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 3 Chapter 003 ~Moonrise later~ \u201cLet\u2019s return to the trial of Luna Kaia […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-nightshade-heir-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27248"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27248\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}