The pack gathered under the light of the full moon. A massive fire burned at the center, its flames leaping high into the night sky.
Kaelan stood at the forefront of the gathering, his arms crossed as he watched the fire. His expression was composed, but his thoughts churned beneath the surface. Tonight was supposed to be a sacred moment, a chance to hear the guidance of the Moon Goddess. But the silence of the past weeks weighed heavily on him, casting doubt over everything he had once been sure of.
Liana should have been standing beside him, but when Kaelan glanced around, she was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but he quickly masked it, focusing on the fire.
As the chants grew louder, Kaelan’s gaze drifted over the crowd. His eyes landed on his Beta, standing at the edge of the circle. For a moment, their eyes met, and Simon’s expression faltered. He quickly looked away, the motion sharp and almost guilty.
Kaelan frowned, his suspicions reignited. With a subtle gesture, he signaled for the Beta to approach.
Simon hesitated, his posture tense, before weaving through the gathered pack members to reach Kaelan’s side. “Alpha,” he said, his voice even but edged with wariness.
Kaelan kept his voice low, his eyes fixed on the flames. “I found something in my chambers yesterday,” he began. “A hat. Yours.”
The Beta stiffened slightly, his jaw tightening. “A mistake, surely,” he said carefully. “The maids must have misplaced it.”
Kaelan turned to face him, his gaze sharp. “You’re saying a maid accidentally left your hat in my chambers?”
The Beta met his gaze steadily, though Kaelan noticed a faint sheen of sweat on his brow. “It’s the only explanation I can think of, Alpha. I haven’t been in your chambers.”
Kaelan’s eyes narrowed. Simon’s answer was plausible, but something about his tone felt rehearsed. “You’ve been loyal to me for years,” Kaelan said, his voice quieter. “So tell me—why do you seem nervous?”
The Beta’s lips pressed into a thin line. “With respect, Alpha, you’re reading too much into this. I swear I don’t know how my hat ended up there.”
Kaelan studied him for a long moment, the tension between them mounting. Finally, he nodded slowly, his expression giving nothing away. “Very well.”
The Beta bowed his head. “Thank you, Alpha.”
As Simon stepped back into the crowd, Kaelan turned his attention back to the fire. The chants had reached a crescendo, the pack pouring their energy into summoning the Moon Goddess. But once again, her voice remained silent.