208 Things Are About To Get Much More Interesting

"What is wrong with him?" Kasia exclaimed as she watched Ethan writhing in pain on the bed. Darren and Garrett were attempting to hold him down to keep him from hurting himself. After executing Aimee, Ethan began to act differently. He started isolating himself until today, a week later, he flew into a rage almost killing a few pack members.

"The traitor's death didn't remove the curse," Queen Eliane explained.

"You said it would!" Kasia snapped.

"I was wrong," Queen Eliane admitted. "I…"

"Get out," Kasia said.

"No, we can't. He's losing his mind. He could…"

"Now," Kasia commanded, her Alpha aura rippling through the room.

Darren gave her a knowing look before helping Garrett drag himself up. Queen Eliane merely tilted her head in intrigue before sweeping out of the room, leaving only Kasia and Ethan.

Kasia exhaled. "I thought things would feel… different now. That the curse would be gone. That we could move forward."

His grip was rough, desperate. "I don't know how much longer I can fight this," he admitted through clenched teeth. "I feel like I'm losing myself. You'll have to kill me."

Kasia didn't flinch. Instead, she placed her hand over his heart. "I don't understand any of this, but I'm not giving up on you," Kasia continued. She shoved him hard at first and then harder, causing him to crash into the bed. Kasia allowed her Alpha aura to expand from her. "You'll submit to me."

Ethan staggered, growling, his instincts taking over. They demanded dominance and control. Ethan lunged for her again, but Kasia's eyes darkened, her Alpha aura crashing down over him like a wall falling on him.

"Submit."

Ethan's body jerked as if struck. His instincts fought against her command, his muscles straining as he resisted. But Kasia did not flinch. She did not want to fight him, but she would if she had to. Her aura pressed against him again but this time he stopped fighting and bowed to her.

"Good," she murmured, stepping toward him, the authority in her tone softening.

Kasia's fingers trailed down his jaw before she moved to the ties of her dress. She pulled the fabric over her head, letting it pool at her feet. Ethan's labored breathing was the only sound in the room.

His head snapped up, eyes burning. "Kasia…"

She said nothing, reaching for the waistband of his pants. With one sharp tug, she shredded the fabric, leaving him bare before her. He groaned as she pushed him onto the floor. He was already hard from her display of power.

"Look at me," she ordered, and he obeyed without hesitation, his hands gripping her hips as Kasia slowly slid herself down onto him. She hissed at the invasion. It had been so long.

Kasia moved slow at first, then harder, faster. The moment was primal, desperate. Every thrust, every gasp, every scratch of nails against skin felt like it would be their last.

Somehow Kasia could still feel the dark energy pulsing beneath his skin, trying to break free but she'd be damned if she allowed it. ‘This had to work,' she thought to herself as she rode him. Kasia missed having Deva to encourage her, but she was on her own now. She needed to listen to her intuition, and it was telling her this was right. It had to be.

Kasia leaned down, her lips brushing against the pulse point of his neck. Her canines elongated. "Mine," she whispered, before biting down.

Ethan roared, his body tensing as her fangs pierced his skin, claiming him fully and shot his seed inside of her. The bond snapped into place with a force so powerful that for a moment, everything else ceased to exist. The magic that had tormented him for so long surged, then vanished.

Kasia withdrew, blood staining her lips. She met his gaze, watching as the chaos in his eyes fade. Ethan exhaled, pressing his forehead against hers. "You saved me."

Kasia pulled back, slipping off of him, reaching for her discarded dress. "I did what I had to."

He frowned, reaching for her. "Kasia- "

"It's fine. I did my duty as your Luna," Kasia said flatly.

"Don't be like that Kasia. I know you still have feelings for me and…"

She turned away, pulling her dress back over her head. "I only did it to save you. That's all."

Ethan swallowed hard, watching the way her shoulders tensed. "I don't believe that. And I won't stop proving it to you."

Kasia hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I won't let you hurt me again."

"And I never will. I promise. Just give me this one chance. I'll show you," Ethan responded as he got up and turned her back around to face him. Ethan cupped her face, kissing her forehead. "I'll earn back every bit of trust I lost. No matter how long it takes."

A Few Months Later

The great hall buzzed with anticipation, the glow of candlelight reflecting off polished wooden beams. Kasia stood in the adjoining room, her hands tightening around the ceremonial cloak draped over her shoulders.

"You're doing that thing where you pretend, you're fine but actually want to throw up," Lana observed, arms crossed.

Kasia let out a short laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

Lily grinned. "Only to those of us who know you best. But you have nothing to worry about. Everyone here believes in you."

Kasia inhaled deeply, her nerves refusing to settle. "It's not the ceremony itself. It's just… final. Like there's no turning back."

Lily smirked. "Well, there isn't. You're stuck with us now. No take-backs."

The doors swung open, cutting off any further teasing. Kasia stepped forward. Ethan stood at the front, waiting, his eyes locked onto her with quiet pride.

As Kasia reached Ethan, he held something small in his hand. "Before the ceremony begins, I want to give you something."

He opened his palm, revealing a delicate white gold chain with a wolf charm. "It was my mother's. She wore it as Luna. Now, it belongs to you."

A lump formed in Kasia's throat. She traced the charm with her fingertips before looking up at him. "Ethan… I don't know what to say."

"Then just wear it," he said softly, fastening it around her neck. Ethan led her out into the stage of the Moonlit Sanctum. This was her first time being here and she would never have known it was a place of the attack where everything had started with Lana disappearing from the way it had been repaired. Rows of booths were filled with the supernatural all eagerly awaiting the ceremony to commence. Kasia was surprised to see that so many meant her well.

"Of course they would. You helped so many people, Kasia," Ethan said through their mind link.

The Elder Council watched as Kasia stepped away from Ethan to kneel in front of them. One of the elders stepped forward to speak. "Tonight, we gather beneath the watchful gaze of the Moon Goddess, who blesses the worthy and binds the strong. The title of Alpha Luna is not merely a title, but a sacred duty- one that requires strength, wisdom, fortitude, and compassion to lead. Kasia Thorne, you stand before us as one who has proven her strength in battle, her wisdom in leadership, and her heart in the protection of her people. Do you accept the sacred rite of Alpha Luna?"

Kasia took a steady breath before speaking. "I accept."

The elder nodded approvingly and gestured for Kasia to stand. An elder woman, her silver hair braided intricately, approached with a bowl of water infused with the essence of moonflowers. She dipped her fingers into the cool liquid and traced the sigil of the Luna upon Kasia's forehead. "The blessing of the Goddess flows through you now, binding you to your people as they are bound to you."

Another elder stepped forward, presenting a ceremonial dagger, and walking Kasia to the statue of the Moon Goddess. He extended the dagger to Kasia, who took it with steady hands. "With this blade, you seal your vow. Let your blood mark this sacred land as a testament to your oath."

Kasia pressed the blade lightly against her palm, drawing a thin line of crimson before extending her hand over the statute's hand allowing the blood to drip onto it. The statute glowed a beautiful purple light causing those in the booths to cheer.

"With the blessing of the Elder Council and the will of the Moon Goddess, we name you Alpha Luna."

The Moonlit Sanctum erupted in cheers and howls rejoicing. Ethan swooped Kasia up into his arms, kissing her. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too," Kasia responded.

"Come, let's eat and dance," Ethan said, ushering her off the stage to the reception hall. Ethan and Kasia were bombarded with congratulations. The liquor and food flowed.

Then came the offerings. Gifts from the pack, from allies- tokens of loyalty, respect, and faith in her leadership.

And then she felt it.

A pulse of energy. Something dark, coiled beneath the surface.

Kasia's gaze landed on a small, wrapped bundle atop the table. As she stepped forward, the hair on her arms rose. She reached out- but before she could touch it, Queen Eliane's hand shot out, gripping her wrist.

"Don't," Queen Eliane said sharply, her eyes narrowing.

Kasia frowned. "Why?"

Eliane exhaled, her gaze fixed on the object. "Dark ancient magic. This shouldn't be here."

Kasia unwrapped it carefully, revealing a blackened moonstone entwined with a wolf's fang. A deep, unsettling energy seeped from it.

"Why…why could I sense it? I shouldn't be able to still sense the magic, right?" Kasia asked.

Queen Eliane frowned. "I don't know. But someone left this for you deliberately."

An omega hesitated before stepping forward. "It was left at the gates prior to the ceremony, Alpha Luna. No one saw who placed it there."

Kasia's stomach twisted. "Should I be worried?"

For the briefest moment, something flickered in Queen Eliane's gaze- amusement? Anticipation? But then she smiled. "No. Tonight is for celebration."

"Then, I am going to get another drink," Kasia said, walking away.

As the night wore on, the celebration continued under the moonlight. Laughter, drink, and music filled the hall, yet one figure remained apart from it all.

Queen Eliane stood on a balcony, letting the cold wind whip at her face.

"Why did you lie to her?" Deva asked. Her voice filled Queen Eliane's mind.

"She deserves a reprieve. Don't you agree?" Queen Eliane replied.

"Yes," Deva answered. "She won't like that you lied."

"I didn't. Nothing to worry about for now," Queen Eliane answered as she looked down at the blackened moonstone in her palm. Thankfully, Kasia didn't understand fae customs, but this was a clear threat.

With a casual flick of her fingers, Queen Eliane shattered it. A whisper of magic dissipating into the air.

A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. "Either way, things are about to get much more interesting."