Chapter 3

Ronan stumbled backward and slammed his hand against his chest. He gasped in sudden pain and dropped hard to the gravel.

The first wave of his stolen power left his body. Vivienne did not look at me. She only cared about her coronation.

She grabbed Ronan and yelled at the elders. "She wants to ruin the coronation! Take Ronan back to the grand hall!"

Ronan closed his eyes against the pain. His voice echoed coldly inside my mind. Stop the ritual and swear loyalty to Vivienne.

I did not answer. Vivienne and the elders dragged him away from the temple.

The heavy doors shut and the room went quiet. I fell to my knees as the last shockwave hit me.

Stop the ritual... Ronan's voice faded away. I refused to obey him.

The last thread of the bond broke. My locked Alpha power rushed back into my veins. My golden-eyed wolf woke up and roared.

Maeve rushed to my side. She felt the heavy Alpha pressure and dropped to her knees.

"Ronan was never the true Alpha," Maeve whispered. "He only kept the throne warm for you."

I stood up and felt the endless strength. "Will the Pack recognize me now?"

"As soon as you release your aura," Maeve answered.

I hid my power deep inside my chest. "Not yet."

---

The music stopped in the grand hall.

Ronan sat stiffly on the high throne. His face was pale and his fingers trembled. Vivienne stood beside him and urged the priest to hurry.

"He is just weak from the shock," Ronan told the crowd. "Elara is just jealous."

The heavy oak doors creaked open. I walked inside.

My Alpha aura was hidden, so no one felt the pressure. Ronan thought I had broken under the pain. Vivienne smiled with relief.

Ronan let out a breath of relief. "I knew you would come back," he said loudly.

A servant carried a cushion with the silver Luna crown. Ronan pointed at the floor.

"Kneel before Vivienne," he commanded. "Give her the crown and serve your new Luna."

He wanted one final public humiliation. I walked up the steps of the platform.

Vivienne beamed with victory and extended her hand. I picked up the silver crown.

I walked right past her. Vivienne froze and her smile vanished. "Elara, where are you going?"

I stopped in front of the high seat. Ronan looked down at me and frowned.

"Go back and finish your oath," Ronan ordered.

I looked at the man on the platform. Then I looked at the heavy stone backrest of the true bloodline.

"Ronan Blackwood."

"Get off my throne."