While signing some paper, making me the official next Queen of the lycans when Alec's parents will abdicate, some guards leave to take Amber from her prison cell and bring her back here.

Three other guards bring three chairs for Alec, his mother, and me to sit by the King's sides.

Another seat is placed in front of us, and I understand Amber will sit there to face the Council.

Long minutes pass until the door finally opens.

Amber looks terrible, probably weakened by the promiscuity with wolfbane for the last hours and the silver cuffs around her wrist. From my seat, I can notice red marks on her wrists.

As the guards seat her on her chair, I turn to his father.

"Go to your daughter. She needs you," I say.

"Would you mind uncuffing her, King Gregory? I don't think she will endanger anyone with all the lycans and wolves in this room," I politely demand to my all-powered father-in-law.

He smiles at me before he nods to the guards to uncuff Amber's hands as his father reaches her side.

"Amber Johnson, you are here today to face an accusation of treason. Moreover, we've been reported that you've denied Princess Olivia's fated bond with Prince Alexander, although he told you he chose her. What do you answer to these accusations?" Alec's father asks Amber as he gets up.

"This girl is nothing but a joke. Soon, Prince Alexander will understand his choice is a mistake, and he will mark me," she answers aggressively.

His father takes her head in his hands to force her to look at him.

"She is the rightful princess, Amber. Stop this if you expect some clemency," her father authoritatively says.

Amber looks at my mate when her eyes finally meet Alec's mark. She then moves to my neck and spits on the ground, after freeing her head from her father's hands.

"He promised me Alec would be mine. He'll find a way to undo this mark," she spits, rage filling her voice.

I get up and move closer to her.

"Who promised you this, Amber?" I ask quickly. She has answers. She has to give us answers.

"Why would I answer you, wolf?" Amber says.

I can feel that if Selene lets me in control, she makes her presence acknowledged through my eyes.

"Princess Olivia, Amber," I say coldly.

"She is the silver wolf of the prophecy, Amber. Answer her questions." Amber's father seems to lose his patience.

"Tell me who the man you mentioned is. Show your loyalty to the Royale family and I will let you go," I say to Amber. I hear Alec calling my name, visibly annoyed by my words.

"He may want you because of your fur color, but that does not mean I adore you, just like he does. No matter what happens, you won't kill me, or it will cause a war," Amber says, turning to his father.

"Tell them, father."

To my surprise, Amber's father turns his back to her daughter and walks toward me. He then kneels in front of me.

"Her words are not the Johnsons', Princess Olivia. No war will be started, whatever you may decide. I'll support your decision, Princess Olivia." As he says that, sadness grows in him. I crouch beside him and lift his head. His eyes are filled with tears.

"Thank you, Andrew," I answer before getting up and walking toward Amber.

"Best you give me your loyalty. Just follow your family, Amber. This is the last time I offer you this choice. Give the Graysons, and so me, your loyalty," I address her.

"Or what?" she questions me.

"Or I'll ask for your death as the laws allow me because you tried to steal my mate and because your behavior endangered peace across our kingdom," I state.

She does not give me an answer and simply jumps at me. Before anyone else can act, my nails turn into claws, and my right hand pierces Amber's ribcage, grabbing her heart.

Some blood escapes her mouth as she wails.

Her hands catch my forearm before her head leans down to fall on my shoulder.

"You had your chance, Amber. I'm sorry you were too fooled to seize it," I answer before I take out her heart. I catch her body and put it on the ground, blood flooding the floor through the hole in her chest. Alec walks to me as tears fall down my face.

Alec takes my hand to make Amber's heart fall on the floor before he hugs me.

"She made her choices, Liv. You did things right," he whispers in my ear.

You should have let me do that, Olivia. I would have been unmoved to kill her.

Selene's voice says in my head.

If it makes you feel better, Alexander is right. You acted like a true Queen. You showed mercy. I would have made it far more violent.

I don't answer my wolf's comments as she leaves me quickly, probably noticing that I need to process my actions.

Killing for your life is something natural. I don't regret any of the lives I took to protect Alec and my people.

Killing because of rage and to make sure no one takes my mate from me is a bestial instinct.

Killing with cold blood, even when it is the only option left, is quite different. I thought I would be untouched by killing this woman I've hated for weeks. But the future Queen in me, the Luna of the Lunas, and the protective instincts inside me wished I could have saved her.

I quit the room as soon as possible to go back to my room. I don't know for how long I stay on my bed, my eyes completely lost in the void. Sparks erupt on my skin, informing me of Alec's closeness.

That's not until Selene's voice resonates in my head that I return to reality.

It's time, Olivia. We need to make our call.

Selene is very calm, but still, excitement can be perceived in her voice. As I check the clock, I realize it is already midnight.

I get up and find Alec by the door with Jackson.

"I was going to wake you, little wolf. The Council still wants to witness your call," Alec says before kissing my lips.

"How will we know it works?" he asks me.

"I had an idea before I left for the Oasis. We need to find Elijah," I answer before I start walking. As I sniff, Alec asks me what I'm doing.

"Looking for Eli," I answer.

"You can smell your brother that easily?" he asks me.

"Of course. I've always been able to find him that way. That is probably because of the twin bond. He is waiting outside," I answer with a smile.

As I rush to the backcourt, I stop when I notice Elijah by the door.

"Eli, I need you to," I start my sentence.

"To bring Allison to you. She's already here with Arvin," he answers. Before I can ask him how he knew, he laughs.

"I am your brother, Liv. Plus, you're supposed to wake up the gray wolves, and we both know she is an unshifted wolf, the oldest twin in their pair." He blinks at me before pointing to a young woman and a young boy.

Allison and Arvin are seventeen. They are the only other pair of fraternal twins in our pack.

I take Alec's hand before I make my way to them.

"Allison," I call for her. She turns and stares at me, her eyes filled with fear.

"Olivia, what's going on? Did I do something wrong?" she asks me.

"Not at all, Allison. We suspect you are one of the gray wolves and that what I am going to do might awaken a sleeping wolf into you. I will need you to come to the Capitale with me if it's true. It means I will need you in the future," I say, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. As I notice the dreadful expression on her face, I assume that I totally failed.

"You are not alone. There are others," I say before I quickly mind-link Anya and Malia for them to join us. It takes only a few minutes before the two girls arrive, Malia's mate being by her side. He bows to Alec and me.

"Malia. Anya. This is Allison, and I think she is one of us," I tell my Gammas.

"Nice to meet you, Allison," Malia answers.

"Don't worry, you have your brother by your side. It will help even if your mate would be more efficient. But Alpha Olivia is also here, and we'll try to help as much as we can," Anya adds with a benevolent smile on her face as she puts her hand on Allison's shoulder.

The young girl smiles back and looks back at me as Anya's words seem to make her feel better. I obviously made the right choice by choosing these two girls as my Gammas.

"When do we start, Olivia?" she asks me. I admire her bravery. I remember how painful it was when I turned for the first time and how I probably would not have done it without Alec.

It will be fine, Olivia. We shift, I call, and you turn back to help her. You'll know what to do, I'm sure of it.

Selene says in my head, apparently relaxed despite the craziness of what we're about to do.

As the Blood Moon's light rays illuminate the sky, I notice the Council is approaching. I turn and kiss Alec's lips.

"Don't let them approach her. I'll be back in a moment." That's all I say before I let Selene take control of us. Then, in just a few seconds, I turn into my large, beautiful silver-furred lycan. First, I lick Allison's face to reassure her as she looks at me with wide eyes. Then I look at the Moon, Selene knowing perfectly what we're supposed to do.

I suspect Moon-Goddess gave her some answers.

Don't be jealous, Olivia.

Selene clearly makes fun of me. It lasts only for a few seconds.

She suddenly lifts her head to the Moon and starts to howl in the most peculiar way. Her howl sounds like a melody that would rise from another dimension. It's a sweet variation of notes, and it sounds captivating and soothing even if deep inside, I know it is the horn that calls for soldiers to be ready before a fierce battle.

As soon as we end our call, Allison's screams resonate in the clearing. Quickly, Malia and Anya shift alongside another light gray fur that I recognize as Alec's mother. The three of them circle around Allison, who is now screaming on the ground. His brother does his best to ease her, but it does not work. I quickly shift back to my human form and kneel beside Allison.

"Allison, look at me," I say as loud as possible to be sure she hears my voice. Unfortunately, she only screams louder in pain as her bones crack, again and again, elongating before returning to their human form.

A warm blanket falls over my shoulder, and Alec kisses my head as he kneels down beside me.

She is fighting her wolf.

Alec mind-links me, some concern in his voice.

Her mate could help her, but no one seems to react to her. You're her Alpha. You can help her, Olivia.

Before Alec can add more, I take Allison's face in my hands. Her eyes are closed as she still yells in pain, and tears cover her face.

"Make it stop," she screams.

"Allison, stop fighting your wolf. Listen to me," I scream, but she does not seem to hear me. I'm her Alpha.

"Open your eyes, Allison," I summon her with my Alpha voice. I can feel my aura grows, and she finally opens her eyes before they fix on mine.

I feel an urge of power in me, and I know Selene shows herself once again through my eyes. This is confirmed as the voice that escapes my lips is a mixture of Selene's voice and mine.

"Shift, gray wolf. Answer our call," we order.

Then it happens: Allison stops screaming.

Her bones eventually turn into her wolf's ones, and she shifts entirely. It does not take more than a minute or two before a beautiful gray wolf stands in front of me. She whines as she lies on the floor.

Anya, Malia, and even Liana lick the new gray wolf's muzzle. Then, she slowly lingers her head on my thighs.

"This is okay. You've done it. Both of you," I say as I pet Allison's large wolf head. After half an hour, she finally gets up, shakes herself, and extends her limbs.

"Yeah, I think we all need a little run," I answer with a smile before turning to Alec, who also stands up.

"Ready for this, mate?" I ask him.

"Ares and I can't wait for it. I'll see you in our nest, little wolf?" he asks me.

"Sounds great, mister wolf. I love you," I say before taking a step back to turn into my wolf. I just have time to see Ares's beautiful black fur and murmur a few words to Selene before I fall into the wolf world, our little nest.

Take care of our wolves, Selene.