---- Chapter 7 Early the next morning, just as the sun was rising, the pack's council hall was already packed. The air was thick with tension and confusion. I sat in the front row, my rightful place as the future Luna - for now, at least. Kaelen stood on the central platform, dressed in formal black ceremonial robes, the silver pack crest gleaming on his chest. His expression was serious and determined, but he deliberately avoided looking at me. "Pack members," his voice echoed through the hall, "I've called you here to announce an important decision." Whispers immediately spread through the crowd. I kept my face impassive, my right hand unconsciously clutching the moonstone amulet hidden in my sleeve. ---- "Today, we will be postponing the 'Silver Moon Ceremony.'" Even though I was expecting it, hearing those words still felt like a hammer blow to my heart. Gasps of surprise rippled around me. "To protect a fragile but important bloodline," Kaelen continued, "I must fulfill my Alpha duty and temporarily postpone my final mating ceremony with Sera." The council hall doors suddenly opened, and Lyra walked in, escorted by two warriors. She wore a simple white robe, her red hair braided neatly, looking both vulnerable and holy. The crowd fell silent, staring in shock at this strange woman. "This is Lyra Thorne," Kaelen announced. "The cub she carries has a special bloodline that needs my own bloodline's protection to be born safely. As Alpha, it's my duty to protect every life in this ---- pack." "What does this mean?" an older female pack member stood up and asked. "What about our future Luna?" All eyes turned to me. I slowly rose, a perfect smile on my face. ''As the Alpha's mate, I, of course, support his decision. After all, the pack's interests come before personal feelings." My calmness clearly relieved Kaelen, but he would soon find out it was just the quiet before the storm. "Thank you for understanding, Sera," he nodded. "T assure you all, this is just a temporary arrangement. Once the bloodline protection ceremony is complete, we will hold the Silver Moon Ceremony immediately." The pack members looked at each other, clearly confused and uneasy about this sudden change.