I lifted my chin, scanning the sea of faces before me. Shame burned in my chest, but I forced my voice to ring clear. "Who among you is willing to stand beside me, before the Moon Goddess, and become my mate?" Silence. One by one, heads bowed, avoiding my gaze. A hollow ache spread through me. Had even the Moon Goddess abandoned me? Liam's mocking voice slithered through the quiet. "See, Elena? No one would ever choose a cold, heartless woman like you. Give it up." His certainty churned my stomach. Then, from the back of the hall, a deep voice rang out, "I will." Every head turned. Kael stepped forward, each stride steady and commanding. The strongest warrior of the Black Moon Pack-silent, formidable-now stood at my side, his presence dominating. Victoria's eyes widened in outrage. "Kael, do you even know what you're saying?" "I know exactly what I'm saying. Elena is the purest bloodline of Silver Creek. She deserves protection, not the chains of false morality." Liam's rage boiled over. "Kael, don't be a fool! Her mate has barely died, and she already seeks another. You would still want a woman like her?" "Too much?" Kael's eyes were like ice as they met his. "All I see is a woman fighting for her freedom. Liam is dead. Must Elena be buried with him?" He turned and bowed respectfully to Arthur. "Alpha, I am willing to claim Elena as my mate." Isabella rushed forward, her voice trembling. "Kael, you don't understand. Elena-" "I understand perfectly," Kael cut her off. "Liam's last words were to entrust Elena to me. I am only fulfilling that promise." The revelation struck like a thunderclap. The two had indeed fought in the same place. If Liam had entrusted Elena to him, her choice was beyond reproach. But I knew the truth. Those words were Kael's invention. In my past life, Liam had never spoken those words. Arthur fell silent, thoughtful. At last, he nodded. "If Liam entrusted her to you, then Elena's request must be honored." Kael dropped to one knee before me. His eyes, dark and steady, locked on mine. "Elena, before the Moon Goddess, will you accept me as your mate? I will protect you until my final breath." My heart trembled. His gaze held no hesitation, no deceit. Without thinking, I nodded. "Yes." Liam had no ground left to stand on. That very moment, Kael and I signed the Mating Decree. Arthur raised a weary hand. "Enough. They have suffered enough pain. So let it be. I am old, and now, with one son lost, I can no longer bear the weight of Alpha. Three days from now, we will hold the Alpha Succession Ceremony. Jacob shall be named the new Alpha." Jacob. My sister's mate. Now Liam's stolen name. Inside, my thoughts turned dark. In my past life, even until my death, Liam never ascended as Alpha. Yet in this life, everything had come so much sooner. As I left the hall, Liam brushed past me. His voice was low, venomous, meant for my ears alone. "Elena... you will pay for what you did today."