The Alphas Bettival Rise Of The Respected Luna Chapter 13 The Council's Envoy Finned When there are twenty - two days left until the Blood Moon Conclave , a raven flutters through the high windows of the dining hall and lands squarely on the long table . Its wings scatter crumbs into goblets , startling the servants . The birdmaster hurries forward , unties the scroll , and passes it over to Kade who tenses as he reads it , " From the High Council . They are sending an envoy to Silvercrest . " The hall stills . Kade's jaw flexes once , then again . I know that look . Kade has always ruled within reach of his borders , never meddling with the High Council politics , never giving them cause to meddle with him . Yet now the Blood Moon Conclave looms , and suddenly the Council's eyes are on us . First the Conclave . Now an envoy . What is going on ? Nyx stirs in my chest , low and grim , ' Be prepared . When I finally look at Izel , I find her smirking . *** The envoy arrives by midday . He's a gaunt man in a long gray coat , sleeves trailing over his hands . His hair is bound with silver thread which glistens as he bows stiffly before the throne . " I am sent , " he announces , gaze locked on Kade who sits on the throne , " to conduct an inspection . The High Council requires a full account of the Luna's health , competence , and devotion to her pack ." So it is about me . To my surprise , Kade's irritation flares openly . " The Luna's inspection ? Inspections are only ordered if they believe a Luna cannot perform her duty . What drove them to such suspicion ? " The envoy buries his hands inside his sleeves . " The High Council received a complaint ... anonymously - but it cannot be ignored . I'm required to formulate a report and present it to them . " Izel steps forward before anyone else can speak . Her smile is sweet as cream . " Of course . The Council's word is law , and Alpha Kade will be honored to let you examine anything you desire , to take what you deem necessary ." The envoy tilts his head , gaze pinning her . " And with what authority do you speak for the Alpha ? " 1/6 21:33 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 13 The Council's Enery ( 11 ) ## Finished A flicker crosses Izel's face , but she keeps her chin high . " I am Izel , the lady of this house . " " Mm . " The envoy's tone cools . " Yet my records show the Alpha's wife , and thus Luna of Silvercrest , is Freya Vale ." Murmurs ripple across the room . Kade's annoyance sharpens . " Freya , " he says curtly , beckoning . " Come forth . " I rise , my sapphire crown gleaming as I walk through the parted crowd . Gasps whisper among the servants . Kade's gaze slices to the diadem , but his voice remains smooth . " Please the envoy , Luna . " " I will prove I am both capable and worthy , " I say , lifting my chin as my heart pounds . " How the envoy - or the High Council - receives it is for them to decide . " The envoy's lips curve into a smirk . " Shall we begin , Luna Freya ? " I nod once . As I move to follow him from the hall , Kade leaves his throne and grips my arm , his hand biting hard into my skin . He bends close , lowering his voice so only I can hear . " Do not embarrass me , Freya ." The pain makes my teeth clench , but I lift my chin and let no one see . " As you wish , Alpha . " ** We begin in the pack's conservatory . Brin pauses his work when we walk inside , shuffling to one side but he keeps his eyes and attention on us . Jax stands behind Kade and Izel , his shoulders broad and strong . The envoy studies the conservatory before his brow arches and he points at a row of jars on the shelves of herbs . " Do you know their uses ? " " Yes , " I say evenly . " Moonwort for burns . Feverfew for headaches . Wolfsbane - poison if taken too long ." He nods slowly . " And what are the signs of wolfsbane poisoning ? " From the corner of my eyes I see Kade shift on his feet . Izel's hand reaches out to soothe him , but he shrugs her away . I keep my voice clear as I answer . " Shortness of breath and pain in chest . Weakening of the mind's connection with the pack and loss of authority if the person being poisoned is an Alpha or Luna . And most important of all : your wolf goes quiet ." 2/6 21:33 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 13 The Council's Envoy Frusted " Seems like you understand this particular herb very well , " the man remarks . I don't miss the undertone there but I ignore it . Izel laughs softly , interrupting us . " Confidence is easy when one recites what others have taught . True mastery requires practice . The Luna has not tended these gardens in years ." I meet the envoy's eyes . " Nor has Lady Izel , though she's quick to claim them . " Kade's gaze flicks between us . I have no idea what he is thinking , and honestly ? I don't care . Next is the training yard . Warriors line up , waiting . The envoy's voice carries over to me , " If a Luna must protect her young , can she hold a weapon ? " Izel smirks , certain I will falter . I step forward , taking a wooden staff from the rack . Tamsin , watching from the side , folds her arms , giving me the faintest nod of approval . The envoy gestures . " Strike . " I plant my feet and swing hard . The thud echoes as the staff slams into the practice post . My arms shake with the impact , but I steady them . The envoy hums , unimpressed . " Not without skill . " Then , with a flick of his wrist , he summons one of the waiting warriors , staff in hand . Izel's lips curve thin with scorn . " Parlor tricks . She cannot- " " She can , " Kade cuts her off . The shock throws me off balance for a fraction of a second - long enough that the warrior strikes , his staff cracking against my arm and knocking me hard to the ground . Pain flares . I grunt , fury curling in my chest - not just at the blow , but at myself for faltering . The envoy's face remains unreadable as he watches me drag myself back to my feet . The warrior tilts his head , uncertain . " Yield ? " My lips pull into a smile that doesn't reach my eyes . I lunge . The move is faster than he expects . My staff slams against his , driving him back a step , then another . He adjusts , but I press harder , fury hardening every strike . Nyx's power flows through me , warming my shoulders , my elbows , my hands . He's stronger , but I can see it in his eyes : he's holding back . He thinks I'm fragile . 3/6 21:33 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 13 The Council's fnvoy Finished Snarling . I swing again , pushing until the clash of wood rattles the yard . My arms throb , my breath comes ragged , but I will not yield . " Enough ." The envoy's voice cuts through the air . He raises one long hand . " The test is concluded . " The warrior lowers his staff at once . I stand heaving , sweat stinging my eyes , the taste of iron in my mouth . I know I proved myself - but rage still coils inside me . Because I could have done more . Because he never truly fought me . At sunset , the envoy demands we sit in the small council chamber . A mock court , he calls it . It is not just Jax , Kade and Izel now . There are other members of the small council of Silvercrest that watch over this test . He clears his throat . " It is said the Luna has neglected her duties - absent from rituals , derelict in keeping order among the pack's women . Some even whisper of ... fraternizing with rogues . " Gasps ripple across the chamber . Even Kade , who has sat silent and rigid until now , leans forward on his elbows , his eyes narrowing . my I fold my hands on the table , heart racing . This is the real test . Rowan's face flashes in mind . He might be the rogue king of Nightfell , but he's my friend . I meet him and seek his help but I know the purpose . It is not because I'm betraying my pack . " May I respond ? " I ask . The envoy inclines his head . " By law , " I begin , voice level , " a Luna is bound to attend rituals unless incapacitated by illness or Alpha command . Six winters ago , I bore my son , Finn , and nearly bled to death . Afterward , Alpha Kade himself commanded I rest . Witnesses may confirm this . " What I can't tell you is that without my wolf I couldn't possibly participate in any of the rituals . Izel hisses . " As for order among the women ," I press on , " name one complaint ever brought formally . None exists . As for fraternizing ? I have never consorted with rogues . Not as Luna of Silvercrest ... " I allow the words to settle before continuing , " Besides , our history shows packs have dealt with rogues whenever it benefitted them . Border treaties , hunting accords , even mercenary contracts . The High Council itself has never set down a law forbidding such dealings outright ." The envoy's brows draw together . 4/6 21:33 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 13 The Council's Envoy ( 16 * Finished I tilt my chin higher . " If rogues cross unlawfully , it is the guard's failing . Not the Luna's . " The envoy shuffles his notes . " You are well - versed . " " I was raised to it , " I answer . " Silvercrest's Luna is not ornamental . " I turn my head to glance over the members sitting in their chairs . Kade's eyes narrow when they meet mine . Izel's face has paled . When it's time to leave , the envoy stands in the court hall , scroll half - rolled . " The inspection is concluded ." Izel steps forward . " And your report will state? " " That the Luna of Silvercrest is ... adequate . " His voice is dry . " More than adequate . " Her lips part , fury flashing before she hides it . Kade dismisses the court . Wolves disperse in murmurs . Only when the crowd thins does the envoy draw close to me , voice pitched for my ears alone . " Freya . " His eyes dart left , then right , his dark eyes flashing a deep green I recognise in a heartbeat . " We may not be able to meet each other for a while . " I stiffen . " Rowan ? " He lowers his voice . " The High Council knows about the mark you bear . And they are not happy about it . Nightfell rises stronger than they like . Their plan is to crush us - by any means . But they intend to use Silvercrest ... at the Blood Moon Conclave ." My heart lurches . With a slow blink , the green of his eyes vanishes , returning to its original dark brown . He blinks again , and steps back , his face contorted with confusion . " Did I say something to you ? " the words slip out from his mouth in a whisper . What the hell just happened ? The envoy swallows , and forces his eyes back to Kade . " My thanks for your hospitality . The High Council will be satisfied . " Without another glance at me , he turns and walks away , boots echoing down the stone corridor . If I'm not wrong , I just saw Rowan take possession of the envoy's mind and body to - to speak 5/6 21:33 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 13 The Councils Envoy to me . My body shivers . I claw at my neck , and find that I'm sweating . U16 J Finishind The High Council doesn't like that I bear the High Luna's sigil . They want Nightfell destroyed . And if I'm not careful , I'll burn with it . Send Gifts