Df The Damp Chapter 27 Oath Of Obedience The rain has been falling since morning . It clings to the glass of the Queen's Wing like tears that refuse to dry . Tomorrow we leave Silvercrest for the Blood Moon Conclave . And two days after . I attempt the Silver Severance . It feels unreal . And the last four weeks have stretched like years filled with too many revelations , lies , betrayals , and pain . The only comfort in this chaos has been my children and Rowan I sit by the hearth , brushing Ivy's hair while Finn builds a tower of carved wolves by the fire . Rowan stands near the window , scratching the raven's head that sits perched on his arm . The calm that settles is broken by a knock . Tamsin enters , bowing . " Alpha Kade , that's all she says . I set the brush aside . So he finally decides to show his face . I've half a mind to tell Tamsin I don't want to see him . But I do want to hear what he has to say . Since Izel's disappearance , the pack has fallen into shambles . It wasn't just Rowan and me who heard Izel's confession . The word spread quickly , and pack members connected the dots . They once praised Kade for his effortless victories , but now they see the ugly truth , and the disgusting work he had Izel do to achieve them . They refuse to obey or answer , or even bow to him . Once revered and strong , he's now powerless in his own house . Maybe he is also too guilty to ask Rowan and his rogues to leave . " Take them with you . " I tell Tamsin softly , Finn looks up , mouth opening to protest , but the look on my face stills him . Ivy hugs my waist , sensing more than she understands . Rowan helps gather their cloaks . " You should go with them ." I tell him . He nods . " As you command . High Luna Freya ." My lips curve into a smile . " I can handle Kade " I know you can , " he answers easily . He leads the children out , and Tamsin follows . I listen to their footsteps fade before Kade's heavy but slow steps bring him in . He stands in the doorway , rain dripping from his hair , eyes rimmed with sleeplessness . He 1/4 21:38 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 27 Oath Of Obedience Finished looks older , smaller somehow . He steps closer , his boots leaving faint wet marks on the marble . " I don't know where to begin , " he says . " You begin , " I say , " where it went wrong . " He swallows . " Everywhere , then . " I don't move , but my throat works . " I should have protected you , " he says quietly . " From Izel . From myself . I kept thinking I was doing what an Alpha should do - control , command , lead - but all I did was destroy . I let her into my head , into my bed , into everything I built . " His voice breaks . " I don't ask for forgiveness . Only ... understanding . " " I don't have any to give . Neither forgiveness nor understanding . " He looks up at that , searching my face for something he can't find . " You won't even try ? " " No , " I say simply . " Because every time I tried , you made me pay for it . You killed the woman who trusted you , Kade . What's left now is only the Luna - and she owes you nothing ." His breath shakes . " Freya , don't do this . " " I'm not doing anything ," I answer . " You did ." He moves closer and holds my hand , letting the bond flow through . It overwhelms me momentarily , reminding me of the good things he did that no longer matter . I can't wait to be rid of this feeling . Of his control over me . " Don't go through with the Severance ," he says . " If you cut the bond , I'll lose the pack . " " You've already lost them . " He shakes his head . " I'll lose Emris completely . I'll be lost . I'll be a rogue . " " Maybe you deserve it , " I say , shocking myself because of the harshness in my voice . " But I don't think you have to worry about it too much . Only if the mates are entirely in love , there's a chance of your wolf dying in heartbreak . " " Emris loves Nyx ," he claims . " Nyx loved him , too . But your actions have ended that love . She supports my decision ." He flinches , then sinks to his knees in front of me . " Please . " I almost - almost feel pity for him . Life without a wolf is a curse . But I can't bring myself to be kind enough to pray he doesn't lose Emris . 2/4 21:38 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 27 Oath Of Obedience finished He speaks again . " I was afraid . Of losing control , of losing power . When my father died , I thought I had to be stronger than him . When Izel told me what she could do , I saw it as the opportunity to strengthen our pack . " " By deceit ? " I snap . " How do you call yourself an Alpha ? You're a coward . You're worse than your father . I hate you . Finn and Ivy will hate you when they grow up and find out what kind of man their father truly was . " That hits a spot . He stumbles , putting his head in his hands before inhaling sharply . He swallows hard . " I am . You're right ... I am a coward . " Turning back , he sighs heavily , running a hand through his hair . " Do what you must , Freya . But before you go , I want you to hear this . " He walks back to me and kneels , pressing his palm to his chest and bowing his head low . " I , Kade Thorne of Silvercrest , swear an Oath of Obedience to my Luna , Freya Vale - Thorne . I will obey whatever her will commands , whether it frees me or ends me . This is my truth . This is my penance . " The fire flickers . My heart should crack at the sight of him kneeling there , but it doesn't . It only aches with something old and hollow . " Get up , " I say . He doesn't move . " Get up , Kade . " He rises slowly . His eyes shine with a grief that feels almost human . " I wish I could undo it all . " you broke . " He nods once , turns , and walks out . No guard escorts him . No word follows . Just the sound of the rain swallowing his steps . " You can't ," I tell him . " You can only stop pretending you still deserve to hold what When the silence settles again , Rowan pushes the door open . He studies my face , then the fire . " You didn't kill him , " he says quietly . " No , " I murmur . " Not today ." He walks forward , unsheathing the blade at his back . The Moonshard sword gleams faintly in the firelight . " It belongs to you , " he says , laying it flat on his hands . I stare at the weapon . " That's your sword . " " It was never mine , " he says . " It was forged for the High Luna of Nightfell - but one was never born there . " 3/4 21 38 Wed , Oct 15 of Obedience The metal glows faintly , pale as frost . Rowan sets it in my hands , and its weight surprises me . It weighs right . There's a sense of belonging I feel . " You'll need it at the Conclave , " he says . I look down at the sword , then at him . " You think they'll let me - a High Luna - walk away alive ? He smiles faintly . " I think they'll try to stop you . And I think they'll fail . " The storm outside grows louder . I turn the sword in my palms , watching the firelight run across the edge like liquid silver . Tomorrow we leave Silvercrest . And then I let them all see who I truly am . Send Gifts The Alpha : Getrayal Rise Of The Rejected Luna