hapter 31 The Moon's Verdict ( 14 ) Finished Dawn stains the horizon in pale crimson . The smoke from Nyssa's witchfire last night still lingers above the clearing , contaminating the morning air . Silence settles over the arena as I step forward . The Blood Moon has faded , but its power flows through me now , burning my body and cooling it at the same time . The silver veins on my arms glimmer faintly as I move toward the center . We spent the remainder of the night laying the dead to rest - including Izel - murmuring prayers as the Goddess's sacred fire bore them to her halls . Now is the final act . What remains of the High Conclave reassembles . The members stand on the dais , shaken , subdued after what they witnessed . Thane is gone - dragged away before dawn , no one knows where . Maelin stands in his place , ancient , pale - eyed , and full of wisdom . In place of Esme and the other dead member stands Brin , and an elder from Frostfang . The High Council does not spend time mourning . It moves - as it must . Rowan watches from Nightfell's row , cloak dark and a smile on his face . Kade sits behind him , bandaged because the burns wouldn't heal , but he's alive . His head is bowed , like he can't bear to see what I'm about to do . Amara , the elder from Ravencourt , raises her hand . " The Conclave resumes . High Luna Freya Vale - Thorne of Silvercrest , you may speak ." My voice carries across the amphitheatre . " I invoke the right of Silver Severance . " Gasps ripple through the rows . These words carry power . They always have . " This rite , " Amara begins cautiously , " You understand what it truly means- " " That my wolf may perish if I fail , and so might I , " I say . " I know . But I have no other choice , Elder . I don't seek to abandon my pack . I seek only to sever the bond that chains me ." Kade's head jerks up , but what words he has die on his lips . I keep my eyes forward . " I present my three proofs . " Amara nods stiffly . " Then the High Council will bear witness ." I reach into the chest that Tamsin carries and lift the diadem - the sapphire crown that once marked me as Luna of Silvercrest . The light strikes it , scattering blue fire across the marble floor . 1/4 21:39 Wed , Oct 15 d Chapter 31 The Moon's Verdict 14 Finished " First , " I say , " the Diadem . Symbol of rule . I return it not in surrender , but in truth . I am Luna no longer by marriage , but by right ." I set it upon the stone table before me . The murmurs grow louder . I gesture to the semicircle forming behind me . Jax steps forward first , flanked by other betas . Then , Tamsin , with five other gammas and three dozen pack members from Silvercrest . My witness circle only needed nine members . But I have fifty . " Second , " I say , " my witnesses . The pack , the warriors , the elders . All who have seen the truth with their own eyes . They know the betrayal I tasted . The humiliation I faced in my own house . They stand here of their own will . " Jax bows his head slightly . Tamsin rests a hand over her heart . The others mirror the gesture . " And third ... " I let my breath steady . The world narrows to the pulse beneath my skin . " Third , my wolf . " Nyx rises within me before I even close my eyes . The air buzzes . My bones shift , not in pain this time but in harmony . Light breaks through skin . Gasps fill the circle as I stand half - shifted - eyes glowing silver in the marble reflection beneath me , the faint shimmer of fur tracing down my arms like moonlight incarnate . " This ," I say , voice both mine and hers , " is proof enough ." The arena becomes silent as one by one , everyone falls to their knees . Then whispers echo : High Luna. Goddess's blessing . The divine . Then I see Kade enter and walk toward me in awe before he , too , falls to his knees . Amara clears her throat , glancing up at me from where she stays kneeling , her voice trembling slightly . " The High Council recognizes the proof . The Severance may proceed as you please , High Luna . " Finally , I feel so overwhelmed , I almost cry . Shaking my head slightly , I kneel . My hands rest upon the marble , the cold biting into my palms . Nyx hums beneath my skin , ready and confident . 214 21:39 Wed , Oct 15 ... Chapter 31 The Moon's Verdict ( 14 Finished " By the light of the Moon , I release this bond ." My voice shakes once as the Goddess's power flows before it steadies . " I sever the thread that bound me to Kade Thorne - Alpha of Silvercrest . I free my spirit and my wolf from his call ." A silver light rises from the ground , circling me in soft ribbons of mist . It touches my chest- right where the mate mark used to burn - and pulls . Kade gasps , clutching his side . " Freya- " I bow my head . The connection between us snaps like a string drawn too tight . The sound isn't heard but felt , rippling through every pack wolf in the circle . Then silence . The mist fades . I breathe again . Lighter . Whole . Amara lowers her gaze . " The Severance is complete ." " She did it , " someone whispers . " She survived ." I rise . " I am Freya Vale . No longer bound to any man . My bond is to the Moon alone . " Kade's voice breaks . " What happens to me ? " I meet his eyes one last time . " You live . I let you keep Emris ." He bows his head . " You've taken everything . " " No , " I say softly . " I left you with your life . " Amara raises her staff , signalling the end of the rite . " Let it be known - the Moon has judged . The Severance stands . The High Council cannot overrule a High Luna's claim made under her light . " Tamsin and Jax appear in front of me as the circle dissolves , bowing . " High Luna . " Brin joins them , grinning wholeheartedly . " Without all of you , none of this would be possible , " I say , my voice finally breaking with emotion . " We serve you , " Brin says . " We serve our rightful High Luna . You lead Silvercrest now . " " Would it be possible without me ? " Rowan's playful voice comes from behind . I turn quickly , facing him , failing to keep the smile from my face as my children rush from him to me . " Mama , you're glowing ," Finn says . 3/1 21:39 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 31 The Moon's Verdict Ivy laughs . " Like the stars ." Rowan steps forward . " You did it ," he whispers . 14 D Finished I nod at him slowly , feeling my heart swell with satisfaction and happiness . The moon is fading into the pale sky , her last light brushing my skin . A faint warmth burns into my arm as the patterned mark starts to appear - tiny crescents along sapphire ribbons over my silver veins . Gasps rise again as wolves kneel instinctively , recognizing the sign . " The Moon Goddess has branded her , " Elder Maelin murmurs . " High Luna ." I breathe , my voice carrying softly across the stillness . " The Moon's verdict is final . Her justice has been done ." And with that , I turn away from Kade and the ashes of a broken marriage , powerful and whole on my own , the dawn rising behind me . Send Gifts B 4/4