The Alpha's Betrayal Rise Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 8 Terms Of War Finished The records chamber is quiet , lit by only a handful of lamps . The shelves on its walls sag under the weight of centuries . If I step inside , I put my intentions into words . And words , once spoken , have power . But I know Kade has left me no other choice . Swallowing my fear , I walk in with the moon - amber clutched in my palm , its faint warmth pulsing against my skin . Sixty seconds . That's all it gives me - just long enough , I hope , to pry truth from lips that might otherwise stay sealed . Elder Maelin keeps every law , every ritual , every secret . If he resists me , I'll have nothing . He looks up from his desk when I enter , quill stilling mid - stroke . " Luna Freya ," he says , voice frail from his age . His hair is white as frost , his eyes pale but sharp , as though nothing escapes him . " What brings you here at such an hour ? " I hold up my chin . " You still call me Luna ? Are you not aware that I have been replaced ? " His lips part in a wise smile . " I'm aware of what's real . What's true . " I tighten my grip on the amber , step closer . My pulse hammers in my throat as I whisper , " I need answers ." The crystal glows faintly in my hand . I set it on the table between us , willing it to work , willing his tongue to loosen . But Maelin only chuckles , like a grandfather humoring a child . " Moon- amber ? Clever . But wasted on me ." Sweat beads on my forehead . " What do you mean ? " He leans back , folding his hands over his quill . " My task is to preserve truth , not to twist it . Glamours have no hold on me . Nor do threats . If you wanted honesty , all you ever needed to do was ask . " Heat floods my cheeks . " I - I wasn't sure if I could trust you . " I glance over my shoulder at the empty hall . " I - I shouldn't be here . " " That is the trouble with most truth - seekers , " he says with a faint smile . " They imagine knowledge itself is forbidden . Records are kept for all , my lady . You only have to ask , " he repeats . I step further in , though doubt prickles my skin . " If I ask you about Severance ... will you tell anyone ? " 1/4 21:32 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter & Terms Of War A Finisher His eyes soften , the sharpness giving way to something almost kind . " Skepticism is wise . But so is knowing where you may rest your doubts . This chamber is not a court , nor a council . Unless commanded by the Alpha or Council directly , I am bound to silence about who enters here and what questions they bring . My duty is to knowledge , not politics . " The moon - amber dims in my hand , useless . Maelin is not an enemy . The breath I hadn't realized I was holding slips out . " Then I need those answers . All of them . " He studies me for a long moment . " Very well . What do you know about it ? " I fumble . " Only that it is a ritual divorce . It will sever my marriage knot , and Kade will have no control over me . " He sets down his quill and folds his hands over the desk . " That is correct , yes . Silver Severance requires three proofs . First - the rightful sigil . The Luna's diadem . Without it , no Conclave will even hear you . The crown is not a mere ornament ; it is the Moon's mark of blessing , and without it , you are only a wife seeking grievance , not a Luna seeking freedom ." My heart twists , remembering the crown locked away behind Kade's iron safe . " Second , " Maelin continues , " a witness circle . At least nine of your pack must stand for you . They cannot be servants bought with coin , nor voices bent by glamour . They must speak freely under the Moon's eye , for blood memory cannot lie . " I swallow . " And the third ? " His pale eyes glint . " Your wolf . You must stand at Conclave with her awake and unmuzzled . The Moon Goddess herself will watch . If she falters , if you falter , the bond is judged broken , and the Severance fails . And failure ..." His voice dips lower . " ... failure strips you not only of your marriage bond , but of every protection the title grants . You would be nothing before them . You could be punished , banished , or declared rogue . You could lose your wolf forever ." I press a hand against my ribs , where Nyx prowls faintly . " That is everything . " His voice is gentler now . " But it is enough to bring down houses - or save them . " I lift my gaze , searching his lined face for any hint of judgment . " You don't think I'm foolish for even asking ? " He shakes his head once . " I think you are wise for wanting the truth before stepping onto a battlefield . And make no mistake , Luna Freya ... Severance is war . " At the border woods , Rowan waits with a handful of his rogues , but not close enough to 2/4 21:32 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 8 Terms Of War ( 16 Finished provoke the Silvercrest patrols . Silver mist curls low over the ground , turning his broad frame into a shadow carved from smoke and moonlight . He steps forward when he sees me approach . " I'm placing my own eyes along the borders . They'll keep you safe ." I glance around the trees , catching faint movements in the fog - silent , watchful shapes that vanish when I try to focus . " If Kade finds out- " " He won't , " Rowan cuts in . " My wolves know how to disappear . No one will touch you without me knowing first . " His words make my heart stumble . " Rowan ..." He softens then , the hardness in his expression easing as he takes one step closer . " I'm not asking for thanks , " he mumbles . " I only want you alive when the Blood Moon rises . Do you understand me ? " The moonlight brushes his cheekbones , highlighting the scar along his jaw . My fingers ache with the foolish urge to trace it , to see if it feels as rough as it looks . I curl them tighter around the moon - amber instead . " I understand ," I whisper , though the words tremble . Rowan's hand lifts halfway , hesitates , then drops again . He does not touch me - but I feel the absence of his touch like a flame held just out of reach . His green eyes linger on mine a heartbeat too long , before he turns slightly , letting the shadows reclaim him . *** [ NARRATOR ] Far across the keep , inside her chamber , Izel stands before her mirror , brushing out her long , wine - coloured hair . The Head Housekeeper , Vanya , bows low behind her , whispering , " It is true , my lady . She no longer drinks tea or ale at the table . She only pretends . The healer has her on something else . She has also been seen training with soldier Tamsin . " Izel's brush halts . Her reflection smirks back at her , sweet as poison . " So. She thinks she can crawl out of her grave . " She sets the brush down with intended calm . " Then we accelerate ." Vanya hesitates . " Accelerate what ? " " Everything ." Izel's cruel smile widens . " If Freya Vale - Thorne is climbing back to life , then I will make sure she has no breath left to claim . " 3/4