The Alpha's Luna, A Destiny Divided

Chapter 8

Luna's POV

The pack house was buzzing with tension as I made my way down the stairs. Whispers ceased as I passed, curious and wary glances following my every move. I fought the urge to turn and run, Callum's words echoing in my mind. We would face this together.

As I entered the main hall, I was struck by how many wolves had gathered. It seemed the entire pack was present, from the youngest pups to the eldest members. My eyes found Callum at the front of the room, his presence commanding and reassuring. When his gaze met mine, a small smile tugged at his lips, and I felt some of the tension leave my body.

"Luna," he called, extending a hand towards me. "Come join me."

Taking a deep breath, I made my way through the crowd. Whispers followed in my wake, but I kept my head high. As I reached Callum's side, he placed a warm hand on the small of my back, a silent show of support that meant more than I cared to admit.

"Brothers and sisters of Silver Creek," Callum began, his voice carrying easily through the room. "I've called this meeting to address the events of today and to shed light on a situation that affects us all."

He turned to me, his amber eyes gentle. "Luna, would you like to tell them, or should I?"

For a moment, panic gripped me. But as I looked out at the sea of faces – some curious, some wary, but all attentive – I knew it was time. Time to trust, time to let others in.

"I'll do it," I said softly, then turned to face the pack.

"Many of you have wondered about me," I began, my voice shaky at first but growing stronger. "About where I came from and why I was alone. The truth is, I was running. Running from a pack – my former pack – led by a cruel and paranoid Alpha."

I went on to explain, in broad strokes, the events that led to my exile. The Alpha's descent into tyranny, my attempt to stand against him, the betrayal and accusations that followed. As I spoke, I saw shock, anger, and sympathy flicker across the faces before me.

"The wolves we encountered today were sent by him," I concluded. "He won't stop until he finds me. And now... now I've brought this danger to your doorstep. For that, I am truly sorry."

A heavy silence fell over the room. I braced myself for the anger, the demands for me to leave. But before anyone could speak, Callum stepped forward.

"What Luna hasn't told you," he said, his voice ringing with authority, "is that she is my true mate."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. I felt my cheeks heat as all eyes turned to me with newfound interest.

"Luna is not just a guest," Callum continued. "She is a member of this pack. My mate. And any threat to her is a threat to all of us."

Nora was the first to step forward. "Alpha," she said, her voice carrying clearly, "I fought alongside Luna today. She stood with us against those intruders without hesitation. As far as I'm concerned, she's already proven herself a member of Silver Creek."

A murmur of agreement went through the crowd, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

But not everyone was convinced. Derek, the elder who had been skeptical of me earlier, spoke up. "While I don't doubt the Alpha's word, this situation puts our entire pack at risk. Are we really prepared to go to war for one wolf?"

"We go to war for pack," Rafe countered, moving to stand beside me and Callum. "Luna may not have been born to Silver Creek, but she is pack now. And we protect our own."

The debate raged on, voices rising and falling as the pack grappled with the situation. Through it all, Callum's hand remained steady on my back, a constant reminder that I wasn't alone.