Chapter 30 · Luna Coronation

Spring came to Blackwood territory.

Three months after the solstice ceremony, Zaia stood before the pack in the great hall—Leo and Milo at her sides, Sebastian a step behind, Marcus holding the velvet box—and accepted what she'd once been denied.

The Luna pin.

Silver wolf. Onyx stone. The same pin Sebastian had torn from her throat in the living room trial. He'd had it repaired. Reset. Prepared for this moment.

"Zaia Blackwood," Elder Vance intoned. "You have proven yourself as mother of the heirs, as wolf of standing, as mate to our Alpha. Do you accept the title of Luna of the Blackwood Pack?"

Zaia looked at the pin. At Sebastian. At her sons—Leo serious, Milo bouncing on his heels.

"I accept," she said. "On my terms. With my voice. With my company. With my power."

"Then receive your pin."

Sebastian stepped forward. His hands trembled only slightly as he fastened the silver wolf to her collarbone. The metal was warm. Familiar. Hers.

"I told you once," he whispered, "until the moon falls."

"Until the moon falls," Zaia replied.

The pack bowed.

Leo tugged Sebastian's sleeve. "Dad, is Mama the boss now?"

"She's always been the boss," Sebastian said.