Chapter 20
Jul 18, 2025
The sacred flame roared thirty feet into the air, casting writhing shadows across the ancient amphitheater. Four Luna Bride candidates stood before it in pristine white gowns—the final survivors of the brutal Games.
“The Crowning Rite begins now,” High Matron Ivera’s voice boomed across packed stone seats. “Each candidate will call down the moon’s will. The flame will choose the true Luna Bride.”
Thousands of eyes bore down on us. Every Alpha heir, every Council member, every noble bloodline in the kingdom had gathered for this moment. The air thrummed with anticipation and barely contained violence.
Melodie stepped forward first, her voice trembling as she recited the ancient words. The flame flickered but remained unchanged. She stumbled backward, tears streaming down her face.
Vera followed, stronger, more confident. Again, nothing. The sacred fire burned on, indifferent to her pleas.
Then Cressa glided forward, Marcus’s chosen bride. Her performance began flawlessly—voice pitched to perfection, gestures graceful as flowing water. But as she reached the climax of the ritual, I caught the glint of steel in her palm.
She sliced her wrist with a hidden blade, letting crimson drops fall into the flames.
Blood magic. Forbidden for centuries.
The fire roared silver in response, shooting sparks that rained down like fallen stars. Gasps echoed from the crowd. Marcus’s face blazed with triumph.
“Magnificent!” Elder Thane declared. “The moon has chosen—”
“Wait.” My voice cut through their celebration like a blade through silk.
I stepped forward, my bare feet silent against stone still warm from centuries of ritual fire. Every eye fixed on me as I approached the sacred flame.
But I didn’t kneel. Didn’t bow my head in supplication.
“I speak the ancient words,” I declared, “not as a virgin sacrifice kneeling for approval. I speak them as a survivor who has earned her place.”
The words of power flowed from my lips—not pleading, but commanding. Not begging the moon’s favor, but claiming my birthright as Luna blood incarnate.
The flame exploded.
Silver fire erupted skyward, then shifted to midnight black, then blazed violet bright as crushed amethyst. Within the dancing flames, a shape materialized—the original Luna seal, the mark of the first Moon Queens, burning with ethereal light.
“Impossible,” someone gasped.
The crowd surged to their feet. Shouts echoed from every corner of the amphitheater. But before the Matrons could react, another voice cut through the chaos.
“It is written.”
Every head turned. The Oracle limped into the arena, her ancient frame supported by a gnarled walking stick. Her eyes, clouded with age and prophecy, fixed on me with absolute certainty.
“The crown was never meant for a girl on her knees,” she declared, her voice carrying to every corner of the vast space. “It was meant for one who burns.”
Above us, the Luna Crown materialized from moonlight and starfire—silver twisted with gold, set with gems that captured the essence of night itself. It levitated slowly, rotating in the air as every person present held their breath.
All eyes turned to me. Waiting. Expecting.
I reached up and caught the crown in both hands.
Then I dropped it into the sacred fire.
The metal screamed as it hit the flames, dissolving into liquid light that painted the night in impossible colors.
“I’m not here to wear your crown,” I said, my voice ringing with absolute finality. “I’m here to end your Games.”
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Matrons shrieked in outrage. Nobles leaped from their seats. Guards reached for weapons they weren’t sure they should draw.
“Blasphemy!” High Matron Ivera screeched. “Seize her! Execute her for—”
“Enough!” Darius vaulted over the arena barrier, his face twisted with murderous rage. “You’ve destroyed everything! Everything!”
He lunged toward me, claws already extending, Alpha fury transforming his features into something bestial and terrible.
Hector materialized between us like lightning given form.
His fangs were fully extended, his eyes blazing gold fire. The partial shift that had won him the blood duel was nothing compared to this—pure Alpha dominance unleashed without restraint.
