Chapter 22

werewolvesfew days had been a whirlwind, not just for Lune but for the entire kingdom. The news of Arlo’s sudden marriage had spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of both humans and werewolves alike. Rumors flew in every direction—whispers of the powerful Alpha finally taking a bride had stirred excitement and curiosity across the land. Yet, there was one glaring mystery that no one could seem to solve: who was Arlo’s bride?

The fact that Arlo had married in secret only added to the intrigue. Normally, an event as significant as the Alpha's marriage would have been a grand spectacle, attended by leaders of other packs and even prominent human figures. But this time, there was no public ceremony, no announcement, and no photos of the bride to satisfy people’s curiosity. Just the knowledge that Arlo, the most eligible leader in the kingdom, was no longer single.

Among the wolves, speculation ran rampant. Some believed Arlo’s bride must be someone from a powerful wolf family, perhaps even a Luna of another pack, but no names had surfaced. Others thought he might have married a human, a bold move that would send shockwaves through the werewolf community. The human population, on the other hand, was even more curious. They had only heard vague rumors of Arlo’s existence as a mysterious leader, with many still considering werewolves mere legends. Now, news of his secret marriage fed into the growing mythology surrounding him.

As the days went by, the tension grew. In cafés, markets, and homes, the topic of conversation always seemed to circle back to Arlo and his unknown bride. Gossipers exchanged wild theories, with some claiming to have insider information, though none of it ever seemed to be credible.

In the palace, Arlo was well aware of the storm of speculation brewing outside its walls. He had heard from his advisors and Marcus, his Beta, that the pack was growing restless with their Alpha's secrecy. He knew that sooner or later, he would have to reveal Lune’s identity to the world, especially to his pack. But for now, he was focused on making sure she was comfortable with her new life before thrusting her into the spotlight.

Lune, too, had heard the rumors. Though she had yet to step outside the palace grounds, she could feel the weight of expectation looming over her. People were desperate to know who she was, and it was only a matter of time before she would have to face them. That thought unsettled her, but as she grew more accustomed to her life with Arlo, the idea became a little less daunting. Still, the mystery surrounding their marriage only added to her sense of isolation. She was hidden from the world, and for now, that was how Arlo wanted it to stay.

But the world wouldn’t wait forever. The pressure was building, and soon enough, Lune would be thrust into the role she hadn’t asked for but was starting to understand: the Luna of the kingdom. And when the time came for the second wedding—Arlo’s family ceremony—the world would finally know who she was.

The pack elders were not ones to be kept in the dark for long, especially when it concerned their Alpha. Arlo’s sudden, secretive marriage had raised many eyebrows within the council, a group of older, respected werewolves who advised him on matters of tradition, governance, and the well-being of the pack. They had always played a crucial role in maintaining the balance between the werewolves and the human world, and for them, Arlo's decision to marry in secret was not just unconventional—it was concerning.

For days, whispers among the pack grew louder. The elders, who had initially assumed Arlo would make an announcement after the wedding, became increasingly agitated. They had advised him for years on the importance of choosing a mate wisely, someone who would strengthen their pack's status and unite other werewolf families. Now, rumors swirled that Arlo's mate was someone outside of those expectations—possibly even human. This uncertainty only fueled their concerns, and they decided it was time to confront their Alpha directly.

A formal request for a meeting was sent to Arlo’s office the morning after yet another round of pack meetings. Arlo, though expecting such a move, couldn’t help but feel the pressure from the council building. He knew they had questions—questions he wasn’t sure he was ready to answer. But ignoring them wasn’t an option. The elders' authority carried weight, not just in the hierarchy of the pack but in maintaining stability within the kingdom. They were the keepers of tradition, and their approval, or disapproval, could affect his leadership.

The meeting was scheduled for the next day, and as the time approached, Arlo prepared himself. He knew that revealing Lune’s identity to them would be a significant step—one that couldn’t be undone. He had kept her a secret thus far to protect her from the overwhelming attention and scrutiny that would come with being his mate, but he also knew that the elders wouldn’t rest until they had the answers they sought.

The council convened in the great hall, a place that carried the weight of many decisions and battles won throughout the pack's long history. The room was grand and ancient, with dark stone walls adorned with the insignias of past Alphas. Large windows let in beams of sunlight, but the mood inside was anything but light.

Arlo entered the hall, his face impassive but his mind racing with thoughts of how to approach the situation. Marcus stood by his side, silent and composed, as they walked toward the table where the elders were seated. The council members rose in respect as he entered, though their expressions revealed a mixture of curiosity and mild frustration.

"Alpha," Elder Rowan, the head of the council, greeted him with a firm nod. He was the eldest of the group, his once-black hair now completely white, but his presence still commanded respect. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. We’ve been meaning to discuss an urgent matter with you."

Arlo took his seat at the head of the long stone table, folding his hands in front of him. "I assumed as much. I know why you’ve called this meeting."

Elder Rowan exchanged glances with the others, then leaned forward. "The pack is concerned, Arlo. We are concerned. The news of your marriage has been circulating, yet no one knows the identity of your bride. This is unprecedented. The secrecy surrounding this union—it's causing unrest among the pack, and we need to understand your intentions."

The other elders nodded in agreement, their eyes focused on Arlo. He could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.

"I understand your concerns," Arlo began, his voice steady but firm. "But this marriage is still very new, and I have been taking time to ensure my mate is comfortable before making any public announcements. You will meet her soon, I promise you that."

Elder Vivienne, one of the more outspoken members of the council, frowned slightly. "Arlo, this isn’t just about introductions. You know as well as we do that your mate carries the title of Luna. The pack expects to know who will be their future Luna, and it’s not just about appearances—it’s about the security and strength of the pack. We have traditions, and those traditions dictate that the Luna be presented to the council."

Arlo met Vivienne’s gaze, his jaw tightening slightly. "I’m aware of the traditions, Vivienne. But my mate's situation is... different."

"Different how?" Elder Rowan asked, raising an eyebrow. "Is she not one of us?"

The question hung in the air, the weight of it palpable. Arlo had anticipated this moment, and though he wanted to shield Lune from judgment, he knew that honesty was the only path forward.

"No," Arlo admitted, his voice steady. "She’s not a werewolf."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The elders exchanged looks, their expressions ranging from shock to concern. Elder Rowan sat back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully, while Elder Vivienne’s frown deepened.

"A human?" Vivienne asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. "You’ve chosen a human to be your mate? Your Luna?"

Arlo straightened in his seat, his gaze unwavering. "I have. And I chose her because she’s my fated mate."

The tension in the room grew even thicker. Fated mates were rare and highly respected among werewolves, but the idea of a human Luna was a challenge to the very foundations of their traditions. The elders had expected Arlo to choose a mate who would strengthen alliances, someone with influence within the werewolf community. A human disrupted everything.

Elder Rowan cleared his throat. "Fated mates are sacred, Arlo. We don’t dispute that. But this… this is unprecedented. A human Luna could create complications we haven’t faced before. The pack may not accept her."

Arlo leaned forward, his voice firm and filled with conviction. "They will accept her because I accept her. Lune is my mate, chosen by the bond that connects us, and I will not deny that. She is learning our ways, and in time, she will take her place by my side. I will introduce her to the pack, and I expect you to support her, as you have supported me."

Elder Rowan sighed, his expression softening slightly. "We’ve always trusted your judgment, Arlo. You’ve led the pack well, and you’ve earned the respect of your people. But this decision will not be easy for many to accept."

"I know," Arlo said. "But I am prepared to handle it. I ask only for your patience. In time, you’ll see that Lune is more than worthy to be our Luna."

The elders remained silent for a moment, absorbing Arlo’s words. Finally, Elder Rowan spoke again, his tone more measured. "Very well. We will trust your judgment, as we always have. But be prepared, Arlo. There will be challenges ahead, and the pack will have questions. We’ll stand by you, but you must be ready to face and them."

Arlo nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. The meeting had gone as well as he could have hoped, but he knew this was only the beginning. There would be more questions, more scrutiny, but he was ready to face whatever came next. For Lune, for their bond, and for the future of his pack.