Betrayed by Blood, Claimed by the Alpha-Chapter 205: The end.

The sun burned high as a new era dawned.

Avery stood at the heart of the great square, the banners of Blood Moon plastered on the wall. Around her, hundreds filled the square, warriors, pack members, Elders, Alphas from across the region, and even representatives from Silver Moon, Stormveil, and Crystal Moon packs. A sea of faces stretched before her, silent, waiting.

At the dais, the Elders of Blood Moon stepped forward. One held a mantle woven from ash-grey silk and silver threads, the symbol of her authority. Another held a blade forged centuries ago for the very first Alpha of Blood Moon. Everything she thought she’d lost was now back in its rightful place.

Cain stood off to the side, silent, his eyes fixed only on her.

The High Elder raised his voice, carrying it across the square for all to hear. "We gather to witness the crowning of Avery Jae, the rightful heir of Blood Moon Pack, chosen by blood, by right, and by the will of her people. From this day, she stands as the pack Alpha of Blood Moon."

The mantle was draped across Avery’s shoulders.

The blade, the Oathfang, was pressed briefly into her palms, the old ritual for wisdom and strength. It was not meant to harm but to remind her that leadership was as much a burden as it was an honor.

When the blade was lifted, the High Elder spoke again. "Rise, Avery, daughter of Charles. Alpha of Blood Moon. May your reign be long, just, and unbreakable."

The crowd erupted in loud cheers, howling in excitement and happiness. She had finally taken her place as Alpha.

Avery stood, a proud smile on her face as she stepped aside.

As the cheers for Avery shook the skies, another drum sounded, loud, deep, and heavy. A call that made even the strongest wolves stiffen with instinct. It was time for the coronation.

The High Council of the Southern Region, robed in black and gold, stepped forward. Their ancient scepter, the mark of the Alpha King, gleamed under the sun.

They stood on the tall podium, all five of them holding different bowls and trays of ash.

"Step forward, Cain Knight."

Cain moved through the crowd, his broad shoulders squared, dark hair catching the sunlight like polished onyx, his black cloak trailing behind him.

The air seemed to thicken as he ascended the dais. One by one, the High Council approached him.

The first dipped his fingers into the bowl of ash and marked Cain’s forehead.

The second pressed a thumb dipped in oil to Cain’s palms.

The third whispered an incantation of old, in a tongue forgotten by most.

The fourth placed the tray before him, holding the Crown of Onyx and Flame.

The fifth, the High Elder himself, raised the Scepter of the South high. "In blood and bone, through conquest and right, Cain Knight has proven himself beyond all challengers. He stands as Alpha above Alphas, a king carved by war and crowned by the will of the South."

They placed the mantle of kingship over Cain’s shoulders, heavier, darker, threaded with onyx and iron. At his side, a crown of black steel and fire opal was offered.

Cain dipped his head low, and they placed the crown on his head.

"By conquest, by right, by the will of the packs and the blood of the fallen, we name you Cain Knight, Alpha King of the Southern Region!"

The crown was placed upon Cain’s head, a heavy, dark circlet that seemed to devour the light around it. His wolf rumbled behind his skin, fiercely.

Cain turned around, facing the people.

"All kneel before your king."

The thousands that gathered bent the knee, all bowing before him, the banners bowing with them. Only one stood proud—Avery, watching him with a look that brought Cain to his knees in another way entirely.

As they all rose, the High Elder turned once more to the crowd.

"Yet a King is not whole without his Queen. An Alpha is not whole without his Luna. And a realm without their bond would be barren. Thus, before the goddess and wolves, let the bond be sealed."

Cain moved to Avery, descending the dais without hesitation.

In his palm were two bands, silver and iron, glinting in the sun, carved with the runes of union. He slid one onto Avery’s finger, the ring cool against her skin.

His voice was low, steady, so soft only she could hear. "You are my heart, my soul, and my salvation. I vow to love, protect, and cherish you."

Avery smiled, her heart pounding hard in her chest. She took the second ring and placed it onto Cain’s finger. "You are my strength. My home. I vow to love, cherish, and support you."

The High Elder lifted his hands. "From this day forth, the South shall know them as King and Queen. I present to you, Alpha King of the Southern Region, Cain Knight of Vehiron, and The Lady of Ash and Silver, Queen of Two Thrones. Alpha, Queen Avery of Bloodmoon."

Cain and Avery turned just as the people howled. The sound shook the very stones beneath their feet. The banners snapped in the wind, blood-red and silver, as Cain and Avery stood side by side.

Together, they bowed to their people.

When they straightened, Avery glanced at Cain who gave a single nod, encouraging her. Her voice rang out over the square, sharp and commanding.

"Today, we honor those who stood loyal, who fought for truth, for justice, for our future." Her gaze flickered to Lydia, Xander, Millie, and Selena, all smiling at her.

She continued. "But we do not forget the ones who betrayed us. Those who bled our people for their greed, who sold our honor for their ambition."

The entire square went silent. No one moved. No one breathed.

Avery looked at Cain again, he gave a single nod.

At her signal, warriors began dragging figures forward. Broken, battered, stripped of their former pride. The crowd began to throw mangoes and tomatoes at them as they’re led to the dais.

Alaric, the fallen Alpha King, was thrown at the base of the dais, shackles binding his wrists and ankles. His face was twisted in rage and disbelief.

Behind him came his wife, clinging to torn silks, her face pale with terror. Others followed, her lover, councilmen, traitorous Alphas, those who had pledged their loyalty to corruption.

At the center of it all, propped on high posts, were two massive banners portraits of Callum and Carol, burned around the edges. They might be dead, but they didn’t deserve to rest in peace.

Alaric struggled against his chains, shouting hoarsely, "You cannot do this! I am the Alpha King! I rule! I rule! No one can take my place. No one! He will ruin you all. He’s the devil. A demon!"

The other Alphas from the surrounding packs, those who once supported him, turned away, shame heavy on their faces. They muttered among themselves, shaking their heads.

"You have ruled long enough," Avery said coldly, "And you have ruled in ruin."

Alaric bared his teeth, showing exactly what he was. A wild, broken man. "It was her!" he shrieked, spitting toward Avery. "It was all her! She destroyed everything!"

Cain stepped forward, ready to unleash his fury at the man, but he’s stopped by the one voice he thought he’d never hear again. Not after all that’s happened.

Kendra broke through the guards restraining the crowd. She looked absolutely horrible. There was no more high and mighty Kendra. No one had seen her ever since her mother’s disappearance. Under the insane pressure that wrecked the pack months ago, no one noticed her disappearance until later.

And now, she was back.

"It should have been me!" Kendra screamed, her voice cracking. "I should have been Queen! He should have been mine! None of this would have happened if not for her!"

Avery stayed calm. She was no longer that scared, jumpy girl she used to be. Not after facing death directly. She shook her head, unable to find the usual sympathy she’d have for others. There was simply no pity for Kendra. She did this to herself.

"You did this to me, you bitch! I will not let you win. You will never have your way. Cain is mine! This pack is mine! That crown is mine!" Kendra screamed and suddenly she pulled a concealed blade, wickedly sharp, glinting with the poison of wolfsbane.

The crowd gasped, reeling back.

Kendra lunged at Avery, her eyes filled with pure undiluted hatred.

But Avery did not flinch.

With deadly calm, she caught Kendra’s wrist mid-air, twisted it so hard, her bones snapped. She spun her around to face her and then, slapped her so brutally across the face that Kendra fell to the ground, gasping.

Avery grabbed her by the hair, yanking her head back to meet her gaze. "You must have some fucking guts," Avery growled, "to come back here and lift your hand against your Queen."

Kendra whimpered, the blade slipping from her grasp.

The guards surged forward, but Avery lifted a hand to stop them.

"Strip her," Avery commanded coldly.

Kendra’s eyes widened with shock; she glanced at Cain whose eyes were on Avery, a proud smirk on his face.

The guards obeyed, tearing Kendra’s clothes from her body, leaving her shivering in nothing but her underwear, exposed and humiliated before the packs she once wanted to rule.

Avery straightened up, "For her crimes against Blood Moon’s Alpha and the Southern Region’s Queen," Avery continued, "Kendra, Daughter of Carol, is sentenced to a thousand lashes. After which she will serve the rest of her miserable life as a slave in the northern ridge pack."

"What? No! You can’t do that to me. Northern ridge is a death sentence. I rather you kill me than take me there! You cannot do this to me. Kill me instead.!" Kendra screamed as she’s dragged away by the guards.

Avery exhaled, her gaze flickering to her people who stood at the side, still smiling. Avery turned back to Cain. He extended his hand. She took it.

His gaze fell on Alaric and his fellow traitors. He glanced at Avery. "What do we do about them..."

Avery smiled and shrugged, looking back to the crowd who were already chanting. "Hang them! Hang them!"