Page 44 of His Blue Moon Princess (The Silver City #1)

My cousin raises an eyebrow, a bit surprised. His eyes go from Damian to me, but he soon addresses my mate again. I have a hard time figuring out what William is thinking, but I don’t like what is happening.

“Really? Not even for the sake of your Clan? This might be your only chance...” Whispers William.

“Fuck you, Blue. I will never give up Nora.”

Damian is in a defensive position, almost hiding me from William. Yet my cousin doesn’t move an inch or seem impressed in any way.

Everyone is listening, to see if the Blood Moon and Sapphire Moon are going to fight or reach an agreement. This would be a first, and for the Gold Moon, a fatal blow. I look around. From what I’ve seen so far, aside from the Jade Moon, I’m pretty sure Lysandra and Grandpa Seaver are on our side, too. Lysandra’s father, however, will most likely follow William, and I suspect Clark’s White Moon, too. This puts both sides on equal grounds, though I’m not sure about the Pearl Moon Clan. Their Alpha Tiffany Pearl has been listening very closely, but aside from her disdain toward the Gold Moon, she hasn’t taken any sides yet. Moreover, all the smaller packs appear to be torn and paying attention to whatever we say.

No matter how I look at it, everyone is already picking sides or making up their minds about it. Moon Goddess, this is not what I had hoped for... I turn to William, and I see my cousin smile.

“Do you understand, Nora? I may be able to forgive your mate and agree to an alliance with him if only you joined us.”

I just don’t get it. William has nothing to win in this. Me joining the Sapphire Moon has no benefit for him! The only thing is that he would tear Damian and me apart.

“That’s the place you belong to from the start. You are not part of the Blood Moon yet; you can still join us.”

“I am mated, William! Are you insane?”

“Aren’t you going to consider it? This is what you wanted, Nora. Returning to your family, avoiding war, and unifying the Clans.”

That’s true, but not at the cost of my relationship with Damian! I look at my mate, but his eyes have gone ice-cold with hunger. If a single glare could kill, William would be reduced to ashes by now.

“Nora is not leaving me,” growls Damian.

William turns to him with a smirk. “Are you so sure, Black? Wouldn’t it be best for the both of you, anyway?”

Damian doesn’t move an inch, still glaring at him with eyes full of resolve. I know there is nothing that could make him change his mind. My mate’s arm is holding me tightly against him. Yet, William’s smirk won’t go away. Bobo is growling at him, and Neal is frowning. The Beta probably also thinks there is more to it.

“Blue, are you talking seriously? You could forgive the Black Brothers?” Asks Clark Hamilton.

“Why not? As Nora said, they are not their father,” says William, very calmly. “After all, out of all of us, Nora should be the one who hates them the most.”

What does that mean? Why would I hate Damian, Nathaniel, or Liam? I was never involved with their father in any way, either! I spent my childhood in the streets before Vince picked me and Alec up to raise us in the Jade Moon Clan. Even before that, my roots are linked to the Sapphire Moon and Gold Moon Clans, I have never had any chance to even get close to Damian’s father, the Black King.

William tilts his head, with a little smirk on. “You look confused, Nora. Maybe I should have told you everything from the start, it would have been less cruel. Didn’t you want to know why we hated your mate’s Clan so much to begin with?”

That’s right. William never explained that to me. Why all of his pack had this deep hatred towards Damian’s father, to begin with. Aside from his father’s anger, we never really got close to the subject. To be honest, I sort of forgot this issue, things got too tense on other matters...

“The Mad King, Judah Black... Everyone hated him so much. He was a violent, crazy, only empowered by his brute force,” says William.

Nathaniel shakes his head. “We already all know what kind of man our father was, Blue! That’s the reason we went against him. Damian killed him to put an end to that madness. The Black Moon Clan ended that day, and our father’s deeds, too.”

“Really? Then tell everyone. Let Nora know what your father did,” says William.

Nathaniel gasps. He is reluctant to say it out loud here. We all know this will bring nothing good, reminiscing about the Mad King. For most of the werewolves here, this is nothing pleasant to hear.

To my surprise, Damian starts talking, in a very calm tone, despite still glaring at William. “Our father was a monster. He killed more than a hundred wolves. He banished three Clans out and eradicated another one. He was a man who would fight with anyone who opposed him, including his own sons. Our father was mad, ruthless, and paranoid. He chased any witches and vampires that lived here away from Silver City.”

Many people lower their heads. They all remember the darkest age of Silver City when it was ruled over by fear. No one knew when the King would unleash his wrath, where, or to whom.

What does this have anything to do with me? I was born far from there, in the Blue Moon Clan, in the North. After that, I lived hidden among the Gold Moon Clan and the Jade Moon Clan! What is William not telling us? When my cousin resumes talking again, I feel some uneasiness growing inside my heart.

“My pack parted with the Blue Moon Clan many years ago. As I told you, Nora, we were supposed to find a new place to settle in, somewhere our Royal Family’s children could grow in peace, far from any threat. It took years to find it, and when we did, it took many more years for us to properly settle down in Silver City. We lost contact with the Blue Moon Clan along the way.”

That’s not so surprising... Fifty years ago, the means of contacting another pack weren’t the same, and the original Clan stayed far in the North. William is continuously staring at Damian while talking, and my mate is doing the same with him.

“Do you know what happened to the Blue Moon Clan, Nora?”

I nod slowly. William never told me, but Elena did. When we met, she said someone had found her as a baby in the middle of a slaughter. No one from our original Blue Moon Clan had survived whatever attacked them.

“They were all killed,” I answer.

“It couldn’t possibly have been our father,” interrupts Nathaniel. “He never went that far outside Silver City, not even when he...”

He suddenly stops talking, and his face goes white. Damian and Nathaniel exchange a look as if they both suddenly understood something. I see William smirk, and Damian seems in shock. Moon Goddess, what is it? I feel my heart sinking, and for some reason, it’s harder to breathe. What is it they not telling me?

“Nate! When he what?” I ask.

After a few seconds, his eyes shift from Damian to me, and he answers with a blank voice.

“...When he chased all the vampires to the North.”

It takes me a while to process what he just said. Their father chased their vampires to the North. That very same North where my original Clan was living? So, this is what William was aiming at from the start...

“Those vampires... killed the Blue Moon Clan?” I ask.

“That’s right,” says William.

Damian grabs my hand. I can’t decipher his expression right now. My mate seems lost between anger, confusion, surprise, and... resolve. I know this hand just won’t let go of me. I look at those silver eyes, and despite everything, they bring me some sort of confidence. My wolf agrees with me, too.

William is watching my reactions, and so are Nathaniel and Neal. Even Bobo stopped growling and is just standing between my cousin and me in silence.

“You should have told me earlier, William. What happened to my mother.”

“Yes, I apologize for that. We had other matters at hand. I wasn’t sure of your identity, either.”

“And now you are?”

He nods but turns to Damian. “Don’t you have anything to say?” He asks. “About what your father did?”

“...I stand by my words. My father was a monster, but I’m different from him. However, I am truly sorry for your pack and what your Clan went through. I cannot undo his wrongdoings.”

“What do you think you can do, then?”

“Be a better King.”

Without adding another word, both of them stare at each other in silence. I try to understand William’s intent behind his cunning expression. Around us, people are holding their breath, waiting to see what’s next. A few of them are talking about what was just revealed.

“The Mad King was even responsible for another Clan’s death... A Clan with Royals, no less.”

“The Black family has no shame. Shouldn’t they be taking responsibility for their father’s actions?”

“He already killed his father! Isn’t it obvious they never were on his side?”

“So what? A man who murdered his own family, who knows against whom he will turn his fangs next?”

“It’s not the same. We were all glad the Mad King died...”

“The new Luna is there, too.”

“I don’t trust the Black family. With them being already so strong, who will stop them if they turn to be like their father?”

The chattering gets louder among the ranks, but I don’t see any of the Alphas talking. Instead, all of them have their eyes on Damian and William, gauging them. Are some of them changing their minds? The atmosphere is so tense, some more people shape-shifted just in case. My own wolf is restless, too.

“Don’t tell me you are going to overlook this!” Yells Alessandra. “The Blacks are a family of power-hungry, bloodthirsty murderers! Remember the Snow Moon Clan? They didn’t survive, either! Are you going to push that one on the Black father, too?”

Both William and Damian turn towards the Gold Moon Clan, but I’m the first one growling. Can’t someone make her shut up already? I wish I could do it myself!

“The Snow Moon Clan was—,” says Neal.

“I’m not talking to a damn Beta!” Interrupts Alessandra.

Neal sighs, but I can tell a lot of people from the Blood Moon behind us are now even more pissed. Who does she think she is to disrespect a Beta like this!

“Watch your tone, King...” I say, warning her with a growl.

“I don’t take any orders from you, either. Stealing my fiancé, pretending to be an innocent girl, a Royal? You’re the one who should watch it! I am the Gold Moon’s heiress! I say we will not stand by your lies!” She yells.

I growl at her even louder, until she has to lower her head. Her father suddenly stands up and addresses the other Alphas.

“Respectable Alphas, it is obvious this is all a well-thought scheme from the Blood Moon Clan! Think about it. A Witch? Why would a Witch attack now, after what their father did to her peers and the vampires? How convenient would it be that Damian Black would suddenly find a Royal mate? Right after ditching my daughter, too? They are the ones who ordered to cut all the other Clans’ funds! Don’t be fooled! That man used my daughter, and now he is using this Witch attack that will never happen to force you to submit to him!”

“We never sought to bind other Clans! We only asked for alliances!” I talk back.

Why is this man so stupid? Does he really think what he’s saying? This is ridiculous! I am the very reason that Witch attacked us, and there is no way Damian could pull off something as wicked as that!

“It’s no use talking, Nora. This idiot mutt has already made up his mind...” mutters William.

I’m not sure if Taaron King didn’t hear him or decided to pretend he didn’t. Either way, the packs are agitated now. It’s obvious they don’t know if this is going to end well or not, but everyone is expecting the worse if it doesn’t. Even my wolf is ready to attack at any moment.

In the middle of all this, Tiffany Pearl, on the side, appears exceptionally calm. Playing with the long sleeves of her pale pink dress, she speaks in a clear voice. “Do we understand that you will release all control on the withheld funds, King?”

This time, Taaron King seems a bit flustered. He hesitates for a few seconds and tries to regain his composure. “Of course, we don’t hold any hostility towards the other packs. However...”

He turns to point at Damian.

“I believe it would be dangerous to let this man hold any more power than he already has. It would be my duty to ensure this doesn’t threaten anyone with the financial pressure of some sort. Of course, it would also require close attention to his relationships. If, after careful consideration, there is no way to—”

“In other words, you intend to retain any money that belongs to the Blood Moon Clan and those who associate with us,” I growl, annoyed.

“This is only as a preventive measure! To protect the lesser Clans from this man!”

“Who is putting pressure onto the others, now, King?” Growls Lysandra.

He turns red from embarrassment and anger as the packs suddenly get even more agitated. Moreover, a lot of them are now growling at the Gold Moon Clan. Tiffany just put in the clear the Gold Moon intents.

“You’re wrong! There is no Witch attack, and no one should trust Black! I am only doing what is necessary! Who needs an Alpha King, anyway? The Clans are doing just fine, why would we suddenly provide this man with any more power?”

“He’s right!” Suddenly yells Gregorovitch. “Each pack for itself, that’s how it should be!”

“We are all cohabitating in one city, you idiots! How do you think we can live together without fighting if there is no King to oversee all the packs?” Growls Lysandra.

“Just hand the woman over to the Sapphire Moon! We don’t need a Royal to support Black!” Yells a female Alpha.

“That’s right! The Sapphire Moon should take over! If they are Royals, they should be the ones to preside over us!”

“Are you crazy? They don’t have any rights to rule Silver City! Black is the most powerful Alpha; he is the one who should be our Alpha King! Even our Moon Goddess gave him a Royal Luna!”

“Enough!”

My yelling shuts everyone down for a few seconds. I use my wolf’s Alpha voice to address all of them. I’ve had enough of all this childish bickering!

“We are not here to discuss a new King or not! The threat is real; we don’t have the luxury to fight each other! I don’t care if you doubt my status as a Royal. I won’t marry into the Sapphire Moon Clan and I won’t acknowledge anyone but Damian Black as King!”

“Stop lying!” Yells Alessandra. “There is no Witch, no threat, you are just lying. Even your status as a Royal is—”

Before she can finish her sentence, a rumbling rises suddenly. What is this? Where is this noise coming from? Everyone looks around, and before I can understand what’s going on, the ground starts shaking under our feet.

“What the...?”

Creaking noises are heard all throughout the stadium, and the packs start spreading in panic despite the Alphas trying to yell orders. The sounds are growing like something is coming closer. Damian starts growling, his eyes on the ground, where the soil starts tearing apart. Wide cracks are spreading fast, and tree roots suddenly come out at an incredible speed. I hear people screaming.

“A Witch! It’s a Witch!”

“Don’t stay on the ground! Climb the stairs!” Yells Damian.

Finally listening, most of the werewolves start running to the stadium’s stairs, the Alphas trying to lead their packs. Suddenly, Damian pushes me into William’s arms.

“Take Nora away!”

Wait, what? Before I can say a word, William starts running, forcefully taking me along with him.

“Damian!”

My mate is already running in the opposite direction, towards the crowd still downstairs. Moon Goddess, he is going to help the others!

“William, let me go! I have to go with him!”

My cousin isn’t listening at all, pulling me with him up the stairs. I’m not leaving Damian! I struggle until I finally free myself from William’s grasp. I hear him yell my name, but I don’t slow down one bit. I feel another wolf right behind me, and Bobo arrives even faster than me to Damian’s side.

“What...? Nora, go back!”

“No way, I’m not leaving you!”

He growls, but we both know this has no effect on me. Around us, the field is not cleared yet, but the ground is now totally invaded by roots. Still, a lot of werewolves that couldn’t run fast enough are trapped by the roots and calling for help. I even spot Taaron King, lost under a large trunk that’s pinning him face against the soil.

A few steps away, Lysandra Jones, too, is fighting to free her leg from some mud in one of the cracks. The roots keep progressing, and some of them even reached one side of the stadium, running between the benches and capturing more people. How do we stop this! I hear screaming, but aside from Bobo and Damian standing next to me, I can’t recognize anyone else I know. Ten thousand people are running in all directions, and I suddenly notice all the stadium entrances have been barred by branches.

We are trapped.

“The Witch! Catch the Witch!”

I turn around. Right in the middle of a stadium, a woman is standing alone. No doubt possible— this is not a werewolf. She has crimson hair, and strange dark symbols are covering her arms. But...

Before I can say a word, I see Damian jumping into his wolf form and running straight at her. Moon Goddess, no!

“Damian, no!”

I scream, but it’s too late— he’s already jumping at her. A split second before my mate’s fangs can catch her throat, a black shadow jumps in. I hear loud growls, and Damian is pushed back by another wolf.

The large black wolf growls at him and stands in front of the Witch, obviously protecting her from my mate. I recognize him immediately.

Liam.