Chapter 174
Betrayed by Blood
The warriors of the Blood Moon Pack all stood straight and tall, each one of them had anticipated the day when Hugh would no longer be pack alpha and they would be free from his tyranny.
Avery exhaled, glancing at Cain who stood at the side watching her. He gave a curt nod, and she nodded back, finally stepping forward. It started with the head guard who dropped to his knee. One by one, the rest of the warriors dropped to one knee, bowing their heads.
"You are our rightful alpha," the head warrior, a grizzled man named Orin, declared. "We pledge our loyalty to you. Blood Moon Pack stands with you."
Avery swallowed hard before nodding. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady despite the emotions bursting inside her. She turned slightly, her gaze shifting to Cain. "I’m thankful to each and every one of you. I will be merging Blood Moon Pack with Vehiron," Avery continued, her tone firm. "The pack has suffered a great loss and will need time to recover and adjust. The first initiative will be to prioritize the people, and that is why the pack will be merged with Vehiron. Alpha Cain has opened the gates of the pack to us. Our people will be stronger as one."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors. Some exchanged glances; after all, the reputation of the alpha was widespread, yet they had no choice. Merging Blood Moon with Vehiron was unexpected but not unwelcome. Hugh had led them into ruin, and now they had a second chance under Cain and Avery’s leadership.
Cain stepped forward then, his presence commanding attention. "Vehiron does not turn away its own," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You are Avery’s people, which means you are now my people as well." His eyes swept over them. "You will have a home, protection, and a future."
Silence filled the air, not a single soul breathed, then Orin thumped his fist over his heart in a show of respect. "For Luna Avery," he declared.
"For Luna Avery!" The warriors yelled, their voices strong with conviction.
Avery let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She’d been worried about how the people would take the news, and when she had shared her worries with Cain, he had reassured her, but the nagging feeling didn’t leave. Not until now.
She glanced at Cain and couldn’t help the smile that stretched on her face seeing him. He looked so content and relaxed, something she didn’t really see in Vehiron.