Page 44 of Luna's New Reign
“Kehlani,” I force out. “You’re on thin ice.”
His brow lifts slightly, an arrogant flicker of defiance in his silver eyes. He doesn’t say anything, so I press on, leaning forward to meet his stare head-on.
“You’ve been told before,” I continue, my tone darkening. “You don’t assert dominance here. This isn’t your pack and those wolves aren’t yours to influence. Poisoning some of my wolveswith your fucking agenda? That crosses a line. I wasn’t going to bring it up but if I have to warn you one more time, you won’t like what happens next.”
Kehlani’s lips curl into something that isn’t quite a smile. It’s more like a smirk, laced with condescension. “I’m doing what’s necessary, Mateo. You’re not being smart about this.”
A growl rumbles low in my chest before I can stop it. River shifts subtly behind me—silent, steady, always watching—but his presence grounds me just enough to keep my wolf from snapping.
“You want to try that again?” I challenge, a dangerous edge to my voice.
Kehlani leans back, crossing his arms, clearly unbothered. “You’re ignoring the bigger picture. The darkness is spreading—it’s mixing with the magic and it’s going to consume everything if you don’t act.”
“You think I don’tknowthat?” I bite out, my hands curling into fists against the table. “You think I don’t see what’s happening to my pack? Tomy mate?”
Silence falls like a hammer, and for the first time, Kehlani’s mask slips, just a little.
“Nepheline is untrained,” he says after a beat, his voice quieter but no less sharp. “Without Victoria guiding her—without our pack’s knowledge—she will fail and so will you. You’re letting your pride get in the way of survival.”
“Says the Alpha who didn’t want us to fight at all in the beginning. Says the Alpha whose words keep changing to support whatever agenda he has. You’re here tosupportus,” I say, forcing the words out slowly so there’s no mistaking my meaning. “Not to push your agenda. Not to divide my pack. If you can’t remember that, then this partnership isn’t going to work.”
Kehlani exhales through his nose, his silver eyes narrowing. “You need us.”
“I don’t work well with threats,” I snap, my voice dropping to a growl as I rise to my feet, leaning over the table to close the space between us. “If you’re not here to help—if you’re not here to trust us, to trustme—then I’ll have no problem sending you and your pack back home. I don’t care if you’ve got answers. I don’t care if you’ve gotmagic.If you can’t work with us, then you’ll leave. Do you understand me?”
After a long beat, he sighs, the sound almost reluctant. “This isn’t about you, Mateo,” he mutters, his voice quieter now. “It’s about survival. About the magic. Victoria knows how to guide it. Without her, you’re in over your head.”
I grind my teeth, biting back the sharp retort that rises to my lips.Of course,I’m in over my head. I know that better than anyone. But I’ll be damned if I let Kehlani act like we’re weak—like we’re something to control.
Maverick steps up beside me, his tone dripping with calm authority. “Mateo’s already told you where he stands. This is the last time we’ll have this conversation. Make your choice, Kehlani—either you’re with us or you’re not.”
Kehlani shoves back his chair so hard it scrapes against the wood, the sound slicing through the council room like a blade. His silver eyes are sharp, burning with frustration as he stands abruptly, his jaw tight. He looks ready to storm out, but before he can so much as turn toward the door, a soft but firm voice cuts through the tension.
“Kehlani.”
Victoria’s voice is calm—too calm—as she steps forward, her Beta, Lawrence, moving with her. She places a delicate hand on Kehlani’s arm, a silent order that freezes him in place. The authority she exudes is undeniable, but there’s something else there—concern, maybe even disappointment.
“Enough,” Victoria says softly, though her tone leaves no room for argument. Her gaze flicks to me, steady and measured. “Alpha Mateo, I apologize for my Alpha’s behavior. It was uncalled for.”
I push back in my chair, rising to my full height as my gaze locks onto hers. Apology or not, I’m done walking on eggshells around them. “No,” I say coolly, my voice cutting through the heavy air. “It’s not enough.”
Victoria stills, but her face remains carefully blank. Kehlani’s nostrils flare, his fists curling at his sides as though he’s barely holding himself together.
“Kehlani,” I growl, my Alpha tone rumbling in the room like a distant thunderclap, “you need to check yourprivilege.”
His gaze snaps to mine, a flicker of something dark—something primal—crossing his face. It’s gone just as quickly, replaced by a thin layer of calm, but I see it. And so does everyone else in this room.
“There’s no excuse,” I continue, my voice sharp but controlled as I shift my attention to Victoria. “You can’t come into my pack, claiming you’re here to help, and let your Alpha act like this. I don’t care who he is. This is my house and Iwon’ttolerate it.”
Victoria dips her head slightly, though I can see the faint tension in her shoulders. “You’re right,” she says softly, glancing at Kehlani with a warning look before turning back to me. “I assure you, it won’t happen again.”
“It better not,” I bite out, holding her gaze a moment longer before Kehlani finally storms toward the door. He doesn’t slam it behind him—Victoria’s glare makes sure of that—but the silence he leaves in his wake is louder than any argument.
The room stays still for a long moment before Bo shifts in his seat, breaking the quiet.
“Mateo,” he says carefully, turning to face me. “Is it just me, or… is somethingwrongwith Kehlani?”
I frown, crossing my arms as I regard Bo carefully. “Explain.”