A burst of energy surged through my veins as I faced the crowd, their faces open with disbelief. The newfound power of my presence hummed beneath my skin, intoxicating yet controlled. I squared my shoulders, chin lifted high.
"I stand before you as your Luna," I declared, my voice ringing clear across the tense gathering. "That doesn’t change just because Alpha Elroy is elsewhere. Do you understand?”
Murmurs rippled through the assembly. I could smell their awe, their fear, and for some, their resentment. It was a heady mix that threatened to overwhelm me, but I held firm.
"I don't expect immediate acceptance," I continued, locking eyes with a gasping Blackwood. "But I will not tolerate blatant disrespect and I will not tolerate a threat to myself, my child, or anyone who would step in
