His Abandoned Luna Chapter 157

|| Lilac's POV ||

The garden was alive with murmurs as the elders gathered around Ezra, their ancient hands hovering over his newly shifted form. His wolf—magnificent, silver-furred, with eyes like molten gold—stood tall under their scrutiny. The moonlight bathed him in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows across the grass.

He looks like Father, I thought, my chest swelling with pride.

The head healer, a wizened woman with eyes sharp as daggers, pressed her palm to Ezra’s flank. A pulse of magic rippled through the air, and the crowd held its breath.

"His wolf is strong," she declared at last, voice carrying over the silent gathering. "Unusually so for a first shift. The bond between man and beast is seamless—no hesitation, no fracture. A rare thing."

Another elder nodded, running his fingers through Ezra’s fur. "No signs of instability. His instincts are sharp, his control remarkable. This is no ordinary wolf."

A murmur of approval spread through the guests. My shoulders relaxed slightly, but my fingers still curled into my palms, nails biting skin.

Good. That’s good.

But then my gaze flickered to Coco, standing beside Kael.

Why was she smiling?

Next came the Alphas—those who would decide if Ezra was fit to lead the kingdom’s armies.

Alpha Darius, the current king, stepped forward first. His presence alone commanded silence. He placed a heavy hand on Ezra’s head, and for a moment, the two wolves locked eyes—one young and untested, the other scarred by decades of war.

Then, to my shock, Darius bowed.

"I sense no fear in you, Ezra Blackwood," he rumbled. "Only resolve. Your aura is that of a leader. The men will follow you without question."

The other Alphas echoed his sentiment, each pressing their foreheads to Ezra’s in the old way, a sign of respect.

He did it.

My little brother had passed the first trials.

Now came the hardest part.

The elders cleared the center of the garden, leaving Ezra alone under the full moon’s glare. The rules were simple: hold his shifted form for one hour without faltering. No whining. No breaking. No surrender.

The drums began again, slow and primal.

Ezra’s wolf lifted its head, howling—a sound so pure it raised the hair on my arms.

And then, he stood.

No flinching. No trembling. Just absolute, unshakable stillness.

Minute after agonizing minute passed. Sweat beaded on my brow despite the cool night air.

Come on, Ezra. Just a little longer.

When the final drumbeat sounded, Ezra collapsed, shifting back into human form in a heap of exhaustion. The crowd erupted into cheers.

But my eyes were on Coco.

Her smile had widened.

Something was wrong.

Alpha King Darius raised a hand, silencing the crowd.

"By the laws of our ancestors, Ezra Blackwood has proven himself worthy to be the Royal Beta. If anyone thinks of him as unworthy, come forth and meet him in a challenge."

Everyone stood still. I knew no one would dare to challenge him. He was a Blackwood.

"I challenge him."

The voice cut through the night like a blade.

Every head turned.

Elias.

He stood beside me, his posture relaxed, as if he hadn’t just shattered centuries of tradition.

My stomach dropped.

"I, Elias Brown, challenge you, Ezra Blackwood, for the Royal Beta position," he repeated, louder this time.

The silence that followed was deafening.

I grabbed his arm, my voice a hissed whisper. "Elias, what the hell are you doing?"

He turned to me, his blue eyes—hated blue eyes—soft with feigned sympathy. "I know Ezra is capable, Lilac. But he’s just a pup. The army can’t be led by a child."

My nails dug into his sleeve. "He passed the trials! He has proven himself worthy."

"And I have years of battlefield experience," he countered smoothly. Then, lowering his voice so only I could hear, "I’m doing this for us, love. You’ll still be Beta Female. The title stays with the Blackwoods. Once Ezra’s older, I’ll step down."

Liar.

Before I could spit the word out, my father spoke.

"Elias is right."

My head snapped toward him. "Dad—!"

"As your mate, he has equal claim to the position," Father continued, his voice firm. "This is how it must be."

I stared at him, betrayal clawing up my throat.

Why wasn’t he fighting this?

Alpha King Darius studied Elias, then Ezra. "Since Benson agrees, the challenge stands. How do you wish to proceed?"

Elias smirked. "Hand-to-hand combat. No wolves. I won’t humiliate a child by using my shifted form against him."

The crowd murmured—some in approval, others in unease.

Ezra, still breathing heavily from the trial, stepped forward. "I, Ezra Blackwood, accept your challenge."

His voice was steady. His expression was unreadable.

Since when did my brother become so cold?

As Elias strode toward the makeshift ring, Madeline intercepted him, pressing a drink into his hands.

"For strength," she said brightly.

He downed it in one gulp.

I whirled on her. "What’s wrong with you? He’s going after Ezra!"

Madeline blinked, all innocence. "Alexander’s running for Alpha King. Of course I want our closest ally as Beta. And you are my friend, as your mate, Elias seemed quite capable."

"Maddy, he’s… I don’t even know for sure…. And Ez is my little brother…." I trailed off.

"You need to calm down," Alexander cut in, appearing beside us. His tone was mild, but his eyes were sharp. "This isn’t the disaster you think it is."

My gaze flickered to Alaric, still lingering at the edge of the crowd.

He wasn’t reacting either.

Why was everyone so damn calm?

Then it hit me.

They knew.

Something was happening— something I wasn’t privy to.

And Elias, smug and unsuspecting, was walking right into it.