Luna. Chapter 130

(Kael's POV)

"You're threatening my child." The words came out deadly quiet, but every wolf in the room could hear the promise of violence beneath them.

General Cassius stepped closer, his own Alpha presence pressing against mine in a display of dominance. "We're offering to help manage a dangerous situation. Your cooperation would be... appreciated."

"Appreciated." I let the word hang in the air for a moment. "And if I don't cooperate?"

"Then other measures become necessary."

"What kind of measures?"

The King leaned back on his throne, watching our exchange with calculating eyes. "Alpha Blackwood, surely you understand the position we're in. A child with your son's abilities, left untrained and unsupervised, represents a catastrophic threat to supernatural secrecy."

"My son isn't a threat to anyone."

"Isn't he?" General Cassius pulled out a tablet, tapping the screen before turning it toward me. "This is Moonlight Pack territory from yesterday afternoon."

The image showed a scene of devastation. Ice covered everything—buildings, cars, trees—in a thick layer of crystalline destruction. Pack members were visible in the background, some being treated for what looked like hypothermia.

"Your son did this in response to emotional distress," Cassius continued. "A three-year-old having a tantrum froze half a pack territory. What happens when he's sixteen and experiences real emotional trauma?"

The image was damning, but I wasn't about to concede the argument. "Then we teach him control. We help him understand his abilities and learn to manage them."

"And who exactly is qualified to train a celestial wolf-alpha hybrid? You? His mother? Some pack elder who's never seen anything more exotic than basic shape-shifting?"

"We'll figure it out."

"You'll figure it out." Cassius laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. "While he accidentally kills people with his emotional responses?"

"He's never killed anyone."

"Yet. But the power levels are increasing exponentially. This ice incident was contained to pack territory because he was in a familiar environment with people who could calm him down. What happens next time when he's in public? What happens when humans are involved?"

The King spoke up again. "Alpha Blackwood, I'm not unreasonable. I understand your paternal instincts. But surely you can see that this situation requires intervention."

"Intervention. Not kidnapping."

"The boy would be well cared for. Educated by the finest supernatural scholars, trained by masters of various magical disciplines. He would want for nothing."

"Except his freedom. And his family."

"Sacrifices are sometimes necessary for the greater good."

"Whose greater good? His? Or yours?"

General Cassius's expression darkened further. "Our greater good is supernatural survival. Do you have any idea what happens if humans discover the existence of creatures who can reshape reality with their emotions? We're not talking about exposure anymore—we're talking about extermination. Humanity would unite against us with everything they have."

"Then we teach him to hide his abilities."

"You can't hide the kind of power your son possesses. It's too strong, too volatile, too connected to his emotional state." Cassius began pacing, his agitation clear. "The only options are training him to control it completely, or eliminating the threat before it becomes unmanageable."

"Training sounds reasonable."

"Under our supervision. In our facilities. With our methods."

"Never."

The single word hung in the air like a challenge. I could see the exact moment General Cassius decided that negotiation was over.

"Alpha Blackwood," the King said quietly, "I'm going to make this very simple for you. You can cooperate voluntarily, or we can make cooperation compulsory."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning we have other ways of ensuring compliance." Cassius moved to a position where he could easily intercept me if I tried to leave. "Your pack, for instance. Moonlight Pack, where your son currently resides. Iron Claw Pack, your ancestral territory. A lot of innocent people who depend on your protection."

The threat was unmistakable. Comply or face royal retribution against everyone I cared about.

But they'd underestimated something crucial about my character. I'd already lost everything once by making choices based on threats and manipulation. I wasn't about to repeat those mistakes.

"Are you threatening my packs?"

"I'm explaining the consequences of non-cooperation."

"And I'm explaining that those consequences go both ways."

General Cassius raised an eyebrow. "Is that a threat, Alpha Blackwood?"

"It's a promise. You come after my family, my packs, or anyone under my protection, and I'll make sure the entire supernatural community knows exactly what kind of king you really are."

"The supernatural community follows strength. And we are stronger than you."

"Are you? Because from where I'm standing, you look like scared old men trying to maintain power by threatening children."

The King's expression shifted, showing the first real emotion I'd seen from him. Anger, cold and ancient and dangerous.

"You forget yourself, Alpha. I've ruled the supernatural community for over two centuries. I've maintained peace through strength and wisdom."

"You've maintained control through fear and intimidation. There's a difference."

"Control and peace are often the same thing."

"Not when that control requires threatening three-year-olds."

General Cassius stepped forward again, his hand now openly resting on his weapon. "Alpha Blackwood, you're making a serious mistake. His Majesty is offering you a reasonable accommodation. I suggest you accept it before less reasonable options become necessary."

"Less reasonable options like what? Declaring war on my packs? Good luck explaining that to the Council of Alphas."

"The Council follows royal decree."

"The Council follows strength and legitimacy. Start a war over a toddler, and see how legitimate you look."

The King stood from his throne, his ancient power filling the room like pressure before a storm.

"You seem to be under the impression that you have leverage in this situation, Alpha Blackwood. Let me correct that misunderstanding."

"I'm listening."

"Your wife and son are currently in the custody of people who answer to us. Their safety depends entirely on your cooperation."

The words hit me like a physical blow. They had Lyra and Asher.

"You're behind the kidnapping."

"We're handling a dangerous situation before it spirals out of control."

"Where are they?"

"Safe. For now. But their continued safety depends on your willingness to see reason."

Every instinct I possessed was screaming at me to attack, to tear apart everyone in this room until I got answers about my family's location. But that would only get them killed faster.

"What do you want?"

"Your complete cooperation. Your public support for the decision to place your son under royal protection. Your assistance in convincing him to accept his new circumstances."

"And if I refuse?"

General Cassius smiled again, and this time it was genuinely predatory.

"Then you'll have the privilege of watching your family die before we kill you too."