Luna. Chapter 133

(Kael's POV)

"Show me evidence of a clear and present danger," Adrian continued, his voice sharp as blade. "Show me one instance where this three-year-old has harmed anyone."

The King's expression darkened. "His genetic potential alone—"

"Potential isn't evidence." Adrian stepped closer to the throne, completely fearless. "Under the Accords, you need documented proof of actual harm. Not theories. Not possibilities. Actual evidence."

General Cassius looked frustrated. "The Accords weren't written to address hybrid celestial wolves."

"The Accords were written to protect all supernatural individuals from persecution," Adrian shot back. "That's why they exist. To prevent exactly this kind of abuse of power."

I felt something shift in the room. The King was beginning to look uncertain, like a man realizing his legal ground wasn't as solid as he'd believed.

"Even if the Accords apply," the King said slowly, "there are still protocols for managing extraordinary threats."

"Extraordinary threats," I repeated. "You're calling a baby an extraordinary threat."

"I'm calling an unprecedented genetic combination a situation requiring careful oversight."

"Oversight. Not imprisonment. Not execution. Oversight." Adrian pulled out his phone again. "Section Fifteen of the Accords specifically outlines oversight procedures for supernatural minors. Quote: 'Supervision must be provided by trained family members or appointed guardians, within the child's natural pack environment, with quarterly reviews by neutral Council authorities.'"

Zara was grinning now. She loved it when Adrian went into full legal mode.

"The law is quite clear," Adrian continued. "Asher remains with his family, in his territory, with Council protection. Not royal custody."

"And when he fully develops his abilities?" General Cassius demanded. "When he's capable of destroying entire cities?"

"Then we'll address that if and when it happens," I said firmly. "Based on his actual behavior, not your paranoid fantasies."

The silence stretched for several long moments. I could see the King calculating, weighing his options.

"Fine," he said finally. "The boy remains with his family for now. But there will be conditions."

"What conditions?" Adrian asked immediately.

"Constant Council supervision. Monthly evaluations. And the first sign of dangerous behavior—"

"Will be addressed through proper legal channels," Adrian interrupted. "With full documentation and due process."

The King leaned back on his throne, looking like a man who'd been outmaneuvered but wasn't ready to admit defeat.

"You've bought yourselves time, nothing more," General Cassius warned. "This situation will be resolved, one way or another."

"Yes, it will," Adrian agreed. "Through law and justice, not fear and intimidation."

As we left the throne room, I felt lighter than I had in days. Adrian had just used the supernatural legal system to protect my family.

"How did you know all that?" I asked once we were outside.

"Research," Adrian said simply. "The moment they summoned you, I started reading every supernatural rights law on the books."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. This is just the beginning."

But for the first time since this nightmare started, I had hope. We had legal protection now. Real, documented protection.

"So what's next?" Zara asked.

"Next, we plan a wedding," Adrian said with a grin. "Because if Luna is married to you, her legal protections become ironclad."

I stared at him. "What?"

"Section Twenty-Three of the Marriage Protection Act. Once she's your legal mate again, the royal family can't touch her without pack consent." Adrian's smile was triumphant. "Which means we need to get you two married as soon as possible."

"Adrian, she hasn't even agreed to try again—"

"Then you better start making your case," Zara interrupted. "Because I'm going ring shopping tomorrow."

"Zara—"

"Don't 'Zara' me. You love her, she loves you, and your family needs legal protection." She was practically bouncing with excitement. "This is happening, Kael. We're making this happen."

As we drove back toward Moonlight Pack territory, I found myself actually believing it might work. The legal protections Adrian had outlined were real. The wedding would create barriers that even royal authority couldn't easily cross.

For the first time in days, I felt like we had a plan that might actually save my family.

"One question," I said to Adrian. "How do I convince Lyra to marry me when I haven't even talked to her in weeks?"

"You start by apologizing," Adrian said simply. "For everything. And then you ask her to trust you one more time."

"And if she says no?"

"Then we figure out Plan B."

But there was no Plan B. This was our only shot at keeping Asher safe, keeping Lyra protected, keeping our family together.

I had to make this work.