The Lunar Queen Chapter 47

Cole POV (Upgraded — tension layered in bold)

Lyric and I shift and run back to where the group is , the adrenaline still buzzing under my skin even as the fight is over. After we shift back, Winter hands Lyric clothes and Dom hands me some shorts.

“It was David,” I say, my voice low but carrying enough weight to shift the energy instantly, causing Elias and Xavier to growl out.

“He wants Lyric so he can take the throne back from me,” I growl , my jaw tightening as I say it out loud.

“There’s more to it, his father wouldn’t have tried to kill you if it was just that,” Lyric says , her tone calm but sharp, already thinking ten steps ahead.

She is going to make an amazing Queen.

“The Moon Goddess said he wanted to take over the supernatural world and you finding your mate would make that harder. That’s why the prophecy said your bloodline is tainted. He wants to use me the way Lucian did Eloise to take over the entire supernatural community—the throne of the werewolf king is just the beginning. That is why he is working with the bears and witches,” she says , her words steady but I can feel the weight of them settle over everyone.

I walk over to her and lightly touch her stomach , grounding myself in something real after everything that just happened.

“How are my pups?” I ask softly.

“They are fine, Nova says in a few months I won’t be able to shift,” she says.

“We will make sure you are as comfortable as possible at the palace,” I say to her, kissing her softly , lingering just a second longer than usual like I need the reassurance.

Our new cars arrive, courtesy of Alpha Liam.

Hunter jumps out of one of the cars and goes straight for Lyric and Iris.

“Are you two okay?” he asks , his eyes scanning them like he’s checking for damage he can’t see.

Lyric laughs.

“We are fine, Hunter, but your brothers are upset with you now,” she says, pointing at Jace and Logan.

“We are just offended. I know Winter said nobody was hurt,” Jace says, pretending to be hurt , but his eyes linger on Lyric just a second too long, like he’s making sure she’s really okay.

Eventually, we say our goodbyes and get into the cars.

This time we end up with Elias and Iris on the way home, and I know that is Lyric’s doing , her quiet way of fixing what almost broke earlier.

I know the vision of Iris dying really messed her up, and I can still feel the grief through the bond , heavy and lingering even though it never actually happened.

For her… it did.

Her powers are getting stronger and it’s only been a day, and she’s using them with ease , like she didn’t learn them—like she remembered them.

Like she woke up with control.

“mate is special,” Zeus says.

“I know,” I say to him , my chest tightening with something that feels like pride and fear mixed together.

A few hours later, we pull onto the royal pack lands.

Once the gate lets us through, as we drive through the pack, I point out a few places to Lyric and Iris , watching their reactions more than the road until we pull in front of the palace.

“I always knew this place would be massive, but to see it in person feels different,” Lyric says , her voice softer, like she’s taking it all in at once.

Some of the pack members have gathered around the cars as we are coming back with more people than we left with , curiosity thick in the air.

My parents come out of the palace with my youngest sister Elise.

“Cole, you’re back,” Elise says, running into my arms.

“I am, and I want you to meet someone,” I say, walking to Lyric.

“This is my mate, Lyric—and Lyric, this is the youngest Blackwood pup, Elise,” I say.

“Wow, you look like Queen Eloise,” Elise says.

Lyric smiles at her, and then Elise notices Iris and her eyes go wide.

“Wow, so do you,” she gasps, hands covering her mouth , her excitement completely unfiltered.

We all laugh at her.

“Yes, we are identical twins, and Eloise… well, let’s just say she is our great-grandmother,” Lyric says.

“My mommy said she was reincarnated,” Elise says.

“Yes, she was—more than once—but I think my sister and I are the only two who ever looked like her,” Lyric says, smiling at her.

“So does she have powers or you?” Elise whispers.

Lyric just points to herself and Elise squeals.

“You are so adorable. How old are you?” Lyric asks her.

“I’m 9, but my mommy says I’m very advanced and smart for my age,” she says.

“Can I walk with you?” Elise asks Lyric.

“Of course you can, we are sisters now,” Lyric says.

They walk ahead, and my dad walks over to me.

“The council has been asking questions since we came back without you, and today they have been eager for your return. What happened?” he asks , his tone calm but his eyes sharp.

“A lot happened at MoonVeil, but we were set up to be ambushed by rogues when we left the pack. Lyric had a vision right before we drove out the gate,” I say.

“So we have a traitor?” he asks.

“Lyric thinks it could be in MoonVeil just for the simple fact that we planned to stay until Monday. Lyric decided this morning after speaking with her parents that she wanted to leave today, and all the guards who came with us are my trusted protection,” I say , already knowing how this sounds.

“But who would want to turn Lyric over to David?” Dad says.

“Who knows. Maybe they had a mole this entire time—we already know they had infiltrators in other packs looking for her already,” I say.

“Well, be prepared to deal with the council—they are in the council chambers waiting for you,” he says.

“Of course they are,” I say , irritation flashing quick and sharp.

“Let me get Lyric settled and I will meet with them. Just tell them I just arrived back and I’m getting sorted,” I say, walking in the direction Elise dragged Lyric.

“The council is waiting for me. I guess David told them he failed,” I link her.

“Are we meeting them together, my king?” she links back.

“Do you want to?” I ask.

“We are a team. I have your back always. Besides, they struck first,” she links , her confidence steadying something in me instantly.

“Do you need to get settled?” I ask.

“No, let’s get this over with now, because I told Elise we will have a sleepover,” she links.

“Wait—what about me?” I whine in the link.

She just looks back at me and shakes her head.

“You have me forever, and she is excited to have new sisters here,” she links.

“Elise, Lyric and I have to go meet with the council,” I say to her.

“Aw okay, can we still have our sleepover?” she asks.

“Of course we can, bug,” Lyric says.

“Yay, you gave me a nickname,” she says, running off down the hall.

Lyric and I head to our room, and she changes into a dress more Queen-like , the shift in her presence immediate and undeniable, and she looks beautiful.

I throw on another suit.

“You look amazing, my Queen,” I say to her.

“Thank you, my love,” she says, kissing me softly , her hand lingering against my chest for a second longer.

I take her hand and we walk to the council chambers together , the tension building with every step closer.

When I open the door, I smell that bitch Serena , her scent hitting sharp and unwelcome.

“Ah, my king, you are finally back. How was the ball?” Council member Jacobs says.

“I left before the ball. It is happening tonight,” I say , not bothering to soften my tone.

“And who is this bitch?” Serena snarls.

I growl—a low warning growl , one that carries enough threat to make the room shift.

“Watch how you address your Queen,” I say, low and commanding , letting my Alpha power bleed into the room.

“Queen?” she asks.

“Yes. This is Lyric, my fated mate,” I say, smiling , but there is nothing soft in it.

The silence in the room is deafening. Good. Because the way the council is looking at her isn’t shock, and it damn sure isn’t respect or fear—it’s recognition, the kind that sits too comfortably in their eyes like they’ve been waiting for this moment. And when Serena’s lips slowly curl into a smile, slow and knowing, something cold settles in my chest as the realization hits me all at once—they already knew exactly who she was before we ever walked through that door, and whatever they’ve been planning didn’t start today.