She waited for him in the middle of the spacious hall and wasn’t surprised at allwhen the redhead devil appeared right behind him, flapping her long lashesinnocently.Brayden had a mixture of emotions on his face, and she knew at once that hewouldn’t make it easy for her.

Not that she was counting on it.“Was it really necessary?” She arched her brow at him, but not a muscle flinchedon his face.“Don’t blame me after what you did at the Summit.” He told her and she tilted herhead to look at him.

Ash walked out of his office and a few other peoplewere gathering around them as well.“I had the right to do what I did, and I don’t think anyone in their right mind canblame me, “Riannon shrugged.

She knew that she had to choose her wordscarefully now, but she also wanted to be honest with herself.“You tricked me,” he said finally.“Let’s agree to disagree,” she sighed, “You had the project in your hands thewhole time and it’s not my fault that you didn’t read it carefully.

Or worse – youread it but didn’t understand the meaning.”“Forgive me for trusting my wife,” he gritted through his teeth, “You could havetold me that you found your mate as well.

Like I did.

I was honest about it.”“Should I have brought him to live with us as well?” she rolled her eyes,“Because my wolf needs it?”“Does she now?” Brayden sneered and for the first time Riannon had a badfeeling about this.

Especially when she saw ‘Roxy smirking behind his back too.Something was up with the two of them and she did not like it.“Anyway,” Ria decided to change the topic, “There is no point in postponing theinevitable.

You will need to leave my land today.

The papers have beenmagic

processed.”“And what about my people?” Brayden growled.“Your people live on your land,” she explained to him calmly, “And whoeverdecides to stay here today, will be my people.”“How do you see them leaving their houses?” the Alpha in front of her clenchedhis fists.“This is exactly why they would have a choice.

They can either stay with me orgo with you.

I am not going to force anyone.

The same goes for people in yourterritories.

If they want to join The Pearl Moon, we will find a place for them.”then?”“We meet in the garden, where we always discuss pack matters with themembers.

And we let them choose.

Today.” She held his gaze, and he finallygave up.“Okay,” he pointed at the door, “Let’s go then.

After you.

Ash, call pack membersto the garden.

We will let them vote for who they stay with today.”“Most are already there,” Riannon informed him and he couldn’t hide hisannoyance at her taking the lead in this.“Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked her, “We could still go backnow.

It’s not too late.

But it will be late after the vote.”“I am sure, Brayden,” she nodded, “I haven’t been sure of anything so much inmy life.”He frowned at her words, but she ignored it, turning on her heels.A crowd was already waiting for them outside, forming a circle around the whitegarden house.

Riannon saw how worried people were and a little guilt washedover her for disturbing their lives and turning them upside down.

But she had to

think of a bigger picture here.

Leaving those people to Roxanne would be worse.Every day Ria was sure more and more that the omega wasn’t that simple.

Andthat what happened to her in her previous life was just the tip of the iceberg.There was something menacing about the omega, who was now clinging to herex-husband and whispering something in his ear.

Besides, there was thisundeniable connection to Everett.

And possibly the explosions too.No, she was right about this.

She had to do this.

She had to protect as many ofher people as she could.

With her and Gideon, they would be safe.Brayden went straight for the centre of the circle, and she followed him to hisdismay.

However, there wasn’t anything he could do about it.“I guess you all are already aware why we gathered you here today!” the manstarted talking, “Riannon and I got divorced yesterday.

And as a result of that andthe new law that was accepted back at the Summit, we will be separating the twopacks.”A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.

In spite of everything, noteveryone knew what was going on and some were clearly shocked by the newdevelopments.“But why, Alpha?” someone shouted in the back and Brayden sighed heavily.“Your Luna made that decision for the two of us,” he said, and Riannon had ahard time“Too many things happened,” she decided to take the word to control thenarrative from him, “Both Brayden and I found our true mates and it becameimpossible to stay together.

Not to mention that we see the future of our packdifferently.

According to the new law, I can claim back what was mine before ourmarriage.

And that is exactly what I am going to do.

All the lands and assets thatbelonged to the Pearl Moon pack are now mine again.

And today you will need tomake a choice for yourselves – whether you will stay with alpha Brayden or with

me.

We understand that it may cause some inconvenience for you, and weapologise.

Whatever pack you choose, you will be well taken care of.”“Just as me and my warriors took care of you for the past six years, nothing willchange in the Silver River,” Brayden smirked, “I will still be protecting you and wewill keep the same course as always.”“And as for me,” Riannon knew how to play that game very well, “I actually seeplenty of places for improvement.

Twant us to grow and not be stuck in the past.Other packs around us are changing for the better and evolving.

And I think thatso should we.”“You can’t evolve if you are not protected properly.

We live in a cruel world.”Brayden snorted, trying to diminish her promises.“The lycans will ensure the protection of The Pearl Moon if there will be such aneed,” Reid interjected loudly and everyone looked at him, impressed that alycan was present there,” We are sworn to protect our Luna and future queen.And we will defend her people as our own.“And what will be the price for that?” the Alpha gritted his teeth, “What will themighty lycans want in return?”Riannon clenched her lips.

It wasn’t her place to make any promises on behalf oflycans.At least, not yet.“We don’t charge for protecting our family,” Savanah stepped forward, “And anyfamily of Ria’s is our family now.

We will assist our Queen’s own pack as if it’sour own.”“Now that we are done with that,” Riannon smiled at her future sister-in-law,thankful for her help, “How about we get to business? We will both be able toensure our packs’ safety one way or another.

So, let’s...”

“Are you sure?” she heard the voice that she hated more than anything and sawRoxy stepping forward.“This is not a Q&A,” Ria folded her hands on her chest, “And this is not the timefor“Forgive me,” the omega said in a shaky but loud voice, making sure thateveryone heard her, “But this is important and I think that people have the right toknow.”“Know what?” Brayden raised his brow at his mate although it was obvious thatthe two of them were together on this, “Speak, Roxanne.”“Uhm,” the girl bit her lip as if she was perplexed about what to do, “But can anAlpha really lead a pack if she doesn’t have a wolf?”Riannon froze.

This was her secret.

And just a few people knew about it.

Shetrusted each of them with her life.

So, how on Earth did Roxy find out?Her eyes met with Maya’s, who looked as shocked as she was.

And when hergaze shifted to her brother, who stood on the opposite side of the circle, Riannonknew exactly what had happened.

Dean lowered his head, also realising what hehad done.

But unfortunately, it was too late for regrets.“That’s unprecedented,” Brayden replied calmly, “An alpha is a leader of thepack.

He or she is supposed to be the strongest to lead the people.

If an alphadoesn’t have a wolf, it’s impossible to lead the pack.

Why do you ask that,Roxanne?”“I am sorry,” the girl mumbled, “This is not my place to speak about it.

But I thinkthis is an important information, considering that the pack is about to vote on whoto stay with.”“If you know something important, share it with us,” Bray encouraged her.“Luna...

I mean Alpha Riannon does not have a wolf,” Roxy stuttered.

“Nonsense!” Aria snorted loudly, “We have known Ria since childhood! Shealways had her wolf!”“What is this accusation? Ria was fighting along all of us many times!” Tatianachimed in and the rest of the pack started buzzing as well.“I saw her,” Roxanne spoke louder and more firmly, “In the woods.

She wasn’table to shift! She tried but it did not work!”“Brayden,” Riannon turned to her ex-husband, “I think you should explain to yourmate that lying is bad.

She couldn’t have seen me in the woods and as for mywolf, Onyx proved herself to the pack many times.”“Then you wouldn’t have any trouble shifting before us!” Roxy yelled, clenchingher fists,“ If your wolf is in place, then it’s not a problem for you.

Right?”“It is not a problem for me to shift,” Riannon lied, knowing that a lot depended onthat“You want to lead a pack,” Roxanne insisted.“And you want to become a pack’s Luna,” Ria interrupted her, “So, how aboutyou and your wolf? Will you care to demonstrate to us how you shift?”She actually liked this turn of events.

Because she was sure as hell that Roxywasn’t an omega.

Onyx would be back one day, she was still inside of her.

But anopportunity like this to out the redhead demon could not present itself anymore.“What?” Riannon smirked, “Not so brave anymore? Shift for us now and I will dothe same.”The fake omega didn’t look so sure anymore.

This clearly wasn’t what she wascounting“I can’t,” she suddenly said with a newfound confidence, and placed her handson her belly, “I am expecting the Alpha’s child.”

Ria felt a prickle of pain.

Dull and not strong, but it was still there.

She did notlove Brayden.

Not anymore.

But it still was painful to know that he had alreadyhad a baby with his new Luna.However, she did not let it show.“Congratulations,” she forced herself to smile naturally, “However, I don’t see howit may obstruct you from shifting.”“I am an omega,” Roxy started forming tears in her eyes, “Unfortunately, my bodyis very weak.

And I don’t want to hurt the child.”“Bull!” Maya scoffed, “You are not the only omega in the world, you know.

All ofthem shift all the time without any repercussions.

Pregnant or not.”People around them started to nod and Roxanne did not look so sure of herselfanymore.“Don’t be shy!” Maya added, “You asked others to shift to prove something.

Dous the honours!”“That’s enough!” Brayden growled and everyone became quiet.

He went all theway to Roxy and took her under his arm as if protecting her, “My mate will not beproving anything to anyone.”“Then I will reserve the same right for myself,” Riannon said calmly, “Especiallyconsidering that I have nothing to prove.”“Fine!” he grunted, “Let’s just get it over with! knowing that she had just dodged abullet but it wasn’t the end of it.“Members of the pack, plead your allegiance to your chosen Alpha.

Please,choose wisely.

” She said loudly and breathed out.

The moment that she hadbeen fighting for was finally here...