Chapter 4 Crescent Moon's Gate

The fog thinned until lantern light cut through, warm halos swinging against the branches. Adanna slowed when she saw the settlement-wooden lodges tucked close, smoke curling, children running across the dirt path like it was the safest place in the world.

Her throat went tight. She had never seen a pack that looked like this.

Behind her, someone whispered, "Scarlet Moon."

Another muttered, "She doesn't belong here."

Adanna lowered her gaze, wishing the ground would swallow her.

"Head up," Leander muttered without turning.

Her eyes snapped to his back. "Don't tell me what to do."

"Then stop looking like prey."

She bit the inside of her cheek, but she lifted her chin anyway.

They stopped in front of a longhouse, wood beams carved with glowing runes. The door opened, and a man stepped out-broad, dark-haired, silver streak at his temple. His presence hit her chest like a blow.

Leander spoke first. "Theron."

The man's sharp eyes moved from Leander to Adanna. "You return with a Scarlet Moon stray?"

Adanna bristled. "I'm not a stray."

Theron's brow lifted slightly. "Then what are you?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. She didn't have an answer.

Before the silence could crush her, a woman stepped up beside Theron. Auburn braid, soft smile, steady eyes. "You'll scare her off if you keep staring like that."

Theron didn't look away. "Maybe she should be scared."

The woman touched his arm lightly. "Enough. Let her breathe." Then, to Adanna, "I'm Imogen. Welcome, even if it doesn't feel like it."

Adanna's lips parted. "I-thank you." Her voice sounded too small.

Theron folded his arms. "Why is she here, Leander?"

Leander's voice was calm, flat. "She needs Crescent Moon's protection."

"Does she?" Theron's gaze cut sharp again.

Adanna's pulse kicked. "I didn't ask for-"

"Yes, you did," Leander interrupted. His eyes flicked to hers for just a second, enough to shut her up.

Imogen stepped in. "Her name?"

Adanna cleared her throat. "Adanna."

Imogen nodded. "Pretty. Where are you from, Adanna?"

Adanna hesitated. "Scarlet Moon. But I'm not-"

Whispers erupted behind her. A couple of wolves had gathered near the doorway, muttering.

"Scarlet Moon trash."

"Why bring her here?"

Theron's voice cut through the noise. "Silence."

The room went still.

His eyes pinned her again. "Scarlet Moon rejects don't just wander into Hampstead Heath. What happened?"

Adanna's mouth went dry. She forced the words out. "My Alpha rejected me. My wolf is... gone." She swallowed. "I've got nowhere else."

Imogen's expression softened, but Theron's jaw tightened.

"Scarlet Moon's filth isn't our burden," someone muttered near the door.

Adanna's fists curled. "I didn't ask to be born there. I didn't ask for any of this." Her voice cracked, but she didn't look down.

Leander finally spoke again, firm, final. "She stays."

Theron's eyes narrowed. "You don't decide who stays."

"I decide who deserves a chance," Leander shot back.

A heavy silence stretched between them, sharp enough to slice skin.

Finally, Imogen stepped forward, placing herself between the two men. "Enough. The Council will hear her story. Tonight."

Theron let out a low growl in his throat, then turned back toward the longhouse. "Fine. But one wrong move from her-one-and she's out."

His words hung in the air, thick as smoke.

Imogen gave Adanna a small smile, softer than anything she deserved. "Come inside. Warm yourself. It's a long road from rejection to belonging."

Adanna's legs shook, but she followed them into the longhouse anyway.

************************************

The longhouse smelled of smoke and herbs. Wolves lined the benches, their eyes tracking every move Adanna made.

Imogen's voice broke the silence. "Council's here. Let's hear her story."

A man with graying hair leaned forward, sharp eyes narrowing. "She's Scarlet Moon."

Adanna's stomach dropped. "I was. Not anymore."

"Blood doesn't wash off that easy," another scoffed.

Leander's voice cut through. "She came here with nothing. That should be enough proof she's not Scarlet Moon anymore."

Theron sat at the head table, arms crossed. "Proof? Or bait? Maybe she's here to drag Crescent Moon into war."

Adanna's temper snapped. "Do I look like bait to you? I've got no wolf, no pack, no family. What exactly do you think I'm bringing-besides the stench of rejection?"

A murmur rippled through the benches.

The older man spoke again, voice cool. "If your Alpha cast you out, why come here? Why not disappear like the rest of the cursed?"

Adanna met his eyes. "Because I heard you don't turn people away."

Silence. Then a scoff from the far bench. "Depends on the people."

Imogen leaned forward, her voice calm. "Tell us what happened."

Adanna swallowed hard. "At the gathering, I was named Alexander's mate. He rejected me in front of everyone. Called me nothing. My wolf... she broke." Her voice cracked, but she pushed on. "I left that night. Haven't slept since."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then a woman near the back whispered, "That's why her scent feels hollow."

Another muttered, "She's dangerous without a wolf."

Adanna flinched. "I didn't choose this."

Theron's gaze hardened. "A wolf without a wolf. That's a weakness. Weakness draws blood."

Leander leaned forward, voice low. "Weakness can be turned into strength. If you know how."

Theron's eyes narrowed. "And you're volunteering to teach her?"

Leander didn't blink. "Yes."

Whispers flared again-some shocked, some angry.

Imogen raised her hand. "Enough. This isn't trial by gossip. We give her a place for now. Watch her. If she proves herself, she stays."

A pause stretched. Then Theron growled, "One chance. Nothing more."

Imogen looked at Adanna. "Do you understand?"

Adanna nodded, though her throat burned. "Yes. One chance."

Leander finally looked at her, steady, unreadable. "Don't waste it."