Chapter 84: My Only Luna

"Go away, Rhea," Kaleb said, though he did not move a single inch from where he stood.

Rhea remained rooted to the spot, planting her feet deeper into the damp earth. She stared directly at his broad, tense back. "I know there is nothing you want more than to sit on that throne again," she said.

Her voice carried a quiet certainty that cut straight through the air, even though he refused to turn around.

Slowly, Kaleb turned to face her. His eyes narrowed into tight slits as they landed on her face. "Why do you want to do that for me? Huh, Rhea?" he asked, stepping closer, the fading sunlight making his amber eyes shine brighter.

Rhea lifted her chin, meeting his sharp gaze without flinching. "Because Ironfang was my home. And it is my son’s birthright," she said softly, her voice steady and calm.

Kaleb tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over her. "And what makes you think I care about sitting on that throne anymore?"

Rhea let out a soft scoff. "Because I know you, Kaleb," she said, her tone smooth. "I was married to you for years. I know firsthand how much you love wielding the power that comes with being Alpha King."

Kaleb stared at her for a long moment. She saw the wheels turning behind his amber eyes as he considered her words. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, though he quickly forced it down.

"And how do you plan to get my throne back, assuming I say yes?" Kaleb asked, his eyes glinting with a dangerous spark. "Two strong packs have already broken off from Ironfang. As we speak, more factions are forming in the territory. How do you plan to fix it? Will you fight every single one of them? All by yourself?"

Rhea nearly laughed aloud. Of course. Even after losing his throne because of his own foolishness, Kaleb still expected her to solve the problem for him.

She exhaled a slow, heavy breath through her nose and kept her gaze locked on his face. "Just answer the question, Kaleb."

Kaleb went silent, watching her as if calculating his next move. Then he took a slow step toward her. The air grew thick with his lingering Alpha aura.

"The only way I will take that throne again is if you agree to rule by my side," he said, his voice dropping into a gravelly register. He paused, letting the heavy words hang between them in the cold mountain air. "Only if you will be my Luna once more."

Rhea stared at him, her jaw clenching tight.

In an instant, a flash of red burned behind her eyes as she remembered the cold steel of his blade driving into her flesh, the agonizing burn as he pierced her sternum, and the feeling of her own blood pooling in her lungs. Her fists squeezed tight at her sides, her nails biting into her palms.

River growled at the memory, a whimper escaping her lips.

"I am sure you can agree that you are overreaching, Kaleb," she said, tilting her head with a chilling calm, suppressing the fire roaring in her veins. "This is not a packaged deal."

Kaleb took another step forward. He raised a hand, his fingers reaching out to touch her chin. But Rhea snapped her head back, stepping out of his reach.

"Touch us, and I will tear your arm from its socket!" River snarled violently inside her mind, her fur bristling with rage.

Kaleb’s hand froze mid-air before dropping heavily to his side. His eyes flashed with raw frustration. "No one will follow me without you, Rhea," he confessed, his voice tight.

Rhea let out a breathy scoff, staring at him in genuine surprise. Hearing those words come out of his mouth felt strange, almost surreal. In all the years they had spent together as Alpha and Luna, he had never once acknowledged her worth to the pack.

"It is the truth, Rhea," Kaleb insisted, taking a smaller step toward her. "I cannot hold the throne without you. We need to stabilize the territory first."

Rhea shook her head, watching him with dark, disappointed eyes. "I am surprised to hear you admit that," she said softly. "It is even more shocking that you knew my value, yet you still drove a knife right here." She raised her hand, pointing her forefinger directly at the center of her chest. "You almost ended my life."

Kaleb swallowed hard, his throat bobbing as the sharp edge in his eyes softened into something like remorse. "I was blind, Rhea," he whispered. He reached out to take her hand, but stopped himself halfway, letting his arm drop. "That is in the past now. I want you back. You are the only Luna I want beside me."

Rhea looked deep into his eyes, feeling a sudden wave of pity for the broken male standing before her. "You’re a year too late. And as I said before, this is not a packaged deal," she stated firmly. "I will help you reclaim Ironfang, but I have one condition."

Kaleb’s brows pulled into a deep knot. "A condition? What condition?"

"I will let you sit on the throne again on one absolute condition," Rhea said, holding his gaze to catch every flicker of emotion on his face. "When Eli comes of age, the crown becomes his. If he is ready to rule, you will step down."

Kaleb’s eyes narrowed into dark slits. His jaw hardened, his neck muscles straining as he processed her demand. Rhea caught the subtle shift in his expression before he smoothed it over.

Then a slow, chilling smile spread across his lips. "Are you not afraid?" he asked softly, his tone turning dangerously light.

Rhea’s heart skipped a beat, but her face remained as still as marble. She wasn’t trusting Kaleb. She was gambling on his greed.

"Are you not afraid that I will put a knife through your heart again?" Kaleb asked, his smile widening as he leaned closer. "Are you not worried that I will make sure you do not survive it this time?"

"It will be the last thing you ever do, traitor!" River roared in her head, her teeth bared and ready for slaughter.

Rhea returned his smile, her own lips parting to reveal a cold, mocking grin. She took a firm step forward, closing the space between them until she was staring directly into his amber eyes.

"That would be the greatest mistake of your life, Kaleb Duskbane," she whispered, her tone terrifyingly calm.

Kaleb’s smile faded instantly. His eyes flared with a sudden, flicking emotion. Something sharp, deep, and suspiciously like fear.