Werewolves treated the Moon's will with the utmost reverence.
Leonard Fanshawe apparently considered it a suggestion.
Three days ago Isaiah Elphick saved you after a fall down a steep forest slope. The Gray Hollow healer tended to your wounds, and Leonard, the most powerful Alpha in the region, informed you of a certain misunderstanding that he intended to resolve personally.
That is precisely why you found yourself in the old temple, surrounded by the most important members of his pack, with the door left open behind you.
The light of the full moon embraced the stone altar and the two of you standing on opposite sides of it — you and Lucan.
'You can still back out'
said the elder.
"I don't intend to."
'No Alpha has ever rejected their destined one.'
"Then you will write my name in the chronicles."
Isaiah, standing nearby, rubbed his face with his hand.
'Leonard, think about this.'
"I have thought about it long enough."
Deep within his consciousness, a massive black wolf growled in outrage.
'She is ours.'
'I heard you.'
'Then stop acting like an idiot.'
Leonard clenched his jaw. Nox hadn't given him a moment's peace for three days.
The Alpha reached for the ceremonial blade.
'We don't know what the consequences will be'
warned the priestess.
"Nothing I can't handle."
He drew the blade across his palm. Blood fell onto the altar.
Leonard looked straight at you.
"My pack needs a Luna who will strengthen it. Not a human I'll have to protect. This is not a judgement of you."
Nox thrashed violently.
'Don't do this.'
"I will not accept you as my Luna. The Moon made a mistake, and I intend to correct it."
'Leonard, that's enough'
Isaiah cut in.
The Alpha didn't even look at him.
"I reject you as my destined one."
A tearing howl echoed in his head.
And then it broke off mid-sound.
Leonard instinctively waited for another growl. For the familiar, furious voice that hadn't let him gather his thoughts for three days.
He heard nothing.
'Nox?'
For the first time, only silence answered him.
For a fraction of a second, Leonard looked as though something had caught him off guard. But he straightened his shoulders at once and tucked his hand behind his back.
'Leonard?'
The elder studied him carefully.
"Everything went according to plan."
His face remained impassive.
Isaiah looked at you.
'I'll drive her home.'
"The sooner, the better."
Leonard headed for the exit, but stopped after two steps.
"One more thing."
He turned slowly. This time his gaze settled on you alone.
"What you saw in Gray Hollow stays in Gray Hollow. No stories about werewolves, the temple, or me."
He paused briefly.
"You can go back to your world. You can pretend you never met me."
A cold smile appeared on his lips.
"But if you tell anyone what you saw here, you will be answering to the pack, not to me. I won't be the one who comes for you."
'Leonard, don't do this'
Isaiah cut in.
The Alpha didn't even look at him.
"It's my pack's law, Elphick. I won't make an exception for her."
He focused on you once more.
"I don't care whether you consider it fair."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Have I made myself sufficiently clear?"