As Killian strode back to the castle, the steady thrum of his heartbeat resonated in his ears, punctuated by the anxious whispers of the townsfolk. The intensity in their gazes, a mixture of awe and concern, pierced through the air as he cradled Sara against his chest. “My lady!” Violet’s voice cut through the cloud of tension as she rushed toward them, her demeanor a whirlwind of urgency. “Are you alright?” Sara nodded, though the tremors in her form betrayed her. Killian, sensing the residual fear that clung to her, felt a protective warmth surge through him as he gently placed her down. A soft “thank you” slipped from her lips before she turned away, each step towards her chambers carrying the weight of the trauma she had endured. Though shaken by her harrowing encounter, the intoxicating scent and fierce warmth of Killian’s presence offered her a refuge that began to mend her frayed spirit. As Killian watched her retreating figure, an unfamiliar revelation struck him hard; the depth of his feelings for her surged to the surface, awakened by the day’s peril. But just as quickly, a cloud of worry eclipsed his fleeting smile. “Jim!” he summoned, calling to his trusted assistant with a tone that brooked no argument. “Yes, sir!” Jim responded, scurrying to his side. “Gather the elders. We need to convene immediately,” Killian commanded, exuding the authority of his station. “Yes, my Alpha,” Jim acknowledged with a deep bow before hastening off to perform his duty. With purpose in his stride, Killian made his way toward the common room where the council was held. He settled into his chair with an imposing presence, the flicker of the torches casting shadows that danced across the walls as he awaited the arrival of his advisors. Moments later, several elders entered, each face etched with concern, their curiosity piqued by the urgency of his summons. “Greetings, my Alpha,” they chorused, bowing deeply before taking their seats. “Relax. Please, take your places,” Killian instructed, allowing a moment of silence to envelop the room as he assessed the worried looks surrounding him. After a brief stillness, Jared, a bold figure amongst the council, finally broke the silence. “Why have you called this emergency meeting, my Alpha?” Killian took a deep breath, deciding the weight of the truth must be shared with swiftness. “I have summoned you for two pressing matters,” he stated, his voice clear and resolute. “First, I intend to crown Sara as my Luna.” A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by hushed murmurs. “Sara? Our Luna? How can we accept her as such when we know so little of her origins?” Cerebrus interjected, voicing the concern that hung thick in the air. “The Moon Goddess has deemed her my Luna,” Killian shot back, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Her past is not a barrier.” The other matter weighed heavily on his mind. “The second reason for this gathering is far more grave. Rogue wolves have infiltrated our pack.” He locked his gaze on Jared, the head soldier responsible for their safety. “Today, Sara was kidnapped and nearly slaughtered. By some twist of fate, I arrived just in time to save her from death's grasp.” A hushed wave of tension rolled through the elders as they exchanged concerned glances. “I must deliver a dire warning,” Killian continued, his voice escalating with intensity. “A diamond stone was placed upon my Luna, inflicting great suffering. I vow, whoever dares harm her shall face my wrath.” His words reverberated in the hall, authority laced with a fierce protectiveness. Jared shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze as Killian’s anger grew palpable. With a swift clap of his hands, he summoned the guards, who entered with the two men responsible for Sara's abduction, their expressions a mix of fear and defiance. “These are the cowards who dared to interfere with my Luna’s life,” Killian proclaimed, settling back into his chair with an air of command. “Now, tell me—who ordered you to kidnap her?” Silence blanketed the room as the men trembled, refusing to answer. “Speak!” Killian’s voice cracked like thunder, each word laced with fury. “Please, forgive us! We can’t reveal our master!” the man with the deep voice whimpered, a glimmer of fear evident despite his attempts to appear stone-faced. A dark smirk crept onto Killian’s lips, a prelude to the power he held. He rose from his seat and approached the men, the room growing cold; every step he took enslaved the air with dread. “Choosing silence, are we? That’s perfectly fine. I have countless methods to make you confess,” Killian remarked calmly, but the threat hung heavy. “Guards,” he commanded, and two soldiers entered brandishing long whips. “Show them the consequences of their defiance.” The smack of the whips sliced through the air, each crack causing the men to howl in anguish. “Still won’t speak? Was there a woman with you?” Killian pressed, his patience wearing thinner by the second. But the men remained silent, only inflaming his wrath further. In the shadows, Lydia slipped quietly into the common room, positioning herself behind a large screen as she witnessed the scene unfold. Killian, now consumed by rage, ordered the guards to retrieve the legendary pill known as the “Blood Moon.” The atmosphere thickened with trepidation; the infamous pill was feared by all—those who ingested it faced the torturous sensation of walking barefoot across searing flames. Upon receiving the pill, Killian commanded the men to ingest it, their bodies trembling in terror at the thought of what was to come. Lydia, sensing the inevitable truth of their plight, devised a plan of her own. A sinister smile creased her lips as she unveiled two black stones—life stones, along with a vial of dark oil that glimmered ominously. Pouring the oil over the stones, she clenched her fists in determination, intent on squeezing the very life from the men, threatening their breaths away. As she pressed them tighter, the mans’ screams echoed painfully through the hall, their faces a portrait of anguish as they grasped their throats, eyes bulging with terror. The elders gasped in utter disbelief, their collective shock palpable as they grappled with the horrors unfolding before them. Killian’s eyes flickered with a frantic energy, desperately seeking a way to intervene, but it was too late. The final breath of the men fluttered into silence—a life snuffed out before his very eyes. “What?” The elders murmured in hushed disbelief, their expressions frozen in shock. Killian roared his fury, a primal growl erupting from deep within, his features contorting with rage. “Someone has dared to commit murder right under my watch!” The weight of betrayal crashed over him as the reality sank in, igniting an inferno of fury in the core of his being.