A Luna for Alpha Kieran-Chapter 134: Not the same anymore

[ Blackmoon territories : continued from when Kael was being publicly humiliated and punished. ]

They actually didn’t need the announcement from the borders.

Because all of them felt him first.

Long before the gates even opened...the air had already shifted around the pack.

The wind stilled. The birds stopped singing. The crowd in the courtyard went unnaturally quiet.

It was like a pulse in the ground...a deep echo of dominance... like even the land knew that the real protector was back.

And then they actually heard the hoof beats.

Just a slow, deliberate thunder, growing louder and louder. Not a gallop. Not a frantic rush.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Like the pulse of the land was back... it was breathing again.

A child on a rooftop looked up first, eyes wide. Then an elder dropped to one knee, trembling.

"It’s him...Thank the moon, the Alpha is back...," someone whispered, not even daring to say the name.

The gates groaned open.

And through them, the black Council horse stepped in...its heavy breath misting in the cold air. On top of it was Kieran Blackmoon.

Dressed in deep obsidian leather, his cloak whipping against his boots, face shadowed beneath his hood. His face looked unkempt like he had travelled through hell. His hair was tied back in a lousy bun. His brows were knit together as he looked forward.

Every single soul in that courtyard felt his authority. He didn’t need a title.He didn’t need to speak.

The grass almost recoiled from each step the horse took.

And just like that...The crowd parted.

Like the Red Sea had parted for Moses.

Like prey sensing the arrival of a predator that did not hunt for hunger...but for retribution.

Roanoke’s smirk faltered on the platform. The whip slipped slightly in his executioner’s hand. "Kieran?" he gasped, too loudly, a little too out of character. "You are back already...unexpectedly I must say..." Then he hastily added. " Welcome. Welcome back! "

Kieran dismounted with quiet grace. No rush.

No drama.

He didn’t even look at Roanoke.

He looked straight at Kael.

His Gamma...a brother to the true meaning of the word.Torn. Shackled. Bare backed and bloodied, his flesh hanging from bones in shreds. Hanging there, humiliated...crucified in his own home.

Kieran’s jaw ticked once.Then again.

Still, he didn’t speak.

Roanoke cleared his throat and stepped down a few steps, his voice was lighter now, casual. "What you are seeing just now might be difficult and disturbing...I understand,Kieran.But I must assure you, there is a reason for all this. You see, Gamma Kael was convicted of..."

Kieran took one step forward.Roanoke flinched.

"Unshackle him." He didn’t order Roanoke. He ordered the guards.His voice didn’t echo.

It landed right on their shoulders like a weight.

A command that settled in every bone, in every breath... one that they couldn’t even think of not following.

The guards froze.Roanoke blinked, lifting a hand. "Now, let’s not..."

Kieran turned his head slowly.Just his head.

No snarling. No flashing eyes.

But that single motion... it made half the guards take a step back.

One guard quickly unlatched Kael’s chain like it was caught on fire... not even touching properly. Then the second followed with the chain tying his legs.

The third tried, but fumbled with the lock. His hands shook too violently.

Kieran was suddenly there, next to him, prying the chains off with one wrench of his hand.

Steel cracked.Kael collapsed forward... but never touched the ground.

Kieran caught him.

Held him with one arm, the other already unclasping the thick, dark cloak from his shoulders and swinging it over Kael’s ravaged back.

Kael didn’t speak. But his head turned just enough.

"You took your sweet damn time getting back,huh, Alpha?" He rasped with a smile like they were just in the middle of a banter.

Kieran’s lips curved just slightly. "I come with grave news...we will need to talk about a lot..."

The crowd was still frozen. Not daring to breathe. Roanoke still stood on the dais, trying to gather the shreds of authority.

"Kieran," he tried again, "You must understand...there was treachery involved. The Luna’s seal..." Kieran didn’t look at him.

But he did finally speak. "You will answer for this Curzon! "

Just statement... more than a threat.

And then he added quietly, "Don’t mistake my silence for acceptance. You know why I can’t rip your head off right here...right now...But one day... even that won’t protect you..."

Roanoke paled, the smugness draining from his features.

The crowd shifted. Wolves began muttering. Hope returned to some eyes. Rage to others. A rebellion quietly rolled back like a tide...

But those who know...know it well that it hadn’t gone. It simply waited.

Kieran turned without another word, arm wrapped firmly around Kael’s waist, guiding him off the dais.

They walked slowly as Kael limped forward.

Every eye followed.

Even the traitors didn’t dare move. Kieran’s presence was too heavy even for those who tried to defy him.

Kieran was swiftly moving...he helped Kael towards the eastern wing, towards the Healer’s chambers, not a single soul stepped in their path.

Kael chuckled under his breath."You scared the shit out of your father in law, Alpha."

Kieran murmured, "You are in no position to joke. Shut it ,idiot! How could you let them do this to you..."

"You let him do a lot of things to you too...didn’t you...when you should have hit him?"

Kieran gave a faint smile. "Oh, I will do more than hit him. But not when he expects it."

Kael winced, dragging in breath between teeth. "I thought they were gonna kill me."

"I would have surely killed you if you would have let that happen."

Kael glanced up. "Alpha Kieran..."

"Yeah?"

Kael paused. They were just outside the Healer’s door now...Mango’s cottage. " Where are you taking me?"

" To Mango of course.She will stitch you up in no time. "

"Alpha! Mango’s gone."

Kieran stopped walking.

"...What?"

Kael leaned heavier on him. His voice dropped low.

"She wasn’t in her quarters. Some wards were broken. Her healer’s satchel was gone...but we found no signs of struggle...or any external influence..."

Silence.

The shadows on Kieran’s face shifted as he straightened and winched.

Even the wind stopped. "When did this happen?" he asked quietly. Too quietly.

Kael met his eyes.

"The day after you were gone..."

The door to the Healer’s chamber creaked open in front of them...A nurse peeked at them.

But Kieran never moved.

His jaw clenched. His eyes, for the first time since he returned, flashed gold.

And that’s when it hit him...Not everything was as he had left...

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