The blackwood heir , the Alpha's stolen legacy

*Chapter 1: The Blood Moon Trial*

Rain lashed against the windows of Blackwood Pack House as Selene stood outside the Council Chamber doors. Her hands trembled, but not from fear. From fury.

Inside, the Alpha Council was voting on the fate of her daughter.

"Order," Alpha Rowan's voice cut through the room, low and dangerous. "The trial begins now."

Selene pushed the doors open before she could stop herself.

Every head turned. Twelve Alpha Council members sat in a semicircle, their wolves restless beneath their skin. In the center, her daughter Mira slept in a silver cradle, oblivious to the verdict being decided over her life.

"Step back, Selene," Rowan said. His gold eyes were unreadable. "This is not your place."

"It's her place," Selene said, stepping forward. "You swore to protect all pups of the North Pack. Even mine."

Council Elder Mara rose, her voice sharp. "Your daughter is not of the bloodline. She was born to a human father. The law is clear. Mixed blood cannot inherit."

Selene's wolf snarled beneath her skin. "The law also says no pup is to be harmed without proof of threat. What threat is she?"

"She's proof that our laws can be broken," Mara said. "And proof that you lied to us for five years."

The room went silent.

Selene looked at Rowan. He was the only one who hadn't spoken against her. He was also the only one who knew the truth.

Five years ago, during the Blood Moon Hunt, she'd been attacked on the border. Rowan had found her, pulled her from the rogue's claws, and kept her safe until dawn. One night. One mistake. One daughter.

She'd never told him. She'd left the pack the next morning, terrified of what would happen if he knew.

Now they knew anyway. And they wanted Mira dead.

"Vote," Mara said. "All in favor of termination?"

Six hands rose.

Selene moved before she could think. She scooped Mira into her arms and stepped between the child and the Council.

"If you want her, you'll go through me first," she said.

Rowan's chair scraped the floor as he stood. His control snapped. Bone cracked. Fur tore through skin.

In seconds, a massive black wolf stood where the Alpha had been.

The Council gasped. Rowan hadn't shifted in public in years. The old law forbade it inside the Chamber. Breaking it meant challenge. War.

He stalked forward and stood in front of Selene and Mira. His voice, when it came, was a growl that shook the walls.

"She's my daughter."

Silence.

Mara's face drained of color. "That's impossible. You were on the border that night. You said-"

"I said nothing," Rowan cut her off. "Because she didn't want me to know. And I respected that."

He looked at Selene, his wolf eyes softening for only a second. "I'm not letting them take her. Not this time. Not ever."

Mara recovered first. "Then you challenge the Council, Alpha? For a half-human pup?"

Rowan bared his fangs. "For my heir."

The chamber doors slammed open again.

Selene's breath caught. Standing in the doorway, soaked from the rain, was her ex-husband. The human she'd run from.

Derek.

He stared at the cradle in her arms, then at Rowan, then back at her. His face went pale.

"That's my daughter," he said.

Three claims. One child.

And the Blood Moon was rising.

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