Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Julia’s POV
The palace loomed ahead as we approached the gates, its sheer scale imposing. The high stone walls stood firm, almost daring anyone to challenge its might.
The carriage came to a halt before the towering gates, the sound of the horses’ hooves fading as the guards stepped forward. We disembarked, the air sharp with the scent of fresh rain, and made our way inside.
As we entered the palace, the grand hall stretched before us, its high ceilings and marble floors gleaming under the flickering candlelight. Guests from all corners of the realm had gathered, chatting excitedly, bowing, and greeting us as we walked through the crowd. The hum of conversation was accompanied by soft laughter and the rustle of silk as noble families mingled. Yet beneath it all, there was an underlying tension. A power struggle lingered in the air, thick and palpable.
Valen stood near the center of the room, his presence undeniable. As he exchanged a few words with the guests, Ryker lingered close by, his eyes scanning the crowd with his usual caution—a predator among prey. I stood beside Valen, my senses stretched tight, picking up every faint change in the atmosphere. The room felt suffocating with tension, crawling beneath the surface.
The Alphas from the East and West were engaged in separate conversations with different guests. Their voices were smooth, their words warm, but I could hear the subtle calculations beneath each syllable. I glanced at Alpha Reynard of the West, with his silver hair and sharp features, looking every part the warrior king. His icy blue eyes, however, held something darker, a hunger that didn’t match his friendly gestures. Beside him stood his Luna, a tall woman draped in a deep crimson gown, her expression cold but carefully composed. She glanced at me now and then, her gaze sharp, though she said nothing.
On the other side of the room, Alpha Viktor of the East, a massive figure with a broad frame, made his way toward us. His voice was low, almost conspiratorial as he approached Valen. “Valen, it’s always a pleasure to meet with your people,” he said, extending his hand. His grip was firm but not unyielding—a subtle challenge, wrapped in formality.
Valen’s hand clasped Viktor’s with a strength that spoke of dominance, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as if reading the man like an open book. “The pleasure is mine, Alpha Viktor,” he replied, his tone even, but there was weight in his words. A challenge of his own. A reminder that he, too, was a force to be reckoned with.
Viktor’s gaze flicked over to me, then returned to Valen. “And this is your Luna... I’ve been itching to meet her,” he said, extending his hand toward mine.
I watched him closely, calculating his every move. The thoughts beneath his words, the desires, the ambitions—I could hear them clearly, like an open book. Reynard was obsessed with power, no question about it. He wanted Damon’s throne, and he would do anything to take it. Viktor was the same, though his hunger was more subtle, carefully masked behind friendly words. He, too, wanted more—more power, more control—and he would stop at nothing to claim it, even if it meant betrayal.
Leaning closer to Valen, I whispered, a smirk playing at my lips. “You know, they’re not exactly hiding it. They’re both trying to win Damon’s throne, but neither of them trusts the other. I can hear it all, you know.”
Valen turned his head slightly to look at me, brow raised in disbelief. “You can hear their thoughts?”
I nodded, unable to keep the smirk off my face. “Oh yeah. They’re both calculating. They want the throne so bad they can barely keep it together.”
Valen’s lips twitched. “You’re joking, right?” He chuckled softly, clearly thinking it was some playful comment.
I raised an eyebrow, not even a hint of humor in my expression. “No, I’m not. I can hear every single thought. It’s like an open book, Valen. They’re not that subtle.”
Valen’s expression faltered for a moment, and then his eyes widened slightly, realizing I wasn’t joking. “Wait... really?” His voice was low, a bit incredulous.
I couldn’t help but laugh lightly. “You thought I was kidding?” I shrugged. “Well, it’s not always that fun. It’s not like I want to hear every little thing, but, yeah, it’s a gift.”
Valen looked at me for a moment longer, clearly still processing what I had just revealed. “I... I didn’t know that,” he muttered, shaking his head in surprise. “That’s... impressive. And slightly terrifying.”
I smirked. “Takes one to know one, huh?”
Before Valen could respond, the room fell into a thick hush. The doors at the far end of the hall creaked open, and a heavy presence filled the space. All eyes snapped toward the entrance.
The alpha king, Damon stepped into the room with a deliberate pace, his aura a cold, suffocating presence. Draped in black silk, his onyx crown gleamed in the dim light. Each step he took seemed measured, calculated, as if every inch of the room were under his control. His smile was smooth, a perfect façade, but there was something darker beneath it—something far more dangerous. He was a master at playing his game.
“Welcome, my friends,” Damon’s voice rang out, warm and inviting, though I could hear the calculation beneath it. “It is an honor to gather with so many of you tonight. Together, we will strengthen the bonds that hold us all. For strength, loyalty, and unity are the foundations upon which our kingdom thrives.”
The guests murmured in approval,clapping and cheering. As he continued with his speech.
“And now,” Damon continued, his voice lowering to a more personal tone, “I wish to share something with all of you. A new chapter in our rule. A bond that will unite us all, strengthen us... my Luna Queen.”
The room went completely still. The word Luna hit me like a bolt. Damon had a mate?
I glanced at Valen who remained indifferent besides me.
A figure appeared walking through the large door , and my breath caught. She entered with undeniable presence. Tall and regal, draped in an emerald gown that shimmered like a jewel. Her raven-black hair cascaded in waves down her back, and her eyes—dark, confident—swept over the room, asserting control over every inch of space. Every movement she made was calculated, purposeful. There was a coldness to her, an arrogance that made the room hold its collective breath.
My heart slammed against my ribs, and for a moment, the world around me blurred. The woman standing beside Damon was my cousin. Lily. The one I had thought lost forever. The one who had run away for months. But this woman—this woman was something else. She was untouchable, powerful, and standing at the side of the Alpha King, her place at the top secured.
Lily stopped next to Damon, her smile smug, triumphant. Damon’s arm draped around her shoulders, possessive and firm. The room erupted in whispers, gasps of disbelief, but I couldn’t look away. Lily had risen to the top, and now, with Damon at her side, she was untouchable. The power she once longed for was hers, and she had embraced it fully.
Damon’s voice rang out again, smooth and prideful. “My Luna Queen, Lily,” he announced, his words heavy with finality.
The guests were still in shock, whispering among themselves, but I could feel the darkness settling over the room. Lily had found her place at the top, and with it, the darkness she had once harbored had only grown stronger.
And when my gaze met hers, I knew. This wasn’t over. It was just the beginning.