LUNA POV
The fake Elder Iris laughed as chaos burst around us. I stood frozen, watching shadow things fight real pack members while Caleb died in Brock's arms. Hope's golden glow was fading fast as she prepared to sacrifice her strength.
"Stop!" I screamed, shocking everyone including myself. "This isn't about who gets to be Luna anymore!"
The fake Elder Iris turned those terrible black eyes on me. "Ah, the jealous beta speaks. Tell me, child, are you finally ready to admit you never deserved to lead?"
Her words hit like poison arrows, hitting every insecurity I'd carried for months. Part of me wanted to shrink back, to let someone else handle this mess. But then I saw Hope's scared face and felt something change inside my chest.
"You're right," I said, stepping forward. "I never deserved to lead through birthright alone. But that doesn't mean I can't earn it now."
