Chained to the Enemy Alpha
Chapter 99: A Pledge Of Loyalty

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: A Pledge Of Loyalty

Martha hustled Lily through the crowded main hall, her weathered hands gently urging her forward. Everyone was packed into the space, their bodies forming a living barrier that parted reluctantly as they passed. Whispers followed them like shadows.

“Hurry, Luna!” Martha murmured anxiously. “The ceremony is about to begin.”

Ahead of them, Ezra appeared, his imposing figure cutting through the crowd with practiced ease. fr.e ewe.bno.vel .com

“There you are,” he said, relief evident in his voice. “Alpha Zayn is waiting. The ceremony cannot start without the Luna present.”

Lily nodded, quickening her pace. She felt the weight of hundreds of eyes tracking her movement, some curious, others judgmental. As they approached the front of the hall, she saw Zayn standing on a raised platform, his powerful frame commanding attention without effort. His eyes locked with hers, his expression unreadable.

She quickly took her place beside him, standing slightly behind his right shoulder as tradition dictated. The crowd fell silent.

Zayn’s voice filled the hall, deep and authoritative. “Today, we formally recognize our pack warriors. Those who will protect our territory and our people.”

He gestured to the group of muscular wolves standing at attention before the platform. “Step forward and pledge your loyalty.”

One by one, the warriors from the former Obsidian Moon pack approached, kneeling before Zayn. Each recited the ancient pledge of loyalty, swearing to protect the pack with their lives.

Ryker, Axel, and Jett did so without hesitation, kneeling first before Zayn and then before Lily. But when Ragnar’s turn came, he walked past Zayn without acknowledging him and knelt directly before Lily.

A shocked murmur rippled through the crowd. Zayn’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“I pledge my loyalty to Luna Lily of Thunderpaw,” Ragnar declared loudly, his voice echoing through the suddenly quiet hall. Behind him, several other warriors moved forward, following his example.

Lily recognized them. They were all formerly from Thunderpaw.

Lily stared at Ragnar in horror, then at the warriors behind him. Tension thickened the air. She turned to look at Zayn. His jaw clenched visibly, but he remained silent, watching to see how Lily would respond.

Ragnar looked up at her expectantly. “We only recognize a leader of our own blood,” he explained. “We pledge ourselves to you, Luna. Command us as you will.”

Lily stepped back, shaking her head emphatically. She pointed at Zayn, then made a gesture encompassing both of them.

She signed, with Martha translating on her behalf for all to understand.

‘An Alpha and Luna are one. They are not separate entities. If you refuse to pledge loyalty to Alpha Zayn, you have refused to pledge loyalty to us both.’

Ragnar’s brow furrowed. “But Luna—”

Lily held up her hand, cutting him off. She signed rapidly, her face set in determination.

‘I will not accept your pledge unless you also recognize Alpha Zayn. To move forward as one pack, we must put the past behind us.’

The crowd erupted in hushed conversations. Zayn watched Lily intently, surprise briefly flickering across his face before his mask of indifference returned.

When Ragnar hesitated, still kneeling before her. She knew how stubborn wolves could be. Lily knew she had to do something to make them see her point.

She stepped down from the platform and knelt before Zayn, bowing her head in submission. The hushed whispering in the hall ceased instantly. Her actions didn’t need further explanation.

She looked up at Zayn and began to sign her pledge of loyalty.

‘I, Lily of Thunderpaw, pledge my loyalty and my life to Alpha Zayn Knightmoon. I will serve the pack and its Alpha with all that I am, until my last breath.’

Martha’s voice cracked with emotion as she translated. Zayn’s expression softened almost imperceptibly, his eyes never leaving Lily’s face.

After a moment that stretched like eternity, he extended his hand to help her rise. When she was standing again, he turned to face Ragnar and the others.

“Your Luna has shown you the way,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. “What will you do now?”

Ragnar’s face reflected his internal struggle. Finally, with a deep breath, he moved to kneel before Zayn.

“I pledge my loyalty to Alpha Zayn Knightmoon,” he said, the words clearly difficult for him. “I will serve the pack and its Alpha with all that I am, until my last breath.”

One by one, the remaining former Thunderpaw warriors followed suit, pledging their loyalty first to Zayn, then to Lily. The tension in the room gradually dissipated, replaced by a tentative sense of unity. Wolves from both original packs exchanged glances that held less hostility than before.

When the last warrior had pledged, Lily stepped forward again. Zayn didn’t stop her. He watched her intently, wondering what she was about to do next.

She raised her hands shakily and began to sign.

‘This is a momentous occasion.’ Lily turned to Ragnar and the other warriors who were formerly from Thunderpaw, ‘But your initial refusal to recognize Alpha Zayn cannot go unpunished.’

Ragnar nodded solemnly. “We accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate, Luna.”

Lily turned to Zayn and took a step back, gesturing that she left the decision to him.

A hint of a smile formed on Zayn’s face.

“Your punishment,” he declared, addressing Ragnar and the others, “is to assist Luna Lily. She is charged with locating and excavating more crystal totems. You will work under her direction until the task is complete.”

Relief washed over Ragnar’s face, quickly replaced by determination. “Yes, Alpha. We will not disappoint both of you.”

As the ceremony concluded, wolves began to disperse, many approaching Lily to bow respectfully, something few had done before. Through the crowd, she caught glimpses of Victoria’s furious expression, her eyes promising retribution.

Ezra approached Zayn, speaking in low tones. Lily couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she saw Zayn glance her way briefly before nodding.

Martha appeared at her side, beaming with pride.

“You did wonderfully,” she whispered. “The pack is starting to see your strength.”

Lily blushed, unused to praise. She wanted to do her best.

She turned to Zayn and signed.

‘When do I begin the totem excavation? Today?’

Martha translated for Ezra, who still could not understand Lily’s sign language.

“Tomorrow,” Ezra replied, his usual gruffness softened slightly. “The Alpha wants you to rest today.”

Lily nodded. Zayn was about to speak when a few senior pack members flanked him. He was quickly led away from important discussions, but not before he exchanged one last glance with her.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she had finally earned a measure of his respect. The thought warmed her from within, a tiny flame of hope that refused to be extinguished.

Ragnar approached, head slightly bowed. “Luna,” he said, his voice sincere, “I look forward to serving under your command.”

Ryker, Axel, and Jett stepped forward beside him, nodding in agreement.

“We all do,” Ryker added with a smile.

Lily signed. ‘Thank you.’

She turned to Ragnar and Axel while Martha helped translate her words. fr.eew eb novel..com

‘I want all of us to work together as a united front, for the sake of the pack. For the sake of our future.’