Chapter 27 Temple's Secrets

• THE CHILLING of Adler’s rebellion and Waldemar’s brutal reassertion of dominance left the Nightshade estate in a state of subdued tension. The pack, having witnessed the crushing display of Alpha power, moved with a newfound, rigid obedience. Selene, too, felt the profound shift. Waldemar’s fury, though directed at Adler, had cemented her place by his side, making her undeniable to the pack, but also irrevocably bound to him. The terrifying realization that a part of her no longer wanted to run gnawed at her, a treacherous feeling amidst the lingering resentment of her captivity. The Moonbind, now throbbing with a deeper, more complex resonance, was a constant reminder of their entwined destinies.
• Waldemar himself was a coiled spring in the days that followed. The public challenge to his authority, though swiftly crushed, had left an indelible mark. His vigilance intensified, his golden eyes constantly scanning, assessing. Yet, amidst his renewed focus on pack security and preparing for the looming threat of the Shadowfell, a subtle change had settled over him. There was a grim determination, yes, but also a raw, almost desperate reliance on Selene. He no longer merely commanded; he needed her.
• It was two mornings after Adler’s public shaming that the Oracle’s summons came again, not through a messenger, but through a profound hum that resonated through the very earth of the estate, reaching Waldemar and Selene through the Moonbind. It was a silent, undeniable call that spoke of urgency and ancient power.