From Ashes to Their Luna novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: The Hunt at New Moon

Nessa's POV

The new moon came up black over the east wood, and Hollow Creek's wolves stood in the meadow and did not shift.

Sixty of them stood there in human skin, thin in the face, in coats that hung off them.

The Council elder sat on a camp stool at the edge with her cane across her knees and two clerks beside her.

Kieran stood behind her, on the far side of the creek, where the Council's order let him stand. He did not cross.

I walked into the meadow alone, with my bandaged hand in my pocket.

Nobody spoke.

Anson stood at the front with Garson and Dalton, and Margot a pace behind them in a long coat.

"Take your place, Beta," the elder said. "Call your pack."

Anson tipped his head back and called.

It was a good call, deep and carrying, and it died in the trees.

Nothing came. No wolf answered, and nobody's bones changed.

A girl at the back began to cry.

She was eleven, maybe, with her hair in two plaits, and she held her own wrists tight.

"Again," the elder said.

Anson called again, and his voice cracked in the middle.

"Enough," I said.

He rounded on me. "Stay out of it."

"You can't do it." I stepped past him. "None of you can. It isn't your call that matters."

"You're going to stand there and say it's yours?"

"No," I said. "I'm going to stand here and let it be."

I took off my coat and let it fall.

I shut my eyes and reached for the place in my chest where the bond sat warm.

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