Chapter 484: Truths in Shadow

The council hall remained still for a moment longer, the echoes of Orion’s last words hanging heavy in the air. Then, as if a single thought had snapped into place in everyone’s minds, the room erupted in questions.

"Wait," Madam Tyler said first, her voice trembling but sharp, "are you saying... Sophia is truly the Luna?"

Daniel’s brow furrowed, his fingers tapping the table impatiently. "Orion... is this true? Is it confirmed?"

Caspian, who had been leaning back in his chair, letting the weight of everything settle on his broad shoulders, spoke next. "Orion... tell me this is true. Is she...?" His voice trailed, a rare uncertainty threading his words.

"You mean like... Luna Luna? The one foretold in the prophecy? That one?" Mary asked him.

Orion lifted his head slowly, eyes scanning each of them in turn. "Yes," he said, his tone even, careful. "Sophia is the Luna foretold. The one most people have been waiting for."

A murmur ran through the council, low and cautious, as the elders processed the revelation. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Madam Tyler leaned forward, ready to sob again, but Orion interrupted.

"But," Orion continued, holding up a hand, "that is not why we are gathered here tonight. That, while important, is not the reason for this meeting."

Madam Tyler blinked rapidly, a soft laugh escaping her lips before she quickly clapped her hands together, a sound so joyful it startled even Caspian. She turned toward him with a wide, gleeful smile.

Caspian exhaled sharply, a hand running down his face in exasperation. "Madam, I know what you want to say. You can say it."

She only laughed more, shaking her head as her joy refused to be constrained. "No, tomorrow," she insisted.

"I’ll do it when Sophia is here." Her eyes danced as she gestured toward Orion, her energy almost contagious.

Orion’s chest tightened briefly, a small, humorless chuckle escaping him. He had expected—anticipated—something like shock, perhaps disbelief, maybe even resistance. But this? The laughter, the joy, the light in Madam Tyler’s eyes? It was not what he had imagined. And yet, it was good.

Even in the midst of Holly’s crime, the pack could still be moved, still be alive with feeling. Even Madam Tyler, who had just moments ago been wracked with grief and tears, could find joy. Orion’s shoulders eased slightly, though the weight of what had yet to come still pressed down on him.

"Well... I can’t say I’m surprised. After what Eldric told us... the one who isn’t Eldric, I mean... I suspected that Sophia was the Luna foretold."

Lysander nodded. "Me too."

"Well, we can celebrate Sophia later. I hate to say this, Orion, but perhaps do you think we should hear from Holly?" Mary asked. "Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting Sophia’s words, but if we just hold court like that without first asking Holly questions... the pack members will talk. Some may claim injustice."

"I asked Holly questions and she never said anything about trying to kill Sophia," Brynhild said.

"Love," Lysander called to her. "From what I recall you telling me about what you asked Holly that day, you asked her if she left Sophia to die, and not if she killed Sophia."

"What’s the difference?" Brynhild asked him.

"Some might interpret it as Holly fearing for her life and leaving Sophia to die, saying it’s not Holly’s fault but Sophia’s," Daniel said.

"And Orion here can detect lies. We can just ask Holly in public," Brynhild argued. "And anyone who interprets the situation like that is a fool."

"True," Caspian said with a nod. "And Brynhild, there are many fools in our pack. Some who were in support of Holly after all."

"How about we ask Sophia and Holly together? We interrogate both of them in public?" Madam Tyler suggested.

"Sophia is injured. She only just woke up," Orion argued.

"I know that," Madam Tyler replied. "But we can’t ask only one person questions when both of them were very much involved. Holly is the criminal here, but for transparency, we should interrogate both her and Sophia in public for all to see."

"I agree with the madam," Daniel said softly. "If we don’t interrogate both of them so people can obviously see their reactions, we will be judged for siding with just Sophia, even if that isn’t the case."

"And yes, Sophia just recovered," Caspian added. "But this situation is not something we can leave to fester. I can only imagine what else will happen if Holly is kept for too long. People will talk."

Orion sighed. "I didn’t want to involve Sophia," he told them.

"Sophia is involved though, brother. She was the one who was almost killed by... a lunatic?" Lysander asked.

"Are you asking or calling her a lunatic?" Orion asked him with a chuckle.

"I’m asking," Lysander replied. "I can’t outright call her a lunatic, especially in the event that she’s not one. That would mean I’m lying, and goddess knows I don’t like seeing that expression you make when you hear a lie."

Orion gave Lysander a small smile. "You are that much for me, brother?"

Lysander rolled his eyes but didn’t reply. Brynhild’s lips twitched when she didn’t hear her husband reply to Orion.

"But calling her a demon isn’t a lie, right?" Mary asked.

"Let’s not outright call her one, even if she could actually substitute for one," Daniel said with a chuckle.

Orion sighed. There was no way he wasn’t going to involve Sophia in this interrogation. He wanted her to rest, but then, like the others had said, Sophia was the one Holly had tried to kill.

"I’ll speak with Sophia," Orion told them.

"I’ll arrange for court," Daniel said. "Garrett will work with me."

Orion turned to Madam Tyler. "You will be available tomorrow, right? We may need your help in solving some things."

Madam Tyler nodded. "Knowing how much there is to be answered, I’ll make sure I’m free for the week."

Orion nodded, then turned to Lysander and Brynhild.

"And you guys? I know Raina has both of you occupied, but we’ll need you too."

"We’ll have to find someone to watch over Raina," Brynhild told Orion.