Omens Over Mooncall,The Alpha Heir They Tried to Ruin

The omen-feed settled when I showed no reaction:

[There's no way a side character can perceive the pack-echoes. The one above must be moon-touched.]

[He's merely a stepping stone for the destined pair. His entire bloodline deserves extinction!]

Fury burned through my veins like liquid silver.

I had never harmed another wolf in my existence. So why should I clear the path for Selene Crownhollow and Darian Ashfen's fated bond?

Why should I be framed until my pack's territory holdings crumble and my parents throw themselves from the mountain cliffs?

The gathered wolves helped Darian to his feet, all howling for me to face judgment for stealing another's sacred work.

Selene went straight for the kill, summoning the Rite Arbiters: "I demand a formal grievance be heard! Someone tampered with the ritual sigils and stole another contestant's achievement!"

Darian hung his head in wounded submission, the very image of an innocent omega wronged.

The Council Adjudicators' expressions turned grave.

"The entire inscription process was conducted under scrying mirror surveillance," one of them said. "It would be impossible for anyone to have swapped the works."

Darian's eyes glistened as he lifted his head, glaring at the long-haired female adjudicator at the front. "Elder Duskthorn, you're allies with Kael Nightforge's mother. Of course you'd side with him. But none of us even named the culprit, and you're already rushing to shield him. Don't you think that oversteps your authority?"

Selene piled on, her voice cold as winter frost: "Elder Duskthorn, I offered five million in tribute to this rite. Not so I could watch you play favorites and manipulate outcomes from the shadows. My prize allocation needs to go to someone who actually earned it through honor."

The other contestants joined the chorus:

"So the adjudicator is allied with Kael Nightforge's mother? No wonder he had opportunity to swap the ritual marks!"

"What a dishonorable scheme. And he calls himself Alpha-born? More like a parasite feeding off common wolves!"

Darian fixed Elara Duskthorn with a stubborn stare. "I demand a review of all rite entries! And I demand that Elder Duskthorn—who's clearly protecting him—step down immediately!"

Elara remained silent. I spoke before she could.

"On what grounds are you demanding a review?" My voice cut through the noise. "On what grounds are you demanding Elder Duskthorn step down?"

"Based on nothing but your baseless accusations? Do you have any idea how much burden you'd be placing on the Academy servants?"

"You keep speaking of being some poor rogue who suffered hardship, but you don't hesitate to make life miserable for wolves who actually serve this institution."

"Yes, Elder Duskthorn is my mother's ally. But she hasn't done a single thing to shield me. If you want her removed, you'd better present actual evidence."

I could tolerate Darian slandering me—after all, it was nothing but speculation.

But dragging an innocent wolf like Elara into this? That was unforgivable.

Her bonded mate, Rowan Duskthorn, suffered from a failing wolf-heart. He survived only through constant healer rites and costly moonstone treatments.

She'd refused my mother's offer to help cover the healing costs, insisting she'd handle the thousands in monthly treatment fees herself.

That was why she treasured every position, every additional duty. She never complained. Never sought pity.

I wasn't about to let Darian destroy her.

The moment I defended her, Selene let out a mocking laugh. "Touched a nerve, did we?"

"What's wrong—afraid we'll find proof of your little sigil swap once we investigate deeper?"

Darian clenched his fists, his expression twisting as though he'd finally reached his breaking point.

"All I wanted was for you to return the prize so I could pay my rite fees and remain at the Academy. That's all. But you've pushed me too far. Now you must face consequences."

He pulled out a small howling stone and activated its connection to the Elder Arbitration Council.

"I'm filing a formal grievance. Kael Nightforge colluded with Adjudicator Elara Duskthorn during the sacred rite to swap my work and steal first ranking in the preliminaries. I demand her immediate removal and the return of what's rightfully mine!"

The other young wolves erupted in howls, eager to witness my downfall.

The pack-echo omens exploded:

[This is peak storytelling! The destined one is so powerful!]

[Finally made the call! The Elder Council is sending investigators!]

[The side character's about to be ruined!]