Selene's POV

The first thing I learned about being queen was that victory had no time to heal.

Three days after my coronation, I was already sitting in the Hall of Alphas, listening to seven leaders argue over food, borders, soldiers, and old grudges.

I stared at the crown resting beside me.

It was beautiful.

It was also suffocating.

"Mooncrest cannot feed Ironfang's soldiers forever," one Alpha snapped.

"And Ironfang cannot rebuild its northern villages without supplies," another replied.

"We all suffered during the war!"

"So did our people!"

The voices grew louder.

I raised my hand.

Silence fell.

For a moment, every eye turned toward me.

I looked at...