The first regional gathering of packs since Aria became Luna was held at Ashenfall, a neutral hall two days' ride from Ashenveil, and every pack within riding distance sent a representative.
Including Blackmoon.
Aria had known they would come before she arrived. Vael had warned her on the ride over, watching her face carefully for any sign she might want to turn back. Aria had not turned back. She had ridden in at Kael's side, dressed in deep blue with the silver mark of Ashenveil at her throat, and she had walked into that hall the way a Luna walks into a hall, with her chin level and her hand steady on her husband's arm.
She saw Damon across the room within the first minute.
He saw her at almost the same moment, and she watched, with a satisfaction she did not bother to hide from her
