Page 57 of Luna's New Reign
By the time I burst through the door and out into the night, the darkness stretches around us like a living thing, swirling and alive. It clings to the edges of the world, swallowing everything whole. And there—right in the middle of it—ishim.
The figure looming in the shadows, larger than life, his wolf form bleeding into something monstrous. His golden eyes glow, burning into me like he knows every secret I’ve ever tried to bury. A suffocating energy radiates from him, raw and ancient, dark magic curling through the air and sinking into my bones.
For the first time in a long time, I feel fear.
I don’t even register my other mates at first—they’re there, circling like predators, their wolves brushing against the surfaceas growls ripple through the air. But my focus stays locked onhim.The First Alpha.
Puredarkness.
Nepheline’s body is limp in Asani’s arms, her white hair catching faint light from the moon and my heart slams painfully in my chest. “Neph.” The word comes out as a whisper, almost drowned out by the wind howling through the clearing.
She doesn’t move.
Rage surges through me like wildfire. My wolf claws to the surface,snarlingin my chest, demanding that I end this—whateverthisis. I take a step forward, ignoring the warning shouts from River and Remi, and the figure tilts its massive head like it’samused.
The darkness behind him shifts,rippling, other wolves surrounding him. Dozens of them. Maybe more. Their eyes gleam red in the shadows, bodies twisted and monstrous like something pulled from the pits of hell. Silas’ wolves were bad, but these? These are something worse. They step closer, low growls spilling from their throats, their teeth bared, claws scraping against the ground like they’re preparing to tear us apart.
I don’t think. Imove.
“Get her out of here!” I bark, my command hitting them like a slap. I lunge forward, my body already shifting, but as I close the distance, the wolves vanish. Just—gone. The shadows peel away like smoke, pulling back into the figure standing there, still grinning that awful, jagged grin.
River and Remi are at my sides in an instant, their wolves barreling forward, but I throw my voice through the bond, sharp and commanding.
>>> Stand down! Don’t engage!
They halt mid-stride, growls ripping from their throats as they skid to a stop. I turn back to the shadows, my chest heavingas the figure begins tofade—melting into the night like he was never there. His eyes are the last thing to disappear, burning into me with somethingancient.
Somethingfinal.
And then he’s gone.
The parking lot is still. Silent. But it doesn’t feel empty. The darkness lingers in the air, heavy andalive, like it’s watching us from the shadows, waiting.
My breath is ragged as I turn back toward the others. Asani stands near the edge, his eyes wide, Nepheline cradled against his chest. Her head rests limply on his shoulder, her pale hair spilling like silk over his arm.
“Is she breathing?” I demand, my voice hoarse as I stalk toward them.
Asani nods quickly, though his face is pale, his brow tight with worry. “She’s breathing, but she’s out cold. We need to get her back.”
“Now,” I bite out through the bond, sending the command through to everyone. I’ve never spoken to the entire Nightshades pack before but this is needed. Everyone needs to be aware just how dark things are becoming.
>>>Get to the heart. Immediately.
No one argues.
Darius steps up to take Nepheline, his movements careful as he scoops her from Asani’s arms, holding her like she’s the most fragile thing in the world. He doesn’t say a word, his focus locked on her as he starts walking. Asani follows close behind, his shoulders tense as his gaze flicks to the trees, always watching for another threat.
River shifts seamlessly into his wolf form, taking point ahead of us as Remi moves to my side, his expression grim.
That wasn’t just magic. It wasn’t just evil. The weight of his presence, the raw force he carried, was something I’ve never feltbefore. It made Silas look like a petty tyrant. It made Calista’s chaos seem like child’s play.
This? This was something older. Something worse.
We make it back to the heart of the packlands in record time, the energy between us thrumming like a live wire. Wolves are already gathering as we emerge from the tree line—Nightshades and Sapphire wolves both, their faces pinched with worry as they sense the tension in the air.
Asani moves ahead to open the door to the packhouse and Darius strides inside, Nepheline still cradled in his arms. Her head lolls faintly, her face pale, but she’s breathing. That’s all that matters.
The heart is full of people—all of them waiting for answers.