Page 75 of Luna's New Reign
Nepheline’s whimper cuts through the moment like it’s pulled straight from her soul. “Maverick,” she whispers, her voice trembling as her eyes crack open. Midnight. They’re that dark, endless midnight again, flecked with faint swirls of light, like tiny stars caught in the abyss. “He’s near. I can feel him.”
My chest tightens. I know exactly who she’s talking about.
Locke.
I brush my fingers through her hair, smoothing it back as I press a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll bring him home,” I murmur, my voice low and steady, though it takes everything in me to keep it that way. “Anything less is not an option.”
Nepheline rolls onto her back suddenly, the tension gone from her shoulders as she sinks into the softness of the nest. She looks ethereal like this, her hair spilling around her like a flame against the pale pillows. Her midnight eyes flick toward me, and then she does it—her hands cradle her growing belly, a small, almost secretive smile tugging at her lips.
“She’ll grow up in a world where all of you are here,” she murmurs. “With all of her fathers.”
I freeze.
My gaze snaps to hers, my chest tightening as her words settle like a slow burn in my ribs.She?A grin pulls at my lips, sharp and unbidden. “Baby girl, huh?”
Nepheline nods, her thumb brushing idly over the small swell of her belly. “I don’t know how I know, but I just…do.”
Something warm spreads through me, softening the edges of all the darkness clawing at the back of my mind. Adaughter.Our daughter. For a moment, the world outside disappears, and it’s just us—just her and me and the little life growing inside her. I lean down, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to her lips. She hums softly, her fingers threading through my hair to pull mecloser, her magic rippling faintly against my skin like a whisper of warmth.
“You’re incredible, you know that?” I murmur against her mouth, my voice rough.
Nepheline just hums as her lids fall shut, the exhaustion from using so much magic taking over. I lay down beside her again and pull her into my arms, content to just hold her. We’re having a baby girl. I just hope that when she’s born, we’ve defeated the First Alpha and given our child a world she can be completely free in.
35
MATEO
The air tastes of ash and blood. It clings to my tongue, bitter and metallic, as I watch the wolves limp their way back toward the packlands. The battlefield is eerily silent now, save for the occasional growl or pained whimper carried by the breeze. Moonlight spills through the trees, casting long, dark shadows that feel like they’re swallowing the ground beneath our feet.
It’s not over. Not even close.
“Gather everyone,” I command, my voice low but carrying the weight of my authority. River moves immediately, his gray wolf shifting back to his human form as he starts organizing the chaos.
Darius stands at the edge of the field, his shoulders tight, his eyes scanning the tree line like he’s waiting for something—orsomeone—to reappear. I know how he feels. I saw it too, thatthinglurking in the darkness, its golden eyes cutting through the veil like twin flames. The First Alpha. A monster pulled straight from our nightmares.
I exhale sharply, shoving my own fear down into the pit of my stomach. I can’t afford to let it show. Not now.
By the time the wolves are gathered, I stand at the center of them, my shoulders back, my gaze sharp as it sweeps over their worn and bloodied faces. Remi stands beside me, quiet but radiating warmth, his presence grounding me. River is a step to my left, stoic as ever. Asani is on my right, his expression unreadable, though I can see the wheels turning in his head.
All eyes are on me.
“You saw it,” I begin, my voice steady even as the memory claws at the back of my mind. “You felt it. The darkness beyond the veil isn’t some story told to scare pups. It’s real. The First Alpha is real.”
A ripple of murmurs passes through the crowd, their fear tangible. Wolves shift uneasily, their eyes flicking toward the edges of the packlands as if expecting to see those molten gold eyes staring back at them.
“But hear me now.” I raise my voice, my tone sharp enough to cut through their unease. “That darkness does not define us. It willnotdestroy us.” I look out at them, wolves who’ve fought beside me, wolves who’ve doubted me, and wolves who’vebledfor me. “This land has protected us for generations. The magic that runs through the veil—through thepacklands—is alive, and it’s on our side. Mother Nature herself chose this place to protect. She choseus.”
Their eyes are wide now, filled with hope clashing against fear. Good. Let them hold both. Hope without fear is useless. Fear without hope is suffocating.
“And we haveher.” My voice softens just slightly as I think of Nepheline. My mate. My Luna.Our Luna. “We haveThe Luna. The legends say she’s the heart of the magic, the anchor that binds all of this together. If those stories are true, then we are already destined to win.”
A few wolves murmur in agreement. Others nod, their shoulders straightening as they draw strength from my words.
“We don’t back down,” I say firmly, my voice cutting through the silence. “We don’t run. Wefight. For our pack. For our Luna. For the future that belongs to all of us.”
I see heads lift. Resolve spreads through the crowd like wildfire, burning away the lingering embers of doubt.
But of course, there’s always someone who has to push.