Page 78 of Luna's New Reign
“Do that,” I say quietly, my gaze lingering on the blood swirling in the vial.
I turn on my heel and leave the clinic, my mind already halfway to Nepheline. The weight of the pack hangs heavy on my shoulders, the fractures in the magic pressing like a constant ache in my chest. I don’t know if it’s fate or nature or some twisted combination of both, but I know one thing for certain.
We’re running out of time.
And I’ll be damned if I let it take any of us down.
36
MATEO
The morning light barely crests the edge of the horizon as I slip out of the nest, the warmth of Nepheline’s body still clinging to my skin. My heart aches leaving her like this, her swollen belly cradled by her hands even in sleep, her midnight eyes closed but her magic still humming softly around her like a protective cocoon.
Last night, we all held her, cherished her. I’d watched as Darius massaged her feet, River stroked her hair, and Remi whispered something that made her laugh—an honest, carefree sound I hadn’t heard in weeks. Maverick and Asani were quieter, their touches reverent, their love shining in the way they leaned into her.
And me? I didn’t leave her side. I couldn’t. Not when every part of me screamed that this might be the last night I’d have her in my arms before the storm broke. The nest still smells of us—her scent, her magic, her love—and I carry that with me as I stepinto the kitchen, pulling on my boots and preparing for what’s to come.
Earlier, one of the guards tracking the pack of the Forbidden found where they were located and it’s all we need to face them to rid the packlands of this darkness. Unfortunately, that means leaving Nepheline.
“You’re thinking too much again,” Remi says from behind me, his tone soft but teasing.
I turn, watching as he leans casually against the doorway, a half-eaten piece of bread in one hand, his hair mussed from sleep. “You’d be too if you were in my head,” I mutter, tying the laces with a little more force than necessary. He chuckles as I check on Nepheline one last time, watching her turn over to curl up in Darius’ arms.
It takes some effort to pull myself away and meet in the heart, waiting for the wolves going with us to gather. Others hang just along the edge of the heart, watching and waiting, worried murmurs carrying through the air. By the time we’re all gathered outside, the air is sharp with anticipation. The pack is awake now, the wolves lined up to see us off, their faces a mix of fear and hope. I step forward, my mates behind me, each one a steady presence that grounds me as I turn to face Nepheline.
She stands in the doorway of the packhouse, her swollen belly cradled in her hands, her midnight eyes fixed on me. The way the light catches her hair, the way her magic shimmers faintly around her—she looks like a goddess, fierce and radiant.
“You’re gorgeous,” I tell her through the mindlink, unable to keep the thought to myself. “When I get back,” I murmur, “there will be our baby girl waiting for us. I’ll bring him back, Neph. I promise.”
Her smile widens, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ve already brought him back, Mateo,” she whispers. “I’m just waiting for him to cross the lands.”
I always believed that Locke would return, there was no doubt about that but seeing that she worked her magic to do it on her own, in her own way means more than anything else. I lean down, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips, pouring everything I am into that touch. “I love you,” I whisper against her mouth, my voice cracking.
She pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, her midnight eyes unwavering. “I love you too. Darius is here with me and the doctor. And Victoria is just across the way. Now go.” I kiss her one last time before shifting and heading toward the crystal forest.
It feels like a kick in the gut that the Sapphire wolves aren’t at our sides, fighting with us but Victoria made it very clear that that wasn’t their place in bringing back the magic. They’ve settled in on the Nightshade packlands to help run things while we’re gone,just in case.I nearly begged Nepheline at one point to have Victoria by but realized that our Omega had all the help she needed.
A smile tears across my face as her last words filter through the mindlink.
>>> Come back to me or I’ll drag you back and kill you myself.
The magic thrums around me like a second heartbeat, pulsing in my veins as I lead the wolves through the forest. The packlands feel distant now, the protective veil thinning beside us with every step as we move to the west. It’s a strange sensation—like leaving behind a shield you didn’t realize you were leaning on.
On either side of me, Remi and River move seamlessly in practiced precision, their dark fur blending with the shadows. Asani follows close behind, his usual calm now laced with a tension I can feel even without the bond. Bo and Elias flank the group, two Alphas from the pack of the Forbidden bringing up the rear. They’ve all been quiet since we set out but I didn’t expect to share any conversation.
Not on a day like today.
Maverick’s voice cuts through the mindlink like a whisper of wind. >>>It’s quiet. Too quiet.
I glance up, catching a glimpse of him soaring overhead in his crow form, his wings cutting through the dawn light like blades. His presence is a comfort—a set of eyes we desperately need, watching from above.
>>> What do you see?I ask, keeping my voice as steady as possible despite the unease crawling up my spine. With the new magic, each of the wolves can hear our conversation, not just my mates.
There’s a pause, then a low, shaky exhale.>>> Darkness,Maverick says, his voice tight.>>> It’s worse than we thought, Mateo. So much worse.
My stomach drops. I stop, raising my head to signal the others to halt. The wolves behind me pause immediately.
A ripple of unease moves through the group, the pack bond trembling faintly as fear trickles in.>>> This isn’t a battle we can predict. We’re fighting against something unnatural. Something that was never meant to exist. If any of you feel like you can’t do this, if you need to turn back to protect your families, I won’t hold it against you. No one here will.