Page 80 of Luna's New Reign

There’s no warning as the super wolves lunge forward, their howls piercing the air as they clash with our wolves. Teeth gnash, claws slash, and the clearing erupts into chaos. My claws sink into the nearest wolf, its unnatural strength nearly bucklingme as it thrashes, but I hold on, tearing into its flesh until it collapses beneath me.

>>> Aim with the darts!River’s voice cuts through the chaos.

The two Betas equipped with the anti-serum move quickly, their precision honed as they take down wolf after wolf. But for every one that falls, another seems to take its place, their sheer numbers overwhelming.

Asani fights beside me, darting in and out of the fray with surgical precision. Bo and Elias hold the line, their massive forms taking hit after hit but refusing to falter.

Through it all, I feel the darkness pressing closer, seeping into my mind like a poisonous fog. My wolf howls in defiance, pushing back against the weight of it, but it’s relentless.

>>> Mateo,Maverick’s voice cuts through the bond. >>>He’s watching you.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see it—the figure standing just behind the ranks, watching us with those molten gold eyes. The First Alpha. My blood runs cold as his gaze locks onto mine, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face.

I snarl, baring my teeth as I throw off the wolf attacking me, its body crumpling to the ground. The real fight is just about to begin and the worst is yet to come.

37

NEPHELINE

The hours since my mates left have been heavy like I’m carrying the weight of the packlands on my chest. The silence in the house is oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of Darius checking on me or the quiet hum of Dr. Ellis as he fusses around. I’m curled up on the couch, the warm lavender tea Darius made me cradled in my hands.

I don’t even like lavender that much, but it reminds me of him, of the way he always knows how to soothe the sharp edges.

The first pain slices through my abdomen like a bolt of lightning, stealing the breath from my lungs. I hiss, my hand flying to my belly as the tea sloshes dangerously close to the edge of the cup.

“Bambi?” Darius’ voice booms through the house, his footsteps thundering down the hallway as he bursts into the room. His eyes are wild, his hands already reaching for me.

I hold up a hand, forcing a shaky smile. “I’m fine,” I manage, though the lingering ache tells me otherwise. “It’s just… it came out of nowhere.”

Darius doesn’t look convinced, his hands hovering like he’s not sure if he should touch me or stand guard. Dr. Ellis steps into the room, his calm presence doing little to ease the tension crackling in the air. “Let me check,” he says, his voice soft as he kneels beside me.

I grit my teeth, nodding as he presses gentle fingers against my belly, murmuring reassurances I barely hear. Another wave of pain crests, but it’s duller this time, a deep ache rather than the sharp stab from before.

“You’re okay,” the doctor says finally, pulling back with a faint smile. “Your body’s preparing. With how close you are to your due date, it’s not surprising that you’re starting to contract. This could go on for days—or it could pick up quickly. It really depends on the magic.”

I nod, my fingers tightening around the teacup. Dr. Ellis’ words feel distant, blurred at the edges.

Because something else is pulling at me.

A whisper.

It’s soft at first, like a breeze brushing against my mind, but it grows louder, more insistent. It’s not the guttural voice of the First Alpha—this is different, familiar in a way that makes my heart stutter.

Locke.

I barely register standing, the tea slipping from my fingers to the coffee table as I wobble toward the back door.

“Neph, what are you doing?” Darius’s voice is panicked as he moves to my side, his hands on my elbow to steady me.

“I hear him,” I whisper, my breath hitching. “It’s Locke. I know it.”

The whisper pulls me harder, like a tether I can’t ignore, guiding me to the door. My hand shakes as I grip the handle and fling it open.

The cold bites at my skin, but I don’t care. Not when Locke is standing there, his massive wolf form framed by the faint glow of the setting sun. His dark fur ripples in the wind and his golden eyes—so much like the ones I remember—are locked on me.

I hear Darius shift behind me, his soft growl of warning vibrating through the bond. >>>Neph, we don’t know if it’s safe yet, he murmurs, his voice low but tense.

But I know. Iknow.