Page 82 of Luna's New Reign
“Well, she has other plans,” I manage, a weak laugh escaping despite the pain. Another contraction rolls through me, and I squeeze his hand tightly, tears streaming down my face. “I wanted to wait for them to be here,” I cry. “I wanted them to see her, to hold her.”
Darius presses a kiss to my forehead, his voice a soothing murmur. “It’s going to be okay, Neph. We’ll get through this. They’ll be back. They always come back to you.”
The pain subsides slightly, and I look over at Locke, who has risen to his feet, his massive form casting a shadow over the nest. His golden eyes meet mine, fierce and determined.
>>> Nothing bad will happen to the packlands while I’m here,he says firmly.>>> I’ll protect you, Nepheline. I’ll protect you both.
His words send a fresh wave of emotion crashing over me, and I nod, my breath hitching. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with gratitude.
Darius moves quickly, his hands steady as he supports me through another contraction. I can feel the bond between us humming with love and reassurance, his presence grounding me as the reality of what’s happening settles in.
My baby girl is on her way.
And even though my mates aren’t here, I know we’ll be okay. Because we’re not alone. Not anymore.
Locke is here.
And for the first time in a long time, hope feels like something tangible—something real.
38
MATEO
>>> You can’t win, the First Alpha growls, his voice cutting through the chaos. >>>You’re fighting against nature itself.
I snarl, my claws sinking into another wolf as I throw it to the ground. >>>This isn’t nature, I snap back. >>>This is you twisting what was never meant to be.
He laughs, the sound dark and guttural, and then he moves.
The First Alpha is a blur of motion, his massive form crashing into River with a force that shakes the ground. River lets out a pained yelp but recovers quickly, his jaws snapping at the Alpha as they grapple. I lunge toward them, but a superwolf intercepts me, its claws raking across my side. Pain flares, but I push through it, slamming the wolf into the ground and tearing into its throat.
>>> We need to separate him,Asani says through the bond, his voice tight.>>> He’s too strong when surrounded by his wolves.”
“I’ll handle it,”Maverick cuts in.
I glance up just in time to see him swoop low, his talons raking across the First Alpha’s face. The Alpha snarls, swiping at Maverick, but he’s too fast, soaring back into the sky with a triumphant caw.
The distraction is enough. River pulls back and I throw myself at the First Alpha, the two of us tumbling backward behind the front lines. My claws swipe across his flank but he barely flinches. His laugh rumbles through the mindlink, dark and guttural, like the roll of thunder.>>> You fight well, Mateo. But it’s futile. She was always promised to me.
My wolf growls low, his rage a steady fire in my chest.>>> You’re delusional,I spit back. >>>It’s too late for that. We’re bonded. She’s brought her brother back to her and you have nothing left to take.
The First Alpha’s laugh deepens, the sound reverberating through the clearing.>>> Is that what you think?”he taunts, his golden eyes locking onto mine.>>> You believe you’ve won because Locke is there? He’ll never be human again. I made sure of that. I’ve already taken everything precious to her.
The words hit like a blow, but I don’t let them show. Instead, I bare my teeth, a dangerous smile spreading across my face.>>> That’s where you’re wrong. Whatever form he’s in, she has her brother back and Nepheline’s magic is stronger than you’ll ever understand. She’s not yours. She never was.
For a moment, something flickers in his gaze—a brief shadow of doubt—but then he laughs again, his teeth bared in a feral grin.>>> You still don’t see it, do you?”he says, his tone almost pitying. >>>I lured you here for a reason.
A cold knot forms in my stomach, but I keep moving, circling him as the battle rages around us. Wolves clash in the background, their snarls and howls filling the air, but his focus is solely on me now.
>>> What happens,”he continues, his voice a low, sinister whisper,>>> when an Omega is left with nothing?”
The words send a jolt of icy fear through me, but I don’t let it show.>>> You’re the one who’s going to have nothing,I growl, my claws digging into the ground as I prepare to strike.
But his laughter cuts through the chaos, sharp and unnerving.>>> You don’t understand the depths of what I’ve done,he says, his golden eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction.>>> Even now, she’s alone. Vulnerable. You’ve left her unprotected, and I…He pauses, his snarl widening.>>> I’ve made sure she’ll feel that emptiness forever.”
Rage blinds me, my wolf surging forward with a ferocity I’ve never felt before. I slam into him, my claws raking across his side as I drive him back. He snarls, his massive form twisting as he counters, his teeth snapping inches from my throat.
>>> You won’t touch her,I growl aloud, my voice a dangerous snarl.>>> You won’t ever touch her.