Chapter 26
the air than though the walls themselves are suffocating on Half the park stands divided, their vores ions behind their words palpate My wolf prowls inside me reale and grated apratad
This beary with ten raised in disagree, the
Stil forward the head table, his dark gure meeping arross the room te speaks with calm authority, yet I sense the storm within him.
gaze radm “We can sit fly ry while Iyara and Dation grow ronger. The recent one belongs to us–it was meant to proters this park, not destroy others.”
Achorus of prote
maris
risk our lives for a reli? someone words from the corner, his wolf seeping into his voice “It’s not just about the stone, Alpha. If we go after them, uy lose everything–row families, war derritory”
“Isnt it enough that they’ve taken so much already a younger woman ouers, her voice tremiding with anger. “They killed my mate. They’ve destroyed smaller packs–do we wait for them to destroy us to
bastian raise a hand, silencing them. My heart aches for him. This is what leadership demands: calm in chaos, strength in doubt. But even as he holds the room together, I can feel the cracks forming
Then, through our bond, I feel something else a surge of pain, sharp and unrelenting. Lucian
Iclutch the edge of the table as the sensation rolls through me. It’s fleeting for powerful, like a howl carried on the wind. My wolf whines, clawing a me to move, to find him.
He’s in danger.
“Dena?” Sebastian’s voice cuts through the house. He’s looking at me now,
me now, concern etched into his features.
“I’m fine,” Ilie, straightening. But the truth is far from fine. Every instinct within me screams that something is wr
is wrong.
Before I can say more, the doors to the council room burst open. Rowan stumbles in, his clothes torn and bloodied, his breathing labored. His wild eyes find mine first, then Sebastian’s.
“Teschped,” he gasps, collapsing to his knees. “Lucian. Lyanna has him. She’s declared herself Alpha of the pack, and Darius–he’s building an army. They’re targeting smaller packs, one by one. They’ll come here next.”
The room falls into stunned silence.
Sebastian’s hands curl into fists, his jaw tightening. “And Lucian? What have they done to him?
Rowan hesitates, guilt flashing across his face. “They’re keeping him alive for now. But they’ll kill him if they have to. I dont know her exact plans but Toverheard something about a blood moon and using his blood for a ritual. They don’t care about him–they want power.. Something is definitely off with Lyanna because she subdued Lucian very easily
The council explodes into chaos again, but I can’t hear them. All I can think of is Lurian. My mate, trapped in the hands of our enemies. My wolf howls inside me, urging me to go to him, to rip apart anyone who stands in my way.
“Enough Sebastian roars, slamming his palm against the table. The room falls silent once more. He looks at me, then Rowan. “We cannot be them bring the fight to us. If we wait, we’ll be overrun. We take the fight to them, on our terms.”
His words send a ripple of unease through the room.
“You want to start a war?” one of the elders asks, incredulous.
Sebastian shakes his head. “No. I want to end one before it begins. Lyanna and Darius are threats we can’t ignore. They’ve made their intentions clear. If we don’t act now, we’ll lose not just Lucian, but everything we’ve fought to protect.”
The plan takes shape quickly–a swift strike, focused and deliberate. Assassinate Darius and Lyanna, retrieve the Crescent Stone, and rescue Lucian. It’s dangerous, nearly impossible, but the alternative is worse.
“Who will lead this?” someone
asks.
Moon Rise of Female Alpha
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Den’s POV
The council room feels heavy with tension, the air thick as though the walls themselves are suffocating un. Half the park stands divided, their voices raised in disagreement, the emotions behind their words palpable. My wolf prowls inside me, restless and agitated:
Sebastian leans forward on the head table, his dark gare sweeping across the room. He speaks with calm authority, get I sense the storm within him. “We cannot sit idly by while Lyanna and Darius grow stronger. The Crescent Stone belongs to us–it was meant to protect this park, not destroy others.”
A chorus of protests erupts.
risk our lives for a relic?” someone snarls from the corner, his wolf seeping into his voice “It’s not just about the stone. Alpha If we go after them. may lose everything–mir families, mur territory!”
“Isn’t it enough that they’ve taken so much already?” a younger woman counters, her voice trembling with anger. “They killed my mate. They’ve destroyed smaller packs–do we wait for them to destroy us too?”
Sebastian raises a hand, silencing them. My heart aches for him. This is what leadership demands: calm in chaos, strength in doubt. But even as he holds the room together, I can feel the cracks forming
Then, through our bord, 1 feel something else surge of pain, sharp and unrelenting. Lucian.
1 chitch the edge of the table as the sensation rolls through me. It’s fleeting but powerful, like a howl carried on the wind. My wolf wines, dawing me to move, to find him.
He’s in danger.
“Elena?” Sebastian’s voice cuts through the noise. He’s looking at me now, concern etched into his features.
Tm fine.” Ilie, straightening. But the truth is far from fine. Every instinct within me screams that something is wrong.
Before I can say more, the doors to the council room burst open. Rowan stumbles in, his clothes torn and bloodied, his breathing labored. His wild eye find mine first, then Sebastian’s.
“I estiped,” he gasps, collapsing to his knees, “Lucian Lyanna has him. She’s declared herself Alpha of the pack, and Darius–he’s building an army They’re targeting smaller packs, one by one. They’ll come here next ”
The room falls into stunned silence.
Sebastian’s hands curl into fists, his jaw tightening “And Lucian? What have they done to him?
Rowan hesitates, guilt dashing across his face. “They’re keeping him alive. for now. But they’ll kill him if they have to. I dont know her exact plans but I overheard something about a blood moon and using his blood for a ritual. They don’t care about him–they want power.. Something is definitely off with Lyanna because the subdued Lucian very easily
The council explodes into chaos again, but Teant hear them. All I can think of is Lucian. My mate, trapped in the hands of our enemies. My wolf howls inside me, urging me to go to him, to rip apart anyone who stands in my way.
“Enough” Sebastian roars, slamming his palm against the table. The room falls silent once more. He looks at me, then Rowan. “We cannot it them bring the fight to us. If we wait, we’ll be overrun. We take the fight to them, on our terms.”
His words send a ripple of unease through the room
“You want to start a war?” one of the elders asks, incredulous.
Sebastian shakes his head. “No. I want to end one before it begins. Lyanna and Darius are threats we can’t ignore. They’ve made their intentions clear. If we don’t act now, we’ll lose not just Lucian, but everything we’ve fought to protect”
The plan takes shape quickly–a swift strike, focused and deliberate. Assassinate Darius and Lyanna, retrieve the Crescent Stone, and rescue Lucian. It’s dangerous, nearly impossible, but the alternative is worse.
“Who will lead this?” someone asks.
12:00
Chosen by the Moon Rise of Female Alpha
Chapter 26
“I will,” şebastian says without hesitation.
My stomach twists. “No,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. All eyes turn to me, but I don’t care. “You’re the Alpha. If you fall, this park falls. You
“I can,” he interrupts, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And 1 will. This set up for debate, Elena.“
“You’ll be
lead the pack in my absence,” he says firmly. “They need someone strong, someone they trust. That’s you.”
An uneasy silence falls on the room and I know exactly what they are thinking, Joel. My unpredictable wolf I feel the familiar panic rise in my throat. How do I lead a pack who do not trust me? Or even like me?
en my mouth to protest, but the words catch in my throat. He’s already made up his mind.
The meeting disperses shortly after, the pack left to prepare for what’s to come. I linger behind, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders
Sebastian approaches me, his expression softening. “I know this isn’t what you want, but it’s what the pack needs.”
“Are you sure, Sebastian? Any one of the elders in the council could do this. I don’t even trust myself. Remember Jo
“Elena, you are a Hunter and we don’t back away from anything. I know you can do this and I wouldn’t have it otherwise. It’s time you stopped doubting yourself, girl”
He chucks me under the chin in that playful brotherly manner he has gotten used to. Tears come unbidden into my eyes.
“Lean’t lose you
you too,” I whisper.
“You won’t,” he promises, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Elena. And Lucian, we’ll bring him back. I swear it.”
I nod, but the ache in my chest doesn’t lessen.
That night, I stand on the balcony overlooking the pack’s territory. The moon hangs heavy in the sky, its silver light casting long shadows over the fores! My wolf paces within me, restless and agitated.
“Ejena,” Rowan’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He steps onto the balcony, his face etched with guilt.
“You should be resting,” I say.
“I couldn’t. Not after what I saw.” He hesitates, then adds, “Lucian he fought so hard to protect us. He didn’t deserve this.”
“None of us deserve this,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nods, then places a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll lead them well. I know you will.”
His words are meant to comfort, but they only deepen the weight I feel.
As dawn breaks, the pack gathers to see the team off. Sebastian stands at the head of the group, his presence commanding. He gives final instructions, his voice steady despite the uncertainty ahead.
I step forward, meeting his gaze. “Be careful,” I say, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay strong.
“I will,” he promises, pulling me into a brief but fierce embrace. “Keep them safe, Elena. That’s all lask”
As they disappear into the forest, I’m left standing at the edge of the territory.
my heart heavy with worry.
The pack is mine to protect now, but all I can think about is Lucian. His pain, his fear–they echo through our bond, a constant reminder of what’s at
stake.
The fight has begun, and there’s no turning back.
