Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 462

Chapter 462

JEROME

I stared at the map spread across my makeshift war table, my hands clenched so tightly my knuckles had gone white. Red markers indicated territories that had withdrawn support from Xenois’s coalition. Blue markers showed those still allied with the progressive movement. And black markers-far too many black markers-represented my own forces, scattered and demoralized after the Blackwood rescue disaster.

We were losing.

Not just the battle for regional control, but the narrative itself. And in supernatural politics, narrative was everything.

“They’re calling us cowards,” Marcus-one of my remaining loyal nightwalkers-said from across the room. His voice carried bitter frustration. “Saying we couldn’t even hold two elderly prisoners. That we were humiliated by grandparents who made jokes while escaping.”

“I’m aware,” I said tightly.

I was very aware. The story of Silvia and Samuel Blackwood’s escape had spread through the supernatural community like wildfire. Not the version where we’d tortured them, where we’d had them helpless and chained. No, people focused on the parts where Silvia had mocked my fashion sense. Where Samuel had laughed himself breathless. Where they’d stolen classified documents and executed some kind of explosion technique and walked out like it was a minor inconvenience.

We’d become a joke. I’d become a joke.

The nightwalker who couldn’t hold prisoners. The coalition leader whose carefully planned revenge operation had been derailed by elderly werewolves with a sense of humor.

“How many have we lost?” I asked, though I already knew the answer would make my rage worse.

“Seventeen deserted in the last week,” Marcus reported. “Most of them citing concerns about leadership effectiveness and strategic

planning. Three more are questioning whether this cause is worth the risk.”

“The risk,” I repeated flatly. “The risk of standing up to werewolf packs that have spent centuries treating non-wolves like second- class citizens. The risk of demanding justice for atrocities committed during the territorial wars. That risk?”

“With respect, sir,” another voice spoke up-Celeste, one of my werewitch operatives, “it’s not about the cause anymore. It’s about

whether we can actually win. The Blackwood rescue should have been our statement operation. Proof that we could strike at the heart of

traditional power structures. Instead, it proved that two retired alphas in their late sixties are more formidable than our entire coalition.”

“They had help,” I snapped. “Unexpected help from people who shouldn’t have even known about the operation.”

“Which suggests intelligence leaks,” Marcus said carefully. “Or precognitive abilities we didn’t account for. Either way, it’s a problem.”

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Chapter 462

It was more than a problem. It was a catastrophe.

I’d planned the Blackwood kidnapping for months. Coordinated with multiple supernatural groups. Created what should have been an impenetrable prison. And it had fallen apart because I’d underestimated everyone involved.

I’d underestimated Silvia and Samuel’s ability to manipulate and escape despite their age and injuries.

I’d underestimated Xenois’s tactical response and willingness to coordinate with other alphas.

Most critically, I’d underestimated the children.

Five-year-old children who’d opened portals and provided tactical guidance and shifted odds that should have been impossible to

overcome.

And a seventeen-year-old werewitch with plasma abilities who’d disintegrated three of my best fighters without hesitation.

“Show me the updated threat assessment, I commanded.

Celeste pulled up a holographic display, highlighting key individuals in the progressive coalition.

“Primary threats remain the same,” she said. “Alpha Xenois Blackwood-tactical genius, strong alpha with loyal pack. Alpha Zade- experienced leader with progressive policies and dangerous mate. Luna Lumina—surprisingly effective fighter who killed a nightwalker in close combat, which should be impossible.”

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