The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 My Father’s Men

Chapter 49 My Father’s Men

Cindy’s POV:

I stopped short. It felt like an invisible hand had grabbed my heart and squeezed hard.

It was Spike Dinwiddie.

He was my father’s bravest front-line commander, an elder who had watched me grow up.

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Ten years ago, after he injured his leg, my father sent him to Southreach to help with border defense. I never thought I would see him here.’

“Spike.” I forced back the sting in my nose and pulled my lips into a stiff smile.

“My God! It’s really you!” Spike rushed up to me. He wanted to hug me, but then hesitated, worried the grease and dirt on him would stain my armor. He wiped his hands on his clothes in a panic, then settled for giving my shoulder a heavy slap. “It really is you! You look exactly like the Old Duke did when he was young!”

The other old soldiers crowded in right away, eyes shining with excitement.

“That aura! No mistake about it! Pure Silverpeak blood!”

“Kid, what are you doing in this dump?”

Spike’s booming voice drew even more attention, but he didn’t care. He grabbed my arm eagerly. “By the way, how’s the Old Duke? I haven’t been back to Northmere in five years. My letters never got a reply. That stubborn old man is still strong, right? Still training with his blade bare-chested in the snow every winter?”

“Yeah,” an old soldier with one arm leaned in, grinning. “I heard Northmere’s been peaceful over the past few years. Is the Old Duke enjoying life at home now, holding his grandkids? Silverpeak Pack must be huge by now, right? How many new pups have awakened?”

They talked over one another, words tumbling out fast. Every sentence felt like a red-hot knife stabbing straight into my chest.

I looked at their faces-so full of pride and hope.

They were far from home, holding the hardest line at Southreach. What kept them going was the belief that Northmere still stood strong. That Silverpeak Pack was unbreakable. It was sacred ground to every werewolf. It was their root.

If I told them now that Silverpeak Pack was gone…

If I told them the Old Duke, who trained in the snow, had been torn apart, his body never fully

recovered…

If I told them the pups they dreamed of were all killed by vampire blood magic, leaving nothing behind…

Their faith would shatter.

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18:04 Sat, Jan 10 GR

Chapter 49 My Father’s Men

With a battle so close, the army’s spirit would break.

རྟ་(64]

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“Cindy, don’t say it,” Diana whispered in my mind. Her voice trembled, close to tears. “Please. Don’t take their light away. Not now.”

Words choked in my throat. The bitterness made it difficult to breathe.

I took a deep breath. My nails dug deep into my palm, using the pain to keep my face from shaking.

“My father…” I paused, forcing my voice to stay steady. “He’s doing well.”

The moment the lie left my mouth, it felt like my soul was scorched.

“He’s still strong,” I went on, weaving the lie tighter. “He can eat over 20 pounds of beef in one sitting.” I kept going, even though every word hurt. “The Silverpeak Pack is … thriving. Everyone misses you all.”

“Hahaha! I knew it!” Spike threw his head back and laughed. Tears shone in his one good eye. “That old fool must’ve been sick of us worn-out veterans. That’s why he never wrote back! As long as the pack still stands, as long as the Silverpeak banner is still flying in Northmere, we can die here in Southreach without fear! Our people will make sure we get a proper burial.”

“That’s right! We still have roots!” the old soldiers shouted together.

I looked at their smiling faces, and my heart felt like it was about to split open.

“Spike,” I took a step back, unable to meet their eyes, “the situation is urgent. I’m here to deliver intelligence to Prince Adam. We can talk more after the battle.”

“Oh! Right, right! Duty first!” Spike quickly stepped aside, straightened his back, and gave a formal Northmere salute. “Go, little one! Don’t let those vampires get the upper hand! We’ll be waiting on the front line for your command!”

“Go.” Prince Adam had been standing behind me in silence. Now he reached out and rested a hand lightly on my back. It was quiet support, but it held weight.

I turned and left, almost running.

I didn’t stop until their laughter was swallowed by the wind and sand. Then I leaned against a hitching post, my whole body shaking.

“You did the right thing,” Adam said softly, handing me a handkerchief. His voice was low. “As Grand Marshal, sometimes you have to be cruel, even to your own people.”

I didn’t take the handkerchief. I only lifted my head and forced the tears back into my eyes.

“Let’s go, Your Highness,” I said, my voice cold as ice. “To the command tent. I want those jerks that pushed us to this point to pay for it.”

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18:04 Sat, Jan 10