The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50 Preparation for War

Chapter 50 Preparation for War

Cindy’s POV:

Inside the command tent, a massive map table filled the center of the space.

Red flags marked the wolfguard. Black flags marked the vampires.

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Right now, only a few black flags stood outside Sandskeep, making it look like the enemy had already been defeated.

I stepped forward and pulled out one black flag and stabbed it hard into the northwest corner of the map, at a place labeled Blooddune. Then, I shoved it forward in one sharp motion, pushing it straight toward the vulnerable point of Southreach.

“It’s not just the beaten soldiers,” I said, my eyes locked on the map, my words fast and firm. “Fern-my senior. She’s the top scout from Blackmoon Academy. Her codename is Shadewing.” I didn’t pause. “Three days ago, she sent back classified intel. The vampires used a forbidden portal and moved 300,000 elite soldiers into Uclela.”

“Uclela?” Adam frowned deeply. “That land of rogues and hyenas living together? They let vampires pass through?”

“Hyenas care about money and bloodfeed,” I said with a cold smile. “The vampires paid them enough crystal. They also promised three cities of Southreach as hunting grounds once the war is over.” I pushed the flag again. “Three hundred thousand soldiers, including 3,000 high-level vampire knights. They are moving through Blooddune and hitting Southreach from the side.”

The tent fell silent. Several strategists sucked in a sharp breath.

“Three hundred thousand… ” one of the strategists said, his voice shaking. “We only have 80,000 soldiers here, and most of our supplies are cut off.”

Adam didn’t panic like the others. His eyes stayed on the flag I had placed. His fingers tapped the table without him noticing.

“Is your intel reliable?” he asked, sharp and focused.

“Their intelligence has never been wrong.” I met his eyes without backing down. “Since Your Highness knows where I come from, you should also know this, we see far more in the dark than anyone who sits on a throne.”

“I believe you,” Adam said at once. No hesitation. No doubt. “Blackmoon Academy stays hidden, but it has always been the shield in the night for humans and werewolves. If I can’t trust Shadewing’s report, then I have no right to be Grand Marshal.”

At his words, the tight knot in my chest finally loosened a little. That feeling of someone trusting me without conditions-I hadn’t felt it in a very long time.

“If the intelligence is this solid,” Adam said as he paced around the map table, his voice tight with controlled anger, “why couldn’t you convince my father back at the Royal Court? Even if he’s wary of you,

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Chapter 50 Preparation for War

he’s not stupid. The kingdom’s fall wouldn’t benefit him.”

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“I tried,” I said with a bitter smile. A sour taste rose in my mouth. “I even brought up the academy. But His Majesty believed that—”

“That you were letting personal grudges cloud your judgment,” Adam cut in, “that you were jealous of Evelyn. Right?”

I nodded. “Yes. Given my situation, it’s hard for me to earn his trust.”

Adam took a deep breath to steady himself. Then, he turned back to the map table, staring at the calm- looking defenses of Southreach.

“To be honest, I’ve felt something was wrong for a while,” he said. He pointed toward Evernight Gorge, his eyes dark. “That great victory of Evelyn’s was too easy. Everyone knows this rule, you need to suffer a great loss to win a war. But her report claimed she wiped out the enemy vanguard at almost no cost. Unless the vampires lined up and offered their necks, that’s impossible.”

“They weren’t soldiers,” I added. “They were civilians. Evelyn slaughtered vampire civilians and captured an important noble. That forced the vampires to retreat. This new gathering is most likely revenge.”

There was one more guess I didn’t say out loud. The destruction of my pack was probably for the same

reason.

Adam snorted coldly; a sharp and cold light flashed across his eyes. “I don’t care whether she lives or dies, but she doesn’t get to drag my 80,000 men into the grave with her.”

He spun around abruptly, his cloak flared, and the resolve of a Grand Marshal filled the tent.

“Pass the orders!” His voice struck like steel, echoing through the cominand tent.

“First, lock down all information. No one outside this room is to know about the vampire ambush. I won’t allow panic in the camp. Second, end all rest immediately. The army is to move to full combat readiness. Deploy all scouts to the northwest and report precise distances. Third, gather supplies at any cost. Search everywhere. Seize all stored dried meat and all crystals.”

The strategist hesitated. “Your Highness, without orders from the Royal Court, gathering supplies and raising forces could be considered rebellion. And even if we ask for help from the Royal Court, there won’t be enough time.”

“Wait for reinforcements?” Adam grabbed a pencil from the table and slammed it onto the map. “By the time help arrives, our bones will be picked clean by hyenas. A general at war doesn’t always obey the

throne!”

He turned to look at me, eyes burning. “Cindy, since you’re here, don’t think you’re just a messenger. With the Grand Duchess present, you are one of Southreach’s icons.”

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“What do you need me to do?” I straightened my back. The wolf’s blood inside me began to boil.

“I don’t care how you do it,” Adam said, pointing at the small tribal marks scattered around the map. “You can use your senior’s connections or your father’s reputation. Go gather people. Wild werewolf packs,

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