THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 19

Episode 13

THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Chapter 13: Summit Preparations

The announcement came at breakfast.

+25 Points

“Luna Sera will be taking the lead on summit preparations,” Damien declared to the assembled pack. “She’ll coordinate with visiting packs, manage logistics, and represent Crescent Moon to our guests.”

Applause rippled through the dining hall. I smiled graciously, the perfect Luna accepting her new responsibilities.

Inside, I was calculating.

Three months until the summit. Three months to prepare not just an event, but my survival. Adrian Wolfe would be there. Katherine had confirmed it. The hybrid son who didn’t know his destiny was tangled with mine.

After breakfast, I retreated to my mother’s old study with a notebook and began planning.

Two plans, really.

The first was legitimate: venue arrangements, guest accommodations, security protocols. The work Damien expected me to do.

The second was survival: identifying allies among visiting packs, mapping escape routes, determining who on the Council would attend besides Aldric

My phone rang. Unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Luna Sera Nightshade?” A male voice, smooth and controlled “This is Adrian Wolfe. I understand you’re coordinating the summit.”

My heart stopped. It was too early. We weren’t supposed to meet for three more months.

“Mr. Wolfe. Yes, I’m handling arrangements.”

“I have some specific requirements for my accommodations. Security measures, workspace needs. Would you have time to discuss them?”

This wasn’t about accommodations. Katherine must have told him something.

“Of course. When would it be convenient?”

“I’m actually in Seattle this week. If you could meet me here, we could finalize details in person.”

A test. He wanted to meet me away from my pack, away from Damien’s oversight.

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I’d need to clear it with my Alpha.”

+25 Points

“Naturally. Though I imagine planning a summit of this magnitude requires some autonomy.” There was amusement in his voice. I’ve heard interesting things about you, Luna Sera.”

“Have you?”

“My mother speaks very highly of you.”

So Katherine had told him. Not everything, but enough to make him curious.

“Your mother is remarkable.”

“She is. And she rarely takes personal interest in anyone.” A pause. “I’d like to understand why she’s taking an interest in you.”

п

Direct. No games. I could work with that.

“I’ll speak with my Alpha. If he approves, I can be in Seattle tomorrow.”

“Excellent. I’ll send details.” He hung up.

2

I stared at my phone. The timeline was shifting again. In my past life, I hadn’t met Adrian until the summit

itself. Now he was accelerating contact, pulling me into his orbit months early.

Because Katherine had intervened.

Because she knew I needed him sooner.

Damien was predictably resistant.

“Seattle again? You were just there two weeks ago

“Summit planning requires coordination with major attendees. Adrian Wolfe is one of them.” I kept my voice professional. “He has specific security requirements that need to be addressed.”

“Send him an email.”

“He requested an in–person meeting. Apparently, his security concerns are sensitive,” I met Damien’s eyes. “You wanted me to lead this. Let me lead it.”

He studied me, and I could see him weighing control against convenience. If I handled Adrian Wolfe’s demands, he wouldn’t have to.

“Fine. But Marcus goes with you again.”

“Of course.”

Victory. Small, but significant.

Marcus drove us to Seattle the next morning. He’d been quiet since my dinner with Damien, his feelings creating an awkwardness that hadn’t existed before.

“Are you okay?” I asked as we hit the highway.

(Enrade 13.

shouldn’t have told you. About how I feel.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“It made things complicated”

+25 Points

“Things were already complicated.” I looked at him. “Marcus, your feelings don’t change anything between us. You’re still my Beta, my friend, my ally”

“Just not your mate.”

“The mate bond is fake. You know that.”

“Fake bonds still have real effects. And when it breaks, when you’re finally free…” He glanced at me. “Will you even want another bond? After everything?”

I didn’t have an answer.

We drove in silence until we reached the city.

Wolfe Enterprises looked different in daylight. Less intimidating, more corporate. Marcus waited in the lobby while security escorted me to the forty–second floor.

Adrian Wolfe’s office had floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking Seattle, minimalist furniture, and an energy that made my wolf sit up and take notice.

Then he walked in.

Six–foot–four, silver–gray hair, ice–blue eyes that seemed to see through everything. He wore an expensive suit like armor, and power radiated from him in waves that had nothing to do with wealth.

My wolf hummed. Not the desperate pull of the artificial mate bond, something different. Recognition, maybe.

“Luna Sera.” He offered his hand.

I took it. The moment our skin touched, electricity sparked between us. His eyes widened fractionally.

He felt it too.

“Mr. Wolfe.”

“Please, Adrian.” He gestured to a chair. “Can I offer you coffee? Tea?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

We sat, and he studied me with those unsettling eyes. “My mother says you’re special.”

“Your mother is kind.”

“My mother has many things. Kind is not the first word I’d choose.” He smiled slightly. “She’s also rarely wrong about people.”

“What did she tell you?”

< Eproode

+25 Points

“That is your seventh–generation Selene’s Daughter. The Council wants you dead. That you’ll need protection when your powers manifest.” His directness was startling. “And that I’m somehow important to

your survival.”

My breath caught. Katherine had told him everything.

“That’s a lot to accept.”

“I’ve known about Selene’s daughters for years. My mother trained me to recognize power when I see it.” He leaned forward. “What I want to know is why you’re still playing Luna to an Alpha who’s planning to reject you.”

“Because breaking the artificial bond early could kill me.”

“Or you could leave. Disappear. Let me hide from you until you’re strong enough.”

The offer was tempting. Run away, avoid the pain, let someone else handle the danger.

But that wasn’t surviving. That was hiding.

“I need to face this. On my terms.”

Adrian studied me for a long moment. “You’re braver than my mother gave you credit for.”

“I’m terrified.”

“Bravery and terror aren’t mutually exclusive,” he said, moving to the window. “I’ll attend your summit. I’ll watch your back. And when everything falls apart, I’ll make sure you survive it.”

“Why? You don’t know

He turned, and something in his expression made my heart skip. “No. But I’d like to.”

The air between us felt charged. Dangerous.

The door opened. Katherine walked in.

“I see you two have met.”

“You could have warned me,” Adrian said.

“Where’s the fun in that?” She looked at me. “How are you holding up?”

“Barely.”

“Good. Barely is better than broken.” She moved to stand beside her son. “Adrian will be at the summit. He’ll bring his own security, his own resources. When Damien makes his move, you won’t be alone.”

“And if Aldric moves first?”

“Then we move faster.” Katherine’s storm–cloud eyes were fierce. “You’re not dying, Sera. Not on my watch.”

We returned to pack territory that evening. Damien was waiting.

Episode 13.

“How did it go?”

“Fine. Adrian Wolfe’s security requirements are extensive but manageable.”

“Good.” He pulled me close, the artificial bond warming between us. “I missed you.”

“I was only gone one day.”

“Still too long.” He kissed my forehead. “Come to bed. Our bed. Stop sleeping in the guest room.”

Every instinct screamed to refuse.

“Okay,” I said instead.

Because that was the game.

And I was playing to win.

TO BE CONTINUED…

D Dewumi Ezekiel

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