THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 26

Episode 18-2

“How long was I out?”

“Two hours.” He set down his book. “You severed an artificial bond. That’s not exactly easy.”

I sat up slowly, taking inventory. My chest felt… empty. Strange. But not bad. Like a wound that had finally stopped bleeding.

“The bond is gone.”

“Completely. Katherine checked.” He studied me with those ice–blue eyes. “How do you feel?”

“Free.” The word came out surprised. “I feel free.”

“You look different, too. Your eyes.” He moved closer. “They have silver in them now. Permanent.”

I touched my face reflexively. “Is that normal?”

“For a seventh–generation daughter who’s come into her power? Yes.” He smiled slightly. “You’re beautiful,

Σ

by the way. In case you were wondering.”

Heat flooded my face. “I wasn’t.”

“Liar.” But his smile was warm, not mocking. “Your wolf is more present now, too. I can feel her. She’s strong.”

“She’s angry.”

“Good. Anger will keep you alive.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Then Adrian spoke again.

“My mother told me about your death. About how you came back.”

My breath caught. “She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone.”

“I’m not anyone. And you’re going to need someone who knows the whole truth when you face the Council.” He leaned forward. “They’re going to try to break you, Sera. Make you submit. Use every psychological weapon they have.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because they’re very good at it. They’ve been controlling Luna’s for centuries.” His voice was serious. “But you have an advantage they don’t know about. You’ve already died. You’ve already lost everything. There’s nothing they can threaten you with that scares you more than what you’ve already survived.”

He was right. What could the Council do to me that was worse than drowning in a frozen river while wrapped in silver chains?

Nothing.

Episode 18-2

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For being here. For helping.”

Claim

‘My mother asked me to. But even if she hadn’t…” he looked at me intently. “There’s something about you, Sera. Something that makes me want to protect you. To stand beside you when everything falls apart.”

The air between us felt charged. Dangerous in a completely different way than anything Damien had ever been.

“The mate’s bond with Damien was fake,” I said. “But I don’t know if I’m ready for anything real. Not yet.”

“I’m not asking you to be,” he said, offering his hand. “I’m asking you to let me be your ally. Your friend. And maybe, someday when this is over, something more.”

I took his hand. “I can do everything.”

“Good enough.” He pulled me to my feet. “Now come on. Katherine wants to run through Council session scenarios. Apparently they have some nasty tricks you need to be ready for.”

We worked until midnight. Katherine and Elena played different Council members, attacking me with every psychological manipulation in the book.

They questioned my competence. My sanity. My right to challenge the pack hierarchy. They implied I was having an affair with Marcus. They suggested I was suffering from bond rejection madness.

Each time, I held my ground. Each time, I got better at deflecting, at turning their attacks back on them.

By the end, Katherine looked satisfied.

“You’re ready. Not perfect, but ready.” She handed me water. “Remember, the goal isn’t to win them over. It’s to survive long enough to reach your birthday. Once your power manifests, you can challenge them directly.”

“Two more weeks,” I said. “My birthday is November twenty–eighth.”

“Thirteen days until your powers peak. Three days until the Council session.” Katherine met my eyes. “Can you hold on that long?”

I thought about Sophie Chen’s face when I’d promised to help her. About the twelve onfega families sleeping safer because I’d acted. About Marcus and Lucas and all the pack members who’d started looking at me differently. With hope instead of pity.

“Yes. I can hold on.”

“Then let’s get you home.” Marcus appeared in the doorway. He’d been waiting patiently all day. “You need a rest before Monday.”

The drive back was quiet. I dozed against the window, exhausted but at peace for the first time in weeks.

“The bond is gone,” Marcus said suddenly. “I can feel it. You’re not tethered to him anymore.”

“Katherine helped me break it.”

Episode 18-2

“How do you feel?”

“Like I can finally breathe.” I looked at him. “Like I’m finally myself again. Or maybe for the first time.”

He smiled. “Good. Because the woman you’re becoming is incredible”

We arrived at pack territory near dawn. The Pack House loomed ahead, and I could feel Damien inside, probably pacing, probably planning what he’d say to me.

“Ready?” Marcus asked.

I thought about the bond that no longer controlled me. About the power humming under my skin. About Adrian’s words: You’ve already died. There’s nothing they can threaten you with.

“Ready.”

I walked into the Pack House with my head high.

Three days until I faced the Council.

Thirteen days until my power peaked.

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And absolutely no fear left to hold me back.

TO BE CONTINUED…

D Dewumi Ezekiel

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