THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 40

“I’m here!” I called out. Alpha Sera Nightshade. You wanted me, you have me. Let the hostages go.”

A wolf emerged from the main building. Tall, scarred, with the dead eyes of someone who’d killed before and would again.

“The famous Alpha who thinks she can rewrite centuries of tradition.” His voice was mocking. “You’re smaller than I expected.”

“I get that a lot. Right before, I surprised people.” I kept my tone light. “You have a name?”

“You can call me Garrett. Not that it matters. You won’t be alive long enough for names to matter.”

“Garrett. Okay. So here’s the thing, Garrett. I came alone, as you demanded. Now release the hostages.”

“Not until you make your public statement. Rescinding the omega laws, apologizing, stepping down.”

“Can’t do that.”

He laughed. “Then I started killing your precious pack members. Starting with the little girl.” He gestured, and another wolf dragged Sophie forward, knife to her throat.

She was terrified but trying to be brave. Her eyes met mine from the distance.

Every protective instinct i had roared to life. Silver light began crackling around me.

“Last chance, Alpha. Make the statement.”

I took a deep breath. Centered myself. Let my wolf rise to the surface, merging with her completely.

“Okay,” I said. “Here’s my statement.”

I moved.

Faster than Garrett expected. Faster than should have been possible for someone three months pregnant. Daughter speed combined with Alpha strength and wolf instinct.

I was across the distance in seconds, silver light blazing. I ripped the knife away from Sophie’s throat and shoved her behind me, then faced Garrett with power radiating from every pore.

“My statement is this: Anyone who threatens my pack dies.”

Garrett shifted mid–lunge, his wolf massive and battle–scarred. But I’d been training with Katherine for months. I’d integrated with my wolf completely. I’d died and come back.

He was outmatched.

I shifted mid–dodge, my white wolf with silver markings meeting his attack head–on. We clashed, teeth and claws and supernatural strength.

Around us, the other attackers moved to intervene.

Episode 26

That’s when my warriors appeared.

Lucas and his team had been waiting for my signal. The moment I engaged, they struck. Professional. Coordinated. Overwhelming force.

The battle was over in minutes.

Garrett lay pinned beneath me, my jaws around his throat. I could end him. Should end him, maybe. He’d threatened my pack, held children hostage, and tried to use fear to control me.

But I wasn’t on the Council. I wasn’t Aldric Thorne.

I was better.

I shifted back, keeping him pinned. “You’re going to tell me who sent you. Who planned this? Who’s behind the resistance to pack reform?”

“Go to hell.”

“Already been. It’s less impressive than people think.” I leaned closer. “But I can send you there if you prefer. Or you can talk and live. Your choice.”

He spat at me.

I sighed. “The hard way, then.”

I placed my hand on his forehead and let my daughter’s power flow. Bond manipulation was my gift. I couldn’t force him to talk, but I could make him very, very uncomfortable.

Silver light surrounded his head. He screamed.

“Stop! Stop, I’ll talk!”

I pulled back. “I’m listening.”

“Council Member Harrison. From the Eastern Territories.” He gasped. “He’s forming a coalition. Twelve Alphas who want the old ways back. They’re planning a full assault on any pack that adopted your

reforms.”

My blood ran cold. Twelve Alphas meant hundreds of warriors. Thousands of wolves.

“When?”

୮

“Two weeks. The new moon.” He looked at me with hatred. “You can’t stop them. This was just a warning.”

“Then consider my response a counter–warning.” I stood. “Take him to hold. All of them. They’ll stand trial for terrorism.”

An hour later, I sat in my office with Adrian, Marcus, Katherine, and Elena. The hostages were safe. The attackers were secured. But the real battle was just beginning.

“Council Member Harrison,” Katherine said, pulling up information on her tablet. “Eastern Territories Alpha Council representative. Traditional family, extensive resources, influence over at least fifteen packs.”

Cla

“And now he’s organizing a coalition to crush pack reform.” I rubbed my temples. “We knew this was coming. I just hoped we’d have more time.”

“You have two weeks, Elena said. “Two weeks to prepare defenses, call in allies, fortify your position.”

“Or two weeks to go on the offensive,” Marcus suggested. “Strike first, disrupt their planning.”

“We’re not starting a war,” I said firmly. “But we will defend ourselves and our allies.”

Adrian had been quiet, his expression dark. “I found something. While you were handling Garrett, I did some digging into Harrison’s finances.”

He turned his laptop around. Bank transfers, property records, a web of connections.

“Harrison isn’t working alone. He’s receiving funding from someone outside the pack territories. Someone with serious money and a serious interest in maintaining traditional hierarchy.”

“Who?” I asked.

“I don’t know yet. The money’s routed through shell companies and offshore accounts. But whoever it is,

they want the pack reform crushed badly enough to bankroll a war.”

I looked at the screen, at the evidence of conspiracy, and felt a chill run down my spine.

“This is bigger than a few traditionalist Alphas being angry.”

“Much bigger,” Adrian agreed. “This is organized, well–funded, and strategic. Someone’s pulling strings

behind the scenes.”

“Then we pull back,” I said. “Find out who. Expose them. Cut off Harrison’s support before the battle even

began.”

“That’s a dangerous game,” Katherine warned.

“Good.” I stood, a silver light flickering around me. “I’m excellent at dangerous games.”

I’d conquered death once.

Now I’d conquer whoever thought they could destroy what I’d built.

TO BE CONTINUED…

D Dewumi Ezekiel

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