THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 49

Episode 31-1

THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Chapter 31: New Threats, Old Enemies

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Three weeks after the ceasefire, life at Crescent Moon had settled into something resembling normalcy. The school is thriving with twelve students now. The reformed packs were rebuilding. Diana had solidified her position as Clearwater’s Alpha. Marcus was planning his mating ceremony.

And I was six months pregnant, moving slower but no less determined.

“You need to rest more,” Katherine said for the hundredth time as I reviewed security reports in my office.

“I’ll rest when I’m dead. Again,” I looked up the documents. “Have you seen these reports from the northern territories?”

“The missing wolves? Yes. Concerning, but not necessarily our problem.”

Six wolves disappeared in three weeks. All from packs near the Canadian border. All young, all unmated.” I tapped the map. “That’s a pattern.”

It could be rogue attacks. Or human trafficking.” Katherine sat across from me. “Sera, you can’t fix every problem in the supernatural world.”

“No, but I can investigate patterns that look suspicious. I pulled up more files. “Three of the missing wolves are daughters. Low generation, but still.”

That got Katherine’s attention. “You think someone’s hunting daughters again?”

“I think we destroyed one conspiracy, and someone else decided to take advantage of the chaos,” I said, stretching my back. “I want to send a team north. Investigate quietly.”

“Not you.”

“Obviously not me. I can barely see my feet anymore.” I smiled ruefully. “But Elena could go. Take some of the older students, the ones who need field experience.”

“Jade, Riley, and Maya?”

“Exactly. They proved themselves with Harrison. They can handle reconnaissance.” I looked out the window at the training grounds where Lily was sparring with Lucas. “How’s our youngest doing?”

“Her gift manifested last week. Empathy projection, like Jade’s, but stronger. She can broadcast emotions to multiple targets simultaneously.” Katherine’s voice held pride. “She’s extraordinary.”

“They all are. We’re building something special here, Katherine.”

“We’re building a target.” She didn’t sound happy about it. “Every daughter we gather, every student we train, we paint a bigger bullseye on Crescent Moon.”

Episode 314

“Better a target that can fight back than scattered victims hiding in fear.”

Before Katherine could respond, Marcus burst through the door.

“We have a problem Council Member Brennan is here with guests. Says it’s urgent.”

“How urgent?”

“Three Alphas from the European Council are urgent.”

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My stomach dropped. The European Council meant old power, old traditions, and very little tolerance for American reform movements.

“Give me five minutes to change into something that doesn’t look like a tent.” I was wearing comfortable maternity clothes that were definitely not appropriate for diplomatic meetings.

“They’re waiting in the formal receiving room. And Sera?” Marcus looked worried. “They brought silver chains. Official Council restraints.”

“Restraints for whom?”

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“I don’t know. But nothing good ever came from Council members carrying silver chains.”

Ten minutes later, I entered the receiving room wearing formal Alpha attire adjusted for pregnancy. Adrian flanked me on one side, Marcus on the other.

Three unfamiliar Alphas stood with Council Member Brennan, two men, one woman, all radiating old power and barely concealed disdain.

“Alpha Sera Nightshade.” The woman spoke first, her accent British and her tone ice–cold. “I am Alpha Sophia Blackwood of the London Council. This is Alpha Klaus Weber of Berlin, and Alpha Jean Laurent of Paris.”

“Welcome to Crescent Moon.” I kept my voice neutral. “To what do I owe the honor?”

“Hardly an honor.” Klaus’s voice was harsh. “We’re here because of complaints. Multiple European packs have reported young wolves disappearing, traveling to Arnerica to join your… school.”

“The school is voluntary. No one is forced to attend.”

“Nevertheless, you’re destabilizing the European pack structure by recruiting their young people,” Sophia pulled out a document. “We have a list of seventeen European daughters currently residing at Crescent Moon. We’re here to retrieve them.”

“Retrieve them?” I felt power crackling under my skin. “They’re not property to be retrieved. They’re wolves who chose to seek training.”

“They’re pack members who abandoned their responsibilities without permission.” Jean stepped forward “Under Council law, Alphas have the right to reclaim pack members who leave without proper authorization.”

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“Under whose Council law? Yours of ours?” I looked at Brennan. “Did you authorize this visit?”

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