THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 80

Episode 42-1

Episode 42-1

THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Preparations

The next two weeks were a blur of controlled chaos.

+25 Points

The Warriors trained eighteen hours a day. Katherine and Elena drilled the students relentlessly in combat applications of their daughter’s gifts. Marcus oversaw the construction of defensive barriers, trenches, and strategic chokepoints throughout our territory.

And I balanced being Alpha with being a mother to a rapidly developing infant who now spoke in complete sentences and occasionally moved objects with her mind when excited.

“Luna, we talked about this,” I said for the tenth time that morning as another toy floated past my head. “Telekinesis only during practice sessions.”

“But Mama, it’s faster.” My seven-week-old daughter, who now had the cognitive abilities of a fifteen-month-old, pouted at me. “Walking is slow.”

“Walking is how most beings get around. You need to learn patience.” I caught the floating toy and handed it to her properly. “Besides, using your gifts constantly will exhaust you. Power management is important.”

“Like you managed power when you portaled to Seattle while bleeding?” She tilted her head, too knowing for her age. “Katherine told me that story.”

“Katherine has a big mouth,” I muttered. “And that was an emergency. Different situation.”

“Everything has been an emergency lately,” Luna clutched her toy, a stuffed wolf Katherine had given her. “Bad men are coming. Everyone was scared. You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared.”

“You are. I feel it.” She touched my hand. “Through bond. You scared for me.”

I knelt down to her level. Luna was in her playpen in the corner of the war room, where I could watch her while coordinating defense preparations. Not ideal parenting, but necessary.

“You’re right. I am scared of you. Because I love you more than anything.” I touched her face gently. “But that fear makes me strong, not weak. It helps me fight harder to protect you.”

“I protect too. I’m strong.” Silver light flickered around her small hands. “I protect Mama.”

“Luna, no. You’re seven weeks old. Your job is to be safe, not fight.”

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Episode 42-1

“Not baby.” Her expression was fierce. “I understand things. I can help.”

+25 Points

This was the problem with accelerated development. Luna had the mental capacity to comprehend the danger we faced, but she was still an infant physically. The disconnect was creating challenges neither of us knew how to handle.

“You help by being alive and safe. That’s the most important thing.” I pulled her into my arms. “Promise me, Luna. When the fighting starts, you stay in the bunker with the other children.

No matter what.”

“Even if you need me?”

“Especially if I need you. Because knowing you’re safe will let me fight without distraction.”

She thought about it, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay, Mama. I promise.”

A knock at the door. Diana entered, looking exhausted but determined.

“Latest intelligence from our scouts. Blackthorne’s coalition is mobilizing. They’ll be in position to attack in three days, maybe four.”

“Sooner than we thought.” I stood, settling Luna on my hip. “How many packs confirmed?”

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