Ch. 381..385: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 381-385

Chapter 381: The Marked One

Nova's POV

The weight of betrayal still pressed heavily on my chest as I left the council chamber.

My hands trembled at my sides, the urge to destroy something coursing through me.

Liora's face haunted my mind her laughter, her kindness, the way she had brought light to every room she entered.

Now, that light was gone, extinguished by Rowena's greed and fear.

I couldn't even look at Killian. His silence, his complicity, felt like another dagger in the back.

Drystan hadn't spoken since we left. His rage was simmering, barely contained, but I knew it would erupt soon.

We had to keep moving. If we stopped now, the weight of our anger and grief would bury us.

"Where to now?" I asked quietly as Drystan and I stepped into the night.

He didn't answer at first, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on the dark forest ahead.

Finally, he said, "We need answers. If Rowena's betrayal is the beginning of this, the Rogue King is the end. And I know someone who might know how to end him."

"The marked man," I said, understanding instantly.

Drystan nodded. "Liora mentioned him in her journal. He's the only lead we have."

The journey back to where Liora and I used to live was long and tense. We moved quickly, our senses sharp, knowing that rogue patrols could appear at any moment.

The forest was quiet, the kind of quiet that made your wolf restless.

Drystan led the way, his movements precise and deliberate. I stayed close, my fingers brushing against the hilt of my blade.

The memory of the ambush at Emberwood ruins was still fresh in my mind, and I wouldn't let my guard down again.

After hours of travel, we reached a small clearing. In the center stood a modest hut, its wooden walls weathered and covered in moss.

Smoke curled from the chimney, the only sign of life in the otherwise desolate area.

"This is it," Drystan said, his voice low.

"You're sure he's still here?" I asked, scanning the area for any signs of a trap.

Drystan nodded. "He's too stubborn to leave. If anyone knows about the Rogue King's plans, it's him."

He stepped forward, knocking sharply on the door. The sound echoed in the quiet clearing, and for a moment, there was no response.

Then, the door creaked open, revealing a man with a scar running down the left side of his face.

His eyes were sharp, his gaze assessing as he looked us over.

"You've got some nerve showing up here," the man said, his voice rough.

"We need your help, Gavril," Drystan said evenly.

Gavril leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "And why should I help you?"

"Because the Rogue King is coming," I said, stepping forward. "And if he gets what he wants, none of us will survive."

Gavril's eyes flicked to me, narrowing slightly. "You're Nova," he said. "Liora's sister."

The mention of her name made my wolf stir, a mixture of pain and resolve rising in my chest. "You knew her?"

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "She came to me once, asking questions about the Rogue King. Smart girl. Too smart for her own good."

I clenched my fists. "Then you know what happened to her."

"I know what Rowena did," he said bluntly. "And I know why."

Drystan growled low in his throat, but I placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to focus. "What do you know about the Amulet?" I asked.

Gavril sighed, stepping back and gesturing for us to enter. The inside of the hut was cramped and dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of herbs and old wood.

"The Forsaken Amulet," Gavril began, lowering himself into a worn chair, "was created centuries ago by a rogue Almega who wanted to break the bond between Alphas and their Packs He believed it would free wolves from what he called 'oppressive hierarchies.' Instead, it destroyed everything it touched."

"How?" I asked, leaning forward.

"The Amulet amplifies power," Gavril said. "But it also corrupts. It twists intentions,

feeds on fears and doubts, until it consumes its wielder completely."

Drystan frowned. "Then why does the Rogue King want it?"

"Because he thinks he can control it," Gavril replied, "He believes it'll give him the strength to overthrow every Pack in the region. And maybe it will-at least for a while. But in the end, the Amulet takes everything. It's cursed."

His words sent a chill through me. The Amulet's presence in the council chamber

had already felt wrong, as though it was watching us, waiting for the right moment

to strike.

"Is there a way to destroy it?" I asked.

Gavril hesitated, his gaze flicking

between me and Drystan. “There is,” he said finally. "But it won't be easy The Amulet is bound to its creator's bloodline. Only someone with a connection to that bloodline@an destroy it."

My stomach sank. "And who is that?"

Gavril's expression darkened. “The Rogue King himself."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over us.

"So we have to kill him," Drystan said grimly.

"You'd have to kill him anyway," Gavril said with a shrug. "But yes, if you want to destroy the Amulet, you'll need his blood."

I exchanged a glance with Drystan. This was bigger than either of us had anticipated. Not only did we have to face the Rogue King, but we had to get close enough to him to use his blood against the very weapon he sought to wield. "Thank you," I said quietly, standing.

Gavril gave a short nod. "Don't thank me yet. If you fail, it's all over-for all of us."

As we left the hut and stepped back into the clearing, the night felt darker than before. Drystan's silence was heavy, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"What now?" I asked softly.

"We prepare," he said, his voice hard. "We gather every warrior, every ally, and we

take the fight to him."

"And Rowena?"

His jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "She'll get what she deserves.

But first, we end this."

I nodded, the memory of Liora's laughter echoing in my mind. For her, for the Packs, for everything we'd lost-we would finish this.

 

Chapter 382: The Cursed Relic

Astrid's POV

The air in the council chamber was heavy, almost suffocating, as Killian explained what Nova and Drystan had learned.

The Amulet wasn't just a weapon-it was a curse, a relic tied to the Rogue King's bloodline.

Destroying it would require a confrontation with the one enemy we couldn't afford to lose to.

The warriors gathered around the table exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions grim.

"The Rogue King won't wait for us to come to him,” Killian said. “He'll strike first. And when he does, he'll bring every rogue under his command. If we're not ready, it's over."

Nova's voice was steady, though I could hear the anger and pain beneath it. "We can't let him use the Amulet. If it falls into his hands, he won't just destroy the Packs-he'll twist everything we've built into his version of chaos."

I glanced at the Amulet, its faint glow seeming almost malevolent.

Just looking at it made my wolf uneasy, as if it could sense the darkness radiating from the artifact.

"What's the plan?" Drystan asked, his tone sharp.

"We take it to the Emberwood ruins," Killian said. "It's the only place where we can face him without endangering the Pack. If we're lucky, we can draw him out, use his blood to destroy the Amulet, and end this."

"And if we're not lucky?" Nova asked, her voice edged with bitterness.

Killian's gaze was hard. "Then we fight. To the last wolf, if we have to."

The journey back to the Emberwood ruins felt longer than it should have.

The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife replaced by an oppressive silence.

The warriors moved in formation, their senses sharp, every step deliberate.

I stayed close to Killian, my thoughts racing as we approached the ruins. My wolf was restless, uneasy about what lay ahead.

"We've been here before," I murmured, my gaze scanning the familiar trees.

Killian nodded. "But this time, we're not the ones being hunted."

His words were meant to reassure me, but they didn't. The Rogue King was out there, watching, waiting.

When we reached the ruins, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the crumbling structures.

The Amulet pulsed faintly in Killian's hands, its glow brighter now, as if it could sense we were nearing the end.

"We set up defenses here," Killian ordered, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Nova, Drystan, and I will take the Amulet to the vault. The rest of you secure the perimeter."

I wanted to argue, to insist on staying by his side, but I knew better. Killian was doing what he always did-protecting us, even if it meant putting himself in danger.

"Be careful," I said softly, meeting his gaze.

He nodded, his expression softening for just a moment. "Always."

Inside the ruins, the air was colder, heavier. The walls seemed to close in as we descended into the hidden chamber where we'd first found the Amulet.

"This place feels wrong," Nova said, her voice low.

"It's the Amulet,” Drystan replied. “It's been here too long, feeding on the energy of this place."

The pedestal where the Amulet had rested was still there, its surface cracked and

worn.

Killian placed the artifact back on it, the glow dimming slightly as it settled into place.

"It's a trap," Nova said suddenly, her eyes narrowing.

Drystan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"They're already here," she replied, her voice sharp. "The Rogue King wouldn't let

us come this far without a plan of his own."

The attack came swiftly, the first

rogue striking from the shadows et

Chaos erupted as the chamber filled

with snarls and the clash of claws and steel.

I fought my way through the fray, my wolf surging forward as I tore through one rogue after another.

The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, the sound of battle deafening.

Killian and Drystan stood side by side, their movements perfectly synchronized as they defended the pedestal.

Nova was a blur of motion, her claws ripping through a rogue that lunged for her back.

"They're trying to take the Amulet!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the noise.

Killian growled, his claws slicing through a rogue that got too close. "They won't get it."

The battle raged on, but the rogues kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. My body ached, my movements slowing as exhaustion set in.

"They're stalling," Nova said, her voice tight. "The Rogue King isn't here yet. He's waiting for us to tire."

"Then we finish this before he gets the chance," Drystan replied, his voice filled with determination.

He lunged forward, taking out three rogues in quick succession. Killian followed, his claws and teeth a blur as he carved a path through the enemy.

For a moment, it seemed like we might win. But then the air shifted, growing

colder, darker.

"He's here," Nova whispered, her voice trembling.

The Rogue King emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding, his eyes glowing with a predatory light.

He was taller than I'd imagined, his frame imposing, his movements fluid and deliberate.

"You've come far," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "But this ends here."

Killian stepped forward, his claws flexing. "We'll see about that."

ет

The Rogue King smiled, his gaze flicking to the Amulet. "You've done

me a great favor, bringing it here.

Now hand it over, and I'll make your deaths quick."

"Not a chance," Drystan growled, positioning himself between the Rogue King and

the Amulet.

The tension in the room was electric, every wolf poised to strike. The Rogue King tilted his head, his smile widening.

"Very well," he said. "Let's see if you're as strong as you think you are."

 

Chapter 383: The Siege

Astrid's POV

The Emberwood ruins were eerily silent as the last rays of sunlight bled into the horizon.

The warriors moved like shadows among the crumbling walls, setting traps and reinforcing defenses.

Every sound seemed amplified-the crunch of boots on gravel, the rustle of leaves in the wind, the faint metallic clink of weapons being prepared.

Killian stood at the edge of the ruins, his gaze fixed on the darkening forest.

His shoulders were tense, his posture rigid, but his voice was steady as he issued commands.

"They'll hit us hard and fast," he said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of authority. "Hold the line. Protect the Amulet. Do not let them break through."

I nodded, standing by his side. "The rogues won't stop until they have it. But we won't let them win."

He glanced at me, his jaw tight. "No matter what happens, Astrid, promise me you'll make it out of this."

I reached for his hand, squeezing it briefly. "We both will."

The first howl cut through the stillness like a blade.

My wolf tensed, her instincts flaring as the sound was joined by another, then another, until the forest was alive with the chilling cries of the rogues.

"They're here," Nova said, her voice low and grim.

The warriors snapped to attention, forming a defensive line at the edge of the ruins.

I could see the fear in some of their eyes, but it was tempered by determination. They knew what was at stake.

The rogues emerged from the shadows, their forms barely visible in the dim light. At first, it was a trickle-scouts testing our defenses. But then the flood came.

"Hold the line!" Killian roared, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The warriors met the attack head-on, claws and teeth clashing in a storm of violence.

The air was filled with snarls, the sickening crunch of bones, and the metallic tang of blood.

I stayed near the Amulet, my eyes scanning the battlefield. Its faint glow seemed

to pulse in time with the battle, as though it was feeding off the chaos.

"Don't let them get near it!" I shouted, slashing at a rogue that had slipped past the front line.

Nova and Drystan were in the thick of it, their movements deadly and precise.

Nova fought with a ferocity that belied her injuries, her claws tearing through any rogue that dared approach her.

Drystan was a whirlwind of power, his wolf unleashed as he protected those around him.

As the battle raged on, the rogues seemed to grow more desperate, their attacks more coordinated.

My wolf snarled as another wave broke through the defenses, forcing me to fight them back with everything I had.

"Nova, watch your left!" I shouted, seeing a rogue lunge toward her.

She spun just in time, her claws slicing through its neck. But the movement left

her open, and another rogue took advantage, slashing at her side.

"Nova!" I screamed, rushing to her side.

She staggered, her hand pressed to the deep wound in her ribs.

Blood seeped through her fingers, her face pale but her eyes still blazing with determination.

"I'm fine,” she muttered, though her voice was strained.

"You're not," I said firmly, grabbing her arm.

Drystan appeared beside us, his face dark with worry. "She's done

enough," he said, his voice roug.nete

"I'll

get her out of here."

"No," Nova protested, trying to pull away. "I can still fight."

"Stop being stubborn," I said, my voice softening. "We need you alive, Nova. Let Drystan take you to safety."

For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze flicking between us. Then, finally, she nodded.

Drystan lifted her into his arms, his expression fierce as he turned to me. "Keep them alive," he said, his voice low.

"Go," I replied, watching as he carried her away.

The rogues pressed harder, their numbers seemingly endless. My muscles

burned, my breath coming in ragged gasps, but I refused to stop.

Killian fought beside me, his claws and teeth a blur as he tore through our enemies.

"They're trying to overwhelm us," I said, panting as I drove my claws into a rogue's chest.

"That's what they do," Killian replied grimly. "But they won't win."

His words were steady, but I could see the strain in his movements. We were all reaching our limits.

The ground beneath us trembled suddenly, a deep rumble that sent a chill down my spine.

"What was that?" I asked, my voice sharp.

Killian's gaze snapped to the forest, his expression darkening. "He's here."

The Rogue King stepped into the clearing, his presence commanding, his eyes glowing with a sinister light.

He moved with purpose, his warriors parting to let him pass.

“Killian,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "You've done well to hold out this long. But it ends here."

Killian stepped forward, his claws flexing. "We'll see about that."

The Rogue King smiled, his sharp

teeth glinting in the moonlight. "et

don't need the Amulet to

you. But I'll enjoy taking it

nonetheless."

His words sent a ripple of unease through the warriors, but Killian stood firm.

"Everyone, fall back to the center!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the tension.

We regrouped around the Amulet, forming a protective circle as the Rogue King advanced.

"You're outnumbered," he said, his tone almost amused. "And outmatched. Surrender now, and I might spare a few of you."

"Not a chance," I said, stepping forward to stand beside Killian.

The Rogue King tilted his head, his gaze settling on me. "Astrid," he said, his voice almost purring. "You've always intrigued me. So much power, so much potential. And yet, yott follow him."

"Save your breath," I snapped. "You won't win."

He laughed, a deep, chilling sound that echoed through the ruins. "We'll see."

 

Chapter 384: Rowena’s Betrayal

Killian's POV

The Emberwood ruins were silent, but it was a deceptive kind of peace.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and ash, and every shadow seemed to whisper of danger.

Warriors moved through the wreckage with weary purpose, tending to the

wounded or reinforcing what defenses we had left.

Nova rested in one of the makeshift infirmary tents, her pale face a stark reminder

of how close we'd come to losing everything.

Drystan was at her side, his usual stoicism replaced by a quiet but fierce protectiveness.

Astrid was near the council chamber, her presence a steadying force as warriors gathered to plan our next steps.

The weight of the siege hung heavily on us all, but the real burden sat in the back of my mind: the Amulet.

We reconvened in the council chamber later that evening. The warriors who could stand attended, their faces etched with exhaustion.

The Amulet, I thought, would be the center of this conversation-our next move, our strategy. But when I stepped into the chamber, my heart sank.

The pedestal where the Amulet had been placed after the battle was empty.

"Where is it?" Astrid asked sharply, breaking the tense silence.

A ripple of unease passed through the room.

Drystan stepped forward, his gaze scanning the area like a predator searching for prey. “It was here after the battle. I saw it myself."

"Search the room," I ordered, though dread had already taken root in my chest. The Amulet wasn't misplaced. It couldn't simply vanish.

Warriors began to check every corner, overturning tables and searching the surrounding areas, but I knew it was futile.

"It's gone," Astrid said, her voice grim.

"Who took it?" Nova's voice trembled with both anger and fear as she leaned on Drystan for support.

Before anyone could answer, a scout burst into the room, his face pale. "Alpha Killian," he said, his voice shaking. "It's Rowena. She's gone."

We followed the scout to Rowena's cell, the tension mounting with every step. When we arrived, the truth was unmistakable.

The door hung ajar, the lock broken cleanly, as though by someone who knew exactly how to dismantle it.

Inside, the shackles lay discarded on the floor, and the faint scent of blood and another wolf lingered in the air.

Drystan's claws flexed at his sides, his wolf rising to the surface. "This wasn't an escape," he growled. "It was a plan. She knew exactly what she was doing."

Astrid knelt near the shackles, her fingers brushing the cold metal. "She didn't do this alone," she said, her voice sharp. "Someone helped her-someone who wanted her free."

My chest tightened as I thought of the Amulet. "If she's gone, then she has it," I said, my voice low and heavy.

Drystan turned to me, his eyes blazing. "You let her live. You trusted her. And now she's taken the one thing that could destroy us."

The scout handed me a crumpled piece of parchment, his hands shaking as he did so. I unfolded it, recognizing Rowena's hurried scrawl:

"You'll thank me for this, though I doubt you'll see it now. The Amulet cannot stay with you-it's too dangerous in your hands. I'll finish what needs to be done, even if it means doing it alone."

"She took it," Nova whispered, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "She

took the Amulet and ran straight to him, didn't she?"

"To the Rogue King," Drystan snarled. "This was her plan all along. She played us, and you let her."

His words hit like a physical blow, but I couldn't argue. I had let her live. I had thought...

Astrid's voice cut through the rising tension. “Enough. We don't have time for this. If Rowena has the Amulet, we need to find her before she reaches the Rogue King. We need her alive."

Drystan's claws dug into the stone wall beside him, his fury palpable "Alive? She's the reason Liora is dead. She's the reason we're all in this mess. And now you want to spare her again?" FindNovel

Astrid turned to him, her eyes blazing. "Yes. Because no matter how much we hate her, she's the only one who can lead us to the Rogue King. And without her, we have nothing."

The room fell silent, but the tension was suffocating. I could feel Drystan's anger radiating from him matched only by Nova's, but there was nothing I could say to ease it. They were right. I had let this happen. FindNovel

The hours that followed were a blur of activity. Scouts were sent out in every direction with strict orders to find Rowena and retrieve the Amulet at all costs.

I stayed behind, sitting near the ruins' edge, staring out into the dark forest beyond.

Astrid found me there, her presence grounding even as the weight of everything threatened to crush me.

"She betrayed us again," I muttered, the words bitter on my tongue.

"She's desperate," Astrid said softly. "And desperate people make dangerous choices."

"She's going to get herself killed," I said, my claws digging into the stone beneath

me.

Astrid placed her hand over mine, her touch warm and steady. "Maybe. But we can't focus on what we can't control. We'll find her, Killian. And we'll stop the Rogue King. Together."

I looked at her, guilt and anger swirling in my chest. "I don't deserve you," I said quietly.

She smiled faintly, though the sadness in her eyes lingered. “Maybe not. But we don't have time for self-pity."

By dawn, the scouts returned with grim news. Rowena's trail was faint, as though she had gone out of her way to cover it, but it led toward rogue territory.

"She's heading straight for him," Nova said, her voice tight with frustration.

"To bargain," Drystan said darkly. "She thinks she can outsmart the Rogue King. That she can use the Amulet to save herself."

"She's a fool," Astrid said, her tone cold. "But if she reaches him, we'll lose our only chance to destroy the Amulet."

I stepped forward, my decision already made. "Then we don't let her reach him. We track her down, and we stop her before it's too late."

Drystan nodded, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I'll lead the first group. We leave immediately."

"I'm coming with you," Nova said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Drystan hesitated but nodded. "Fine. But you stay behind the front line."

Astrid placed a hand on my arm. "And us?"

"We lead the second group," I said. "If the first doesn't reach her in time, we'll be right behind them."

Chapter 385: Gathering Allies

Astrid's POV

The Emberwood ruins were quiet, but the air felt heavy. The scars of the siege remained-bloodstains on the stone, shattered barriers, and weary warriors moving through the wreckage.

The Rogue King's retreat had left a bitter aftertaste, not a victory. We all knew it wasn't over.

Scouts arrived at dawn, their reports grim. The Rogue King was rallying in Shadowfang territory, an area long abandoned after his rise to power.

Worse, his forces weren't just rogues anymore. Several smaller Packs had joined him, their banners seen flying alongside his.

"He's not just uniting rogues," Killian said as we gathered in the council chamber. "He's turning wolves against their own Packs."

The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief and anger.

"What kind of Alpha betrays their kind for a rogue?" one elder growled.

"A desperate one," Nova said, her voice sharp but steady.

She leaned against the table, her injuries still evident. "The Rogue King's offering them something we can't: freedom from structure, revenge against those who've wronged them. He's exploiting every crack in our alliances."

Drystan stood behind her, his arms crossed, his expression hard. "And every wolf that joins him makes us weaker."

The tension in the room was suffocating as Killian addressed the council.

"We can't afford to wait any longer," he said. "We need to rally the Packs who still stand with us. If we let this divide grow, it'll destroy us before the Rogue King ever has to lift a claw."

"Rally them with what?" an elder countered. "Promises of unity? Look around you, Killian. Our warriors are wounded. Our defenses are in ruins. What Alpha is going to stand with us when we can't even protect ourselves?"

I stepped forward, my voice steady. "We remind them what's at stake. The Rogue King isn't just a threat to us. If he wins, he won't stop. He'll tear through every Pack, rogue or not, until nothing is left."

"And if they don't believe us?" the elder pressed.

"Then we show them," Nova said, her voice cold. "The ruins, the bloodshed-let them see what's waiting for them if they don't fight."

The council fell silent, the weight of her words settling over us like a shroud.

Later that day, as the council dispersed, I found Nova sitting alone near the edge of the forest. She stared out at the horizon, her expression distant.

"You're supposed to be resting," I said, approaching her.

She gave me a faint smile. "Resting doesn't fix anything."

I sat beside her, the silence between us comfortable but heavy. "What's on your mind?"

Nova hesitated, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "I found this while we were searching the ruins. It was tucked in Liora's journal."

I took the paper from her, my hands trembling slightly as I unfolded it. The handwriting was unmistakable-Liora's.

"If you're reading this, it means I didn't make it. The Amulet... it's more than just a weapon. It's tied to a bloodline, one that must be protected at all costs. My death was a part of that protection. Please don't let it be in vain."

My heart clenched as I read the words. "She knew," I whispered. "She knew what was coming."

Nova nodded, her jaw tight. "And she gave her life for it. For us."

"We need to figure out what she meant," I said. "The bloodline, the protection-it's all connected to the Rogue King's plans."

Nova's gaze hardened. "Then we'll find the answers. And we'll make sure he pays for what he's done."

That evening, Drystan joined us near the ruins' edge, his expression dark. "The scouts are back," he said.

Killian arrived moments later, his shoulders tense. "What did they find?"

Drystan's voice was cold.

"Shadowfang territory. The Rogue King has fortified his position there And he's training wolves-rogues and Pack wolves alike. Some of them are barely more than pups."

QUMS

A growl rumbled in Killian's chest. "He's building an army."

Drystan nodded. "And it's only going to grow. If we don't move soon, he'll outnumber us completely."

"We can't let him grow stronger,"

Nova said, her voice filled with

anger. "But we also can't face him, blind. We need more information We need to understand what the Amulet means to him and how it ties to Liora's bloodline."

Killian turned to me, his gaze steady. "Astrid, do you think Rowena would know?"

I hesitated, but the answer was clear. "If anyone knows the Rogue King's plans,

it's her. We have to find her."

The Pack began preparing for the journey to Shadowfang territory.

Warriors sharpened their weapons, fortified their armor, and whispered prayers to the moon.

The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on all of us.

As the preparations continued, I caught Drystan alone near the council chamber.

His jaw was tight, his fists clenched as he stared out into the night.

"She was right there," he said, his voice low.

I didn't need to ask who he meant. Liora's name hung in the air between us, unspoken but heavy.

"We'll make this right," I said softly.

Drystan shook his head. "There's no making this right. She's gone. And now Rowena has the one thing that could destroy everything she died for."

His pain was palpable, and I reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll

stop her. And we'll stop the Rogue King. For her."

He didn't respond, but the resolve in his eyes told me he wasn't going to stop fighting.

As the moon rose high above the ruins, Killian and I stood together near the edge of the forest. The

weight of leadership, of survival, pressed heavily on both of us. en FindNovel

"They're scared," I said quietly.

"So am I," he admitted.

QUMS

His honesty startled me, but it reminded me why we fought so hard. For the Pack.

For those we'd lost.

"We'll find Rowena,” I said. "And we'll stop him.”

Killian's jaw tightened, his resolve clear. "We have to."

The forest around us grew darker, the shadows deeper, and I couldn't shake the

feeling that we were heading straight into the storm.