Luna of the Forgotten Pack

, their urgency sharp even through the thick wooden walls. She sat up slowly, her mind still grappling with Caleb's

ack was gathered in clusters, their faces etched with worry. Liam stood at the center, s

xcused himself and strode towar

her voice carried none of the

steering her toward a quie

her arms. "What now? Another warn

one sharper than usual. He took a breath, visibly cal

pack, who were still murmuring am

g. They're preparing for something, and with the blood moon

ed. "And you thin

thing-something powerful enough to tip the balance between the

finished, but the im

plan? Am I supposed to just hide

ing isn't an option anymor

lous. "I'm not a fighter, Liam

s eyes intense. "And we're going to figure out ex

-

egan that

r, their branches forming a natural canopy. The filtered sunlight gave the clear

her a wooden staff he'd brought along

her hands. "This feels... unnecessary. Are y

g her feet. "It's about learning to trust your

basic stance. He walked her through the movements slowly at first

g from her hands more than once. Frustration bubbled up, but Liam re

fter she fumbled f

ound. "This is pointless. I'm not some chosen warrior,

ming. But you're stronger than you realize. You survived Caleb. You'v

She bent to pick up the staff, gripping

id, a faint smile tugging

f gold and crimson. By the time they returned to the clearing, Aurelia's arms ache

r them. Serena approach

tted Caleb's pack near the northern b

shifted instan

. Her eyes flicked to Aurelia. "We need t

ught off guard. "I don't

espond to intent, not knowledge. Your connecti

you help us reinforce the wa

ut finally nodded.

-

w. The air was colder here, biting against Aurelia's skin as she follo

arved into its surface. "These stones are the foundation of the wards

e time?" Au

moon," Serena explained. "That's

o the same. The stone was cold beneath her palm, but a faint wa

ndary in your mind-an unbreakable wall, stro

h beneath her hand grew stronger, spreading through her arm like a current. She pict

ymbols lighting up with a soft golden

ce, steady and reassuring, as she moved to the next marker. By the time they

a said, her tone weary but

accompanied by the distant howl of wolves. Aure

k this will hold th

lied, though his to

shadowed by the flickering flames. Aurelia felt their gazes on her as she pa

still burned low in the hearth. She collapsed

" he said, leaning a

murmured, he

one with her thoughts. Sleep came quickly, but it was restl