The Luna Rebirth

phin

arters. Sleep refused to come, my mind too alive with questions and plans. I hadn't anticip

e, filled with wolves who didn't recognize me. I could feel the weight of their suspicion the moment I stepped past the gates. And K

eps. The soft scuff of boots against stone grew

aps someone sent t

tray of food. Her hair was tied back in a simple braid, and h

she said, setting the tray

embled slightly. She was young, probably new to her

ng to the door before she spoke

hough the word felt

wed. "You don't

nse of hope. Perhaps not everyone here would se

ted, as if unsure whether to an

k me. I smiled faintly, though it

urned my attention to the tray, eating quickly. I needed my strength. The

-

ran

e on. My Beta, Rowan, sat to my left, his expression grim. Across the table, th

d, his voice carrying the weight of his years. "We've d

. Magnus was predictable, always opting for the hars

eeping my tone measured. "If anything,

comment. He had learned long ago to let me

es her trespass?" Magnus

understanding why she's here would be a mistake.

ward. "What do you propose, Alpha

n in the holding cells until we've ha

ery well. But tread carefully, Kieran. A rogue's presence

ing out one by one. Rowan stayed behind, his ar

a risk with thi

window that overlooked

ike the othe

g about her was off-familiar in a way that made my chest tighten. But I could

to figure it out

icism was clear. "Let's hope s

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phin

eated to their homes. My cell remained cold and unwelcomi

atching carefully, noting their patterns. The current one,

ned from the cot's frame into my palm. The man outside

es. I stepped out, my bare feet making no sound on the stone floor. My

m was

the outer gate, the forest stretching before me like an old

the pack that betrayed me. And if I had t

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ran

p, the unease that had been gnawing at me all day surging to th

he said with

t through me. "What

aid, stepping inside. "No sign of a stru

angerous in my mind. "Find her," I o

choing in the quiet. I didn't wait for the patrols to organ

oppressive. My wolf urged me forward, his instincts sharper tha

ng, the moonlight illuminating her figure. She didn't flinch whe

un," I said,

her tone calm. "I'm

ttled me, but I didn't let it sh

f something unreadable cro