Alpha's Claim: A Lunar Legacy

le, their faces etched with determination, while three other pack elders-grizzled warriors with scars that told stories of countless battles-lea

they're coming tonight. We're outnumbered, but we have the advantage of terrain. The western approach is

re," he said, pointing to two spots along the ravine. "Spikes, pits, anything to slow

eam to the cliffs. Archers can rain arrows down on them while they're

spoke up, his voice rough as gravel. "And what about the camp? I

a spot near the camp's center. "Enough to hold the line if it comes to that.

bating tactics. Saoirse listened intently, her mind racing. She wasn't a strategist, but she understood survival. She'd spent her l

to her, some surprised, others skeptical. She pressed on, undeterred. "If we can draw some of

flicker of pride in his ey

small group could move through here, make noise, draw attention. Make them think we're trying t

's risky," she said. "Whoever goes will b

aid, her voice firm despi

n darkening. "No," he said, his tone leaving no

t, I know how to move quietly, and I've survived worse th

all shifted uncomfortably, while Aisling's lips twitched with a reluc

se. "You're not a warrior, Saoirse. You've proven you

blazing with determination. "I'm not asking for your permission

lexing at his sides as he wrestled with his instincts. Finally, he exhaled sharply, his voice rough. "Fine. But you're n

respect in his eyes as he lo

lowed Conall to gather her team, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and resolve. She was no long

ed toward Lugh's Claw. The traps Conall's team had set snapped and splintered, felling wolves with brutal efficiency, while Aisling's archers unleas

with dark eyes and a scar across her cheek. They moved silently, their steps muffled by the forest floor, until they reached a clearing just south of the

charged toward the sound. Saoirse's heart raced as she led Fionn and Maeve deeper into the woods, drawing the enemy fu

her voice cutting through t

ush. She could hear the wolves behind her, their growls growing louder, closer. Her legs burned,

ted with blood, its eyes locked on her. She recognized

er her. His face was twisted with rage, his hands clenched into fists. "You thought you could run from me?"

d, her voice steady despite the fear

backhanding her with enough force to send her sprawling to the ground. Her vision blurre

trees. Declan. His wolf form was a whirlwind of fury, his jaws snapping at Cillian's throat. The

he knew she couldn't match their strength. Then she saw it-an opening. Cillian's focus was entirely

s jaws around the alpha's throat. With a final, brutal twist, it was over. Cill

broken. Declan shifted back, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his wounds. He turned t

rough as he pulled her into his a

ith a fierce, unyielding light. "I told you I could f

ce in his hands. "You did more tha

ver-the Blackthorns would regroup, and new threats would rise-but for now, they had won. And in that victory,

would face what