The storm arrived just after midnight, as if the Moon Goddess herself was providing cover for my escape. Rain lashed against the windows of my guest room as I finished packing the last of my essentials. My hands trembled slightly, but my resolve remained firm.
"We're doing this for you," I whispered to my unborn pup, placing a protective hand over my stomach. "For us."
I checked the time—12:17 AM. The perimeter guards would be changing shifts in exactly eight minutes. During that brief window, the eastern sector would be momentarily vulnerable.
I slipped out of the guest room, my footsteps silent on the carpeted hallway. The Pack House was eerily quiet, most wolves asleep after the chaos of yesterday's failed ceremony. I wondered briefly where Alex was—with Skye, no doubt—but pushed the thought away. It no longer mattered.
Outside, the rain soaked through my clothes instantly. I welcomed the cold, letting it sharpen my senses as I made my way to the security panel near the eastern fence. As future Luna, I'd been privy to all the security codes—a privilege Alex had never thought to revoke.
My fingers flew over the keypad, disabling the alarms for exactly three minutes. Then I ran.
The moment I cleared the fence, I shifted, my silver wolf bursting forth with desperate energy. My pregnancy made the transformation slightly more difficult, but my wolf was strong—stronger than Alex had ever given her credit for.
I ran faster than I'd ever run before, my paws eating up the distance as lightning split the sky overhead. The neutral territory between pack lands was dangerous—rogues and wild animals roamed freely here—but I had no choice.
"Just a little further," I urged myself as my muscles burned.
The border between neutral territory and Royal Lycan land was marked by a river—wide, swift, and treacherous. I hesitated only briefly before plunging in, the icy water stealing my breath.
Halfway across, my strength began to fail. The current pulled at me, threatening to sweep me downstream. My wolf whimpered, exhaustion setting in.
*Not yet*, I thought fiercely. *Not until we're safe*.
I dragged myself onto the opposite bank, collapsing onto the muddy ground. My wolf form trembled with fatigue, but I forced myself up. The Royal Lycan border was just ahead—heavily guarded, but my only hope.
As if summoned by my approach, torches flared to life along the boundary line. Shadowy figures emerged from the darkness—Royal Guards, their postures alert and weapons ready.
"Identify yourself!" a deep voice commanded.
I shifted back to human form, the transformation leaving me naked and shivering on the forest floor. Instinctively, I covered my stomach with one arm.
"I seek asylum," I called out, my voice steadier than I felt. "I am Bella Hughes, a skilled Healer from the Silver Moon Pack."
The guards approached cautiously, their expressions impassive beneath their helmets.
"A rogue healer?" one asked, skepticism evident in his tone.
"Not a rogue," I corrected, rising to my feet despite my exhaustion. "A healer seeking sanctuary and training. I offer my services in exchange for safety."
Something in my voice or bearing must have impressed them. The lead guard exchanged glances with his companions.
"Stand tall," he ordered. "Let me see your eyes."
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze directly. "I am not afraid."
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "Get her a cloak and escort her to the palace. The King will want to see her."
---
The Royal Lycan Palace rose before me like something from another world—ancient stone towers blending seamlessly with modern architectural elements, all bathed in soft golden light.
I was led through corridors of polished marble to a chamber where a single figure stood with his back to me, gazing out at the storm-lashed gardens.
"Your Majesty," the guard announced. "The healer from Silver Moon has arrived."
The man turned slowly, and I found myself face to face with Lycan King Kieran Shaw.
I recognized him instantly from a diplomatic gala years ago—the quiet intensity in his eyes, the commanding presence that filled a room without effort. He had watched me then from across the hall, his gaze thoughtful but never approaching.
Now, that same thoughtful gaze assessed me—taking in my disheveled appearance, my mud-stained skin, the defiance in my stance despite my exhaustion.
"So," he said, his voice deep and measured, "you've come at last."
Something in his tone made me wonder if he'd been expecting me.
Without warning, his nostrils flared slightly—detecting the subtle scent of my pregnancy, I realized with a jolt of panic.
But instead of exposing me, he simply nodded.
"You will be granted asylum," he declared, turning to his attendant. "Prepare quarters for her in the palace wing. She begins training at the Royal Healer Academy tomorrow."
I stared at him in surprise. "Just like that?"
A hint of a smile touched his lips. "Just like that."
As he dismissed the guards and turned back to me, I felt something shift inside me—not the mate bond breaking, but something new beginning to form in its place.
