I had wished that after I burned the past bond items, the Alpha and Beta would finally leave their Luna in peace. But they did not.
Several days passed within the pack territory and slowly, Alden began to act as though nothing had occurred. Fresh flowers were delivered to my chamber again. Messages came through my crystal communicator, gentle and light, asking how my day as Luna had been, sharing small jokes, even trying to press a brief greeting kiss when we crossed paths near the manor gates. It felt as if the recent moons of pain had never existed.
Draven followed the same path, stepping back into his role as the elder brother.
Warm drinks delivered, shared memories when we were a pup and easy laughter. Each time they said, “We regret it, Luna. Let us fix this,” it sounded less like remorse for betrayal and neglect and more like an excuse for a minor scrape during training.
Then came the sudden invitation to dine.
“Our offering,” Alpha sent. “The old gathering den. You remember it.”
Part of me wanted to erase the message and pretend it never reached my mindlink. But another quieter part, the tired, worn part of my wolf, wondered if perhaps we could close this bond without anger. Without bitterness.
So I came.
The moonbrew den had not changed. Wooden tables worn smooth by time, low lantern light, soft music humming through rune charms. The scent of herbs and roasted meat filled the air, mixed with memories I was unsure I wanted to reclaim.
I watched Alden and Draven laugh, as we once had and for a brief moment, it almost felt… bearable.
Then Alden’s crystal communicator glowed. He glanced at it and froze.
“It is Selene,” he said under his breath, frowning.
“What? Speak clearly… attacked? By the rogues? Where are you?” His voice sharpened as he rose abruptly.
In moments, both Alden and Draven were standing.
“She is crying,” Alden explained, tension tight in his voice. “She was harmed. We must go to her.”
There were no farewells. No glance toward me. They rushed out, as though the Moon Goddess herself had called them.
I remained seated, staring at untouched food, the small lantern flame slowly fading. I paid the moon-credits myself.
Outside, the sky broke open. Thunder rolled across the land and rain fell heavily upon the stone paths. The streets were empty, no moonchariots, no passing pack warriors. The den keeper offered a cloak, but the doors were already sealed for the storm. I had no choice but to walk.
Each step felt heavy. My arm throbbed beneath its healing wraps. My body ached. Yet worse than the pain was the storm itself. Thunder had always terrified me since I was a pup. Lightning and roaring skies made it feel as though the world would be torn apart.
I pulled my cloak tighter and kept moving, the territory blurred by rain and shadow.
Then, a flash of light. A loud horn call. A moonchariot rushing fast.
There was no time.
Darkness claimed me.
When I woke, everything felt unnaturally soft. I blinked beneath dim lantern light, pale stone walls surrounding me. My body hurt, but the pain felt distant, dull. I turned toward the movement near the wall.
“Alden…?” I whispered.
It was not him.
A man sat quietly nearby. Tall, dressed in dark cloth, his eyes unreadable. He did not move until I tried to rise.
“You are awake, my Luna,” he said calmly. “Do not strain yourself.”
“Who… are you?” I asked.
“Kaegan,” he replied. “I found you after the accident and brought you to the Healer Sanctum. You were unconscious.”
I wished to ask more, but the room spun and darkness returned.
When I woke again, Kaegan was gone. No message. No mark. No trace through the mindlink.
Only one message remained on my crystal communicator.
From my mother. [Mindlink me when you begin your journey. Everything is prepared. Go back to our pack, my darling.]
I did not tell her what had happened. I could not. I would not burden her heart.
The healer told me I was fortunate. The moonchariot struck from the side. No bones were broken. Still, I needed several more days to rest.
So I stayed. Alone.
When the day of release arrived, I returned to the manor only to gather the final remnants of my belongings before leaving the Stormfang pack lands.
That was when Alden appeared in the chamber doorway.
“Good, Luna, you returned,” he said lightly. “We needed to tell you… We sold your moonchariot. And some of your belongings. Selene required emergency moon-credits and….”
“What?” I froze. “You sold my things?”
“Calm yourself,” Draven said, entering. “We will repay you. Selene has suffered since the attack. She needs care. Could you prepare meals for her? She has not eaten well.”
I stared at them. “Are you truly saying this to your Luna?”
Draven frowned. “Where were you anyway? Selene said you attended a gathering after the den meal. You were absent when she needed you. That was selfish.”
I laughed, empty and bitter. “A gathering. Of course.”
Then I threw the parchment toward them.
“There. That is where I was. The Healer Sanctum. You left me in the storm. I walked through thunder and rain. I was struck by a moonchariot.”
“What…?” Alden whispered. “You were injured?”
“I thought you were safe with others,” Draven murmured. “Selene said….”
“Of course she did,” I interrupted. “It is always Selene.”
Before they could respond, a sharp cry echoed through the stone passageway.
“Help! Alden, Draven, it hurts! Please!”
Selene. Always Selene.
I did not wait. I turned away, crossed the threshold and walked on, leaving them behind.
