Page 17 of Luna's New Reign

Darius hesitates, his gaze dropping to the fire. “I thought I did at first,” he admits. “I was excited, you know? To have them here, to maybe learn something about my family. But now…” He trails off, his hand stilling in my hair. “Now, I don’t know. There’s a disconnect. Like they’re not telling us the whole story.”

We’re all thinking the same thing, even if no one wants to say it out loud.

Something is wrong.

But finding out where the Sapphire wolves’ help ends and their agenda begins is going to be a very difficult thing.

11

ASANI

The day drags on, all of us lounging in Nepheline’s nest until the full moon demands our presence. Sometimes I wish there weren’t responsibilities attached to the seven of us, that we could just focus on our little pack and the family we’re building. And yet, every time I think that, I realize how selfish that sounds. So, I gather my thoughts, shove them down deep into my consciousness, and follow Mateo and Nepheline’s lead.

The energy in the packlands is electric, thick enough that I swear I can taste it on the back of my tongue. The nearly full moon hangs high above us, casting a silvery glow over everything. It feels like the land itself is alive with magic, pulsing with the collective anticipation of the pack.

There’s a steady hum of chatter as we reach the heart, a thrumming noise that vibrates through my chest. It’s not quite nervousness—it’s something more primal, more instinctual. A kind of readiness.

Ahead of us, Nepheline and Darius walk hand in hand, their lazy smiles and soft laughter cutting through the tension like a balm. They’ve been glued to each other all evening and I can’t help but think back to how they were in the nest.

I’d watched them then, the way they moved together so naturally, so seamlessly, their kisses slow and unhurried like they had all the time in the world. Watching them had stirred something in me—not jealousy, not envy, but admiration. An aching kind of fondness that I didn’t quite know what to do with.

Now, I trail just behind them, standing beside Mateo, River, Remi, and Maverick close by. The remaining members of the old council are already seated off to the side, their expressions stoic but unreadable. They’re far enough away that they won’t hear what I have to say to Mateo, which is exactly how I want it.

I glance at him as we walk, his sharp profile illuminated by the moonlight. “It’s impossible to feel disconnected from your wolf,” I murmur.

Mateo doesn’t respond immediately, but I see his jaw tighten. His gaze remains fixed ahead, scanning the crowd as he processes my words. Finally, he nods, his voice just as low when he speaks. “Darius mentioned it. I noticed it too.”

I take a deep breath, the weight of what I’m about to say pressing heavy against my chest. “I’ve spent my life with the Nightshades,” I begin, keeping my tone measured. “But some part of me—my wolf—has always known that we were the rightful Alpha of the pack of the Forbidden. When Silas left Darius in the woods for you to find,” I continue, “I felt the call. Not from Silas himself, but from his wolf. It’s instinctual. It’s in our blood.” I pause, letting the words sink in. “I’m nearly forty, Mateo. I haven’t been with the pack of the Forbidden since I was a kid, and still, I felt it. That pull, that connection.”

He nods again, his expression thoughtful. “And Darius doesn’t feel it?”

“No,” I say firmly. “And that’s the problem. If he doesn’t feel it, something is wrong. I know the Sapphire wolves are raised differently but he hasn’t brought up trying to find his parents since that first meeting. He’s more than happy at Nepheline’s side.”

Mateo exhales sharply, his fingers brushing over his chin as he considers my words. “I’ve been thinking the same thing,” he admits. “Whatever’s going on with the Sapphire wolves, with Victoria and Kehlani, it’s affecting more than just the packlands. It’s deeper. I have a bad feeling it has something to do with the magic.”

We fall silent as we reach the middle of the heart. The wolves are gathered now, their faces turned toward the moon, their voices hushed as they wait for us to speak. The magical energy swirls around us and for a moment, I let myself feel it fully.

Then I take my place in front of the Nightshades and Sapphire wolves, my focus drifting to the rest of my mates. Nepheline stands near the center of the group, her eyes scanning the crowd with a quiet intensity. But what draws my attention most is Darius.

His arms are wrapped tightly around her waist, his body positioned just behind hers like a shield. His head is constantly on a swivel, his gaze flicking over every face, every shadow. Darius is always protective of Nepheline—hopelessly devotedmight be the better term—but this? This is something else.

I don’t miss the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers flex slightly against her hips, as if he’s bracing for something. I file it away, but it gnaws at me, a thread I can’t help but pull at even as Mateo’s voice cuts through the murmurs of the crowd.

“As of today,” he commands, “we have officially joined with the Sapphire wolves. This alliance strengthens our pack, our territory, and our future.”

The announcement draws a mix of reactions—some nodding in approval, others stiffening slightly. I scan the crowd, catching glimpses of both curiosity and unease. It’s not surprising. Change never comes without resistance.

Mateo doesn’t flinch, his composure unshakable as he continues. “With this alliance comes new appointments to the council. These individuals will help guide us as we rebuild, as we adapt to the magic returning to our lands.”

I glance at the Sapphire wolves standing to the side of the platform. Victoria looks serene, her hands clasped in front of her, while her Alpha and Beta, Kehlani and Lawrence, stand tall and attentive. Ilara is behind them, her gaze fixed on something—or someone—that I can’t quite place.

“Bo,” Mateo announces, nodding toward the Alpha standing near the front of the crowd. Bo steps forward, his broad shoulders squared as he acknowledges the nod with a slight bow of his head. “And Alpha Elias,” Mateo continues, gesturing to another figure at the edge of the crowd. The older Alpha steps forward, his expression stoic as he joins Bo. “As honorary council members,” Mateo says, “we welcome Sapphire Luna Victoria, her Alpha, Kehlani, and her Beta, Lawrence.” His voice is steady, but there’s an undercurrent to his words, something only those closest to him would catch. “And finally,” Mateo finishes, his gaze shifting to Ilara, “their seer, Ilara.”

The air ripples with murmurs, the crowd buzzing with whispers at the announcement. Ilara steps forward as she inclines her head slightly, her piercing gaze scanning the pack with an almost unnerving calm.

Mateo’s eyes flick to River, a silent command passing between them. River nods and steps forward, his towering frame drawing every eye.

And that’s when it happens.

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