Page 50 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

"I'm already involved, Lucien. It's my pack. Blackwood raised me and accepted my son without—"

"Our son," he cuts in, but I ignore him, continuing with my speech. "Without questions. If Blackwood is gone, Ronan won't have a home pack."

"Is that the only reason you want in? To give Ronan community?"I don't answer the question. The answer is one I'd rather not confront at the moment. "I just want to give back to the pack that raised me, Lucien."

He goes silent for a beat before replying. "Fine. You'll help, but no combat for you, and I want you and Ronan far before the war starts."

"Lucien, that's—"

"That's the only way it's going to happen, Rora. I'm not losing you, and I sure as hell not going to let anything happen to my son."

His voice carries a tone of finality, and I know this is the most I'm going to get from him. "Fine."

I wasn't sure of many things.

But of this? Of giving back to the place that had once been my home?

Of that much, I am certain. I'm not one to ask for favors or be indebted to people, but certain situations require you to go all out, so I reach for my phone and pull up the one contact I can trust in moments like this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Aurora

I'm sitting at my desk, staring at the contact list on my phone. My fingers hover over Katherine's name, hesitation curling in my gut like a slow-burning fire. It has been a long time since I had reached out to her for anything beyond casual conversation. But this isn't just about me anymore. It is about Blackwood, about Ronan, and about everything that had led me to this moment.

I debate between calling her and sending a text. A text will be less urgent and offer her the time to think and get back to me with an answer, but at the same time, I am not sure I currently possess the virtue of patience to let things play out.

Every moment spent holding my phone and delaying the inevitable only adds to the window of time required for Silver Pack to wreak the next havoc.Taking a steadying breath, I tap the call button. It rings twice before Katherine answers, her familiar, confident voice washing over me like a reminder of the life I had built outside of the pack.

"Aurora," she greets warmly. "I was wondering when you'd call."

I exhale a soft laugh. "You always know when something's on my mind."

"It's a talent. Or maybe I just know you too well. What's going on?"

"I need a huge favor.""Go on."

"I need to meet Queen Alice."

There was a pause. "That's not a small request."Just like me, the queen and Katherine met over a work project long before she became queen and before Katherine met her fated mate. They formed a friendship over business. Discovering they both had shifter mates seemed like fate and only helped to deepen the bond of their friendship, so I know for a fact that if there's anyone who would help me get a special audience and the compliance of the queen on very short notice, it'll be Katherine.

"I know. But it's important."

Katherine sighs. "You always did have a way of getting yourself tangled in pack politics."

"This is bigger than politics."

Another pause, then a shift in her tone—more serious now. "I don't want you getting hurt again, Rora. I know how quick you are to sacrifice everything for the ones you love, but these people, they've not been very nice to you and have treated you like a second-class citizen in your own pack—"

"But they still took me in when I had no one." I cut her short, sticking strongly to my decision. "I won't forgive myself if I sit and watch while everything goes to ruin, knowing I can help."

I understand Katherine's angle. I pretty much told her everything about my life in Blackwood, and she's only doing her part as a friend to protect me from hurt. But I know what I'm doing. I owe them now more than before, especially after the care given to my son.

"And you're sure this isn't about Lucien?"Of course, she'll pick on that. I worry my lower lips between my teeth, pondering her question. Sure, there's a part of me that still cares greatly for Lucien and might go out of my way to help him, but this is more than us and the history we share. This is about a community and the lives that can be lost if nothing is done."It's not about him. Blackwood is still my pack, and I only seek to protect them."

Katherine releases a deep breath before replying. I'll arrange it. But Aurora—be careful."

I nod, even though she can't see me. "I will."

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