The morning of departure was crisp and bright. The sun shimmered on the surface of the water like scattered diamonds as Jason, Nathan, and Mia arrived at the port in Adelaide. The cruise ship loomed like a floating palace sleek, vast, and pulsing with energy. Dock workers bustled beneath its towering frame while passengers formed tidy lines, luggage rolling behind them on smooth wheels.
As they boarded, Jason couldn’t help but feel the difference in energy around him. The pack’s land was always humming with purpose, weight, and responsibility. But here, the air smelled of salt and citrus and the promise of new beginnings.
Their rooms were modest but comfortable each with a full ocean view. The Moon Swept Pack was not wealthy by any means, but neither were they poor. Their strength had always been in balance and resourcefulness, not extravagance. The funds technically belonged to the Alpha’s family, but Jason’s parents had never hoarded it. What
The aftermath of the battle had begun to settle. The howls of mourning gave way to the rhythm of rebuilding. And while the pack carried their scars with pride, the Elders had not forgotten one truth that still lingered like an unanswered prayer:Jason had no Luna.The SuggestionThe council chamber still smelled of burnt wood and old leather, but the air inside was different now, no longer thick with doubt. Instead, a quiet current of respect passed between the gathered Elders.Elder Marnie, her voice lined with years, leaned forward. "You’ve proven yourself, Alpha. And the Moon clearly favors you. But even the strongest leader needs balance."Jason’s brow furrowed. "You mean a Luna."Elder Liam gave a small nod. "We say this not to question your strength, but to remind you leadership thrives when anchored by love."Jason opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Mia’s voice cut through gently but firm.
The morning of departure was crisp and bright. The sun shimmered on the surface of the water like scattered diamonds as Jason, Nathan, and Mia arrived at the port in Adelaide. The cruise ship loomed like a floating palace sleek, vast, and pulsing with energy. Dock workers bustled beneath its towering frame while passengers formed tidy lines, luggage rolling behind them on smooth wheels.As they boarded, Jason couldn’t help but feel the difference in energy around him. The pack’s land was always humming with purpose, weight, and responsibility. But here, the air smelled of salt and citrus and the promise of new beginnings.Their rooms were modest but comfortable each with a full ocean view. The Moon Swept Pack was not wealthy by any means, but neither were they poor. Their strength had always been in balance and resourcefulness, not extravagance. The funds technically belonged to the Alpha’s family, but Jason’s parents had never hoarded it. What
By the time Jason made it back to the heart of the pack lands, the town itself had been transformed into a field hospital.The streets were lined with makeshift cots, some real, some no more than folded blankets laid gently over patches of grass or dirt. Healers moved between them like dancers in a practiced rhythm, hands stained red, eyes sharp with focus. Supplies were scattered but organized: bowls of clean water, strips of cloth, salves, antiseptics.The scent of blood and sweat hung thick in the air, but so too did something else: hope.Wolves who had stood naked before the coming storm were now wrapped in fresh clothes handed out by volunteers. Warriors, bruised and battered, were helped onto benches, bandages winding around ribs, arms in slings, faces stitched with rough but careful hands.Jason walked among them, his steps heavy not with pain, but with the weight of what they had survived. Of what they had lost.And as he scanned the sea of
The first rays of dawn painted the training grounds in pale gold.Jason stood in the center of the field, his breath misting before him in the cold morning air, muscles tense beneath his black t-shirt. The quiet before the storm was unnerving. Even the birds seemed to sense what was coming.A voice brushed across his mind, sharp with humour but edged with exhaustion.“Thought I told you to get some rest, Beta.”Nathan’s mind link reply came with a faint chuckle. “Yeah? Someone forgot to tell Mia. Half the bloody pack knows I’m alive this morning.”Jason smirked faintly. “See you in five.”And then came the scouts, padding into view like ghosts from the tree line, dirty, tired, but alive.“They’ll be here before the sun’s at full rise,” the lead scout said grimly. “Five hundred strong now. Markus recruited every stray from here to the east coast.”Jason nodded, his jaw tightening.Nathan approached, the two standing shoulder to shoulder as they reviewed the hastily drawn map scratched
The gathering place was silent except for the steady beat of hearts and the soft whisper of the wind threading through the trees.Five hundred fighters stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces lit by torches and the rising moon. Some wore leather armour patched and worn from old battles. Others stood bare-chested, their bodies marked by scars and stories.Jason stood before them, powerful, steady, his arctic blue eyes sharp in the torchlight. His voice, when it came, was steady. Unshaken.“Tomorrow, we fight.”No one flinched.“We don’t do this for pride. Not for territory. Not for revenge.”His gaze swept across them, searching for their eyes, anchoring them with his own.“We fight for what we are. For our mates. Our pups. Our elders. We fight for every pup yet to be born who deserves to run these hills without fear of rogues tearing at their throats.”A ripple of snarls rose from the fighters, restrained but fierce.Jason let them have that moment before continuing.“Tonight, I want
Three weeks blurred past in a cycle of sweat, dirt, and growing dread.The Moon Swept Pack, once more known for sharp minds than sharpened claws, now echoed with the sounds of fists on flesh, claws ripping into training pads, and barked orders ringing across the fields.Jason stood at the edge of the main training grounds, arms crossed, watching two younger wolves spar in the center circle. Their form was sloppy, but their hearts were in it. That mattered.Beside him, Nathan handed over a folded map, the ink still smudged at the corners.“We’ve got confirmation,” Nathan said flatly. “Markus is leading them. No question now. Old patrol routes show his scent at every gathering site. Three separate scouts made visual contact. Same arrogant walk, same bastard grin.”Jason exhaled through his nose. “Numbers?”“Three hundred. And rising.”Jason’s jaw tightened. “All rogues?”“Yeah,” Nathan nodded. “Most of ‘em loners for years. Markus is offering them something they haven’t had in forever a