50

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Turning to Naomi, I asked, "How did Ky mark you if he wasn't there on the full moon?" My confusion must have been evident because Naomi took a deep breath before explaining.

"He marked me right before everything happened," she said softly. "Since we weren't fated mates, there was no real reason to wait for the blessing from the moon."

Kael chimed in with a new sense of urgency. "Now that you're awake, we're going to join the search party. And since we won't have an Alpha on site, you, as Luna, are in charge."

Panic surged through me at the thought. "Oh no, not me. I'm not even Luna yet. I'm not marked," I protested, the weight of the responsibility feeling like a mountain on my shoulders.

Knox's laughter cut through my anxiety, his confidence infectious. "It doesn't matter. You're Luna with or without the mark. And you're ready. Just keep everything calm, okay? Mom is here, and she will help, as will Ca