LOGINLila’s POV “The Council,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Joan said they’re here. Are they really…” “Yes,” Dante cut me off, his expression grim. “I felt them arrive on campus about ten minutes ago. Multiple powerful presences converging on the administration building. They’re not just here, Lila. They’re organized and prepared. This isn’t a casual investigation, this is a coordinated strike.” My stomach dropped, the twins shifting restlessly as if they could sense my fear. “How long do we have?” “Minutes,” Joan said, still leaning against the desk for support. “Maybe less. Once they get access to the student database, once they confirm you’re enrolled here, they’ll start a building-by-building search. And Dante’s office will be one of the first places they check because…” “Because I’m the Alpha King,” Dante finished grimly
Lila’s POV “There’s one more person I need to see,” I said finally. “Dante. I need to say goodbye to him too.” Joan’s expression became unreadable. “The Alpha King. Are you sure that’s wise? He’s going to have questions, Lila. Questions you can’t answer.” “I know. But I have to try.” I stood, steadying myself as the twins moved inside of me. “Will you come with me? To his office?” “Of course,” Joan said immediately. “If you’re doing something potentially stupid, someone should be there to pull you out of the fire.” Despite everything, I smiled. “Thank you.” We left her dorm together, drawing some curious looks from students who probably wondered why Joan looked like she’d been crying. The walk to Dante’s office in the academic building felt too short, like the universe was rushing
Lila’s POV The drive back to Portland felt long and painfully slow. Marcus and I barely spoke, both of us lost in our own thoughts, each haunted by what we’d witnessed in Mira’s kitchen. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her smile as the light drained from her body, and heard her final words about showing the world what it meant to threaten.. The… Luna. The pendant felt heavy against my chest, warm and pulsing. I kept touching it through my shirt, trying to reassure myself it was real, that her death had meant something. We arrived at Marcus’s apartment late Sunday night. He’d packed the car with boxes from Mira’s place, books on ancient wolf lore, supplies that would be useful in isolation, and maps to his ranch in Olympic National Forest. Everything we’d need to disappear completely.
Lila’s POV “Eryndra disagrees,” I said aloud, translating her “She thinks we’re strong enough to face threats as they come. That hiding is… cowardly.” Mira’s expression didn’t change, but something ancient and knowing flickered in her amber eyes. “May I speak to her directly?” I nodded, and Eryndra surged forward slightly, not taking full control, but enough that my eyes changed to that burning red that marked her presence. When I spoke again, it was with both our voices layered together. “I am Eryndra, first daughter of the Moon Goddess’s creation. I have walked this earth for millennia. I have fought in wars that shaped continents and ended bloodlines. And you dare suggest that I… that we.. are not strong enough to protect these children?” “I’m not questioning your strength,” Mira said calmly, meeting
Lila’s POV Every piece of my life suddenly made a terrible, but beautiful sense and the weight of everything I’d just learned pressed against my consciousness like an ocean trying to drown me. I was destined to be the Luna of some cursed Divine Alpha that I’d never met and the twins… My twins are the twin flames meant to call my mate to me despite an ancient curse. And through it all, I’d been trapped. Forced to listen while Eryndra controlled my body, and revealed truths I’d never asked for. But the honest truth was that listening to it all shifted something inside of me, it made me angry but I understood. And with understanding came a choice. I could either keep fighting, keep resisting who I was meant to be, keep pretending I was just an exiled omega trying to survive in the human world. Or I could just accept it. Accept the power, the responsibility, and the destiny that had been written for me before I was even born. ‘Eryndra,’ I said quietly through our link. ‘I
Lila’s POV“Eryndra.” Mira’s hand gripped the doorframe so hard her knuckles went white. “Why have you come here? I paid my debt. I did what you asked twenty years ago. I thought we agreed…”“The debt is not paid.” Eryndra pushed forward slightly, and Mira automatically stepped back, allowing us entry. “Not while the child you saved still does not know the truth of what she is.”Mira’s eyes finally focused on my face, on me, not just on Eryndra. Her expression shifted from shock to recognition then to something that looked like grief.“Oh,” she whispered, tears suddenly flooding her eyes. “Oh no. It’s really you. Lila. Little Lila.”And that’s when I realized, this woman knew me. Had known me as a child.Marcus followed us inside, closing the door firmly behind him. The apartment above the bookstore was cluttered with books and artifacts, candles burning despite the early hour, creating shadows that danced across w







