LOGINLila’s POVIt was late in the night now, and the darkness beyond the car was absolute although they were occasionally broken by farmhouse lights in the distance.We’d been driving for hours, first we went through Oregon, then crossing into Idaho, and now deep into rural Montana. Marcus hadn’t stopped except for gas, and even then he’d made us stay in the car with the engine running, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.I sat in the backseat now, having switched places with Joan somewhere around the Idaho border. My swollen stomach made the cramped space even more uncomfortable, but Joan insisted she needed to be able to monitor me and the twins more closely. Occasionally her hands would rest lightly on my stomach, warm pulses of magic flowing through the contact as she constantly checked our vital signs.“Heart rate’s still elevated,” Joan murmured, more to herself than to me. “Yours and theirs. Lila, you need to try to calm
Lila’s POVJoan found the hidden release and the bookshelf swung open, revealing a dark passage. She pulled me in and I went although every instinct in me screamed for me to stay and fight beside Dante. “I’ll hold them,” Dante said, and I heard the strain in his voice as his power continued to press against the invaders. “But Lila, you need to run. Please run and don’t look back. Please get to safety. That’s all that matters now.”“Dante….” I started, but Joan yanked me into the passage. The last thing I saw before the bookshelf swung shut behind us was Dante facing down the Council and government agents alone, his power blazing around him like a silver-blue inferno, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that felt like this was not goodbye.It was just until next time.Then the bookshelf clicked shut, plunging us into darkness.“Move,” Joan urged, her hand finding mine in the dark. “We need to move, Lila. Dant
Lila’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







