Chapter 4

My mother's smile disappeared completely.

I forced down the anger boiling in my chest and walked up to Kellan.

"Why did you bring her?"

Kellan didn't even blink.

"Serena has always admired the Luna of the Blackcliff Pack. She wanted to meet your mother."

"You'd better keep her in line," I said under my breath, staring at him. "Don't let her forget her manners."

My mother glanced at her, her tone even. "And who is she?"

"The woman who saved my life," Kellan answered before I could. "She's also my healer."

Serena bowed to my mother so perfectly that no one could fault her manners.

She and my mother got along well, chatting the entire way.

Slowly, I started to relax.

When the convoy reached the pine forest outside the stronghold, my mother's party turned onto another road.

The manor where she was staying this time was just past the woods.

I stood there and watched my mother's convoy slowly disappear.

Kellan and Serena stood beside me to see her off.

A moment later, three urgent horn blasts sounded in the distance.

A wolf guard dropped to one knee in front of Kellan.

"Alpha, we've spotted signs of more than 20 vampires. They're headed this way!"

Serena went white.

"Leon is still in the stronghold."

She grabbed Kellan's arm, her voice shaking. "Send the wolf guards back to protect him now."

Kellan turned at once.

"Give the order. Pull the—"

"No!"

I cut him off and calmly turned to the wolf guard.

"The White Moon stronghold has three lines of defense. Vampires won't get in that easily."

I pointed in the direction my mother had gone.

"My mother didn't bring many guards this time, and the mountain road is narrow. If those vampires attack her, she won't be able to hold them off for long."

Serena quickly shook her head. "The Blackcliff Luna is the strongest Luna in her pack. How could she not hold them off?"

She looked up at Kellan with red eyes. "Kellan, please, save Leon."

"No, Kellan!" My voice was hard. "Send people to protect my mother!"

Kellan looked at me, then turned to look toward the stronghold.

His wolf guards were inside the stronghold. Leon should have been perfectly safe.

Out on the mountain road, my mother had only a handful of guards. She was the one in real danger.

But the moment Serena started crying, Kellan's hesitation vanished.

The next second, he signaled his personal guards over.

"Give the order. Send every wolf guard with us back to the stronghold to protect Leon."

I stumbled back half a step and stared at him in disbelief.

"The stronghold has three lines of defense, but my mother doesn't have enough backup. And this is your choice?"

He avoided my eyes.

"Your mother is the strongest Luna in the Blackcliff Pack. She can hold out. Leon is just a pup who can't even shift yet."

Excuses. Nothing but excuses.

But I didn't have time to argue with him anymore.

I clenched my jaw and forced the words through my teeth. "Fine. Then we'll go protect my mother ourselves!"

I shifted and took off, but Kellan didn't follow.

I skidded to a stop and looked back.

Serena was clinging to his sleeve with all her strength.

"Kellan, Leon is still in the stronghold. I can't lose him. Please take me back."

Kellan looked down at her, a storm of emotions in his eyes.

Serena turned to me. "Luna, your mother will be fine. I know it. But the Alpha is the only one who can save my son."

Kellan swayed, but he didn't move.

"We're out of time!" I screamed at Kellan. "Come on!"

He was silent for a moment, then said quietly, "I'll take Serena back first, then come right back."

The last thread holding me together finally snapped.

The last bit of warmth in my heart was gone.

I laughed.

There was no warmth in the sound.

I didn't look back again. I raced toward my mother.

By the time I reached the mountain road, the fight was already over.

Black bats were scattering from the trees. My mother lay in the bloodstained snow with her broken moon blade beside her hand.

Her eyes were still open, like she was waiting for me.

I knelt beside her and held her body as it went cold.

In the distance, the vampires' laughter echoed through the valley.

There wasn't a single signal fire burning at the stronghold. Everything was quiet.

I bent down and closed my mother's eyes, her blood soaking my palms.

My grief hardened into cold hatred.

"Don't be afraid, Mother."

I raised my head and looked toward the walls of the White Moon stronghold.

"I'll make him pay for this."