Blood Under The Moon

The explosion shook the entire manor, shattering the towering stained-glass windows inward and sending razor-sharp fragments flying across the Grand Hall. Screams erupted as the beautiful banquet dissolved into instant chaos.

"Protect the Council!" someone shouted while warriors rushed toward the entrance and servants scattered in panic.

Athena instinctively ducked, covering her head as shards of glass rained onto the marble floor. Another deafening blast echoed from outside, making the ground tremble beneath her feet. A bloodied warrior stumbled through the broken doors, barely able to stand.

"They're everywhere!" he gasped. "The eastern gate has fallen!"

Before anyone could question him further, he collapsed face-first onto the floor—dead.

For one heartbeat, no one moved. Then every Alpha in the hall sprang into action.

"Seal the western entrance!"

"Get the Elders to safety!"

"Protect the civilians!"

The hall erupted into organized chaos. Alpha Damon shifted first, his massive silver wolf bursting through his clothes with a thunderous growl.

Silver Moon warriors! his voice roared through the mind-link. Defend the pack!

Dozens of wolves transformed around him, turning the Grand Hall into a blur of claws, fur, and snapping jaws. Athena backed away slowly, trying to stay out of everyone's path. She didn't belong here. She couldn't fight—not anymore. Five years ago, she had dreamed of standing beside the warriors who protected this pack, but now... she was only another frightened servant.

A hand suddenly seized her wrist. She gasped.

Buck.

His grip was firm, but not painful. "Stay behind me."

She stared at him in disbelief. "What?"

"I said stay behind me."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not," his eyes flicked to the fresh bruise on her cheek. "You'll only get hurt."

Before she could answer, a section of the ceiling collapsed. Buck reacted instantly, pulling her against him as heavy stones crashed where she had been standing only a second earlier. Dust exploded into the air, and the impact knocked both of them backward.

For a brief moment, she found herself pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was strong, steady, and warm. The strange pull between them intensified. Neither of them spoke; neither of them moved.

Then Buck abruptly stepped back, putting distance between them as his expression hardened again. "Don't misunderstand," his voice was clipped. "I'd have done that for anyone."

The words stung more than they should have. Athena lowered her eyes. "Thank you, Alpha."

Before either of them could say more, Ravi burst into the hall. "Alpha!"

Buck turned immediately. "What happened?"

"The rogues aren't attacking the walls anymore."

Buck frowned. "What do you mean?"

"They're searching for someone."

A chill swept through the room, and Bobby looked up sharply. "Searching?"

Ravi nodded. "They're ignoring the armoury. They're ignoring the food stores. They're asking only one question."

Buck's expression grew grave. "What question?"

Ravi's eyes slowly shifted toward Athena. "They keep demanding that we hand over Athena Grant."

The words struck the room like lightning, turning every head directly toward her. Damon's eyes narrowed, Bobby looked genuinely shocked, and even the warriors closest to her took an unconscious step back.

Athena stood frozen. "Me?" Her voice barely came out as a whisper. "Why would rogues want me?"

No one answered, because no one knew. Or... almost no one.

Across the hall, Damon hid his reaction well, but Buck didn't miss it. For the first time that night, Buck saw something flash across Damon's face: not surprise, not confusion, but recognition. It lasted less than a second, but it was enough. Buck's instincts screamed that Damon knew exactly why the rogues had come.

Before he could confront him, a terrifying roar echoed from outside. The massive front gates exploded inward, and a giant black wolf stepped through the smoke.

Its golden eyes swept across the hall until they landed directly on Athena. Then, in a deep, chilling human voice, it spoke only four words.

"We found the heir."