Mag-log inTimothy's POVThe Grand Hall in neutral territory is impressive. Massive space designed to host hundreds of wolves for Inter-Pack gatherings.Today it holds fifty Alpha pairs from across the region. One hundred of the most powerful wolves in our society. And somewhere among them, conspirators planning to kidnap my mate."Security teams in position," Ethan confirms through my earpiece. "All communication channels green, Elena's wards are active.""Copy," I responded quietly. "Stay sharp. They'll move during the opening ceremony."Penelope stands beside me, composed and elegant. She's wearing a dark blue dress that's both formal and practical. The panic button bracelet glints on her wrist."Nervous?" she asks quietly."Terrified," I admit. "You?""Same," Penelope confirms. "But ready."Around us, Alphas and Lunas mingle. Some greet us warmly. Others nod coolly. The political divisions are obvious.Alpha Garrett approaches. He's older, traditional, one of the conspiracy supporters accord
Penelope pov "Keeping you alive is my only goal," Timothy mutters."Keeping me alive while stopping the conspiracy," I correct. "Both objectives matter."We finalize security details over the next hours. Every person on my protection detail is vetted personally by Ethan. Background checks. Loyalty verification, direct observation of their dedication."Twelve guards disguised as summit attendees," Ethan reports. "Positioned around Penelope at all times. Minimum six within ten feet. Maximum fifteen feet from the nearest guard.""That's a tight perimeter," I observe."That's the necessary perimeter," Ethan corrects. "Given the specific threat.""What about Timothy's security?" I ask. "They might target him too.""Already covered," Timothy assures me. "I'll have my own details. Completely separate from yours so they can't be overwhelmed simultaneously.""Good thinking," Elena approves. "Redundant protection systems.""What about the other progressive Alphas?" I ask. "Morrison and Reeves?
Penelope's POV"Absolutely not."Timothy's voice is final."You don't get to decide this alone," I counter firmly. "I'm your Luna, this is my choice too."We're in his office arguing about summit attendance. Again, for the third time today. He seemed to have changed his mind once again."You're my mate," Timothy says. "My priority is keeping you safe. Not politics. Not optics. You.""And my priority is leading our pack," I argue. "Which includes representing us at the Inter-Pack Summit, I can't do that hiding behind guards.""You can if the alternative is getting kidnapped," Timothy counters sharply.Ethan shifts uncomfortably by the door as Elena watches us with careful neutrality. They've been witnessing this argument for minutes."If I don't attend, we look weak," I explained again. "We prove the conspiracy's point. That progressive leadership can't handle threats that I'm too fragile to lead.""Better to look weak than be dead," Timothy says bluntly."I won't be dead," I insist.
Penelope's POV"And if they plant it right before the ceremony?" I challenged."Then we have security watching every entrance constantly," the chief responds. "No one brings anything suspicious into the building.""They might have the device already inside," Timothy points out. "Planted during setup. Before we arrive.""Then we sweep now," the chief decides. "Today. And again tomorrow, and again the morning of the summit. Continuous monitoring.""What about magical explosives?" Elena asks. "Traditional detection won't find those.""I'll handle magical sweeps personally," Elena says. "And bring two other council members I trust. We'll check everything."The planning continues for hours. By the time we finish, it's almost dawn."Four days until summit," Timothy reminds everyone. "Use them wisely. Prepare thoroughly, we only get one chance at this."Everyone disperses to their assignments as Timothy and I finally head home. In the car, Timothy is silent. Tension radiates from him."Talk
Penelope's POVThe interrogation room feels colder than usual. Connor Blackwood sits across from me, silver restraints glowing faintly on his wrists. Elena administers another dose of truth serum."We have more questions," I say firmly. "About Operation Restoration's specific targets.""Already told you," Connor mutters. "Progressive Alphas, their mates. Leadership elimination.""Be more specific," Timothy demands from beside me. "What's the order of operations? Who gets targeted first?"Connor fights the serum but loses. "Luna Blackthorn is the primary target. Capture, not kill."My blood runs cold. "Why me specifically?""Leverage," Connor admits unwillingly. "You are Alpha Blackthorn's weakness, the mate bonds. Controlling you is equivalent to controlling him."Timothy's hand clenches on the table. "Explain the plan once more. All of it.""Summit security... compromised," Connor continues. "Guards bribed. Routes mapped. Luna's schedule... obtained through council contacts.""How?"
Timothy's POVRelief floods through me, we did it. Successfully captured Viktor's people without losing anyone."Secure the prisoners," I order. "Medical attention for the injured. Then we start interrogations."The captured conspirators are separated and transported to secure holding. We've prepared special cells. Silver-reinforced. Magically warded with no chance of escape.I found Penelope with her support team. "You okay?""I'm fine," she assures me. "Didn't even need to fight. Your team handled everything.""Good," I say, pulling her close. "I was worried.""I know," Penelope says. "But I'm okay, we are all okay."Back at headquarters, we begin interrogations. Start with the fighters who seemed least committed and most scared."Name," I demand of the first one."Marcellus Reed," he says nervously. He's young, maybe twenty-five. "I just needed money. I didn't know what I was signing up for.""You signed up for terrorism," I say coldly. "Conspiracy to commit mass murder. That's wha
Timothy's POVI stare at my phone for twenty minutes after sending the text, watching the cursor blink at me like it's mocking my indecision. "We need to talk. - T" seems both too little and too much all at once. Too little because there's so much I need to say, too much because she probably doesn'
Timothy's POVI stare at Penelope, her words hanging in the air between us. She just touched my hand and jerked back like she'd been burned. Now she's looking at me with those big hazel eyes, waiting for me to say something."Please," she whispers, wrapping her arms around herself. "Please don't te
Penelope's POVI walk through the woods toward Moon Grove, my heart beating so fast I can barely breathe. Timothy said he wanted to tell me something important today first before the ceremony started, and after last night when he felt that spark between us, I know what it has to be.He's going to t
Penelope's POVI can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Timothy's face from tonight. The way his eyes went wide when I touched his hand. The way he pulled back like I'd shocked him.He felt it too. I know he did.I roll over in my narrow bed and stare at the clock. 2:47 AM. The Moon Ceremon







