Chapter 23: The Race Against Dawn

Within an hour, the Silverpine camp had transformed into organized chaos. Wolves packed essential supplies while others prepared weapons and armor. The air hummed with urgent energy as two packs prepared to march to war together.

Mira stood at the edge of the clearing, her hand resting protectively on her belly as she watched the preparations. The pregnancy was still early, but she could feel the life growing within her.

"You don't have to come," Rowan said quietly, approaching with a travel pack. "My wolves can escort you to safety while Lucian and I handle this."

"And go where?" Mira asked. "There is no safety for me anymore. Not as long as other Alphas see me as a prize to be won." She shook her head. "My place is with my pack, defending my home."

"Blackpine isn't your home yet," Rowan pointed out gently.

"It will be." Mira's voice carried certainty. "Whatever Kane revealed about my birth, I can feel the pull of the land, the call of the wolves who need their Luna. That's my home now."

Lucian joined them, fully armed and radiating deadly confidence. "The scouts report clear paths through the eastern passes, but we need to move fast. The remaining coalition forces are mobilizing—we can't afford to be caught in the open."

"How many are we taking?" Rowan asked.

"Two dozen of your best fighters, plus the pack members who followed me here," Lucian replied. "Enough to make a difference, not so many that we're slowed down."

Elena approached with a cloak designed for travel. "Luna, this will help conceal your scent on the road. And..." She hesitated, then pulled out a curved dagger with a silver blade. "In case diplomacy fails."

Mira accepted both gifts. "Thank you. For everything."

As the sun set, the combined force set out into the wilderness. They moved in tight formation, with Mira protected in the center while scouts ranged ahead and behind. The pace was punishing but necessary—every minute they delayed gave their enemies more time to consolidate.

The forest seemed different in the moonlight, shadows shifting with potential threats. Mira's Luna senses were heightened by stress and pregnancy, making every sound amplified, every scent sharp and distinct.

"Contact ahead," whispered one of the advance scouts, appearing silently beside Lucian. "Ravenwood patrol, six wolves. They're blocking the main pass."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "Can we go around?"

"Not without adding hours to our journey."

"No," Mira said quietly. "We go through them."

Both Alphas turned to look at her. "Mira," Lucian began, "you're pregnant. It's too dangerous—"

"I'm a Luna," she interrupted, power beginning to gather around her. "Kane learned that lesson. It's time these wolves remembered what that means."

They approached the pass in silence, the Ravenwood patrol coming into view. Six wolves in human form, armed and confident, clearly expecting to catch refugees.

"Well, well," their leader called out. "What have we here? Silverpine wolves traveling awfully far from home."

"We seek passage," Rowan said formally. "We have no quarrel with Ravenwood."

The patrol leader's gaze found Mira, and his eyes widened with recognition. "The Ironback Luna. There's quite a bounty on your head, little wolf. Several Alphas would pay handsomely for your safe return."

Mira's jaw tightened at the reference to her birth origins. "I am no one's property," she said, stepping forward. "And I go where I choose."

"Not tonight, you don't." The patrol leader signaled his wolves, who began to spread out, blocking any escape route.

Silver light began to emanate from Mira's skin, growing brighter with each breath. "I said," she repeated, her voice carrying otherworldly authority, "I go where I choose."

The Luna power hit the Ravenwood wolves like a physical force. Two dropped immediately to their knees, overwhelmed by the primal need to submit. The others staggered, their weapons wavering as instinct warred with greed.

"Impossible," the leader gasped, fighting against the compulsion to bow. "No Luna has power like this—"

"Then you don't know much about true Luna bloodlines," Mira said coldly. Her power intensified, and the remaining wolves fell to their knees. "Clear the path. Now."

The patrol scrambled to obey, pressing themselves against the rocky walls of the pass. Mira walked through them like a queen among subjects, her entourage following in awed silence.

Once they were clear, Rowan let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"That wasn't even close to my bad side," Mira replied, though the effort had left her slightly breathless.

They pushed on through the night, covering ground at a pace that would have been impossible for a normal pregnant woman. But Mira was far from normal—the Luna blood in her veins gave her strength and endurance that surprised even her.

As dawn touched the eastern horizon, they crested a hill and saw Blackpine territory spread below them. Smoke rose from several points around the settlement, and the glint of weapons was visible even at this distance.

"We're not too late," Lucian breathed, relief evident in his voice.

"No," Mira agreed, her hand moving protectively to her belly. "We're right on time."