Chapter 26: New Beginnings

Five months into her pregnancy, Mira stood in the nursery they'd prepared in the Alpha's residence, her hand resting on her prominently rounded belly. The room was filled with gifts from both the Blackpine and Silverpine packs—carved wooden toys, soft blankets, and protective charms woven by the pack's elders.

"The healers say everything looks perfect," Lucian said, entering with a steaming cup of herbal tea. "Strong heartbeat, active movement, growing beautifully."

Mira accepted the tea gratefully, feeling a familiar kick against her ribs as she moved. "Active is right. They've been restless all morning."

"Them?" Lucian's eyebrows rose with amused curiosity.

"Just a feeling," Mira said with a smile, her hand following the movement beneath her skin. "Call it Luna intuition."

Through the window, they could see the transformed territory. The alliance between Blackpine and Silverpine had brought prosperity neither pack had imagined. Joint patrols secured larger hunting grounds, shared resources had improved everyone's quality of life, and the combined strength had deterred any remaining threats from ambitious neighbors.

"The council meeting went well," Lucian reported, settling carefully beside her on the window seat. "Trade agreements with three new packs, and Rowan's proposal for the inter-pack training program, were approved unanimously."

"Good. The younger wolves need to understand that strength comes from unity, not isolation." Mira shifted, trying to find a comfortable position as the baby kicked again. "I want our children to grow up in a world where cooperation is valued over conquest."

A soft knock interrupted them. "Come in," Mira called.

Healer Thorne entered, carrying a leather-bound book. "Luna, the pack histories you requested. I've compiled everything we could find about Luna bloodlines and their traditional roles."

Mira accepted the book, though it was harder to balance on her lap now. Since learning about her Ironback heritage, she'd been researching the old ways, trying to understand the full scope of what it meant to be a Luna in the truest sense.

"There's something else," Thorne said, his expression growing serious. "A messenger arrived from the northern territories. The Frostmoon Pack is requesting an audience with you specifically."

Lucian's posture tensed. "What do they want?"

"Their message was... cryptic. They claim to have information about other Luna bloodlines. Survivors of the border wars who went into hiding."

Mira felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather, her hand instinctively protective over her belly. "Other Lunas?"

"It's possible," Thorne said carefully. "The old records suggest there were once dozens of Luna families across the territories. Most were thought lost during the conflicts, but if some survived..."

"They might be living in secret, just as I did," Mira finished, understanding immediately.

She stood slowly, her movements more deliberate now, and walked to the window. Below, pack members went about their daily routines, children playing while adults worked. The peace they'd fought for felt suddenly fragile.

"If there are other Lunas out there," she said, one hand supporting her lower back, "they deserve to know they're not alone, that they don't have to hide anymore."

"It could be a trap," Lucian warned. "The coalition may be broken, but individual ambitions remain. And you're..."

"Heavily pregnant," Mira finished with a wry smile. "I'm aware. But that doesn't mean we ignore this."

"I'll send scouts ahead," Lucian decided. "If Frostmoon's intentions are genuine, we'll arrange a meeting on neutral ground. After the baby comes."

Elena nodded approvingly. "I'll research what I can find about their pack history. Knowledge is our best protection."

After Thorne left, Mira returned to the window seat, settling with a small grunt of effort. The child within her responded to her movement with a series of strong kicks that made her breath catch.

Lucian watched her carefully, recognizing the determined set of her shoulders despite her obvious discomfort. "You're already planning something."

"Not planning," Mira said, placing both hands on her belly as she felt what might have been an elbow pressing against her side. "Hoping. For the first time in years, I feel like we might be building something bigger than just our own survival."

"What are you thinking?" Lucian asked, his hand joining hers as the baby moved again.

"I'm thinking about the future," she said, leaning against his shoulder. "Not just for our children, but for all the Luna children who might be born in the years to come. What kind of world do we want to leave them?"

"One where they're valued for who they are, not what they can provide," Lucian said without hesitation. "One where they can choose their own paths."

Mira smiled, feeling a sense of completion settle over her. The baby kicked again, strong and sure, as if agreeing with their parents' vision.

"Then we'd better get to work," she said softly. "There's a whole new world to build."

Outside, the moon began to rise over their united territories, casting silver light over the future they were creating together—one choice, one alliance, one act of love at a time.