Chapter 29: The Network Forms

Two days of bed rest had done wonders for Mira's condition. The false contractions had ceased, and the baby had settled into a more regular pattern of movement. But the forced inactivity had also given her time to think, and by the time Healer Thorne cleared her for limited activity, she had a plan.

"You're certain about this?" Lucian asked as he helped her into the council chamber, where Lyra waited with detailed maps spread across the table.

"The false contractions weren't random," Mira said, settling carefully into her chair. "They happened exactly when we were discussing the Luna families. My body—my power—was responding to the urgency of their situation."

Lyra looked up from where she'd been marking locations on the map. "I've been in contact with the three messenger families. Two are willing to relocate to allied territories, but the Shadowmere family refuses to leave their ancestral lands."

"Where are they?" Mira asked, studying the map.

"Here," Lyra pointed to a remote mountain region. "They've been hiding in caves for over a decade. The grandmother is too old to travel, and they won't abandon her."

"And Garrett's forces?"

"Half a day's march from Shadowmere territory," Lucian reported grimly. "Our scouts confirm he's brought over fifty wolves, all armed for war."

Mira felt the baby kick, as if responding to her rising anger. "He's planning to take them by force."

"It gets worse," Lyra said quietly. "I received word from my contacts this morning. Garrett isn't working alone. He's formed an alliance with two other northern packs. They're calling it the 'Regulation Council'—claiming authority over all Luna bloodlines."

"On whose authority?" Mira demanded.

"Their own, apparently. They're arguing that uncontrolled Luna power threatens pack stability across the territories."

Mira stood slowly, her hand resting on her belly as she considered their options. "How quickly can we mobilize?"

"Mira, no," Lucian said immediately. "You're five months pregnant and just recovered from false labor. You're not riding into battle."

"I'm not suggesting I ride anywhere," she replied calmly. "But my power doesn't require my physical presence."

Both Lucian and Lyra stared at her. "What do you mean?" Lyra asked.

"The false contractions sent ripples across the territories—you said so yourself. If I can project power unintentionally during stress, then I should be able to do it intentionally during meditation."

"That's... theoretically possible," Lyra said slowly. "The old stories mention Lunas who could project their presence across great distances. But it's never been documented in the modern era."

"Then we're about to make history," Mira decided. "Lyra, I'll need you to guide me through any rituals or techniques your family preserved. Lucian, I need you to coordinate with Rowan—if this works, we'll need allied forces ready to move quickly."

A scout entered the chamber, his expression urgent. "Luna, Alpha—Garrett's forces have been spotted at the entrance to Shadowmere territory. And there's more. Refugees from two other Luna families arrived at dawn. They say their settlements were raided in the night."

The baby kicked hard, and Mira felt silver light flicker around her in response to her fury. "How many casualties?"

"Unknown, Luna. The families scattered. Some escaped, others..." The scout's voice trailed off.

"Others are missing," Mira finished grimly. She turned to Lyra. "How quickly can you teach me the projection techniques?"

"If you're naturally gifted at it—and given what happened two days ago, you clearly are—perhaps a few hours of preparation."

"Then we start now," Mira said, moving toward the chamber where she did her meditation. "Send word to all allied packs. Tell them the Luna Network is forming, and anyone who threatens Luna families answers to all of us."

As they prepared for what might be her most ambitious use of Luna power yet, Mira felt the weight of responsibility settling over her like a mantle. She wasn't just protecting her own family anymore—she was becoming the voice for every hidden Luna family across the territories.

The baby settled into stillness, as if conserving energy for what was to come. And somewhere in the mountains, the Shadowmere family waited for salvation that might come in a form they'd never imagined.

The network was forming, with threads of silver light that would soon span the known world.