Chapter 30: Projection of Power

The meditation chamber had been prepared with ancient symbols drawn in silver dust around Mira's chair. Lyra knelt beside her, speaking in low, rhythmic tones as she guided Mira through breathing techniques passed down through generations of hidden Luna families.

"Feel the silver light in your core," Lyra instructed. "Not just your own power, but the connection to every Luna bloodline. We're all threads in the same tapestry."

Mira closed her eyes, her hands resting on her belly where the baby had grown remarkably still, as if sensing the importance of what was happening. She reached out with her consciousness, following the faint threads of Luna energy she could sense across the territories.

"I can feel them," she whispered. "The Shadowmere family—they're terrified. And others... scattered, hiding, some in pain."

"Good," Lyra said. "Now, instead of just sensing them, try to send strength. Project your presence to them."

Outside the chamber, Lucian paced anxiously while coordinating with his war council. "How long until Rowan's forces can reach Shadowmere territory?"

"Six hours at best," Marcus reported. "But Garrett's already there. Our scouts report he's demanding the family surrender themselves for 'evaluation.'"

"And the other raids?"

"Three families confirmed attacked. The Duskmoon Pack hit a settlement near the eastern border—took two young women with Luna potential. The Rimefrost Pack destroyed a safe house, but the family escaped into the deep woods."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "They're coordinating. This isn't random—it's systematic elimination or capture."

A pulse of silver light suddenly emanated from the meditation chamber, so powerful it made the walls seem to glow. Everyone in the great hall stopped what they were doing, turning toward the source.

Inside the chamber, Mira's consciousness soared across the territories like a bird of silver fire. She found the Shadowmere family first—an elderly grandmother, her daughter, and two teenage granddaughters huddled in a cave while Garrett's wolves surrounded the entrance.

"Come out," Garrett was calling. "The Regulation Council has authority over all Luna bloodlines. You will submit to evaluation and proper placement."

Mira felt her fury ignite. Drawing on every ounce of her awakened power, she projected her presence into the cave, her silver light suddenly blazing around the terrified family.

"You are not alone," her voice echoed in their minds. "Stand strong. Help is coming."

But she didn't stop there. Her consciousness split, following other threads of connection to Luna families across the territories. To the scattered survivors of the raids, she sent comfort and guidance toward safe territories. To the captured women, she sent strength and the promise of rescue.

And to every Luna bloodline within her reach, she sent a message that rang like a bell across the spiritual realm: "The age of hiding is over. The Luna Network rises. Any who threaten our people will face the consequence of our united power."

The projection was taking everything she had. In the meditation chamber, her body began to glow with such intensity that Lyra had to shield her eyes.

"Mira, you need to pull back," Lyra warned. "You're burning too much energy too fast."

But Mira pressed deeper, her consciousness now reaching toward Garrett himself. She found his mind just as he was ordering his wolves to storm the cave.

"Garrett of Icepeak," her voice thundered in his thoughts, causing him to stumble backward. "You threaten children under my protection."

The temperature around Garrett's war party plummeted as Mira's power manifested physically across the miles. Ice began forming on their weapons, and the very air crackled with otherworldly energy.

"What... what are you?" Garrett gasped, looking around wildly for the source of the voice.

"I am Luna Mira of Blackpine, and you have made a grave error," her projected voice replied. "Harm any Luna family, and you will answer to all of us. This is your only warning."

The silver light blazed so brightly that Garrett's wolves cried out, many falling to their knees as their wolf instincts overwhelmed their human reasoning. The primal recognition of Luna authority was undeniable.

In the meditation chamber, Mira suddenly collapsed forward, her consciousness snapping back to her body like a released bowstring. The baby kicked frantically, responding to her mother's exhaustion.

"Mira!" Lucian burst through the door, catching her as she swayed.

"Did it work?" she gasped, her voice hoarse from the effort.

Lyra was staring at her in awe. "I've never seen anything like that. You projected your presence across hundreds of miles simultaneously. The power readings..."

A scout rushed in. "Luna! Word from Shadowmere—Garrett's forces are retreating! They're fleeing the territory in complete disarray!"

Mira smiled weakly, leaning into Lucian's strength. "The network is established. Now every Luna family knows they're not alone."

But even as relief flooded through her, she knew this was only the beginning. Garrett and his allies wouldn't give up easily, and she'd just announced to the world that the Luna bloodlines were no longer hiding.

The baby settled into stillness, and Mira wondered what kind of world her children would inherit—one where Luna families lived in fear, or one where they stood united in strength.

The threads of silver light now connected them all, and there would be no going back.