Chapter 34: Unexpected Allies

Dawn brought urgent news that changed everything. Mira woke to find Lucian already dressed, his expression grim as he read a message that had arrived during the night.

"What is it?" she asked, struggling to sit up as the baby stirred restlessly.

"Kane," Lucian said, his voice tight. "He's requesting a meeting."

Mira felt her blood chill. The last time she'd seen the Ironback Alpha, she'd used her Luna power to humiliate him before his entire pack. "What does he want?"

"To discuss terms, apparently. His messenger says he has information about Garrett's inspection teams—and a proposal that could change the balance of power at both assemblies."

Before Mira could respond, Healer Thorne entered with his morning supplies, immediately noticing her elevated heart rate. "Luna, your pulse is racing. What's happened?"

"Politics," Mira said dryly, though she accepted his help getting comfortable. "The kind that makes my blood pressure spike."

"At six months pregnant, you can't afford blood pressure spikes," Thorne warned, beginning his examination. "The baby's position has shifted again—they're responding to your stress levels."

As if to prove his point, the baby delivered a series of sharp kicks that made Mira gasp. Through their bond, she felt Lucian's immediate concern.

"We don't have to meet with him," he said firmly. "Whatever Kane wants, it's not worth risking your health."

"But what if he's right about having information we need?" Mira asked, her Luna instincts warring with her personal feelings. "We can't afford to ignore potential intelligence about Garrett's plans."

Marcus entered the chamber, his expression troubled. "Alpha, Luna—Kane's delegation is already at our borders. Three wolves under a white flag, but..."

"But?" Lucian prompted.

"One of them is Selene."

The silence that followed was heavy with implications. Selene, Lucian's former mate, traveling with Kane could only mean one thing—political maneuvering of the most complex kind.

"She's with Kane now?" Mira asked, though she was surprised to find she felt more curiosity than jealousy.

"It appears so," Marcus confirmed. "The border guards report she's wearing Ironback colors and bears the mark of a formal alliance bond."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "Kane's building his own coalition."

"But why would he want to meet with us?" Mira wondered aloud. The baby kicked again, and she pressed her hand to the spot, feeling an unusual pattern of movement.

Elder Sage appeared in the doorway, the ancient Charter still in her hands. "Because he's realized that Garrett's Regulation Council threatens every Alpha who values independence. Including him."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it," Elder Sage explained, entering fully. "Garrett's arguing that magical bloodlines require regulation for the good of all packs. But what happens when that logic extends to other forms of power? Alpha bloodlines, ancient pack rights, territorial autonomy—where does it end?"

Understanding dawned on Mira's face. "Kane's realized that if Garrett succeeds in regulating Luna bloodlines, Alpha bloodlines could be next."

"Precisely. And Kane, whatever his faults, values his independence above all else."

Lyra burst into the chamber, her infant crying in her arms. "Forgive the interruption, but we have a problem. One of Garrett's inspection teams just arrived at the Moonridge border. They're demanding immediate access to examine Alpha Vera's granddaughters."

The baby's movements intensified, and Mira felt a surge of protective fury that made silver light flicker around her. "How many?"

"Twelve wolves, all heavily armed. They claim Assembly authority supersedes territorial rights."

"Where's Alpha Vera?" Lucian demanded.

"Stalling them at the border, but she can't hold them indefinitely without causing an incident."

Mira struggled to her feet, ignoring Thorne's protests. "We meet with Kane. Now. If he has information that can help us protect those girls, we need it."

"Mira—" Lucian began.

"No," she said firmly, her Luna authority strengthening her voice despite her physical discomfort. "This is exactly what we feared—Garrett moving against Luna families before we can organize. If Kane can help us stop it, then we listen."

The baby settled slightly, as if approving of her decision. But Mira could still feel an underlying tension that suggested her child was responding to the magical currents swirling around the approaching confrontation.

"Bring them to the great hall," she decided. "Full formal protocol. If Kane wants to make a deal, he'll do it properly."

As preparations began for what could be the most important negotiation of her life, Mira felt the weight of leadership settling over her like a mantle. The choices she made in the next few hours would determine not just the fate of Alpha Vera's granddaughters, but the future of every Luna family in the territories.

The baby kicked once more, strong and sure, as if reminding her that some battles were worth any risk.