Chapter 46: Sanctuary Call

The great hall buzzed with activity as runners prepared for the most ambitious recruitment effort in Luna history. Maps covered every surface, marked with locations of known and suspected Luna families scattered across dozens of territories. Aurora slept peacefully in a makeshift cradle beside Mira's chair, her silver glow steady now that the decision had been made.

"Sixty-seven confirmed families," Lyra reported, consulting her ever-growing lists. "But Elder Sage thinks there could be twice that many still hidden. Some bloodlines have been underground for so long, they might not even know what they are."

"How do we reach them?" Mira asked, watching as Kane's scouts studied route maps with Rowan's wilderness experts. The alliance between former enemies had proven invaluable—Kane's intelligence network combined with Rowan's knowledge of hidden paths created possibilities none of them could have achieved alone.

"Carefully," Kane replied grimly. "My spies report increased patrol activity along most major routes. The territorial councils aren't waiting for our invitation to be delivered—they're actively hunting Luna families who might try to reach us."

Alpha Vera entered with her granddaughters, both girls looking healthier now that they weren't constantly channeling power to distant relatives. "Moonridge territory can serve as a waystation," she offered. "We have secure positions that could hide families during their journey here."

"And Ironback has defensive corridors through the northern passes," Kane added. "Routes my pack has used for generations. They're difficult, but safe from most patrols."

Elder Sage approached with the ancient Charter, its pages now supplemented by hastily written amendments. "I've been working on the legal framework for what we're proposing. If we're essentially creating a new territory, we need laws that will be recognized by other packs."

"Will they be?" Lucian asked skeptically. "Recognized, I mean. Most of these councils seem determined to see us as criminals."

"Some will," Elder Sage admitted. "But others... the older Alphas remember the ancient codes. They know Luna rights predate most territorial claims. If we invoke the proper protocols..."

Aurora stirred in her cradle, making a soft sound that immediately drew the attention of every Luna child in the building. Through the windows, they could see children throughout the settlement lifting their heads, responding to some signal only they could perceive.

"She's sensing something," Mira said, rising to pick up her daughter. As soon as Aurora was in her arms, the baby's silver glow brightened, and a feeling of urgency filled the chamber.

"What is it, little one?" Mira whispered, studying her daughter's face. Aurora's silver eyes were focused on something beyond the physical walls, and her tiny features held an expression of concentration that seemed impossible for a three-week-old.

Sera burst into the hall, her face flushed with excitement and concern. "Luna, we're receiving responses already. Not from our runners—from the families themselves. They're reaching out through the network."

"What kind of responses?" Elder Sage asked sharply.

"The Thornwick family is three days out, traveling with two other bloodlines we didn't even know existed. The Starlight clan is requesting escort through hostile territory. And..." Sera hesitated, her young face troubled. "There are others. Families so frightened they won't give their names or locations. They can feel the network, but they're too scared to trust it."

Aurora made another sound, this one carrying clear distress, and every Luna child in the settlement responded with their own calls of sympathy. The combined voices created a harmony that seemed to reach beyond the immediate territory.

"She's trying to comfort them," Lyra realized, her own infant beginning to glow with reflected silver light. "Aurora's sending reassurance through the network to the frightened families."

The effort was visible in the baby's face—her silver glow intensified until it filled the entire chamber, and her musical sounds took on a quality that spoke of safety, welcome, and protection. Throughout the settlement, other Luna children joined their voices to hers, creating a beacon of hope that could be felt across hundreds of miles.

"Remarkable," Healer Thorne murmured, monitoring Aurora's vital signs. "She's stable, but the power output is extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it."

"None of us have," Mira said softly, feeling the weight of her daughter's gifts. "She's not just calling them home—she's promising them safety."

"Can we keep that promise?" Kane asked bluntly. "Because my intelligence suggests we have perhaps ten days before the territorial councils coordinate a response. If families are traveling here, they'll be vulnerable on the roads."

"Then we protect the roads," Alpha Vera said firmly. "Joint patrols, safe houses, whatever it takes."

"It's not just about protection," Lucian observed, studying the tactical maps. "It's about logistics. If we're potentially doubling our population in a matter of weeks..."

"Housing, food supplies, medical care," Rowan listed. "We'll need to expand everything."

"The children can help," Naia said quietly from where she stood with the other Luna teenagers. "Not with magic—we're learning to be more careful about that. But with planning, organization. We understand what families need because we've all been hiding."

Aurora's glow pulsed once more, then settled back to its normal gentle radiance. But the message had been sent, and through the network, they could feel distant families responding with hope instead of fear.

"How many do you think will come?" Mira asked Elder Sage.

The ancient woman consulted her charts and calculations. "Conservative estimate? Forty to fifty families. But if Aurora continues to reach the deeply hidden bloodlines..." She paused, looking down at the baby who had accomplished more in three weeks than most Luna had managed in lifetimes. "We could see the largest gathering of magical families in recorded history."

"Then we'd better be ready for them," Mira decided, settling Aurora back in her cradle. "All of them. Because whatever this becomes, we're going to do it right."

Outside, the first response parties were already departing—scouts and guides heading out to meet the families brave enough to answer Aurora's call. The revolution was no longer just about protecting what they had built.

It was about building something worthy of the trust being placed in them.

Aurora yawned, a tiny sound that made everyone in the room smile despite the enormous challenges ahead. For all her otherworldly abilities, she was still just a baby who needed her afternoon nap.

The sanctuary call had been sent. Now they would discover who was brave enough to answer.