CHAPTER 2

Lena hesitated and then took a small sip. The warmth spread through her softening the rigor of her nerves in her chest. She set the mug down and looked at Luna Celeste "You said I have power, what do you mean?"

Luna Celeste sat down in the chair across from her, and her face turned solemn. "The gifts of the Moon Goddess are rare, but she never bestows them, much like her gifts, for no reason. You were born during a blood moon, was it not?"

Lena’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”

"Because it's a mark of the chosen," said Luna Celeste. "You have a connection to the Moon Goddess that hardly anyone else can claim. That's why Kade's rejection didn't totally break your connection. It's still there, right?"

Lena's breath hitched. She had felt it, a faint but unbroken thread of the mate bond. "Yes," she admitted. "But what does that mean?"

"That means you're not just any wolf," Luna Celeste said, with a determined voice. "You are destined for something greater. But destiny does not wait. You need to accept your power or you will be devoured by all the forces that are gathering against you."

Lena leaned forward, gripping the chair's arms with her hands. "What forces? What are you talking about?"

Luna Celeste’s gaze fell. “A rogue leader is rising to the shadows. Elias Voss. He’s building an army, and he doesn’t stop until he has destroyed everything in his path—your pack included.”

Lena’s heart pounded. “My pack?”

"Yes," Luna Celeste replied. "And Kade's. The Blood Moon Pack and the Silver Ridge Pack are both part of his plans. But the Moon Goddess chose you, Lena. You have the power to stop him but it all depends on if you are ready to fight."

The weight of her words pressed down on Lena. She’d spent her life thinking she was nothing more than a daughter to a Beta, someone meant to follow the lead but never to take charge. Now, two packs' destinies rested on her shoulders.

Lena stood, her hands shaking but her voice clear. "What do I have to do?"

Luna Celeste smiled a proud smile. "First, you need to learn who you are, then become the wolf that the Moon Goddess always intended you to be."

Lena stood at the far end of the rogue camp, a gusty wind nipping at her cheeks while murmurs of discontent swirled around her. For weeks she had proven herself among them and a tough grit determination and unbreakable resolve but tonight was different. The rogues congregated as their leader stepped forward a man towering over most with the name Garrick. A snarl was carved into his already scarred face.

"You've been talking big, Beta's daughter," Garrick said, spitting out the words in a voice that cut through the crowd. "But it was never about words. It’s strength that leads us. You are just a girl who got rejected by her mate. Why should we follow you?"

Lena's heart raced but she kept her voice steady and her eyes locked on his "Because I’m the only one here who’s prepared to stand for something beyond revenge or survival."

You can fight each other over scraps, and for what? To keep living like this? I offer a different path—you can be more than outcasts."

Garrick stepped forward, exposing his fangs. "Such great words. But can you prove it? Let's see if the Moon Goddess gave you anything worth following." He lunged without warning and his claws cutting through the air.

Lena's instincts were almost razor, sharp now as she dodged. He caught her in an attempt to kick and she responded with a lightning kick to the ribs that sent him stumbling backward. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Garrick growled and his eyes glowing amber.

"You think you can take me?" he sneered circling her "You're just a girl playing Alpha"

"And you're just a bully pretending to lead" Lena retorted dodging the blow once more. Her tone was fierce but the harshness of her words sliced raw into her insecurities. She couldn't give in now; not here and not today.

The fight escalated into a flurry of claws and snarls. Lena gasped raggedly for breath, but that only made her more determined. This was not simply a battle against Garrick; it was all the doubts, all the rejections, every moment she had been told she was not enough.

"You don’t understand leadership," Lena shouted, narrowly avoiding a particularly vicious swipe. "It’s not about strength or volume. It’s about hope—giving people hope, a future they can fight for!"

Garrick roared back and lunged again, but this time Lena was prepared. She side-stepped him and struck with all her might connecting her fist squarely on his jaw. The crowd broke into a murmur as he doubled over on the ground groaning.

Lena stood over him breathing hard "That's not how I want to rule you" her voice pierced the shocked silence. "But I'll lead you because it has to be done by someone. Someone who cares about more than just living."

A slow clap broke the tension and Lena, turning back, saw an older woman approach. Her silver hair caught the moonlight, and her eyes held a wisdom that seemed to pierce through Lena’s very soul.

"Luna Celeste" Garrick rasped pulling himself to his feet and bowing his head "What are you doing here?"

Celeste ignored him and kept her gaze on Lena "You've got spunk girl" she said and her voice soft but authoritative. "But spunk isn't going to rescue them. What makes you think you can take these rogues to a higher level?"

Lena met her gaze, and the same determination that filled her rushed back at her. "It's not just faith," she replied emphatically. "It's a must. It's on me."

Celeste studied her for a moment then nodded. "If so, we have much of talk," she said. Turning to the crowd, her voice rang with authority. "This girl has proven herself tonight. Anyone who dares challenge her leadership now will answer to me."

The murmurs died away, and a grudging respect took its place. Lena swallowed hard, the weight of what she had just taken on settling over her. But as she looked at the faces around her, some skeptical, some hope, she felt a spark of something she hadn’t felt in weeks.....purpose.