All Chapters of Dark Luna Rising: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The air was damp and heavy as Erika moved through the dimly lit corridors of Malrik’s hideout. Streaks of mineral deposits glistened on the jagged cave walls, catching the faint light of torches that burned at uneven intervals. It was a suffocating place—like being swallowed by the earth itself. Malrik’s words echoed in her mind: “You’re free to explore as you please.”But freedom was an illusion.At every turn, there were guards—silent, stoic figures who rarely acknowledged her presence. Their hollow gazes unnerved her, and their unspoken watchfulness felt like a cage all its own. She tried to strike up conversation with one of them earlier, a tall man with a shaved head. He only blinked at her before turning away without a word.Now, she wandered the labyrinthine corridors, trying to memorize her path. But the tunnels seemed to twist and coil like living things, each turn identical to the last. She couldn’t tell whether she was moving forward or walking in circles.She paused at a f

Malrik’s mind raced as he escorted Erika back to her quarters, her earlier display of power still fresh in his thoughts. The raw potential she wielded was staggering, intoxicating even. He kept his composure, but deep down, he felt a heady mix of triumph and unease. She was no ordinary Luna. She was a force unlike anything the Lycan world had seen in centuries.Reaching her chamber, Malrik pushed the heavy wooden door open, gesturing for her to enter. The dim light from the torches cast flickering shadows across the stone walls, giving the room an almost otherworldly glow.“You must rest now, my dear,” he said smoothly, his tone almost paternal. “There’s so much for us to do tomorrow.”Erika stopped short, turning to face him. Her expression was a mixture of defiance and wariness.“Wait,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension in her posture. “Before I even think about doing anything for you, I

Dinner was lavish—an impressive spread of roast venison, warm bread, root vegetables drizzled in thick, fragrant sauces, and mulled wine that filled the chamber with the scent of spiced berries. The fires crackled in the sconces, casting golden light over the stone walls, but Erika barely touched her plate.She wasn’t sure if it was the heavy air inside the cavern or the unsettling weight in her chest, but she had no appetite. Even the coffee, which she usually craved first thing upon waking, smelled bitter and unappealing. She settled for an orange instead, rolling it between her palms before peeling away its bright skin. The scent of citrus burst into the air, refreshing and grounding.Malrik noticed. “You’re not eating,” he said, nodding toward her barely touched meal.“I’m not very hungry,” she admitted, plucking apart a juicy segment and placing it on her tongue. It was the first thing all day that didn’t make her feel sick.He frowned, waving over a server. “Bring her fresh frui

The tavern was dimly lit, its wooden beams sagging from decades of weight and wear. A haze of smoke hung in the air, curling from pipes and cigars, mixing with the acrid scent of stale beer and sweat. The low hum of voices created a cocoon of sound, shielding each table’s secrets from the next.Diego sat at the bar, his broad shoulders hunched over a half-empty glass of whiskey. The amber liquid barely rippled as he turned it between his fingers, staring at the way the light refracted through it. He should’ve been out there—tracking, hunting, fighting—but here he was, wasting away in a dingy tavern, drowning in his failures.A week. Seven days. A hundred and sixty-eight hours since Erika had been taken. And he had nothing.He tossed the whiskey back in one gulp, wincing at the burn.Emily’s words still rang in his head: “Let go, Diego. If she comes back, then you’re meant to be.”What a load of crap.Erika wouldn’t come back because she was being held against her will, manipulated, use

The mansion was no longer safe. The moment Hugo delivered the news, Diego knew he had only moments to decide his next move before The Board sent more agents to seize him. He couldn't fight them—not alone. And with his pack taken, he had no leverage. His only option was to flee.Diego packed only the essentials—cash, weapons, and a burner phone he found in his old stash. Hugo, despite his age, moved swiftly through the house, gathering supplies without needing to be told. He had been Diego’s father’s right-hand man for decades and had served as the pack’s steward since Diego was a child. But tonight, he wasn’t just a steward. He was Diego’s only ally.They slipped out through a side passage, avoiding the main gates. Hugo had taken the liberty of securing a vehicle—an old black SUV that blended in easily with the nighttime traffic. They drove in silence, putting Valentia behind them as fast as possible.Diego clutched the steering wheel, his mind racing. Three days… The Board had taken