All Chapters of Luna To Alpha Ace: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

LILY The morning sun filtered through the kitchen windows as I stood at the stove, wearing only Ace's oversized t-shirt. The fabric hung to my mid-thigh, soft and warm against my skin, carrying his scent like a security blanket. Everything had been perfect since the marking ceremony days ago. Too perfect, maybe. I flipped the pancakes, ignoring the nagging feeling in my chest. This peace we'd found—it felt borrowed. Like the universe was holding its breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But why couldn't I just enjoy it? Why couldn't I let myself have this happiness without constantly looking over my shoulder? The bond hummed between Ace and me, stronger than ever. I could feel him approaching before his footsteps reached the kitchen. "Morning, beautiful," his voice was rough with sleep as his arms slid around my waist from behind. "Morning," I leaned back against his chest, savoring the solid warmth of him. His hands splayed across my stomach, fingers tracing l

The house felt too quiet without Ace. I stood at the window watching his car disappear down the driveway, my heart hammering against my ribs. The mate bond stretched between us like a rubber band, and with every mile he traveled, it pulled tighter. *He'll be fine,* I told myself. *He's strong. He's smart. He'll come back.* But my hands were shaking as I turned away from the window. The pack house buzzed with activity around me, but I felt like I was watching it all through glass. Pack members moved through their morning routines, completely unaware that their Alpha had just driven into what might be a trap. I needed to do something—anything to keep my mind occupied. "Luna?" A soft voice made me turn. Maya, one of the younger pack members, stood hesitantly in the doorway. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine." The lie tasted bitter. "Just... thinking." "Alpha Ace will be back soon." News traveled fast in a pack. Of course, everyone knew he'd left. "I know." I forced a smile.

I was halfway to the car when the bond went completely silent.Not strained. Not distant. Gone.I hit the ground hard, my knees giving out. The absence of Ace's presence was like having my heart ripped from my chest."Lily!" Eva caught me before I could fall completely. "What's wrong?""He's gone." The words came out as a whisper. "I can't feel him anymore.""That doesn't mean—""Yes, it does." I looked up at her, tears streaming down my face. "The only way a mate bond goes silent is if..." I couldn't finish the sentence."No." Eva's voice was fierce. "No, he's not dead. He can't be."But I knew. Deep in my bones, I knew something terrible had happened."We have to go," I said, struggling to stand. "We have to go now.""Lily, if he's..." Eva's voice broke. "If something happened, it's not safe.""I don't care about safe!" I screamed. "He's my mate! He's my everything!"The silence where our bond used to be was deafening. I pressed my hand to my chest, but there was nothing—just empti

"Lily." The voice was so faint I almost missed it. A whisper that cut through the fog of exhaustion and grief that had become my world. I pulled back from Helen's embrace, my heart stuttering. "Lily." There it was again. Stronger this time. I turned toward the bed, and my world tilted off its axis. Ace's eyes were open. Those beautiful eyes that had haunted my dreams for the past week stared directly at me. "Oh my God." The words came out as a strangled sob. I stumbled toward the bed, my legs shaking so badly I nearly collapsed. My hands found his face, trembling fingers tracing the familiar lines of his cheekbones. "You're awake," I whispered, hardly daring to believe it. "You're awake." His lips curved into the faintest smile. "Hey, beautiful." That's when I completely fell apart. The tears came in violent waves, seven days of terror and grief and desperation pouring out of me all at once. I pressed my face against his chest, sobbing so hard I could barely br

The meeting room felt smaller with the three hostile wolves sitting across from us. Their scents reeked of aggression and barely contained violence. Marcus stood behind me, his posture tense. Lily sat to my right, her hand resting on my thigh—a silent show of support that steadied me more than she knew. "So," I said, settling back in my chair. "You have something to say?" The leader, a scarred wolf with dead eyes, leaned forward. "We represent the Northern Alliance. Five packs who've been watching your... situation." "My situation?" "Your sudden rise to Alpha King." His voice dripped with disdain. "The ring may have chosen you, but that doesn't mean we accept you." I'd expected this. The Alpha King ring hadn't been worn in over a century. Some packs had grown comfortable operating without a supreme authority. "What exactly are you proposing?" I asked. "Conditional acceptance," the second wolf said. He was younger, but his eyes held the same coldness. "We'll acknowledge