Semua Bab Lunar Lake: Bab 71 - Bab 80

72 (Kathryn’s POV) The training yard was colder than I expected. Morning mist clung low to the ground, curling around my boots like smoke, and the stones beneath my feet were slick with dew. A row of warriors stood off to the side, sparring in pairs grunts and the sharp crack of contact echoing across the open space. Camerin stood in the center of the yard, arms folded across his broad chest, expression unreadable. I walked toward him slowly, feeling the weight of every eye that tracked my movements. The moment had finally arrived, no more borrowed time, no more protective bubble. Camerin nodded as I stopped in front of him. “Luna.” “Camerin.” I wasn’t going to call him sir. Not today. Tyler leaned against the fence near the edge of the yard, Goliath pacing just beneath his golden eyes. I could feel his gaze on me like the warm, intense, watchful sun. “You ready to get knocked on your ass?” Camerin asked, finally cracking a small smirk. “Just make sure you hit hard enough to m

74 (Kathryn’s POV) The hallway leading to the cells beneath the packhouse was cold. Colder than I expected, not in temperature, but in energy. The deeper we descended, the more it felt like the weight of old shadows pressed against my skin. Tyler walked ahead of me, silent and focused. Two warriors flanked us both in partial shift, claws ready, eyes glowing faintly gold. They didn’t speak, but I felt the tension rolling off them in waves. Camerin waited at the cell block entrance, arms crossed. “He’s stable,” he said as he unlocked the gate. “But barely. Looks like he tried to fight more than just us before we got to him. Whatever Jaxson’s doing to his wolves… it’s not training. It’s torture.” I swallowed hard and nodded. “I won’t go in. Just look.” The cell was dimly lit, and the scent hit me first blood, sweat, and something burnt. Like singed fur.The rogue sat slumped in the corner, his breathing ragged. One eye was swollen shut, and there were angry, mottled bruises down his

76 (Kathryn’s POV) Tyler didn’t return until well after midnight. I was still awake, curled in the window seat in our bedroom, watching the woods for any sign of him. When he walked in, he smelled like smoke and death. I rose to meet him. “You found something.” He nodded. “Jaxson’s not just regrouping. He’s already set the board.” My throat tightened. “Did he leave a message?” He stepped closer, cupping my face in his hands. “Only one.” He leaned down and kissed me—fierce, burning. When he finally pulled back, he whispered, “We see your Luna.” I didn’t flinch. I met his eyes with calm steel. “Then he’d better be ready. Because your Luna sees him, too.” I walked over and quietly shut the door. When I turned around, Tyler was already peeling off his shirt. I winced at the sight of his wounds. He paced the edge of the bed, shirtless, his skin streaked with fresh gashes and half-healed bruises. His fists clenched and unclenched, his jaw tight with unspoken rage. Though the retali

78 (Kathryn’s POV) I found them in Carson’s war room, an actual war room. A long table with maps, digital screens showing movement reports, and ranked wolves stationed around the perimeter, all watching closely as Tyler and Carson leaned over a marked-up map of the bordering territories. They both looked up when I walked in. Tyler’s eyes found mine instantly. He didn’t smile, but something in his shoulders eased. He stepped around the table to meet me halfway, stopping just short of touching me. “How’s Scott?” “Alive,” I said. “But just barely.” Tyler nodded. “I’m sorry.” Carson cleared his throat gently. “He was lucky. One of our patrols happened to be sweeping that part of the road. The truck was upside down, crushed. If they’d been five minutes later…” “I know,” I cut in, my voice steadier than I felt. “Thank you, Alpha. For getting him out.” Carson’s gaze sharpened, assessing me differently than before. I wasn’t the shaky human mate in the corner anymore. I felt it, too. S

80 (Kathryn’s POV) The training field was quiet now, the sun beginning to sink behind the trees in hues of amber and violet. I sat on the edge of the platform, my staff resting across my knees. Every inch of me ached, but it was a satisfying ache, the kind that meant progress, not punishment. Celia approached with two bottles of water and a soft smile. She tossed one to me before sitting down beside me, her long skirt pooling around her legs. “You looked like hell,” she said casually, bumping her shoulder against mine. I snorted. “That good, huh?” She gave a soft laugh. “No, I mean it. You looked like hell and you didn’t back down. Not once.” I cracked the bottle open and drank. The cool water helped, but my hands still trembled slightly from the effort. “I’m trying to earn my place. Not just be Tyler’s mate. Not just be… protected.” “You’ve already earned it,” Celia said, her tone quiet but fierce. “What are you doing now? That’s not about proving anything. It’s about preparin