All Chapters of Luna's Last Oath: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

The forest smelled of rain.Nicole stood at the edge of the pack’s territory, boots sinking slightly into the damp earth, her eyes fixed on the winding dirt road that disappeared into the trees. Beyond that road lay the world she’d never seen — the same road Brian had vanished down three years ago, promising to come back stronger, promising he would always love her.She remembered the way he’d cupped her face that night."Three years, my Luna," he’d whispered. "When I return, it’ll be with everything our pack needs. You’ll be proud of me."Nicole had been proud. Proud enough to take every whispered doubt in stride, to silence every wolf who thought he’d abandoned them. Proud enough to shoulder the burdens of leadership alone, to heal the sick, break up disputes, keep the borders safe from rogues. Proud enough to stand here now, rain misting over her, because this was the day she got him back.Her heart pounded at the faint sound of hooves.Two warriors at her side shifted restlessly,

The corridors of the packhouse were humming with their usual rhythm by the time Nicole made her way downstairs. Warriors passing between shifts nodded politely, and younger pack members ducked their heads with a quick “Luna” as she passed.The title still fit their lips naturally, she noticed. It hadn’t yet been stripped from her. That alone was leverage.She was heading for the training grounds when she caught sight of someone she hadn’t expected—Marcellus, the pack’s chief medic.He was kneeling beside one of the younger warriors, inspecting a gash along the boy’s forearm. His hands were steady, practiced, and his voice was calm.Nicole slowed her steps. Marcellus wasn’t political by nature—he cared more about stitches and poultices than power plays—but his word carried weight. People trusted him in their most vulnerable moments, and that trust was currency.When he looked up and spotted her, his expression softened. “Luna.”“Marcellus,” she greeted. “Bad injury?”“Nothing that won’

The knife’s edge kissed Nicole’s skin, cold and sharp enough to still her every breath.“Don’t move,” the stranger rasped against her ear. His grip was iron, pinning her against the ravine wall as the firefight above rumbled on like a storm refusing to pass.Brian’s gun was already raised, his voice a growl pulled from deep in his chest. “Let her go. Now.”Silas crouched half in shadow, his body taut like a predator ready to strike. His eyes weren’t on the stranger—they were on Nicole, like he was calculating whether she’d trust him enough to move when he did.The man holding her chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. “Funny. Both of you want her, but neither of you’s strong enough to keep her.” He pressed the blade harder, drawing the faintest line of blood. Nicole didn’t flinch. She couldn’t afford to.“Who sent you?” she forced out, steady despite the sting.The man’s smile curved against her temple. “Who do you think? Ghosts don’t stay buried, sweetheart.”Brian’s jaw clenched. Nicole

The night was thick with silence when Nicole finally stopped walking. She found herself at the edge of the old training grounds, the grass damp beneath her boots, the faint scent of iron and smoke still clinging to the soil from battles long past. Here, under the pale cast of moonlight, she could breathe without Silas’s eyes boring into her.Her heart was still beating too fast, betraying the storm she carried inside. Silas’s words echoed in her head, half-truths wrapped in thorns. He knew more. He always did. But for reasons she couldn’t untangle, he had chosen to slice her with pieces instead of handing her the whole blade.Nicole tipped her head back and closed her eyes, letting the night wind cool the heat in her cheeks. Around her, the pack’s territory was quiet — but not empty. She could feel it in her bones: the others were awake. Watching. Waiting.They’d seen her return, seen her confront Brian, seen her clash with Silas. Every step she took now wasn’t just hers—it was being