All Chapters of Runaway Luna Rider: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

Kiera’s POV My days developed a rhythm I could actually maintain. Mornings started with Guardian duties, reviewing threat reports, coordinating with allied territories, managing the intelligence network I’d been building. The artifact helped with this, giving me awareness of distant dangers that normal wolves couldn’t perceive.But I’d learned to manage that awareness better. To filter the constant stream of information rather than letting it overwhelm me.Luna duties that had felt overwhelming at first now came naturally. Mediating disputes, organizing community events, checking on pack members who needed support. I was good at this part… connecting with people, understanding their needs, helping them feel valued.Eli’s training with Thomas was progressing remarkably well. My son moved with confidence now, his small body mastering forms that some adult wolves struggled with. He was proud of his progress, and I was proud of him.Margaret grew stronger every day. She’d moved past the

Kiera’s POV The moment the Broker’s shadows wrapped around Eli, instinct took over.I lunged forward, the artifact blazing with power as I threw myself between the entity and my son. “Get away from him!”The Broker’s tendrils recoiled slightly, not from fear but from something like curiosity. “Protective. How maternal.”“Darius, get Eli out of here,” I commanded, not taking my eyes off the Broker. “Now.”Darius moved immediately, reaching for Eli. But the shadows tightened around my son, holding him in place.“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” the Broker said, its voice echoing with that terrible everywhere-nowhere quality. “The child has inserted himself into our contract. He spoke on your behalf. Offered himself as your protector. The oath recognizes his participation.”“No.” The word came out strangled. “He’s a child. He doesn’t understand what he’s doing. He can’t consent to…”“Intent matters little to blood magic. Words spoken matter.” The Broker’s glowing eyes shifted to Eli, wh

Kiera’s POV The night before the trial, something unexpected happened.The entire pack gathered in the central square at sunset. Not just Blackhowl wolves, but representatives from allied territories. Zeus arrived with his contingent from Stormclaw. The Steel Vultures rode in formation, Jack at their head. Even some former neutral packs sent delegates.“What is this?” I asked Thomas, who was helping coordinate the crowd.“A vigil. The pack wanted to show support. Then word spread, and…” He gestured at the gathering. “…everyone wanted to be here.”Hundreds of wolves and humans filled the square. Someone had lit candles and torches, creating a sea of flickering light. The atmosphere was solemn but not hopeless. More like determination made visible.Elder Cassia stepped forward. “Guardian Kiera, Luna of Blackhowl, we gather tonight to stand with you. Tomorrow you face trials designed to break the strongest among us. But you don’t face them alone. Every wolf here, human ally, heart that

Kiera’s POV I barely had time to process surviving the first trial before the Broker returned for the second. No warning beyond the creeping dread that followed me constantly, reminding me that this reprieve was temporary.At midnight, the pack gathered at the border again, but the energy was different this time. Less hopeful. They’d seen me return from the first trial shaken but alive. Now they waited to see if I could do it twice.The Broker materialized exactly as the clock struck twelve.“Guardian Kiera. Time for the second trial.”My stomach dropped. I’d hoped for more time. “What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“The Trial of Truth.” The Broker’s form shifted into something almost gleeful. “You passed the first trial through faith. But this trial requires something you find far more difficult… honesty.”A new portal opened beside it. Not swirling darkness this time, but something that looked like shattered mirrors reflecting things that shouldn’t exist.“You wi

Kiera’s POV The aftermath of truth was harder than the telling. I walked through the territory after passing the second trial, and everything felt different. Not the physical space… that remained unchanged. But the way people looked at me had shifted in subtle, uncomfortable ways. Some pack members met my eyes with new understanding, like they finally saw me as someone real rather than an Luna. Others glanced away quickly, uncomfortable with the knowledge of my darkest thoughts. A few looked at me with something close to pity, which somehow felt worse than judgment. The pedestal they’d placed me on… Guardian, Luna, the woman who’d survived impossible odds, had developed visible fractures. I was human now in their eyes. Capable of ugly thoughts and shameful desires. Part of me appreciated the honesty. The other part mourned the loss of their uncomplicated faith in me. “You’re different,” Thomas observed during training two days after the trial. “Quieter.” “I’m tired.” It wasn’t