All Chapters of Returning in Reverse After Betrayal: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

 We march at first light.Fifty elite wolves move in disciplined silence through the frost-laced forest. Martin commands the vanguard, Theron guards the rear, and I walk the center—close enough to direct, visible enough to inspire. Cold bites at exposed skin; my breath clouds and vanishes.“Two miles,” Martin reports through the mind link.  “No scouts. They’re either arrogant or unprepared.”  “Or both,” I reply. “Stay sharp.”We quicken our pace as the trees thin. Blackwater’s settlement emerges: a modest cluster of stone and timber buildings behind a wooden palisade. Chimney smoke curls lazily into the pale sky. Morning voices drift on the wind—the ordinary sounds of a pack still unaware.They are not ready.For one heartbeat the old me hesitates, wanting to offer one final parley, to spare unnecessary blood. But the new me knows hesitation i

Erica steps inside and closes the door behind her.The worry on her face hits me hard. Dark circles sit under her eyes. She looks like she hasn’t slept in days.“You seem like shit,” I say.“So do you.” She gives a tired smile and sits on the edge of my bed. She pats the space next to her. “Come here.”I hesitate, then sit. She pulls me into a side hug right away.“It’s okay not to be okay,” she whispers.“No, it’s not. I’m the Luna. I’m supposed to be the strong one. The one with the answers.”“You’re also my sister. You lost your son and your mate in the same week. Anyone would be falling apart.”“I can’t fall apart.”“Then stop trying to do it alone.” She squeezes my shoulder. “Let us help. Me, Helena, Martin, and Theron. We’re still here. We’re not leaving.”“Kae

She’s younger than I expected. Around forty. Sharp eyes and dark hair with silver streaks.Lydia watches me walk up. I can see her weighing every step I take.“Luna Sophia,” she says. “Welcome to Shadowpeak.”“Alpha Lydia.” I stop right at the base of her platform. I don’t bow. “Thanks for meeting me.”“I didn’t think I had much choice.” She gives a small smile. “Not after what happened to Giga when he turned you down.”“Giga chose war. I gave him every chance to surrender.”“And when he refused, you broke his pack and took his wolves.” Lydia leans forward. “You’ll understand why I’m not excited to negotiate.”“That’s precisely why I’m here.” I glance at the

“I realize the timing was terrible.”“The timing was shit, Kael!” My voice echoes off the walls. “Roderic is dead because I picked the wrong fight. Shadowpeak just slammed the door in my face because they think we’re weak. Four packs have already joined Donovan, and the rest are ready to jump ship. All of that happened while you were gone. So whatever you have to say, it better be worth abandoning me for three days.”Kael sets his glass down slowly. “I went north to meet someone who might have real answers about our true enemy.”“Crimson Moon?”“Bigger than Crimson Moon.” He looks me straight in the eyes. “The Bloodmoon Prophet. Seraphine.”The name hits me like cold water. We’ve suspected her hand in everything, but we never understood why.“What about her?” I ask.“There’s a man who knew her before she became the Prophet. Before

“They won’t move fast enough,” I cut in. “We probably have six months before Crimson Moon becomes a real threat. In that time we strengthen the kingdom, crush Ironwood, and prepare to bring Alaric home safely.”“Six months,” Martin repeats. “You want us to win a civil war, hold our allies, and break into a cursed realm in six months?”“Yes,” Kael and I answer at the same time.The room goes quiet for a beat. Then Theron leans forward.“So what’s the actual plan?”We spend the next two hours hammering it out.Ironwood comes first. They’re the immediate fire. We either pull them back in line or finish them. No more half measures.Second, we fix our alliances. Shadowpeak is slipping, but other packs are still watching. We need to show strength without looking like tyrants.Third, Erica tracks Crimson Moon. Her Sight will watch the Black Realm for any magical