Semua Bab Luna Rising: Bab 131 - Bab 140

GideonI let Curran take over to do the border examination. After the meeting with the Elders, he was ready to let off some steam, and I needed to sit back and think. The shift came easily—it was so much smoother than it had ever been before, now that I was fully bonded with Cora and had my connection with Seren. All the pieces I'd felt were missing over the years had clicked into place. I felt calmer, more settled, and with that came a level of control and power I'd never dreamed I was capable of.Curran's paws pounded the earth, the vibrations running through his body as he ran. His sharp vision picked up on tracks from the patrol, wild animals, and other creatures that were natural to find in a forest environment. Scents layered over each other—two different shifters, a few deer, the tangy rot of a felled log—as we continued along the path. He slowed as we came up on the carcass of a boar just at the edge of the territory line. 'This isn't one of our kills. The hunters wouldn't ha

SerenMy feet landed solidly beneath me as I finished the rotation for the roundhouse kick I’d just aimed at Tristan’s head. If he’d been any slower, he’d be lying on the ground unconscious from the force. Instead, he shot me a wide grin as he stepped back. “Well done, Luna! Your form was excellent!” He walked over to the edge of the mat where towels and water waited for us. Picking up one of the bottles, he handed it to me. I took a long drink, then grabbed a towel and brought it to my face to wipe the sweat away.Duncan was in his office with Julian and Lucian. He’d been trying to track down the whereabouts of Alpha Brian and his pack for weeks with no luck. The closer we got to the tournament, the more frustrated he was becoming. The three of them were making more contingency plans for the event in case he showed up there with Mikhail’s army. With Gideon gone and the gathering around the corner, Tristan had taken over my regular training again. I was never going to be a great war

DuncanLight applause rippled through the dining hall. When it quieted, Cian continued. “The winners of the tournament will choose a new name for this pack. Blood Moon will be a footnote in our history—a warning to those who come after—showing the cost of pride and greed.” Once again, his gaze swept the room. “Now, those of you who will be participating tomorrow, I recommend you get a good night’s sleep.” Laughter rippled at his words. “Alphas and Lunas, please stay behind after dinner. Betas optional if you choose. We need to have a meeting.” At his words, several people looked around in concern. Braxton met my eyes from his seat several tables over, but I simply gave a small shake of my head. It wouldn’t be long before the room cleared. Julian leaned in. “King Dorian and General Zephyr have just arrived,” he whispered to me and Seren. “Tristan wants to know where he should send them.”“Tell him to bring them here. Cian will probably want to introduce them to the Alphas anyway.” He

Seren“Our pup,” I murmured, my lips brushing his.His forehead came to mine, our breaths mingling. “Our future,” he said softly.The words sank into me, heavy and grounding. Tomorrow might bring blood and ruin, but tonight we chose life, and I would not waste a minute of it.I pushed him back a step, then another, until the edge of the bed caught behind his knees. He sat without breaking eye contact, and I moved with him, straddling his lap, my fingers sliding into his hair as I kissed him again—deeper this time. Hungrier.His hands traveled my back slowly, deliberately, mapping every curve like he was reacquainting himself with something sacred. His fingers feathered over my skin, sending little jolts of electricity through me, the sensation causing my core to clench, desperate to be filled.But when he lifted me and laid me down against the mattress, it wasn’t with dominance. It was with care. He followed me down, his weight a welcome heat along my body, braced carefully, always m

DuncanPeople were flowing into the stands erected around the tournament grounds. I stood at the edge of the stage, King Cian and Queen Gwen on one side, Seren on the other. Gideon and Cora were speaking with one of the elders over by the steps. King Cian’s eyes swept over the scores of people. His face showed none of the worry that gnawed at all of us. We could hope it went smoothly, that it would be a simple day of games to test strength and leadership, but deep down, I knew better. This was going to be a fight for our lives, and we had more innocents in the crowd than was ideal. I felt Seren’s small hand squeeze mine and looked down at her. She gave me a tight smile, stress evident in the way her forehead bunched and her brow furrowed. Neither of us spoke. Gideon and Cora joined us. “Elder Cassian has indicated that he will stay and fight, but the rest of the Elder Council has decided to evacuate at the first sign of trouble.” Disgust was evident in his voice. “First, they ignor