All Chapters of Alpha's Regret: The Forsaken Luna: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Rhiannon's POVMarcus had been with us for three months when the first request came.A messenger appeared at the edge of our territory—a young wolf, female, wearing the colors of a minor pack I didn't recognize.Marcus intercepted her before she could get close to the cabin where Soren was playing."State your business," he commanded, hand on his blade."I bring a message for the Chimera." She held up a sealed letter. "From Alpha Voss of the Redwood pack. He seeks your services."I emerged from the trees, deliberately in human form. Let her see my face, my eyes, the silver-tipped hair that marked me as other."What services?""Rogues have been raiding our territory. Taking livestock, attacking patrols. We—" She swallowed. "We heard rumors of a powerful Chimera in the Forbidden Forest. A fighter. We're willing to pay for your help."I took the letter, broke the seal, and read.Alpha Voss offered gold. Supplies. And—this caught my attention—information networks in exchange for clearing

Rhiannon's POVThe Riverside pack contract came in late autumn."Border disputes with the neighboring Stoneclaw pack," the messenger explained. "They want neutral mediators who can enforce the peace if negotiations fail."I studied the contract terms. Good pay. Low risk. Exactly the kind of work we needed to build credibility."We'll take it," I told the messenger. "Tell Alpha Garrett we arrive in three days."Soren—now two and a half, looking five—perked up from where he was practicing sword forms with Sera."Can I come this time, Mama?""No, baby. This is diplomacy work. Boring.""I can be boring!" He demonstrated by standing perfectly still for exactly three seconds before fidgeting. "See? Very boring."Despite everything, I laughed. "Nice try. You stay with Nyx."He pouted but knew better than to argue further.The mediation went smoothly. Both Alphas postured and threatened, but ultimately wanted peace more than war. We drew new boundary lines, established hunting rights, and lef

Rhiannon's POVThe contract arrived sealed in black wax.That alone told me it was serious. Black wax meant assassination. High value target. Extreme discretion required.I broke the seal in private, reading the details twice to make sure I understood.Target: Alpha Silas Thorn of the Blackriver pack. Charges included systematic torture of pack members, trafficking of young wolves, and murder of three neighboring Alphas who'd tried to intervene.Payment: Twenty thousand gold.My hands actually shook holding the contract.Twenty thousand gold was more than we'd made in the entire past year combined. Life-changing money.But the target...I'd heard of Silas Thorn. Everyone had. He was brutal, paranoid, and powerful. His territory was a fortress. His personal guard numbered thirty of the most vicious fighters in three territories.This wasn't just an assassination. This was a suicide mission."Let me see it," Marcus said, noticing my expression.I handed him the contract.His eyes widene

Rhiannon's POVThe messenger arrived at dawn, three weeks after the Thorn assassination.I was training with Soren in the clearing, teaching him how to counter a larger opponent. At three and a half, he could already execute techniques that took most fighters years to master."Keep your center low," I instructed. "Use their momentum—yes, like that!"He swept my legs perfectly, grinning with triumph.Then his head snapped toward the tree line, wolf instincts alerting before mine did."Someone's coming, Mama."The messenger emerged—young, wearing colors I recognized immediately.Crescent Moon.My stomach dropped."State your business," Marcus intercepted, hand on his blade."Message for the Phantom. From Beta Cade Blackthorne of Crescent Moon pack."Five years. Five years since I'd heard that pack's name spoken aloud.I stepped forward slowly. "I'm the Phantom."The messenger's eyes widened slightly, taking in my appearance. I knew what he saw—silver-tipped hair, battle scars, eyes that

Rhiannon's POV"We need more fighters."I stood before the assembled Silver Claws—seventeen strong now, after Lyssa and a few others had joined post-Thorn. Not enough. Not nearly enough."How many more?" Marcus asked."Double. At least." I gestured to the map spread across our new war table. "Malachar commands a vampire army. Dozens, maybe hundreds. If he comes for Soren, seventeen fighters won't be enough.""Recruiting that many will take time," Sera pointed out. "And vetting them properly—""Then we start now. Today." I looked around at faces I trusted. "Marcus, you know warriors from your old pack days. Reach out. Offer sanctuary to those who've been wronged.""On it.""Sera, use your network. Find fighters with skills we need—archers, trackers, anyone with anti-vampire experience."She nodded, already making notes."And Lyssa—" I turned to the former captive, who'd proven herself remarkably capable in the months since we'd freed her. "You know what it's like to need rescue. Help m