All Chapters of The Rise Of The Forsaken Luna : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

BRIANA"Briana!"I turned at the sound of my name being called, and spotted Milan jogging toward me with a large buck draped across his shoulders. The deer's antlers were wide and heavy, and I couldn't help but laugh when one of them smacked Milan on the side of the head, nearly knocking him off balance. He stumbled but caught himself, finally slowing to a walk."Nice catch. The pack will be glad for the meals this buck will give us," I praised, grinning at my friend.It had been three days since we arrived at Moonveil, and as if on cue, the Werewolf Council had sent their representative the day after the attack. Milan, being the highest-ranking wolf still standing, was the one who received the message. No one needed to guess what it contained. It was the dreaded letter: Moonveil had seven days to name a new Alpha and Luna, or the pack would be stripped of its title, the land seized, and everyone left would become rogues.The words had been a cruel blow. Some of the pack broke down on

DRAKE"What do you mean Silver Paw won't let anyone near their borders?"My hand stops mid air before it can knock on my father's office door. The words freeze me where I stand. Earlier today, I had received a council report saying that Silver Paw was rebuilding faster than anyone expected, and that they had already chosen a new alpha and Luna. Many wolves in the region guessed that the new alpha might be Milan Giovanni-the fierce head warrior. I've met Milan a few times at the Annual Assembly of Alphas, held every first of August. He always seemed more comfortable leading warriors under a beta than holding the crushing responsibility of leading a whole pack."It's what our men reported, Alpha," a steady voice answers from inside. I recognize it instantly-Beta Natty, the man who took Briana's father's position last year. "They flew the plane as close as they dared without being detected. When they tried to slip onto Moonveil land, they were caught. Their scouts warned that any furthe

BRIANAThe full moon shines brightly above as Milan and I step out of the pack house. My heart races, knowing what's about to happen. Milan told me that the council representative already finished initiating Linda and David into Silver Paw, making them the official alpha pair. Sadly, because I'm still seen as a rogue, I wasn't allowed to watch.Before we left, I noticed Adam, Henry, and Lace sitting comfortably on the steps. They'll have their turn soon, after mine, and I can hardly wait to see it."Stand tall," Milan murmurs just for me, his voice low and steady. I immediately straighten my posture, nerves tingling, as we walk down the stairs toward the great willow tree. Wolves from Silver Paw line both sides of the path, their eyes following me. Some smile warmly, and it eases the knot in my chest.To the right of the willow stand Linda and David, the new alpha and Luna. Their power radiates like a warm flame across the clearing. I can tell something deep inside Linda has shifted.

BRIANA"Shit... shit... shit." The words repeat over and over in my mind, though they barely escape my lips. Milan is suddenly beside me, lifting me into his arms as I press my face into his shoulder. A silent scream tears through me, but no sound comes out. The agony is too sharp, too consuming for me to even voice it."Briana, I know you can hear me-so listen to me." Milan's tone is firm, but I can feel the worry rolling off him like waves crashing against a shore. His voice is the only anchor I have in this storm."I'm going to reach out to Linda, ask if you've dealt with rejection and banishment pain before. I need to know how much you've been holding back, so I can help you." His words should comfort me, but terror claws at me instead. I try to tell him not to, to stop, but my chest ignites with fire. It feels like flames are licking straight at my heart, and for a terrifying moment, I can't breathe."Damn it!" Milan curses under his breath as he carries me past the willow tree t

BRIANAWarmth surrounds me. When I blink my eyes open, I realize I'm curled in someone's arms Milan's arms. His face looks worn, with dark shadows beneath his eyes, and red stubble covering his jaw. He kept his word. He stayed by my side through everything.The last thing I remember was his voice promising to keep me fed and hydrated before the pain dragged me under. After that, nothing but darkness.The pain had been unbearable.It consumed me.Crushed me.Burned me alive from the inside out.But now I am awake.I am alive.I survived.Milan is still holding me, fast asleep. His chest rises and falls steadily, and his heartbeat is a quiet drum beneath my ear. That sound is more comforting than I expected. My mind drifts back to the last time I woke in someone's arms. That morning, the bed was cold. I had been abandoned, rejected, and cast out. Alone.But Milan never left me. Not once. And for that, I am more grateful than I can put into words."Good morning," he mutters, eyes opening