บททั้งหมดของ THE SHADOWBORN LUNA: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

The morning I returned to active duty, I found the sanctuary in organized chaos.Astrid had taken charge during my absence, implementing a training schedule that actually looked sustainable. The twins taught morning meditation sessions. Garrett worked with new students on emotional regulation. Even Elena had started helping with basic power awareness exercises.They had managed perfectly fine without me.The realization was both relieving and slightly humiliating."You look surprised," Astrid said, catching my expression as I reviewed the schedule. "Did you think everything would fall apart in three days?""Maybe a little.""We are not helpless, Luna. You taught us well. We just needed the chance to prove it." She gestured to where Luna was helping Tobias through a controlled flame exercise. "See? Luna is actually speaking now. Teaching helped her come out of her shell."I watched Luna guide Tobias's hands, her quiet voice encouraging him to slow his breathing, to visualize the flame

As soon as the Council announced a one-hour recess, I dashed to the sanctuary.The faces of the Shadowborn were pale with fear as they assembled in the common room. Astrid paced. The twins' knuckles were white from holding hands so tightly. Tobias gazed at his hands. Luna had withdrawn into a shadowy nook. Breathless from sprinting, I added, "They moved the hearing up.""No warning. No preparation time," I said, still catching my breath."They are waiting upstairs to conduct interviews and watch training. Elena's voice trembled. "We're not prepared."e."We needed another week—""We do not have another week. We have now." I moved to the center of the room. "Listen to me. You have trained for three months. You have improved dramatically. You are ready even if it does not feel like it.""What if we fail?" Cara asked. "What if someone loses control?""Then we handle it the way we always do. Calmly. With protocols. Proving that setbacks can be managed safely."I examined each of them. Howe

Sienna began her observations at dawn.I woke to find her already stationed at the edge of the Deep, watching the morning training session with those unreadable violet eyes. She made no sound, no movement—just observed in complete stillness.“How long has she been there?” I asked Astrid quietly.“Since before we started. About an hour.” Astrid kept her voice low, not wanting to disturb the session. “She makes everyone nervous. No one wants to make mistakes while being watched.”I could see it in how the Shadowborn moved—careful, hesitant, second-guessing every action. Tobias’s flames flickered unsteadily. Luna’s shadows clung too close. Even Elena, normally confident in basic exercises, fumbled a simple healing demonstration.The scrutiny was making them worse, not better.After an hour of watching them struggle, I called a break.“This is not working,” I told them quietly. “You are so worried about being perfect for Sienna that you are forgetting everything you learned.”“She is watc

Sienna's observation period was approaching its end. Six weeks of constant scrutiny. Six weeks of documented incidents, noted improvements, and identified gaps.We wondered for six weeks if everything we had produced would be saved or destroyed by her final report.One evening, I discovered her reading notes by candlelight at the library. What are you working on? From the doorway, I said, " Draft of the preliminary report. In two weeks, the Council anticipates a thorough evaluation. "She did not look up from her writing." If you'd like, you can read it.I do not believe in hiding conclusions." I hesitated, then crossed to the table. She slid several pages toward me. The report was detailed and brutally honest. Every incident is documented. Every gap was identified. Every strength and weakness laid bare. But the overall conclusion made me stop breathing.The Shadowborn refuge is an example of a previously unheard-of level of accomplishment in fusing traditional pack life with power use

We returned to Blood Moon as heroes.Word of the Northern territory Veil repair had spread quickly through pack networks. By the time we crossed into our territory, wolves lined the road cheering. Not just for me—for Astrid, Mira, and Cara.The three Shadowborn who had ventured beyond sanctuary walls and succeeded spectacularly."This feels strange," Astrid said as we rode through the celebrating crowd. "A month ago, some of these same wolves were afraid of us.""Now they see you as pack members who contribute. As assets rather than liabilities." I smiled at her stunned expression. "This is what integration looks like. Acceptance earned through demonstrated value.""It feels good. But also terrifying. What if we fail next time? What if people's expectations become too high?""Then we handle failure the same way we handle success—with honesty and continued effort." I nodded toward where the other Shadowborn waited at the fortress entrance. "Your fellow students are watching. They need