Semua Bab THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Sarah collapsed when she read the note.Marcus caught her before she hit the ground, both of them shaking. The sound Sarah made wasn't quite a scream, more like something breaking inside her chest."My baby. They took my baby." Her voice was raw, animal. "Please, Sera, please get her back."I held the ransom note with steady hands despite the fury burning through me. Someone had stolen a seven-month-old infant to force political compliance. Someone had made Alice a weapon."We're getting her back," I said, my alpha voice cutting through the chaos. "Marcus, get Sarah to the medical clinic. Katherine, security lockdown. Elena, trace this notebook paper, including the ink. I want to know who touched it.""The coordinates are in neutral territory," Adrian said, studying the map. "Forty miles north. Open field, no cover. Perfect ambush location.""Of course it is. They want me exposed." I looked at the deadline. Sunset tomorrow. Twenty-eight hours. "Coalition Council, emergency meeting. No

I closed my fingers around it. "Thank you."The drive to the ransom coordinates was tense. Just me, Katherine, and two guards. Enough to show compliance, small enough to not seem threatening.The location was exactly as described. Open field, no cover, exposed on all sides. Perfect ambush terrain.Three figures waited in the center. One held a bundle—Alice, wrapped in blankets."Alpha Sera Nightshade," the center figure called. David Stone. "You came alone as instructed. Smart.""I came for the baby. Nothing else." I walked forward slowly, hands visible. "Give her to me, and we'll discuss terms.""Terms are simple. Publicly announce the Coalition's return to Council authority. Disband Coalition governance. Submit to Reform Alliance under Council supervision." David's voice was smug. "In exchange, the baby lives.""And if I refuse?"He shifted the bundle. Alice made a small sound: alive, awake, terrified but unharmed."Then she doesn't. Simple really."Behind him, I saw movement. Adria

"I can't." Panic flashed across her face. "I can't let her go.""Yes, you can. You're strong enough to trust that she'll be safe for five minutes." I extended my arms. "Please, Sarah. For Alice. She needs clean clothes and food and a mother who isn't destroying herself with guilt."For a long moment, Sarah didn't move. Then, trembling, she stood and placed Alice in my arms.The baby looked up at me with curious eyes, grabbed my nose, and babbled, "shield, Mama, shield.""Your mama needs a break," I told Alice quietly. "But she loves you so much it's breaking her. That's how much you matter."Sarah stumbled toward the bathroom. I heard water running, then the sound of retching. Marcus slipped in, his face crumpling when he saw Alice awake and responsive."Can I hold her?" His voice was raw with need.I handed Alice to her father. Marcus buried his face in her soft hair, shoulders shaking with silent sobs."I thought I'd lost you both," he whispered. "When Sarah wouldn't talk, she would

Two weeks after Luna's birthday, Luna is 14.5 months old, Alice is 10.5 months old.The first sign that something was wrong came during a routine Coalition Council meeting.Alpha Vincent stood abruptly, his face flushed with anger. "I'm done pretending this is working. The Coalition is failing and everyone's too afraid to admit it."The room went silent. Nineteen Alphas stared at him, shock and confusion on every face."Vincent, what are you talking about?" Diana asked carefully. "We just added two more trade agreements last week. Expansion is steady.""Expansion is the problem! We're growing too fast, taking in packs we haven't properly vetted, making promises we can't keep." Vincent slammed his hand on the table. "Three months ago, we promised Riverstone Pack protection. Last week, they were attacked by rogues, and where were we? To spread thin to send adequate support. Two wolves died because we promised help we couldn't deliver.""We sent reinforcements within six hours," Marcus p

One week later, Luna is 15 months old, and Alice is 11 months old.Sarah's pregnancy announcement spread through the pack like wildfire.Not with the joy a new baby usually brings, but with worry. Whispers in hallways about timing, about safety, about whether bringing another child into this fractured Coalition was wise.I found Sarah in the medical wing, staring at ultrasound images with an expression I couldn't read."Sarah?"She looked up, eyes red. "Everyone thinks I'm crazy. Having another baby now, with everything falling apart.""The Coalition isn't falling apart. It's adjusting." I sat beside her. "And no one thinks you're crazy.""Yes, they do. I heard Melissa talking to her mate. Said it was 'irresponsible timing' given the instability." Sarah touched the ultrasound image. "Maybe she's right. Maybe I am being selfish bringing a baby into this mess.""Sarah, you're not selfish. You're pregnant. That's not a choice you made, it's something that happened." I touched her hand. "