All Chapters of When the luna stops waiting : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

POV: LyraThe fortress loomed before us like a monument to death.I stood at the edge of the plateau with the cold wind cutting across my face and the warriors gathered behind me in silent formation. The snow crunched beneath my boots and the sky above was grey and heavy with clouds that promised more of the same.The vampires had built their stronghold into the mountain itself. Black stone rose from the frozen ground and disappeared into the peaks above. Towers jutted from the walls like spears and fires burned along the battlements and the stench of blood drifted down to meet us.Jaden stepped up beside me with his sword drawn."How many do you think are in there?"I looked at the fortress."Hundreds. Maybe more."He nodded slowly."And we have three hundred warriors."I turned to face him."We have three hundred wolves who have spent their lives fighting for survival. We have the Northern Watch who have been battling these creatures for centuries. We have allies who believe in what

POV: LyraThe tent was cold.I sat across from Aldric with the map spread out between us and a cup of tea in my hands that I had not touched. The fire burned low in the corner and the shadows danced on the canvas walls and the only sound was the wind outside."Demons," I said.The word felt strange on my tongue.Aldric nodded."Yes.""They are real.""They are real. And they have been hiding in the shadows for centuries, waiting for the right moment to strike."I looked at the map."Where did they come from?"He was quiet for a moment."No one knows for certain. Some say they were summoned. Some say they were created. Some say they were always here, hiding among us, feeding on us, growing stronger with every passing generation."He paused."What we do know is that they are organized. They have leaders. They have soldiers. They have a plan."I looked at him."A plan for what?"He met my eyes."To destroy us. All of us. Every wolf in every pack in every territory. They want the world an

POV: LyraThe fortress was silent.I stood in the center of the great hall with my chest heaving and my hands still glowing faintly at my sides and the body of Malakar lying motionless at my feet. The silver light had faded but the power still hummed beneath my skin like a second heartbeat and I could feel it waiting for another command.The demons had stopped fighting.Some of them had dropped to their knees. Others had turned and fled into the depths of the fortress. A few of them stood frozen with their weapons still raised and their eyes fixed on the body of their fallen lord.I looked at them."Go," I said.My voice carried through the hall."Go back to your homes. Go back to your families. Tell them what happened here. Tell them the wolves have returned."The demons stared at me.Then one by one they dropped their weapons and turned and walked away.I watched them go.---Jaden found me near the eastern wall.He was covered in blood that was not his own and his arm was wrapped i

POV: Lyra The summit ended at dawn. I stood at the edge of the neutral grounds with the cold wind on my face and the first light of morning spreading across the valley like a promise. The Alphas had departed during the night and the camp was quiet and the only sound was the wind through the trees and the distant howl of wolves in the mountains. Jaden appeared beside me with his bag over his shoulder and his sword strapped across his back. "The packs have gone home." I nodded. "And the wounded?" "Traveling with their families. The healers are with them." I looked at the horizon. "And the dead?" He was quiet for a moment. "They are being taken to their territories. Their families are waiting." I closed my eyes. Four hundred and twelve wolves. Four hundred and twelve families. Four hundred and twelve graves that would be dug before the next moon. "I will visit them," I said. "Lyra—" "I will visit every territory. I will speak to every family. I will honor every sacrifice."

POV: LyraThe invitation arrived at dawn.I was sitting in the great hall with a cup of tea in my hands when Selene walked in with a scroll bearing a seal I did not recognize. She placed it on the table in front of me and stepped back without a word.I picked it up and turned it over.The seal was silver and black. A wolf howling at the moon. The symbol of the Grand Council.I broke the seal and read.Queen Lyra of the Bloodline Pack,The Grand Council has been convened. Every Alpha, every Luna, every leader of every pack in the known territories has been summoned. The purpose is to discuss the future of our kind. The purpose is to forge a lasting peace. The purpose is to crown a High Alpha.You are requested to attend. You are requested to speak. You are requested to lead.The Grand Council awaits your response.Alpha Marcus, Southern TerritoriesI read it three times.Then I set it down and stared at it.A High Alpha.There had not been a High Alpha in over three centuries. Not sinc