The Luna He Lost
“Let them come. But when they do, I’ll be ready.”
Later that night, we lit the pyres.
Moonbound warriors stood in solemn lines around the circle of stone, weapons cleaned, armor stripped, the dead laid in rows with their hands crossed and eyes closed.
We had lost fourteen fighters.
I read every name aloud.
And with each one, the flame rose higher.
I didn’t cry.
Not yet.
The tears would come, but not tonight.
Tonight, I was Alpha.
And I had a people to guide.
Killian found me after the ceremony, standing at the edge of the stronghold walls, watching the wind scatter ash into the stars.