Chapter 41 Loyal
JAIME
The news reached me at dawn.
“Alpha!” My Beta burst into my office. “You need to see this.”
He pulled up a video on his phone. Footage from last night’s confrontation, apparently recorded by one of the deserting warriors.
I watched as Arya—my Arya, except she wasn’t mine anymore—faced down an army without flinching. Watched as she wielded power I’d never known she possessed. Watched as she stood beside the Lycan King like they were two halves of the same whole.
And I watched as he looked at her with such naked devotion it made my chest ache.
That should have been me.
I should have been the one standing beside her. Should have been the one she turned to when threatened. Should have been the one she loved with that fierce intensity I could see even through the grainy video.
“The Northern Pack needs to make a statement,” my Beta said carefully. “About where we stand in this conflict.”
“We stand with her.” The words came easily. “Whatever happens, whoever threatens her—we stand against them.”
“Even if it means war?”
“Especially then.” I looked at the frozen frame on the phone—Arya glowing with power, beautiful and terrible and absolutely magnificent. “I failed her once. I won’t do it again.”
“But Alpha, the coalition has significant support. Joining against them could—”
“Could what? Make us targets?” I laughed bitterly. “We’re already targets. Elira made sure of that when she left and took half our council. The question isn’t whether we’ll be caught in this war. It’s whether we’ll be on the right side.”
I pulled out my own phone and began typing a message. Not to Arya—I had no right to contact her directly. But to someone who could pass it along.
Tell her the Northern Pack stands with the Moonborne. Whatever she needs, whenever she needs it. We owe her that much. —J
It was inadequate. Everything I could offer now was inadequate compared to what I should have given her before.
But it was something.
And maybe—just maybe—it would help keep her alive long enough to build the world she envisioned.
The world I’d been too blind to help her create when I had the chance.
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ARYA’S POV
I woke to find Luca already dressed, talking quietly with Caspian by the window.
“—need to move her to the palace,” Caspian was saying. “It’s not safe here anymore.”
“She won’t agree to that.”
“Then make her. You’re the king—”
“And she’s my equal. I don’t make her do anything.” Luca’s voice was firm. “We discuss. We decide together.”
I sat up, and both males turned.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Luca said, his expression softening. “How do you feel?”
“Like I faced down an army last night.” I stretched, wincing. “Sore. Tired. But alive.”
“Barely.” Caspian’s expression was grim. “Luna, with respect, last night was too close. If they’d actually attacked instead of posturing—”
“But they didn’t. We called their bluff.”
“This time. Next time, they might not bluff.” He looked at Luca. “She needs better protection.”
“I have protection. I have him.” I gestured to Luca. “And I have my own power. I’m not helpless, Caspian.”
“I know. I saw the footage.” He pulled out his phone. “It’s already going viral in supernatural circles. The Moonborne and the Lycan King, standing against the Nightshade coalition. You’re becoming a symbol.”
He showed me the video. Watching myself from an outside perspective was surreal. I looked powerful, confident, nothing like the timid Luna who’d left Jaime’s pack.
“Symbols get martyred,” Caspian continued. “I’m not trying to cage you. I’m trying to keep you alive.”
He had a point.
“What are you suggesting?” Luca asked.
“Increased security. Limited public appearances until we’ve neutralized the immediate threat. And…” Caspian hesitated. “I think it’s time to call in your allies. All of them. Make it clear that anyone who moves against the Moonborne moves against every kingdom that’s sworn loyalty to you.”
“That could trigger the war we’re trying to prevent.”
“The war is already here. We’re just deciding how to fight it.” Caspian’s expression was serious. “Better to fight from a position of strength than wait for them to strike again.”
I looked at Luca, seeing the conflict in his eyes. He wanted to protect me but also respected my autonomy. Wanted to end the threat but didn’t want to start a war.
Through the bond, I felt his turmoil.
What do you think? he asked silently.
I think Caspian’s right. We need to be strategic. But I also think we can’t hide.
I’m not asking you to hide. Just to be smart about where and how we engage.
Agreed.
“Here’s what we’ll do,” I said aloud. “Increased security, yes. But I’m not going into hiding. Instead, we go on the offensive. We reach out to packs and kingdoms, build alliances, show them that unity isn’t weakness—it’s strength.”
“A tour?” Caspian looked skeptical.
“A summit.” The idea formed as I spoke. “Invite every pack Alpha, every Lycan Lord, every supernatural leader to a gathering. Let them see us. Let them hear our vision. Give them a choice—stand with unity or stand with prejudice.”
Luca’s eyes lit up. “That’s brilliant.”
“That’s dangerous,” Caspian countered. “Putting every major leader in one place? Perfect target for Theron.”
“Let him try.” I stood, moving to Luca’s side. “We’ll be surrounded by allies. Protected by combined forces. And if he’s stupid enough to attack a gathering like that, he’ll unite every supernatural being against him.”
“She’s right,” Luca said slowly. “It’s risky, but the potential payoff… we could end this before it really begins.”
Caspian looked between us, then sighed. “You two are going to give me gray hair.”
“You’re Lycan. You don’t get gray hair.”
“With you two? I’ll be the first.” But he was smiling. “Fine. I’ll start making arrangements. Where and when?”
“The Moonborne ancestral lands,” I said impulsively. “If they still exist.”
“They do. They’ve been protected, kept sacred even after your family’s fall.” Luca squeezed my hand. “It’s perfect. Symbolic. A Moonborne returning home to unite the kingdoms.”
“Two weeks,” Caspian decided. “That gives us time to secure the location, send invitations, prepare defenses.” He headed for the door. “And gives you two time to practice not getting killed.”
After he left, Luca pulled me into his arms.