Chapter 80 Flashing Coalition Flags
LUCA
“I know.” She sat up, and I immediately regretted saying the words. I already missed her warmth. “We should get ready.”
I threw my head back and groaned. She was watching me with an amused smile. “We should run away to a remote island where no one can find us.”
She made a sound that had me getting hard instantly. “Tempting, but no.” She climbed out of bed, gloriously naked, and I had to resist the urge to pull her back and how her what tempting really is. “Come on. We have a world to change.”
“Or die trying.”
“Always so optimistic.”
“One of us has to be realistic.”
“One of us will not be getting head in the shower.” She disappeared into the bathroom, and locked the door before I could follow her. Her muffled giggles from behind the door was worth years worth of blueballs.
I forced myself to get up too and get dressed. I had to get out there and put on the face of a confident king even though I felt like I was walking my mate into a slaughter house.
‘Dramatic,’ I told myself. ‘You’re being dramatic.’
But was I? The coalition wanted us dead. Half the guests probably wanted us dead. Hell, some of our own allies might decide we were too dangerous and try to eliminate us preemptively.
I was strapping on hidden wepons for security purposes under my formal attire when Caspian entered without knocking.
“First guests have arrived early,” he announced. “Alpha Cyrus from Silver Creek and his Luna.”
“They’re three hours early.” I frowned. My mind already conjuring ten horrible scenarios of why that was.
We were allies and they were in my good books with the way the handled everything when they first found out about Arya. they took her in and protected her, they even wanted to stand up to me.
“They wanted to offer support and help with final preparations.” Caspian paused. “Also, I think Cyrus is genuinely excited. He keeps talking about witnessing history.”
“He might witness a massacre instead.”
“That’s the spirit.” Caspian’s tone was dry. “Come on. Put on your diplomatic face. We have a summit to host.”
I found Cyrus and Helena in the main hall, both looking around with undisguised awe at the restored temple.
“Your Majesty,” Cyrus greeted me warmly. “This is incredible. The restoration work, the energy here is magnificent.”
“Thank you. Though the credit goes to Arya and the combined efforts of our people.” I shook his hand. “I appreciate you coming. Especially this early.”
“We wanted to help however we could.” Helena smiled. “Where is Luna Arya? I brought her a gift.”
As if summoned, Arya appeared at the top of the stairs. She’d dressed in a gown that was both elegant and practical. The deep blue of the silk moved like water, with subtle armor underneath. Her hair was up, showing the mark on her neck that declared her mine, which I particularly loved.
She looked like a queen. My queen.
“Helena!” Arya descended quickly, embracing the older Luna. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
“Nonsense. It’s tradition.” Helena pulled out a small box. “My grandmother’s moonstone pendant. It’s been in our family for generations, worn by every Luna. I want you to have it.”
“I couldn’t—”
“Please. You’re building something extraordinary here. You deserve something extraordinary to commemorate it.” Helena fastened the pendant around Arya’s neck. “There. Perfect.”
I felt a surge of emotion, a mix of gratitude, hope, and determination. Arya was building alliances through genuine connection, not political maneuvering.
She was better at this than I’d ever been.
“Thank you,” Arya said, blinking back tears. “This means more than you know.”
“We stand with you,” Cyrus said seriously. “Whatever happens today, Silver Creek Pack stands with the Moonborne.”
“Thank you. Both of you.” Arya squeezed Helena’s hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the security arrangements.”
“I’ll come with you,” I said immediately.
“Luca, I’m just going to the command center—”
“I’ll come with you.”
She sighed but didn’t argue. We’d had this fight too many times. She knew I wasn’t letting her out of my sight today.
The command center was controlled chaos. Caspian had set up a network of communication devices, magical monitors, and tactical displays showing every inch of the Moonborne lands.
“Status?” I demanded.
“The perimeter is secured. Wards are holding at maximum strength. And scout reports show the coalition forces are still positioned but haven’t moved.” Caspian pulled up a display. “We’ve had seventy-three early arrivals so far. All cleared through security without incident.”
“What about the invitation? The one to the coalition?”
“We sent all at dawn through official channels, there are no responses yet.”
I studied the tactical display, my mind automatically identifying vulnerabilities. The eastern approach was slightly weaker. The northern cliff could be scaled by determined climbers. The—
“Stop,” Arya said, touching my arm. “I can feel you spiraling. It’s making me dizzy.” her voice softened wehn she spoke again. Her hand that was on my arm squeezing gently. “Everything that can be done has been done.”
“There’s always more—”
“No. There isn’t.” She made me look at her. “We’re as prepared as we can be. Now we trust in our planning and our people.”
“I don’t trust easily.”
“Believe me, I know.” She smiled slightly. “But you trust me, right?”
“With my life.”
“Then trust that I’m not going to do anything stupid. That I’m going to be careful. That I want to survive this just as much as you want me to.”
Before I could respond, alarms blared. Multiple alarms started ringing, red lights flashing in most parts of the room.
“What is it?” I demanded.
Caspian was already pulling up multiple displays. “Large group approaching from the north. Moving fast. They’re—” He stopped, his expression shifting from alarm to confusion. “They’re flying coalition flags. But they’re not attacking. They’re… are they surrendering?”
Everyone crowded around the monitors. A group of approximately fifty warriors approached under white flags, their weapons clearly visible but sheathed.
“It’s a trap,” I said immediately. “It has to be.”
“Or it’s genuine,” Arya countered. “Send a delegation. See what they want.”
“Absolutely not. We don’t—”
“Luca. Send a delegation. If it’s a trap, we’ll handle it. If it’s genuine, we can’t afford to reject it without hearing them out.”