Chapter 115 Chapter 115

Chapter 115 Chapter 115
"For what purpose?" I asked, though I already feared the answer.
"They're trying to open the doorway," the man replied, his hands trembling slightly as he spoke. "They keep talking about 'bringing him through' during the lunar eclipse. Something about the alignment being perfect when the moon's shadow crosses the earth."
A lunar eclipse. The pieces suddenly clicked into place in my mind. Operation Eclipse wasn't just a codename; it referred to an actual astronomical event. Diamond's energy surged with understanding, her connection to the moon making the significance immediately clear.
"When is the next lunar eclipse?" I asked, turning to Liam whose scholarly mind would know such details.
"Next Friday," he confirmed grimly. "It's a partial eclipse, but it will be at its maximum around midnight."
"Seven days," Kane said, his tactical mind already calculating what that meant for our timeline. "Not much time to prepare."
The Priestess approached, her ancient eyes troubled. "A lunar eclipse would indeed provide the power needed to breach the veil between worlds. When the moon's light is temporarily dimmed, the barriers between realms grow thin."
"And if they've been accumulating energy at a convergence point for years..." Fin added, trailing off as the implications became clear to everyone.
"We need to move now," I said, Diamond's urgency flowing through me. "Not next week—today. If we wait until they've gathered all their forces at Moonstone, we'll be overwhelmed."
Lucious nodded in agreement. "We should split our focus. One team to free the remaining captives at the Dakota and southern facilities, another to target Moonstone directly."
"Risky," Alpha Maxwell cautioned. "Dividing our forces could leave both teams vulnerable."
"We don't have a choice," I countered. "We can't leave innocent wolves in those facilities, but we also can't allow whatever ritual they're planning to proceed."
The room fell silent as everyone considered the impossible choice before us. I felt the weight of all those lives hanging in the balance—the captives waiting for rescue, my pack members who would risk themselves in the assault, and potentially all werewolves if the Northern Alliance succeeded in opening a doorway to the shadow realm.
"I have contacts," Margaret Chen spoke up from the doorway where she'd been quietly observing. "Jade Mountain pack has warriors who can assist with the Dakota facility. And I believe Alpha Hawke would contribute forces to the southern operation."
Richard Hawke stepped forward, surprising me with his firm nod. "The Coastal Winds stand with the Maxwell-Blackthorne alliance in this. What affects one pack affects us all."
Relief washed through me at their support. With allied packs joining our effort, we might actually have a chance of succeeding on all fronts.
"Then we form three strike teams," Kane decided, taking charge of the tactical planning that was his strength. "Allied packs handle Dakota and the southern facility. Our strongest warriors focus on Moonstone."
"Then it's settled," Alpha Maxwell said with a grim nod. "We coordinate with our allies and launch a three-pronged assault."
I felt Diamond's energy pulse with approval, even as anxiety knotted in my stomach. We were about to launch an unprecedented operation against an enemy that had been preparing for centuries. The stakes couldn't be higher.
"Seraphina," Kane said firmly, "you and Lucious will remain here to coordinate."
I blinked in surprise. "What? No. We need to be at Moonstone. If they're attempting to open a doorway to the shadow realm..."
"That's precisely why you can't be there," Fin interrupted, his green eyes intense. "Think about it. This entity called to both of you in your dreams. What if your presence at Moonstone is exactly what they need to complete their ritual?"
A chill ran down my spine as the implications hit me. Diamond recoiled at the thought, her protective instincts flaring around the tiny life we guarded.
"He's right," the Priestess said gravely. "The blood of the goddess's chosen ones, especially with a child of that bloodline growing within you, would be the perfect catalyst for their ritual."
"But our power could help stop them," Lucious argued, though I could sense his uncertainty.
"Or it could make things infinitely worse," Liam countered gently. "We can't risk it."
I wanted to protest further, but the logic was undeniable. If the Northern Alliance needed Blackthorne blood to complete their ritual, putting either Lucious or myself within their reach would be playing directly into their hands.
"Then how do we stop the ritual without being there?" I asked, frustration evident in my voice.
The Priestess stepped forward, her ancient eyes gleaming with determination. "With a counter-ritual, performed from a safe distance. One that requires the sun and moon aspects of the goddess's power, you and your brother working in concert."
Hope flickered within me. "Is that possible?"
"With the proper preparation, yes. While your warriors disrupt their physical efforts at Moonstone, you and Lucious will attack the ritual on the magical plane."
Brent let out a low whistle. "That sounds... intense."
"It will be," the Priestess confirmed. "And dangerous in its own way. Magical combat takes a toll on the body and spirit, especially for one in your condition, Luna."
I placed a protective hand over my abdomen, feeling Diamond's silver energy wrap more tightly around our precious cargo. "I'll do whatever it takes," I said firmly. "This isn't just about me anymore."
My mates exchanged concerned glances, but none of them argued. They knew me well enough by now to recognise when my mind was made up.