197

197
Valencia’s POV
I beat my wings in steady rhythm. Found a thermal updraft and rode it higher. The air grew colder but I barely noticed. Dragon scales were nearly impervious to temperature changes.
Logan shifted slightly on my back, adjusting his grip. How long until we reach land?
Two hours to the coast. Then another six to Cliffwatch Pack. Maybe less if the wind stays favorable.
Can you maintain this speed that long?
Yes. And I meant it. The exhaustion I used to feel after transforming was completely gone. Instead, I felt energized. Powerful. Like I could fly for days without tiring.
The sun climbed higher as we flew. I could feel it warming my scales. Below us, the ocean gradually gave way to coastline.
I recognized this part of Valdoria. The rocky cliffs. The dense forests. We were entering Emerald Grove Pack territory.
Stay high, Logan warned through the bond. If Elton has scouts, they'll be watching the ground, not the sky.
I climbed higher until we were above the clouds. Wispy white vapor surrounded us. Occasionally I'd break through into clear air and see the land far below.
We flew over mountains. Over rivers that snaked through valleys like silver ribbons. Over small villages where people were probably going about their daily lives, completely unaware of the dragon passing overhead.
Hours passed. The landscape below changed from forest to plains to foothills. I recognized the terrain now. We were getting close.
In the distance, I could see the mountains that bordered Cliffwatch Pack territory. The stone fortress that housed our pack sat nestled in the valley between two peaks.
Home.
The pack bond suddenly flared to life. I felt multiple consciousness brushing against mine. Warriors. Sentries. Pack members who'd sensed my approach through the supernatural connection we all shared.
Surprise. Joy. Relief. The emotions flooded through the bond from dozens of sources at once.
They know we're coming, Logan said. The whole pack can feel us now.
I circled the territory once. Letting everyone see me. Letting them know their Luna had returned. And she was no longer afraid of what she was.
The courtyard rushed up to meet us. I angled my wings back, slowing my descent. My massive clawed feet touched down on the stone ground with a heavy thud that echoed through the space.
The impact sent a tremor through the courtyard. Dust and loose pebbles scattered outward from where I landed.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then the pack members began emerging from every direction. The great hall. The barracks. The stone house. I folded my wings against my sides. Kept perfectly still. Let them look.
I could feel their emotions through the pack bond. Fear. Awe. Uncertainty. But underneath all of that, relief. Their Luna had returned.
Logan slid down from my back with practiced ease. He landed smoothly on his feet, not even stumbling despite the height.
The crowd parted instinctively as he walked away from me. Giving me space.
Elias stood near the front, his expression caught between shock and something that might have been pride. Dr. Vance was there too, his aged face pale. Ryan, Delphine, several senior warriors I recognized.
I closed my eyes and reached inward. Found that perfect synchronization with Alduin.
Ready? I asked.
Always, he responded. His voice was calm. Assured.
I began the shift.
Red light blazed around my body. But this time there was no struggle. No fighting against the transformation. No desperate attempt to force my body back into human form.
The change flowed like water.
I was human again. Naked, but completely in control. No trembling. No weakness. No collapsing to my knees in exhaustion.
For the first time in my life, I'd shifted back without any pain or difficulty.
The crowd's shock was palpable. I felt it ripple through the pack bond like a physical wave.
Logan was already moving. Delphine rushed forward with a thick woolen blanket. Logan took it from her and walked to me quickly. He wrapped the blanket around my shoulders, covering me.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
His gray eyes met mine. Pride shone in them. "You did it. Perfect control."
I nodded. My legs felt steady. My breathing was calm. The exhaustion I used to feel after transforming was completely absent.
Dr. Vance pushed through the crowd. His hands were shaking as he approached.
"Luna..." His voice cracked. "You... you truly mastered it. The dragon."
I lifted my right hand, letting him see the Heart of Rubia gleaming on my finger. "Yes, Doctor. Alduin and I reached an understanding."
Whispers erupted through the crowd. Gasps of amazement. Murmurs of disbelief.
Several pack members dropped to one knee spontaneously. Others followed. Within moments, half the courtyard was kneeling.
Delphine broke through the crowd and threw her arms around me. Tears streamed down her face.
"I'm here," I said gently. I hugged her back with one arm while keeping the blanket secure with the other. "I'm safe."
Elias approached Logan. He bowed formally, his expression grave.
"Alpha, welcome back. But I need to report immediately. The situation has deteriorated significantly."
Logan's face hardened. "How bad?"
"Very bad. We need an emergency council meeting. Now."
I pulled back from Delphine. Looked at the faces around me. Every single person looked exhausted.
"Everyone return to your duties," Logan commanded. "Senior warriors, council members, meet in the great hall in five minutes."
The crowd began to disperse. I turned to Delphine. "Can you bring clothes to the hall? Something practical."
"Of course." She wiped her tears away and hurried off.
Logan took my hand. We walked toward the great hall together. Elias fell into step beside us.
"How long have we been gone?" I asked.
"Two weeks and three days," Elias said. "A lot has happened. None of it good."
We entered the great hall. Servants were already setting up chairs around the main table. Dr. Vance was there, along with Ryan and several senior warriors whose names I'd learned over the past months.
Delphine appeared with a bundle of clothes. I stepped behind a partition near the wall and changed quickly. Simple leather pants. A fitted tunic. Boots.
When I emerged, Logan had already taken his seat at the head of the table. I sat beside him. The others arranged themselves around us.
Elias stood and moved to the large map of Valdoria that had been spread across one end of the table.
"The situation has changed drastically since you left," Elias began. His finger traced along the northern border. "We need to start from the beginning."
Logan leaned forward. His hands clasped together on the table. "Tell us everything."
"It's been two weeks since you departed for Ravencrest Island," Elias said. "The first few days were quiet. Ashwood's forces remained at Ironwatch Border, but they didn't attack. Just held their position."
He moved his finger to the western region of the map.
"Then, eight days ago, everything changed. Ashwood's main army at Ironwatch Border was a diversion. While we focused all our attention there, he sent a secret force through the mountains into western Valdoria."
My stomach dropped.
"They hit Alpha Kestrel's pack at night," Elias continued. "Kestrel's territory borders Aldermere on the northern edge. Ashwood's forces crossed through the mountain passes and struck without warning."
"How bad was the attack?" Logan asked.
"Near total annihilation. Kestrel's pack was overrun in hours. Most of her warriors were killed. The civilians were slaughtered or captured. Kestrel herself escaped with maybe thirty survivors."
Dr. Vance shook his head sadly. "Kestrel was a peaceful Alpha. Her pack was small. They had no chance against Ashwood's war machine."
"Where is Kestrel now?" I asked.
"In hiding somewhere in the southern territories. She sent a messenger to us three days ago, warning us what happened. But we haven't heard from her since."
Elias moved his finger to King's Fang in the center of the map.
"After destroying Kestrel's pack, Ashwood didn't stop. He immediately launched a lightning assault on King's Fang itself."
The room went deathly quiet.