Chapter 63 A Moonborn Fight
ARYA
Caspian rallied, using his superior size and strength to gain ground. But Sage was slippery, ducking under his strikes, using his momentum against him. When she managed to sweep his legs and send him crashing to the mat, the crowd gasped.
Caspian hit hard, the impact echoing across the yard.
“Point to me,” Sage said cheerfully, offering him a hand up.
He took it, pulling himself up with a grin that held genuine appreciation. “Again.”
They went three more rounds. Sage won two, Caspian one. By the end, both were breathing hard, sweat gleaming on their skin, and laughing.
“You’re good,” Caspian admitted, and coming from him, it was high praise.
“I’m the best.” She wasn’t bragging, just stating facts. “But you’re not bad for a Lycan who’s probably been alive longer than my great-grandmother.”
“Careful. Some of us are sensitive about our age.”
“If you’re sensitive, you shouldn’t look thirty and move like a predator.” She glanced over at Ryker. “My wolf is looking possessive. Better go reassure him before he does something stupid.”
She jogged over, and Ryker immediately pulled her close, his nose buried in her neck. Scent-marking. Claiming. The gesture was pure wolf, instinctive and possessive.
She allowed it, her hand stroking down his back soothingly. “Jealous wolf,” she murmured, but loud enough for those nearby to hear.
“You were flirting with him.”
“I was being friendly. There’s a difference.”
“Looked like flirting to me.”
“Then kiss me and remind yourself who I came here for.” She grabbed his shirt, pulling him down to her level. Despite the height difference, there was no question who was in control. “Or are you going to keep pouting?”
He kissed her. Hard, possessive and claiming. His hands fisted in her hair, angling her head for deeper access. It was raw and primal and completely indecent for a public setting.
When they broke apart, Sage was smirking. “There’s my wolf. Thought I’d lost you to brooding for a minute there.”
“I don’t brood.” He grumbled.
Her laugh was airy. “Keep telling yourself that.” She turned to us, completely unbothered by the public display. “So, what’s the plan? I’m here to help with security, right?”
“Right,” Luca confirmed. “We need warriors we can trust. Ryker vouched for you.”
“Ryker has terrible judgment in women, but excellent judgment in warriors.” She winked at Ryker, who scowled. “What are we dealing with?”
Caspian pulled up a holographic display, and for the next hour we discussed strategies, potential threats, and defensive positions.
Sage’s input was invaluable. She’d fought in more battles than most people twice her age, and her tactical mind was sharp as her blades.
“The main vulnerability is the single entry point,” she said, studying the terrain map of the Moonborne lands. “If they block it, we’re trapped like rats.”
“We could create alternate escape routes,” I suggested. “Hidden paths through the mountains.”
“Good thinking. And we need scouts posted on every peak with visuals of the valley. Anyone approaching, we want to know about it hours in advance, not minutes.” She zoomed in on the map. “Here, here, and here. High ground positions with clear sightlines.”
“Agreed,” Luca said. “Caspian, coordinate with the mountain packs. We’ll need climbers who can handle those positions.”
“What about magical threats?” Sage asked. “Physical security is one thing, but if they have witches or warlocks—”
“We have Bardon,” I interjected. “And I have my own magic. Moonborne power should counter most offensive spells.”
“Should isn’t good enough. We need certainty.” Sage looked at me directly. “No offense, Luna, but have you actually trained in counter-magic? Or are we hoping your bloodline does the work for you?”
The challenge in her voice was clear. And deserved.
“I’m still learning,” I admitted. “My power only fully emerged a few weeks ago.”
“Then you need a crash course. Yesterday.” She looked at Luca. “With respect, Your Majesty, sending her into a potential war zone without proper training is a suicide mission.”
“I know.” Luca’s jaw was tight. “Bardon has been working with her—”
“Not enough. She needs combat training. Real combat, not just theory.” Sage’s expression was serious. “I’ve seen too many powerful people die because they didn’t know how to use their gifts under pressure.”
“Are you offering to train me?” I asked.
“If you’ll have me. I’m not gentle, and I don’t coddle. But I’ll make sure you can defend yourself.” She crossed her arms. “Your mate won’t like it. I’ll push you hard.”
“I don’t need his permission.”
“No, but you’ll need his cooperation. Because the kind of training I’m talking about? You’ll come back bruised, exhausted, maybe bleeding. He’ll want to stop it.” Her eyes flicked to Luca. “Can you handle watching that?”
Every eye turned to Luca. His expression was conflicted.
I felt his turmoil. The desperate need to keep me safe. The knowledge that coddling me would get me killed.
“I can handle it,” he said finally, though his voice was strained. “If it keeps her alive, I can handle anything.”
“Good answer.” Sage nodded approvingly. “We start tomorrow at dawn. Bring your wolf, Luna. You’ll need her.”
As the meeting broke up, Sage pulled me aside.
“Can I be blunt with you?”
“Please.”
“Ryker’s still in love with you. Or thinks he is. Or is trying not to be. I’m not entirely sure which.” She crossed her arms, her expression carefully neutral. “I’m not asking you to do anything about it. Just… be aware. He’s confused, and confused wolves make mistakes.”
“He told me he’s moved on.”
“We all tell ourselves things we know are not true. His head knows you’re not available. His heart is catching up. His wolf?” She shrugged. “His wolf is stubborn as hell and doesn’t like change.”
“I’m sorry. If I could—”
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were honest with him from the start.” She looked over at where Ryker was talking with Luca and Caspian. “I just wanted you to know where I stand. I’m here to help with the summit. After that, Ryker and I will figure out if we’re real or if I’m just a rebound.”
“You’re not a rebound.”
“Maybe not. But I’m definitely not his first choice. And that’s something I need to decide if I can live with.” She squeezed my shoulder, the gesture surprisingly gentle. “Anyway, enough heavy shit. Want to show me how a Moonborne fights? I’ve heard stories, but I’d like to see for myself.”
“I’m still learning—”
“Perfect. We’ll learn together.” Her grin returned. “Come on, Luna. Show me what you’ve got.”