Chapter 183

Chapter 183
Freya's POV

I jolted awake, my heart hammering against my ribs. Something was wrong. The bond between Ethan and me vibrated with tension, pulsing with alertness and barely contained fury. My hand instinctively reached across the bed, finding only cold sheets where my mate should have been.

Ember growled deep in my consciousness, her hackles raised. Danger. Pack in danger. Pup in danger.

I'd barely swung my legs over the edge of the bed when the sound hit me – four long, mournful notes from the warning horn echoing through the manor. My blood turned to ice. Four notes was the signal we'd all prayed we'd never hear: full-scale invasion.

James burst through the door without knocking, his face grim. "Luna, we're under attack. Kassak has launched a full assault, earlier than we expected. They've already breached the outer perimeter."

"Ethan?" I asked, already pulling on clothes.

"At the north ridge with the first defensive line. He sent me to ensure your safety." James' eyes darted toward the window as another volley of warning horns sounded. "They're moving faster than we anticipated."

My mind flashed to Theo's face – his perfect little nose, his tiny fingers that had just learned to grasp my thumb. Ember roared inside me, a primal sound of maternal fury that vibrated through my entire body.

"How many?" I yanked on my boots.

"At least sixty fighters in the first wave. More gathering behind them." James handed me my silver dagger. "The Council believes this is just the beginning."

I nodded, strapping the blade to my thigh. "I need to check on Theo first."

We moved swiftly through the manor corridors, passing warriors rushing to their stations. The controlled chaos of our emergency protocols was in full effect – no panic, just purposeful movement. When we reached Lyra's quarters, I didn't bother knocking.

Lyra was already fully dressed, Theo cradled protectively in her arms. My heart squeezed at the sight of my son, so small and vulnerable amid the impending violence.

"I heard the horns," Lyra said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Full invasion."

"Yes." I moved closer, gently touching Theo's cheek. He was awake but calm, watching me with curious eyes. "You need to take him to the safe room in the basement. Now."

Lyra nodded, already gathering a small bag she'd prepared. "The one with the reinforced silver door?"

"Yes. There are supplies already stocked. Two guards will be posted outside." I lowered my voice, fighting to keep it from breaking. "Lyra, if they breach the manor—"

"They won't touch him," she interrupted fiercely. "I swear it on my life."

Our eyes met, the former animosity replaced by shared purpose. I leaned down and pressed my lips to Theo's forehead, inhaling his sweet baby scent.

"Mama will keep you safe," I whispered against his skin. "I promise I'll protect our home."

The goodbye felt too brief, too inadequate, but there was no time for more. With a final nod to Lyra, I turned and followed James toward the battlements.

The scene at the outer walls was controlled chaos. Defenders moved with practiced precision, taking positions along the reinforced stone barriers. In the distance, the first wave of Bloodclaw warriors advanced through the early morning mist like shadows given form.

"They're more organized than usual," I observed, noting their formation. "Kassak usually favors chaotic attacks to overwhelm defenses."

"Perhaps he's learned from his previous failures," James replied, handing me a spyglass.

Through it, I could see the disciplined lines of enemy fighters advancing steadily toward our position. My mind raced through our defensive options.

"Release the first wave of silver nets," I ordered. "Sectors three through seven."

The command rippled down the line. Moments later, the hidden traps activated. Silver mesh nets sprang from concealed positions, ensnaring at least ten of the advancing fighters. Their howls of pain and rage carried across the battlefield as the silver weakened them, preventing transformation.

Through our bond, I felt Ethan's savage satisfaction mixed with grim determination. He was fighting hard on the northern flank, his rage and power flowing through our connection like electricity.

I spotted the group of former Bloodclaw warriors who had defected to us. Among them stood Rovak, his injuries mostly healed but still visible in the way he favored his right side. "Rovak," I called, motioning him closer. "Kassak has changed his tactics. What else might he try?"

Rovak studied the battlefield with the practiced eye of someone who had once helped plan such attacks. "He's likely targeting the southeastern approach next. It's where we always focused during large-scale training exercises."

"Who would he send to lead that assault?" I pressed.

"Maddox," Rovak answered without hesitation. "The one with the white streak in his fur. He was being groomed to take my position as Beta before I left. Kassak trusts him implicitly."

I nodded, quickly dispatching messengers to redirect our forces. "James, send word to Ethan about the southeastern approach. Tell him Maddox is leading that assault."

The battle intensified as more Bloodclaw warriors joined the fight. I made my way to a strategic outcropping that overlooked a critical junction of our defenses. From here, I could see Bloodclaw fighters had already breached our first line.

"Hold this position," I commanded the small group of defenders who joined me. "This is where we stop their advance."

I chose to remain in human form, drawing the silver bow from my back. The weapon, crafted by my own hands, felt perfectly balanced—one of the unexpected gifts of becoming Luna. The heightened dexterity and coordination had surprised even me; I'd picked up archery with almost supernatural ease, my fingers remembering patterns they'd never been taught.

Under Lydia's patient guidance over the past weeks, I'd developed from a novice to one of our pack's most accurate shots. I nocked an arrow with practiced ease, the silver tip gleaming in the early morning light, my body instinctively finding the perfect stance.

Below us, a group of Bloodclaw fighters emerged from the tree line. At their center was a tall warrior with distinctive white-streaked fur – Maddox. Riley had mentioned him during our last council meeting: Kassak's most trusted lieutenant, the one who carried out his most brutal orders.

I drew back the bowstring, sighting along the arrow. The distance was considerable, but not impossible. I released my breath slowly, feeling time compress around me.

The arrow flew true, striking Maddox in the shoulder just as he was about to shift forms. His roar of pain echoed through the forest as he staggered, silver burning into his flesh. The Bloodclaw formation faltered, momentarily confused by their leader's sudden vulnerability.

"Now!" I shouted, and our defenders surged forward, capitalizing on the disarray.