Chapter 42 -Trinity POV
Irune and I stayed at the lake most of the morning and afternoon, laying the foundation for a plan. We each had our tasks.
I watched as he and JR left the pack grounds. His first mission: uncover the truth about Simone. We all have our suspicions about what she’s been up to and who she’s working with, but until we find her and she confesses, everything is just speculation. He’s also making sure his mother is settled. For now, she’s been placed in a secure location within the pack territory. No one can know she’s here—not yet. Too many unknowns. Too many people we can’t trust.
Evan and I will be heading out with Kemar later this evening. We need to find out who’s tracking me and, hopefully, figure out who’s an ally and who’s a threat. I plan to talk to Ty, see if he’s willing to arrange a meeting between me and his sire. We can’t know if he’s a danger or not until we speak with him directly.
Irune, of course, is dead set against it—but it needs to be done.
Zuri warned me that he can’t come, not just because of the curse but because of Malik. She said Malik won’t be able to control his temper if Ty’s sire is who they believe he is.
Later this week, Evan and I will travel back to my home pack to speak with Alpha Markus. I need to know, with the war coming, what side he intends to stand on. Markus and I have never seen eye to eye, not since my father’s death. But my mother insists he isn’t the man I think he is. She told me to talk to him. So I will.
We already know Ms. Kline will fight with us. Irune told me her story. I suspect her motives go beyond the Moon Goddess’s will or some noble dream of unity. I think her reasons are personal—revenge against Stephen and a need to stop him before he takes everything. Still, I’d rather have her on our side than against us.
She’s already begun uniting the covens, preparing them for what’s coming. Some have pledged loyalty to her cause, but others… others have already aligned with Alpha Stephen. I can only imagine what lies he’s fed them.
Irune tasked JR with reaching out to the surrounding packs to warn them of what’s unfolding. From his mother, we learned that Stephen has been forcibly taking smaller packs—using fear, death, and destruction to buy loyalty. He’s been plotting for years. According to her, everything up to now has been a game to him—a distraction while he built his army piece by piece.
With so much happening, I know I need to stay grounded. I step outside to clear my head and find a quiet spot.
Warriors run drills in the yard, their movements sharp and disciplined. I’ll be joining them in the morning. I wish I could believe there’s still a chance to avoid bloodshed, but deep down, I know better. I’ve seen it—again and again—in my dreams. And now, ever since coming here… I remember every single one. Every scream. Every loss. Every face.
It’s terrifying.
I wander toward the tree line and find a large oak, its shade spilling across the grass near where a group of children play. Two little girls catch my attention—familiar faces. My heart clenches. They’re the ones from my dreams. The dungeon. The screams.
One of them races past me, then stops and turns, curiosity lighting her small face.
“Hi!” she says brightly.
“Hi,” I reply, smiling softly.
“I don’t know you.”
“No, you don’t,” I say. “I’m Trinity. What’s your name?”
“I’m Sophie, and this is my cousin, Tavia,” she says, pointing to the other girl who runs over, giggling. “Are you new to our pack?”
“You could say that.”
“Ms. Trinity, why do you seem so sad?”
I chuckle lightly. “You’re very perceptive, Ms. Sophie. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Well, we could help you feel better! You wanna play tag with us?”
“I’d love to, but I have to get back to the house,” I say, nodding toward the packhouse.
“You stay with the Alpha? Are you our Luna?”
I smile and press a finger to my lips. “Shhh… let’s keep that between us for now.”
Her eyes widen. “Wow. Okay, Luna.”
“Hey, can you two do me a favor?” I say softly. “If you ever get scared, come find me, okay? I’ll do my best to protect you.”
“Umm… okay,” they say in unison before darting off, laughing again.
Sophie and Tavia. They’re in every dream. Every time the fighting starts, I see them. Sometimes I save them. Sometimes… I don’t.
I watch them play, laughter echoing across the field, and my chest tightens. I can’t let that future happen. I can’t lose them. I can’t lose any of them.
I tilt my head back, staring up at the sky—soft blue, endless.
Most of all… I can’t lose Irune.