Chapter 83

**Strength in Partnership**

*Luna’s POV*

The tension was heavy in the air, and the war room smelled of parchment and ink. On the oak table was a large map with black and red indicators that showed the movements of the enemy and our territories.

I located the location of the rogue attack by tracing a finger across the western border. I whispered, "They're not just raiding anymore." "This was planned."

With his arms folded and his golden eyes fixed on the map, Inna stood opposite me. "This indicates that they have a leader." He tightened his jaw. "She is also dangerous."

I kept thinking about the rebellious woman from the fight. She was more than a lone wolf struggling to survive, as evidenced by her extraordinary speed and terrifying warning. She was *purposeful.*

That implied that she had a strategy.

Grim-faced, Kai and Jarek walked into the war room.

Kai stated, "The patrols have doubled, but there is no indication of another attack." "For the time being."

Jarek let out a breath. However, we discovered new tracks close to the northern edge. They are observing us.

I remarked, "They're searching for weaknesses." "Testing our reaction time and waiting for the ideal opportunity to attack."

Kai gave the map a tap. They might be attempting to deceive us into feeling secure. Strike us hard, vanish, and then watch for us to let our guard down.

I gave a nod. This implies that we cannot merely defend. We must *be prepared.*

Inna looked up at me, comprehension shining in his eyes. "You wish to attack first."

I inhaled. "Yes."

Within an hour, the pack council convened, with elders and warriors occupying the space. As Inna and I explained our plan, there were mutterings of worry among the group.

"We must launch an offensive," I said. "We follow their movements, locate their stronghold, and eliminate them before they threaten our safety."

A few elders looked at each other suspiciously.

One said, "We've always defended." "We put our own warriors at risk when we launch an attack."

"It also keeps more people from dying," Inna retorted. "We lose the advantage if we wait for them to approach us. and additional lives.

Some hesitated, while others nodded in agreement.

Elder Rowan, who I didn't often see speak, then leaned forward. "I've seen this before," he said solemnly. "Rogues don't band together for no reason. They don't follow a leader unless they are united by something. His piercing eyes shifted to me. There is more to this than just territory. Before we take any chances, we must ascertain *why*.

There was silence.

I balled my fists up. I concurred; we must comprehend our adversary. However, we couldn't watch helplessly as they planned to destroy us.

"We look into it," I said at last. However, we don't wait. We get ready for battle.

In a silent gesture of support, Inna's hand touched mine under the table.

We left two nights later.

Kai, Jarek, Inna, and I, accompanied by a few other elite fighters, followed the trail our scouts had discovered through the thick forest.

With the moonlight creating long shadows through the trees, the night was eerily quiet.

Then—

A smell.

It's faint but distinct.

"Blood," Kai mumbled.

With keen instincts, we moved cautiously forward. Then a clearing appeared through the trees—

And I felt sick to my stomach after what we saw.

Human bodies.

Not our pack. Not fighters.

Rogues.

*Slaughtered*

The eerie symbol that was previously burned into the ground? Once more it was drawn, in blood.

Three eerie words were carved into a tree next to it.

**She will arrive.**

I felt a chill go through me.

Since I had a bad feeling that the *she* they were talking about—

It was *me.*

*Luna's point of view* **Chapter 84: The Battle for Peace**

Tension and the smell of damp earth filled the morning air. The warriors of the pack formed up, their bodies coiled with battle readiness and their eyes keen. Although we had prepared for this and trained for it, nothing could really take away the gravity of what was about to happen.

The outlaws were approaching.

No more mysterious warnings, no more scouting. We discovered one of our patrols killed last night close to the eastern border, their bodies left as a sign. They were no longer hiding in the shadows. They wanted blood, and they were coming for us.

Inna was standing next to me, his golden eyes blazing with silent rage. His voice pierced the dawn like a blade as he turned to face the warriors.

His voice echoed through the crowd as he declared, "We fight not just for our land, but for our people." These outlaws wish to destroy us, but they have no idea *who* They are battling. We are a family, not just a pack. We also don't fall.

As the fire of battle ignited in each chest, a chorus of growls and cheers echoed through the ranks.

I inhaled deeply before moving forward and speaking steadily. "We don't fight to get even. Our goal is peace. for the future. And we *will* prevail.

They arrived as soon as the sun formed the horizon.

A savage and ravenous howl pierced the quiet. Then there was movement in the forest, dark figures scuttling through the trees, their eyes gleaming with the intentness of predators.

My wolf charged forward, and I instantly shifted, feeling the same surge of power. Our warriors around me followed suit, and as the transformation took hold, the sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh filled the air.

Then the fight started.

With their teeth snapping and their claws slashing, they smashed into us like a storm. I spun on my haunches and slammed into a rogue's side, sending him sprawling as I ducked an oncoming attack. My jaws closed around his throat and I was on him before he could get back up.

He went limp, and my mouth was filled with the taste of iron.

There is no time to delay. There is no time for mercy.

A rogue lunged for my exposed flank, and I turned, just avoiding another attack. With a vicious blow, Inna stopped him, his enormous body moving like a death shadow.

"Keep an eye on the left flank, Kai!" I used the pack link to make the call.

"On it!" he said in a firm, piercing voice.

Wolves engaged in a lethal dance of survival, causing chaos on the battlefield. However, we maintained our position in spite of their size. They were *pushed* back.

We had a chance to win this for the first time.

Then I noticed *her.*

observing from the battlefield's edge.

Her silver eyes gleamed with something far more dangerous than anger—*control.* She was a tall, commanding figure.

She wasn't battling.

She was *in charge.*

I felt recognition hit me like a punch to the body. I saw the woman. The one responsible for the prophecy and the curse.

The conflict around us temporarily subsided as she looked directly into my eyes.

*She is aware of my identity.*

Then she raised a hand, smiling slowly, almost mockingly—

The rogues abruptly stopped fighting.

Each and every one of them.

Like they were under her control.

My blood froze.

This attack was more than a rogue incident. It was *much* worse than this.

She stepped forward, her voice resonating with unnatural clarity across the battlefield.

"There has been enough bloodshed." Her voice sounded almost comical. “You can end this now, Luna. Surrender, and I’ll spare them.”

There was silence.

Everyone looked at me.

I could feel Inna next to me, his breath coming in sharp gasps from the struggle. The whole pack, including Kai and Jarek, was anticipating my answer.

My heart was racing.

This was no longer merely a battle.

It was a war.

And I had to make a choice—

Have I fought?

Or did I give up to protect my people?