Chapter 76 Tonight

Chapter 76 Tonight
Luna’s POV

My body feels inexplicably heavy. The murmurs around me ebb and flow, with my mind barely taking in anything.
Several words, however, sink into my mind.
Abduction.
Poisons.
The Hounds.

The Wolf is before me, its growls heavy on my ears.
"We were nearly taken this time. We must get stronger.”

I do not speak, surveying the area. This time, the Wolf is neither in a cage nor are we in a darkened place. Instead we are in what seems to be a study, the fireplace crackling, bookshelves stretching high into the sky, but it has no end. I move to sit on a couch, clasping my hands together. The Wolf stares, waits.

‘This will not happen again.’

The Wolf snorts.
‘If not for our powers, we would be dead. You may have gotten stronger at first, but our lack of effort is clear. We are… stagnating.’

That last word sends panic shooting down to my abdomen, settling there along with a sense of pooled dread.

‘We will not be weak. This will not be accepted,’ I say but it cuts me off before I can continue.

‘Empty platitudes. Have you not grown tired of it, Master? Do you expect them to protect us forever?’

Another harsh remark, full of stinging and hurt. It is uncomfortable, but I understand it, more than I can ever say.

The Wolf, unfortunately, is right. I have grown too complacent.
How am I to control my powers if I cannot grow stronger? How am I to fully claim my heritage, if I do not stand on my own?
And there remains the prophecy.

The scenery fades, slowly. The fireplace stops crackling, bookshelves dismantled one after the other, piece by piece. The murmurs start up again, resonating to a din.

My eyes open, the encounter with the Wolf remains at the forefront of my mind
My eyelashes flutter, taking in the sights and sounds.

“Miss, you're awake,” footsteps rush to my side, and I move to sit up.

As soon as I open my lips to speak, a bout of coughing takes over. I wheeze, my chest beginning to hurt with every cough.

Water, I think.
I need water.

Before I can bring myself to speak, a cold glass is pressed against my lips.

“Drink.”

I obey without thinking, gulping down the first cup within seconds. Another glass is poured and I drink again. By the fifth glass, I finally feel satisfied enough to push it away.

“The poison’s effect has faded from your system,” I hear Calla  say. Gale moves to sit by my side, and I inch towards the middle of the bed, still panting harshly.

“What happened?”

“You happened,” Gale responds, patting my leg tucked under the blanket.

The scent of petrichor is strong and I realize it is raining, drops falling in a light drizzle.
“They tried to… to,” I cannot finish those words. I remember the sensation of being trapped, the panic surging, my Wolf screaming at me.

“You killed them, Moon.”  Calla explains, as if that's any better.

My hands tremble slightly, cold and clammy.
I shove them under the blanket, squeezing the soft fabric  for the life of me. I have never killed before. Not truly.

“And… you kind of freaked us out there,” Gale adds. “They tried to abduct you, for whatever reason.”

I nod, taking in their expressions.

My brow furrows.
I recall the murmurs I perceived, familiar voices. Kael. Rowan.

“Where is Alpha Kael? And Alpha Rowan?” I inquire.

“It’s the full moon. Everyone’s busy with the celebrations. Although it’s muted… for obvious reasons.” Gale sighs, shaking her head. Her hair runs down her back in tousled waves, rolling her eyes. “Honestly the one time I enter the wealthy Ironfang pack during the festive period and I get a muted celebration. Everyone’s too worried about the Hounds. Everyone’s focused on ensuring their safety.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” Calla interjects. My gaze flickers between the two of them, wondering what went on before I had woken up.

Shaking my head minutely, I focus within myself. The Wolf is passive, no longer as angry as before.

Nevertheless, I feel a surge of determination. I must get stronger.

“I heard a word from Ymir before,” I say, voice hoarse. “It seems I have been lax.”

“We have all been,” Gale rises to her feet, a scowl on her face. “It’s the full moon festival. Too many guests, not enough security. This time we have to be cautious. Especially you, Luna.”

I sense the concern in her voice, though she would likely pretend that she never cares.

“What’s the plan then?” Calla asks me. I glance at the two of them, waiting to hear from me.

A sense of responsibility washes over me. They’re deferring to me.
It is nigh overwhelming; can I truly take on the task of being a leader? How do I do that when I am not strong enough myself?

“We do it together,” I softly say in response. A smile spreads across Gale’s lips. She regards me, acknowledging. “Alpha Kael can handle his pack, and the Council may oversee the situation to the end, but we have more than that. The Luna Trials, for one.”

Calla agrees, saying, “I need to revise my repertoire of herbal knowledge and spells. I've only just started learning.”

“Don’t forget combat. You won’t always have the ability to use those silly mysterious powers,” Gale mutters, but straightens. “I’ll teach both of you stealth and some hand-to-hand. I have worked without needing to shift unless necessary.” 

My lips twitch, breaking out into a smile.
“You do that.” I nod, finally rolling up from bed.

My muscles are taut, somewhat tense and aching fully. I roll my shoulders back.

“I guess this means we aren’t having fun today. Damn the Hounds,” Gale mutters.

I am about to respond when another paper appears in a flash from thin air. Gale and Calla gasp, but I instantly reach to catch the paper. It is another note from Ymir.

Upon unfolding it, I raise a brow and begin to read.

My gaze slowly darkens upon the message.

“We have to leave,” I say. “Tonight.”
…