Chapter 2

The days after Luna's forbidden meeting with Ronan were filled with restless nights and a gnawing unease that she couldn't shake. The weight of her father's anger still lingered, though he didn't speak of it again. Her mother's cryptic words—The moon has a way of binding fates in ways we can't undo—echoed in her mind, like a haunting refrain she couldn't escape.

The village of the Night Howlers buzzed with activity as rumors of the Dawn Chasers' movements spread. Tension hung thick in the air like the oppressive heat before a storm. The pack was on edge, sharpening weapons, reinforcing their borders, preparing for something they couldn't name but all knew was coming.

Luna moved through the camp like a shadow, avoiding her father's gaze whenever she could. She couldn't bear to face the disappointment in his eyes, nor the questions she wasn't ready to answer. She had always known her path would be one of duty, but now, with the weight of Ronan's presence pressing on her chest, she wondered if she could ever walk it the same way again.

In the heart of the village, the war council had convened. Luna stood at the edge of the hall, listening as her father addressed the gathered warriors. His voice was sharp, his face set in a mask of resolve.

"We've had reports of increased Dawn Chaser activity near the northern borders," Darius said, his amber eyes sweeping over the room. "They are looking for something, but what exactly remains unclear. We can't afford to let our guard down."

Luna felt a strange flicker in her chest at his words. Looking for something. Had Ronan been speaking of the same thing when he'd warned her to leave? Was he part of this unrest, or was he merely a pawn in something bigger?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her mother entered the hall, her presence quiet but commanding. Sylva's eyes met Luna's for a brief moment, and Luna could feel the weight of her gaze. The Alpha's mate, as strong and formidable as Darius, had an uncanny way of seeing through the walls Luna had built around herself.

"We need to prepare for the worst," Sylva said, her voice steady and calm. "Whatever is happening on the other side of the border, it's bigger than we realize. The Dawn Chasers won't move without reason."

Darius nodded, his jaw tight. "I'll increase patrols and send scouts to the far reaches of the forest. But we must be cautious. We can't risk provoking them without understanding their motives."

Luna's heart raced as she stepped forward, unable to stay silent any longer. "And what if we can't wait? What if this isn't just a game of posturing?" Her voice cut through the murmurs in the room, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Darius turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "What are you suggesting, Luna?"

She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words. "We need to find out what they're searching for. If it's something that could put us all at risk, we need to know now, not later. Sitting back and waiting for them to make the first move could cost us everything."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Her father's gaze was cold, but there was something in her mother's expression that made Luna hold her ground. Sylva didn't speak immediately, but her eyes flickered with a trace of something—approval, perhaps, or something deeper.

"You're right," Sylva said softly, turning to Darius. "We can't afford to wait. But sending Luna..."

"She's a Night Howler," Darius cut in sharply. "She has as much right to fight for this pack as anyone else."

Luna's pulse quickened, but she didn't back down. "Let me go. Let me find out what they're looking for. I can get close, get the information we need. No one will suspect me."

Darius studied her for a long moment, his eyes flicking between her and her mother. "This is a dangerous path, Luna. If you're caught—"

"I won't be," she interrupted, her voice firm. "I'm not a child, Father. I can handle myself."

The room fell silent again, and for a long moment, no one spoke. Then Darius sighed, a deep, resigned exhale.

"Fine," he said, his voice low and commanding. "You go. But you do not act without my orders. You stay within the borders of Silverwood, and you return the moment things get too dangerous."

Luna nodded, her heart pounding. She knew that this would be her chance—her only chance—to uncover the truth and learn if Ronan's presence had anything to do with the unrest. But she also knew the stakes had never been higher.

As the council broke up, Luna turned to leave, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. She had to go to the northern border again—back to where everything had begun. But this time, she wouldn't be running into the unknown blindly. She would be hunting for answers.

Outside the hall, the air was thick with anticipation. Warriors sharpened their blades, and scouts prepared for their missions. Luna slipped away, heading for the trees at the edge of the village, where she could be alone with her thoughts for just a moment.

The moon was rising, casting a pale light over the treetops. Luna closed her eyes, letting the soft glow wash over her skin. For a brief second, it felt like the world had paused—like everything was waiting for her next move.

And then she heard it. A faint rustle of leaves, the sound of someone stepping carefully through the forest. Luna's amber eyes snapped open, and her pulse quickened.

She wasn't alone.

Luna turned sharply, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the figure standing at the edge of the clearing. His storm-gray eyes locked with hers, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Ronan.

His presence felt like a storm on the horizon, wild and dangerous. And despite everything she knew, despite the boundaries between their people, Luna couldn't help but feel the pull toward him.

"I didn't think I'd find you here," he said, his voice low, the hint of a challenge in his tone.

Luna stood tall, her heart pounding in her chest. "You shouldn't be here."

"Neither should you," he replied, taking a step closer. "But I've been thinking… maybe it's time we talked."

Luna's breath caught, the tension between them as thick as the night air. She couldn't tell him the truth—not yet. Not with everything at stake.

But she could feel it in her bones. The path ahead of them was already changing, and whatever it led to, she wasn't ready to walk away.

"Maybe it is," she murmured, meeting his gaze. "But not here."

Without waiting for his response, she turned and disappeared into the trees, knowing that he would follow.