The three hour drive to the territory of Damon was a whirlwind of wind, adrenaline and doubt. My legs were shaking by the time we went through the huge gates made of iron, which had a blood red moon engraved on it.
Damon helped me to get off the bike saying, "Welcome home."
Home. It was like a lie
But the place didn't match my expectations. Instead of a fortress, I found tree-lined streets, houses, and children playing. It looked… normal.
"This isn't what I expected," I said.
"What did you expect? Skulls on spikes?"
"Maybe a little."
He laughed. "We're wolves, not monsters."
Kids ran by, waving at Damon like he was a favorite uncle.
"Alpha Damon! Did you bring us a new Luna?"
My cheeks burned. Damon just smiled. "Maybe."
"They're not afraid of you," I observed.
"Why would they be? Fear is for enemies, not family."
That word again. Family.
"Come on," he said, taking my hand. "Let me show you around."
We walked through the golden sunset. Damon introduced me to warriors, shopkeepers, families—people who looked at me with curiosity, but no hostility.
"She's beautiful, Alpha," said an elderly woman named Martha. "About time you found a Luna."
"What happened to his last Luna?" I asked quietly as we walked away.
"Car accident. Two years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"So am I. But that's a story for another time."
We reached a large house in the center of town. Wraparound porch, swing on an oak tree, flower boxes.
"This is it," he said. "Our home."
Inside, the house was warm and lived-in. Photos, books, cozy furniture. So unlike the Morrison pack's cold perfection.
"Are you hungry?" Damon asked. "I could cook, or—"
"Are you nervous?"
He froze, then laughed. "Terrified."
"Why?"
"Because I've been waiting for you my whole life. And now… what if I'm not enough?"
I reached for him. "I'm scared too. But we're in this together."
"Always," he said, pulling me close.
We kissed, and the mate bond surged—until his phone rang. Then rang again.
"You should answer," I said.
He growled but picked up. "This better be important, Marcus."
His expression darkened. "When? How many?"
He hung up and turned to me, eyes hard. "Rogues just crossed into our territory. Armed. They left a message: Give us the new Luna or we take her."
My blood ran cold. "They're here for me?"
"Looks that way. Someone told them you were coming."
Sophia. Her smile as I left.
"Sophia Bell," I whispered. "She knew I was coming with you. She said things about your last Luna. That she tried to leave you and ended up dead."
Damon's eyes darkened. "And you believed her?"
"I don't know what to believe."
He stepped back. "Maybe I should take you back. Before someone gets hurt."
"No." I stood firm. "I chose you. I'm not letting rogues or lies change that."
He searched my face. "Even if you're not sure you can trust me?"
"I know enough. You've been honest. You make me feel like I matter."
"You do. More than anything."
"Then don't push me away. Let me stand by you."
"You want to fight rogues?"
"I want to stand with my mate."
He smiled. "My fierce little wolf. Fine—but you're staying somewhere safe."
"Damon—"
"Non-negotiable."
Before I could argue, the front door flew open.
"Alpha," said Marcus, breathless. "It's worse. The rogues have surrounded the entire territory."
"How many?"
"At least thirty. And… some are wearing Morrison colors."
My stomach dropped. "Sophia's setting them up."
"Why would she do that?" Damon asked.
"If both our packs destroy each other, she gets what she wants. Kai can't reject her if he's dead."
Damon nodded. "Clever. Marcus, get Alpha Morrison on the phone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. This is a setup."
Kai answered on the second ring. "If you're calling to gloat—"
"Shut up. Rogues wearing your colors are attacking both our lands."
"That's impossible. All my wolves are accounted for."
"Are they? Even the ones loyal to Sophia?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
I took the phone. "Kai, it's me. Sophia told me things before I left. Tried to scare me away. She wanted this."
He paused. "Three of her father's warriors didn't report tonight."
"There's your answer," Damon said. "She's playing us."
Kai sighed. "She wouldn't—" Then he stopped. "Shit."
"Exactly. We need an alliance, temporary. Until this is over."
"Deal. What's the plan?"
Before Damon could reply, the lights went out. Emergency red lighting flared. Fires glowed on the horizon.
"They're attacking," Marcus reported. "Multiple entry points. They're dividing our forces."
Damon turned to me. "Go to the safe room. It's stocked and secure."
"I'm not hiding."
"You're not trained."
"I'm a trauma nurse. I can help."
"You can help by staying alive."
He kissed me, hard. "Please. I need to know you're safe."
I relented. "Fine. But come back."
"Always."
He took me through a secret door behind a bookcase. The safe room was a heavily fortified room with walls, comms, medical and food supplies.
"I shall be back when everything is over," he promised.
Then he was gone. It lasted 10 minutes. From the comms, I heard the bedlam, the gunfire, howls and screams.
"We need a medic at the south gate!"
"Multiple casualties!"
"Trapped civilians on Maple Street!"
I stared at the medical kits. Then the door. Damon was going to kill me.
But I wasn't a damsel. I was a healer. I took a bag and threw open the door. Whether Luna or not, work needed doing.