The mountains fell away behind them like forgotten memories.
For days, Luna and Yoongi traveled through dense forests and snow-thick paths, the silence between them heavy, but not cold. There was a tension in the air now—not anger, not distance—something tighter. Like the quiet before a downpour.
Luna could feel the shift in the wind.
She was going home.
But Silverhollow no longer felt like a home.
When the gates came into view, she stopped.
Tall spires. Steel-clawed guards. The air stank of fear, not power.
"This place has changed," she muttered.
Yoongi glanced down at her. "It broke the day you left."
And she knew, in her gut, he was right.
The Council had fractured. The Priests who once advised the Alpha had vanished. Rogues had grown bold, sniffing at the borders like wolves smelling weakness. And in her absence, her family—the pack that raised her—had hardened into something crueler.
They stepped through the gates in silence.
Pack members glanced their way, whispering. Not all of them bowed.
One snarled. Yoongi snarled louder.
Luna stayed still.
The sanctuary might have protected them before, but here, in the old stone city of Silverhollow, they were on dangerous ground. Even bonded mates weren't immune to politics.
And then came the one person Luna hadn't expected to see—
Park Jimin.
Oh Moon, save her now.
He strolled down the central steps of the Council Hall like he was walking a runway: sleek jacket, collar popped, eyes twinkling with mischief. His silver hair shimmered under the lantern lights, and his grin was positively criminal.
"Well, well, well…" he drawled. "Is that the infamous runaway and my brooding brother back from the dead?"
Yoongi groaned under his breath. "Moon, why."
Luna blinked. "Jimin?"
"The one and only, darling," Jimin said, already halfway to her. "And might I say—your mate bond suits you. You're glowing. Literally. It's unfair, honestly."
She blinked again. "You look... different."
"I am different. I moisturize now. And run diplomacy for half the Council, since someone couldn't be bothered to send letters while dying."
He threw a pointed look at Yoongi.
Yoongi, in return, just growled.
Luna wasn't sure what she'd expected of Min Yoongi's brother. Maybe someone similar—quiet, sharp, intense.
But Jimin was a wildfire where Yoongi was moonlight.
His energy crackled. His presence was charming to the point of being dangerous. And the moment he stepped too close, brushing Luna's shoulder as he reached past her, Yoongi tensed so hard it was audible.
"Watch it," Yoongi snapped.
Jimin blinked, innocent. "What? Just saying hi to my future sister-in-law. You did plan to invite me to the mating ceremony, right?"
Yoongi's jaw tightened.
Luna held back a smirk. Okay. This was… kinda fun.
"You're a menace," Yoongi muttered.
"I am a delight," Jimin countered, giving Luna a wink that made her heart stutter for entirely the wrong reasons. "And Luna? If you ever get tired of broody and brooding over here, I make excellent pancakes and give better hugs."
"Jimin," Yoongi growled, voice low and deadly.
"What? It's a compliment! You should be grateful your mate is so stunning."
He turned back to Luna, voice dropping just enough to make it dangerous.
"You really are. Stunning, I mean. Even the Moon's jealous."
Luna coughed. Loudly. "Uh. Thank you?"
"You're welcome."
"Jimin, go away," Yoongi barked.
"But then who would flirt with her just to annoy you?"
"Exactly! That's the problem!"
Jimin only laughed and disappeared into the hall like the menace he was.
Yoongi stared after him for several seconds, eyes twitching.
"I hate him."
Luna smiled sweetly. "You're cute when you're jealous."
"I am not jealous."
"You growled when he winked."
"He winked at you."
"Still jealous."
He didn't argue.
Later that night, the Council gathered. Luna stood at Yoongi's side before the great fire pit, the flames casting shadows on the ancient stone walls. There were fewer Elders now. The war with the rogues had left gaps. Gaps Luna had been destined to fill… had she stayed.
"Luna of Silverhollow," an Elder spoke, voice dry. "You return not as the Alpha's daughter, but as the Goddess-touched. Explain."
She didn't flinch. "The Moon spoke. She chose me."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
Another Elder leaned forward. "And this one? Min Yoongi of the Crescent Bloodline. You bond with him willingly?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"His line is cursed."
"That curse died the moment he chose to protect, not destroy."
A murmur ran through the room.
Yoongi stood tall beside her. Silent. Watching.
But the Elders weren't done.
"There are those who say this bond is dangerous. That it shifts the balance of power. That you, Luna, might be the Moon's favorite… but the Moon has turned on us before."
"Then let her turn on you again," Luna snapped. "I don't need your approval to be who I was born to be."
The room went cold.
Jimin, from the shadows, let out a low whistle. "Damn. That was hot."
Yoongi elbowed him. Hard.
That night, Luna couldn't sleep.
She stood on the balcony of the old Alpha's chambers, staring at the moon. It was full tonight—watching her, judging her. She wondered if She was pleased.
She heard footsteps.
Expected Yoongi.
Got Jimin.
"Trouble sleeping, Priestess?"
She sighed. "Don't call me that."
"Why not? You earned it."
"It doesn't feel earned. It feels… heavy."
He leaned on the balcony beside her, close, but not too close.
"The Moon never gives easy gifts," he said softly. "Only the ones that change everything."
Luna looked at him.
"Why are you really here, Jimin?"
He smiled, but this time there was no flirt. Just tired honesty.
"Because if you two are serious about taking on the Council… you're going to need all the help you can get."
"And you'd betray them for us?"
"They betrayed this pack the day they stopped listening to the Goddess." His voice dropped. "And Yoongi's not just my brother. He's my best friend. I want him happy. Even if I like messing with him."
Luna's heart softened. "He'll kill you if you flirt again."
"Yeah, but I'll die sexy."
She laughed. He grinned. Then backed away.
"Get some rest. Big drama coming tomorrow."
"Thanks, Jimin."
"Anytime, Luna."
Inside, Yoongi was already awake.
He didn't say anything. Just watched her as she returned to bed.
"You were with him again."
"Are you really keeping count?"
"He's a flirt."
"And you're a possessive idiot."
"He called you Priestess. With that voice."
She smirked. "You're jealous again."
"I'm not jealous. I just don't trust him."
"He loves you."
"He's still annoying."
"So are you."
He rolled toward her, dragging her into his arms. She yelped.
"Hey!"
"Mine," he growled.
"Still possessive."
"And proud of it."
She laughed into his chest.
And outside, the Moon glowed brighter—watching them, warning them.
Peace was fleeting.
The storm was coming.