"Run! The fierce beast has breached the Moon Tribe!"
"Where are the hunters? Get them to the front—now!"
"Move aside—let me through!"
The gates of the Moon Tribe were chaos itself. Shouts, curses, and cries of panic mingled in a wild chorus as smoke and dust swirled through the torchlight.
"Faster! Hurry!" Alec's voice cut through the noise, rough and urgent.
A dozen hunters sprinted toward the main square, weapons drawn, faces pale with fear. Their boots pounded the earth as they ran—too far, far too far. They had kept their distance earlier, afraid the Moon Lord's guards might accuse them of betrayal. Now that same distance had become a cruel curse.
They were too far to reach her in time.
"Take me! Take me with you!" Elder stumbled forward, clutching at one of the hunters as they ran past. His voice was hoarse, desperate.
No one stopped for him. In the rush and confusion, he was shoved aside and fell hard onto the dirt.
