LUNA LEADERSHIP

POV: Ivory Wells

I was in front of the group, my heart racing. Their expectant gaze was fixed on me. Experiencing the full weight of Darrel's absence, I inhaled deeply.

We are living in a sad time, I said, speaking louder than I felt. "Everything we value is in jeopardy because of Elder Rovin and Callum. However, we are not helpless. We're not by ourselves.

There were murmurs among the people. Their eyes betrayed both fear and optimism. They required my strength.

"What's the plan, Ivory?" Kira yelled. "How do we fight them?"

I nodded, appreciating her help. "We strengthen our barriers. We work out more than before. And we remain unified. Nobody travels by themselves." Someone yelled, "But what about Jeremy?" "How about Darrel? We cannot abandon them to the world of shadows!"

The assembly became agitated. I tried to ignore the agony in my chest that Darrel's name brought, and I raised my hands for silence.

I said, "We're not giving up on them." But we must exercise caution. Blindl