Semua Bab Not Their Luna: A Female Alpha Story: Bab 31 - Bab 40

FinleyThe opening is a tight squeeze, requiring me to turn sideways and inch through carefully. The stone is cold against my back, the air flowing from within carrying a strange, metallic scent that makes Nova bristle with unease. After a few claustrophobic moments, the passage widens into what appears to be a natural cave system, the ceiling rising high enough to stand comfortably.Liam follows close behind, his presence surprisingly reassuring in the oppressive darkness. The flashlight beam seems swallowed by the blackness, illuminating only a small portion of our surroundings at a time."This goes deeper than I expected," I murmur, sweeping the light across rough stone walls that show signs of both natural formation and deliberate carve-outs. "And I don't think we're the first to find it."Liam moves to examine markings on the nearest wall—symbols similar to those found at the attack site, but more elaborate, more numerous. "Definitely not. These markings are extensive. Recent too,

LiamThe council room is tense when I return, the atmosphere charged with barely contained urgency. One look at Finley's face tells me something has happened."What is it?" I ask, slipping into my seat beside Kaden."Another attack," he murmurs. "River Run this time. Three dead."Alpha Bennett stands at the head of the table, his expression grave. "As I was explaining, the situation has escalated. River Run's eastern patrol was ambushed two hours ago using the same methods as our attack. The survivors reported similar descriptions of the assailants.""Three wolves dead, two critically injured," River Run's Alpha adds, his voice tight with controlled rage. "And the same symbols were left at the scene.""This is no longer an isolated incident," Finley states, her earlier professional detachment replaced by fierce determination. "These creatures are executing a coordinated campaign against multiple packs.""And still attempting to frame the witches," I note, scanning the report that's bee

Dane"Finley, wait." The words escape before I can reconsider. She pauses, not turning back but listening. "When this mission is done, we need to talk. Really talk.""About what?" Her voice is carefully controlled. "About your engagement to Aria? About the announcement planned for the full moon? Or about how you lied to my face while sharing my heat?"Each question cuts deeper than the last. "About all of it. There are things you don't understand—""I understand perfectly." Now she does turn, green eyes flashing with barely contained anger. "You used me. Whether for pleasure or politics or both, it doesn't matter. You made me believe I was your choice when I was never more than a complication.""That's not true." I step closer, needing her to hear my sincerity despite knowing I've forfeited the right to be believed. "What I feel for you is real. The mate bond is real.""So is your engagement, apparently." Her bitter laugh holds no humor. "Funny how that never came up during those three

Finley Shaking myself out of my pity party for one, I force all thoughts of mates to the back of my mind, giving the growing threat to my pack all my attention. "I'll compile a comprehensive report from our findings in the cave," I say, redirecting my focus to the immediate tasks. "Celina, if you can begin documenting the defensive spells, we can incorporate them into our patrol protocols by this evening.""Of course," she agrees readily. "I'll need a workspace and access to your perimeter maps.""Use the conference room," my father suggests. "Bradley can provide you with territorial layouts."Bradley's smile doesn't reach his eyes as he nods. "I'd be happy to assist."As the meeting breaks up, I find myself strategizing how to avoid being alone with either Liam or Dane. My emotions are too raw, too complicated to navigate personal conversations while also managing this crisis.But Dane intercepts me in the hallway before I can escape, his expression strained. "I need to speak with y

Liam"They knew the patrol signs," adds another team member, a Mountain Ridge enforcer, as we try to sort through the chaos before us. "They even responded correctly to the challenge phrases. We had no reason to suspect them until they were within striking distance."Alpha Bennett's expression darkens. "Gather the team leaders. Now. If they're mimicking pack members, we need new identification protocols immediately."As the command center explodes into activity, I catch Finley's gaze across the room. The same realization passes between us—if these creatures can convincingly pass as wolves, no one is safe. Trust, the foundation of pack life, has become a vulnerability."What do you need me to do?" Ryleigh asks, pulling me back to the immediate crisis."Find Kaden," I tell her. "Tell him to implement security protocol Delta. Then report to Finley for evacuation acceleration."She nods sharply and moves off without hesitation, all personal history temporarily set aside in the face of imme