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There wasa lot at risk here. It wasn't just our love that was on the line. Arthur and I hadn't really brought up the risks, because we both knew what was at stake and both knew that it was worthit.

"You'll win,"I told him. "I'm behind you. Your family is behind you. I know you can doit."

Arthur's cell phone rang,and he pulled it out of his bag. It was his brother,Christophe.

"Hello?"he answered. "I'm at the track." There was a pause, and his eyes narrowed. "I see. Good. It's about damn time. We'll beback."

He slippedthe phone into his bag and stoodup.

"What's going on?"Iasked.

"We needto get back to the house. Christophe has just received word through the clan that Gregor is in Wolfheart, and he's on his way to the Crescent Moonheadquarters."

Istood up,my heart pounding with excitement. "It's about damn time," I said. Arthur smirked and took my hand, and we hurried out to the lot where his motorcycle wasparked.

To my surprise,the entire Luna family was gathered at the house, waiting for us. Christophe had made the call to everyone, and they'd all showed up to come with us to theheadquarters.

"You didn't all needto come," Arthursaid.

"This is a family matter,"Loch said. "I'm gonna be there to support my bigbrother."

"Yeah,"Vander said. "Not to mention, intimidate the hell out of Gregor. If he's facing you, he's facing the entire Lunafamily."

There wasan echo of agreement from everyone else. A chill went through my body, and I bit back tears. "You all are wonderful," I said. "To be so supportive of us... Thank you all somuch."

"Love is special,"said Mason, and Christophe nodded next to him. "Family aside, I think each one of us here understands the significance of its power. We all would do the same in Arthur's position. And we've all been fortunate to have found our loves. So we're going to do everything we can to make sure you two will betogether."

"Trust me,"Vander said. "We're behind youallthe way. Even if Arthurloses."

"Thanks for having faith in me,"Arthurlaughed.

"What Vander means,"said Pell, "is that we'll keep fighting for you, no matter the outcome of thisrace."

"Idon't intendto burden you any further than this challenge," Arthur said. "I'm going to win this. It'll be settled, once and for all." He looked confident. It was obvious that the support of his family had lifted him up. The energy of care and determination was palpable in the air. You could see it flickering in the eyes of every one of them, even the children. This was familyspirit.

"That'swhat I like to hear," his father said, and spoke in a booming voice, "Where does a wolf of strength and honortread?"

"Beneath the crescent moon,"everyone replied in unison, their voices reverberating through theroom.

Ilooked to Arthur,and he smiled at me. "The words of our clan. Soon to be your clan,too."

The family piledinto a caravan of cars, and we drove back into downtown Wolfheart to the clan's headquarters, where Jupiter and I would be having our unhappy reunion with Gregor. I was nervous, but more than that I was brimming with a kind of eager determination. With the Luna family around me—my family—it felt like going to battle alongside the strongest, most competent fighters by my side. A legendary team of heroes. No one was going to let anyone down. Everyone would support each other to the last. Gregor didn't have that. The Houndfang family was wealthy and powerful, but this kind of support, this kind oflove, was non-existent.

The Crescent Moonskyscraper was decorated with fluttering flags bearing the clan's crest, a white sickle of moon over a deep blue backdrop. I was surprised by the formality of our welcoming and the commotion it caused inside the building. As we walked through, guided by a security detail, dozens of workers emerged from offices to get a glimpse of the Luna family in person, the family who had led the Crescent Moon clan for generations. Even as a highborn, this was hardly a typical experience, and I hadn't been prepared for it. Arthur took my hand, and Jupiter clung to my leg, her eyes wide as she took in thehubbub.

We tooktwo elevators up to a floor reserved for family business, and were guided to a conferenceroom.

"Two of yourparty is waiting for you inside," the security officer told us, and opened the door. I was shocked to see my brother and none other than my father sitting at the tableinside.

"Ihopeyou won't be upset," Dimitrius said, coming up to me. "I asked him to be here. I thought it'd beimportant."

"Dad,"Isaid.

"Perichor."He gave me a hug, and then crouched down to greet Jupiter. "My littlegranddaughter."

"Hi, Grandpa,"Jupiter said, giving him ahug.

"IknowI've been ineffective in aiding you all these years, Perichor," he said to me. "And I understand the anger you have towards me. I live with the decision to bind you to Gregor Houndfang every day, the decision not to challenge your mother on it. I was afraid—am afraid. It's a trait I'm not proud of. But I'm proud of you. There's no fear in you. No hesitation to do what's right for your family. You're a better father than Iam."