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I ’m supposed to be the Queen Luna, but as we stare at the horde of wolves with unknown plans, I don’t know what to do. Nothing I can possibly think of could protect the wolves behind us, relying on us. Not even speaking up is safe; a single wrong breath could send the Alpha mob charging before we can defend ourselves.

But someone has to do something. Say something.

Mason is here, but I’m thinking this looks much bigger than what he could’ve gathered alone, Noah mindlinks. It looks like we all were right about the super pack, so we’ll have to treat them as such. But I’m not sure what’s best to start with. What do you think?

I don’t know yet. I need time to strategize, even if it’s thirty extra seconds, I mindlink Noah.

Okay. If I talk to Viktor, they’re not going to like that, so all I can do to stall is talk to them directly, Noah says. I want to say something first, or else they’ll think we’re backing down. But do you think that’s too risky?

Swallowing hard, I try not to focus on the heavy pressure in my chest, knowing what I say next could cost the lives of the living, breathing wolves behind me.

I mindlink my opinion anyway. Go ahead. I trust your judgment.

Straightening, Noah breaks the silence. “You really want to do this, Hart? This is a much different game if you're challenging the world's top pack leaders.”

Mason’s wolf stands rigid—still refusing to shift. And now that he's no longer in our pack, he can't mindlink with us to respond.

When multiple Alphas slip through from behind us, joining Mason’s side, Noah's confidence plummets. I’ve never seen him lose faith in his leadership like this.

Fuck, Luna... Nope, this really isn't just Mason's offshoot pack—

Logan is the last to limp to Mason's side, everyone's eyes on him as he drags the leg Noah broke. “You sure you want to do this, Greenfield? It’s not too late to change your mind. Admit you’re all weak as fuck against Alphas. Since you clearly aren’t one.”

More negative attention is drawn to my fresh mark on Noah’s neck than ever before, Mason's pack showing their teeth.

Even if Noah was 100% Omega, he just triumphed over every Alpha here. It makes no sense to keep denying his strength.

But this isn’t about strength. This is a show of power.

Mason meets my eyes just before I look behind us—seeing who’s still faithful to Noah as King Alpha. My stomach drops, realizing we only have 50 pairs of wolves left, whereas Mason’s Alpha-domination pack must have at least 400 angry Alpha men and a small grouping of subservient top Lunas.

When I turn back to the Alpha-domination Super Pack, Mason is still staring at me. His glare slithers up my spine.

Could that really be Steven? And if so, does he realize what I made him disclose mere hours ago?

It’s true that these Alphas have extra muscle mass, but I feel gross admitting their physical capabilities when that’s what they want. At the same time, I can’t deny we’re in major trouble with a pack of only Alphas; like Noah said, Omegas rarely receive the same training, and Betas aren’t as socially encouraged to train, unless it interests them. Viktor’s pack is large, but if we’re mainly counting on his young, able-bodied Alphas to protect us, we may only have a slight advantage. We’re also facing off against a handful of the top Alphas in the world that just joined Mason’s side—and Alphas who don’t give a fuck about fighting by the rules.

Wolves might be designed to defend their loved ones from other wolves in short scuffles rather than wasting energy taking another wolf’s life, but I’m certain these Alphas have different intentions. As Mason continues to glower at us, it’s clear he came to kill.

Viktor whispers to Noah, and Mason bristles.

“Don’t talk!” Logan yells. “This isn’t a conference between packs. It’s a takeover by the rightful leaders.”

“No, it’s not. I recognize every single one of you: you're on our Alpha-domination cult blacklist. But where’s Jack Hart? Is he your true top Alpha, or are you all just shitty Jack copycats?” Noah says.

Mason releases a fierce growl, inching closer.

I grip Noah’s arm, numb to my raging heartbeat beyond its pressure in my chest.

Breathe, Luna. I'm stalling while Vik calls his pack for backup, Noah says.

Try not to instigate them. They’re on the verge of snapping, and I’m too confused to know what to do.

Confused? Noah asks.

Yes. They should’ve attacked us while we were mating. And we know they’re not honestly trying to talk this through—compromise isn’t an option for them. Why are they also stalling?

Fuck... I don’t know. I didn’t realize that until you said it. That’s... Noah’s hope drops in our bond. With it, my skin erupts in fearful goosebumps.

I have to figure this out—to save this pup I’m carrying, my loving mate, and the future of every Lycan. I need to.

Their behavior just doesn’t make sense.

But that’s exactly what they want me to feel. They aren’t playing by Lycan rules; they’re playing by abusive ones.

This is a game I know how to survive.

Hope rebuilds in my chest. With it, Noah’s shoulders settle beside me.

But Matthew grimaces at us, his incisors flashing. “Your way isn’t working, Greenfield. Without our power, promised to us by birth, Alphas are facing severe neglect. We’re banding together in the name of the domination we’re owed. We’ll show everyone how the world is supposed to work.”

Noah’s fists tighten. I can hardly breathe, OCD and hypervigilance tag-teaming as my eyes zip from Alpha to Alpha, searching for a clue, tell, or any other warning of what’s to come.

“No matter how strong you are, we can't allow a single pack to dominate the whole world,” Noah says. “We’ll never let you. There’s a reason why super packs go against the instincts the Moon Goddess granted us. It only ends in death. You’ll kill one another for power and break into hundreds of packs, soon enough.”

Logan glowers. “You really think Alphas can’t rule together? That we’re all violent, thoughtless beasts? How do you know Alphas who have been violent in the past weren’t just acting out of suffering? Our true, natural order is ignored unless Alphas are shown the respect we’re owed.”

Viktor lets out a sharp, sardonic laugh—more like a deep and menacing snarl. “So we’re all just supposed to roll over and submit to you while you abuse wolves you think are weaker?”

“We’re restoring order , allowing naturally weak wolves to be protected. They can’t protect themselves,” Matthew says.

Tāne crosses his arms. “They can’t protect themselves? Think for themselves? Decide for themselves on what happens to their bodies and loved ones? Sure sounds ‘safe,’ bro.”

“I’m sure you'd never understand with a weak-ass Omega as your ‘King,’” Logan hisses.

With how intensely Noah’s emotions waver in our bond, I wrap my hand around his, squeezing tight.

Their bullshit is expected, but it doesn’t change the fact that they did band together. And with how violent they sound, I don’t think they’ll be taking prisoners. I think they came to kill more than just a few leaders. I think they came to kill us .

But how will they achieve that? Especially if they’ve also given Viktor extra time to gather wolves from neighboring packs?

I look to Noah, whose eyes haven’t left the Alpha-domination Super Pack. Dozens of global leaders stand at our side, but a third are cowering Lunas, hiding behind us for protection.

Even if Viktor's wolves come, they're not all beefed-out, volatile Alphas. And with how remote Kiruna is, Viktor's neighboring allies will take at least an hour to run here.

But there’s one stark difference between us that gives us a fighting chance.

Noah, your true strength is your ability to rule with compassion. Your heart is in everything you do, which I know is a major reason why you detest Alpha domination. Besides it feeling totally unjustified, it goes against your core values—the ones that make Greenfield a unified front. All these Alphas share is a hunger for power, no matter the destruction necessary. You’re right; they’ll destroy one another soon. But that also means our unity is how we can win.

You’re right, Luna. I know you’re right. Which means I physically, mentally, emotionally can't let this happen. You know what that means, right?

My heart drops.

I can feel it in our bond, but I can't bear to mindlink the words.

This is a cause Noah is willing to die for. If he doesn't fight, the guilt could kill him just as well.

And I'd never forgive myself if I didn't fight by his side, no matter what he says to keep me safe.

Noah's panic rises with mine the longer I take to respond, so I tell him the truth.

Yes, I do know what it means. And I understand why you feel this way, even though it terrifies me more than anything.

I'm so fucking sorry, Luna. But I can't let you or our pups live in a world like theirs. I love you with all my heart.

I love you with all of me too.

Noah lets out a low growl, a deep-seated anger boiling in our bond as tears slip down my cheeks.

That felt like a goodbye. It can't be. Please, Goddess, no.

“So, your shitty plan is to wipe out the leaders of the strongest packs in the world so you can swoop in with yours?” Noah’s voice deepens into a shiver-inducing growl, sweeping down my skin.

When the Alphas don't say anything, continuing to stand their ground, I can only assume Noah guessed right.

Noah shakes his head, his fangs extending with every breath. “If you go through with this, then you’re a bunch of fucking fascists. And we won’t surrender first. You’ll either surrender or rot in our confinement dens, Hart.”

With Mason’s growl, Noah’s chest puffs.

But then Noah freezes. I get the sense that if I move, even a little, we’ll all be attacked.

Not attacked. Killed .

Luna, I have a secret to tell you, Noah mindlinks.

Wolves tense, crouching deeper and deeper into the earth—slow, shaky forms ready to blast into action.

What?! Now?

Yes. I need you to know what I see in your wolf because I already know you're planning on joining the fight.

My chest puffs with his, my own musk extending to the surrounding area. You assumed right. If you die, we both die, and Little Wolf will die with us. There’s no point in me sitting out.

I hate that, but it’s true. Which is why I need to tell you: you aren’t just my strongest wolf. You’re my strongest Alpha.

My heart skips. The small gasp I take zips Mason’s focus to me, his wolf crouching and ready to pounce.

We haven’t trained long together, but you don't need to be physically large to be a serious threat. Just your scent scared off Mason and many top leaders here, countless times since we’ve met. You could be King, if you wanted. I wasn’t joking.

As my Omega side sinks into the background to continue strategizing, my Alpha side bristles, her ego boosted to the max.

The second I shift, I need you to pretend you’re running. Take any scared Lunas to shelter. Then I need you to be my assassin. I’m a lumbering beast. I can take quite a few hits, but I’m not sneaky at all. You’re slippery, quick-witted, and agile, and your bite is deadly as fuck. If I gave you openings to swoop in... They'd never see you coming. Noah’s breath slows, but it shakes alongside mine. We could protect each other. Keep you from being noticed while I'm less distracted by working with you. Do you want to team up with me? Stick by my side, so we always know where the other is?

Noah, my wolf will protect you, always. If anyone comes close to hurting you, I’d do anything to save your life. You are our pack's future. Our pup's. But I also don't want to do anything I'll regret.

I understand. You don't have to hurt anyone, Luna, and you definitely don’t have to kill anyone—no one on our side will.

B-but that's the thing; I'm afraid, but I want to defend you and everything we stand for anyway. If anyone comes close to hurting you, I don’t think I could stop my wolf from hurting them first.

That’s my feisty Omega-Alpha. Just do me a favor: don't focus on attacking as your number one priority. Focus on weaseling out of the way like you always do until you have a safe opening. Promise?

By now, not a single one of us dares to breathe. The only sound across the field is a gust of wind rustling through the forest leaves, not even the birds daring to peep.

The collective scent rises into urgency as Noah breathes faster.

Mason’s muscles twitch in his full crouch, ready to pounce.

My heart throbs so hard that I’m dizzy. Am I going to be able to do this? What if I fail us all?

Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.

I promise.

The second I mindlink my promise, Noah gives my hand a soft squeeze. He releases it, slipping from my fingers. My heart jolts, terrified we just held hands for the last time.

Mason tenses, anticipating Noah’s incoming wolf, any second now; and once Noah shifts, Mason’s probability of survival is slim.

But Mason is still standing there.

This doesn’t add up.

The second I allow my intrusive thoughts to the surface, I realize they’re not like my usual intrusive thoughts at all. They’re knifelike observations, protecting me from active trauma. The danger is here .

And I see something hidden in the bushes.

There’s no time to mindlink my spiraling thoughts, not as the first ripple of Noah’s fur sprouts from his skin, his face elongating. He’s crouching, preparing to leap, when I see it’s not just an odd rock in the bushes. It’s a long, black, metal pole, catching the smallest glimmer of light as it locks into position.

No, not a pole. A barrel.

Noah doesn’t see it. No one does.

This is it; the reason they’re stalling.

They’re going to shoot us to death, just like our fathers.