Moonbound

Rising tension

The days following Luna and Jack's kiss felt like a dream, yet an unsettling one. Luna couldn't shake the guilt gnawing at her insides—her secret affair with Ryder, the feelings growing for Jack, and the looming battle between the two packs. Despite the pull she felt toward Jack, there was a shadow of doubt hanging over her—an inner war she didn't know how to win.Luna had started seeing Jack more often, allowing herself to drift into the warmth and comfort he provided, but in the back of her mind, she knew she was treading dangerous waters. Ryder hadn't spoken to her in days, but she knew the silence wouldn't last. Ryder was never one to remain idle for long, and the longer his absence stretched, the more anxious she became.Meanwhile, at Alex's base, preparations were well underway for what everyone anticipated would be the final showdown between Alex and Ryder. It had been weeks of small skirmishes between the packs, testing each other's strength, trying to wear the other down. But Alex knew Ryder too well; this was the calm before the storm.Alex sat at the head of the table in their meeting room, his inner circle surrounding him—his Beta wolves, Maya by his side, and a few newer pack members who had recently pledged their loyalty. The tension in the air was palpable, everyone on edge, waiting for Alex to speak."We need to end this," Alex said finally, his voice cold and hard. "Ryder's been playing games, but I know him—he's not going to back down until one of us is gone."His pack exchanged uneasy glances. They had been through countless battles with Alex, but Ryder was a different kind of threat. He was cunning, unpredictable, and now he had his own pack backing him.Maya placed a hand on Alex's arm, her eyes filled with concern. "We'll be ready, whatever he throws at us. We've fought worse."Alex nodded, though his jaw was set in a grim line. "It's not just about the fight, Maya. It's about what comes after. Ryder won't stop until he's destroyed everything I care about."The thought of Luna briefly crossed his mind, but he pushed it away. Luna had been acting strangely lately, distant and withdrawn. He couldn't figure out why, but he didn't have time to dwell on it now. His priority was protecting his pack—and Maya."We'll strike first," Alex continued, "before Ryder has a chance to gather more strength. We'll hit him hard and fast. End this before it spirals out of control."The plan was set. The next few days would be critical in determining the future of both packs.***Across town, Ryder was quietly building his army, recruiting wolves from surrounding areas to strengthen his pack. He had created the *Nightshade Pack* with one goal in mind—to take down Alex and claim control over both packs. He knew that Alex was stronger now than ever, but Ryder had something Alex didn't: ambition and the desire for revenge. Ryder believed that Alex had stolen everything from him—his position, his power, and even Luna's affections.Lately, however, Ryder had found himself distracted. Felly, a fiercely loyal member of his pack, had grown closer to him in ways he hadn't expected. She was smart, determined, and every bit as ruthless as he was. The two of them had shared more than just strategies and battle plans; their relationship had taken a more intimate turn. And yet, even in those moments with Felly, Ryder couldn't help but think of Luna.It had been weeks since he had seen her, but the memory of their last encounter still lingered in his mind. Luna had been his secret weapon, someone he had used to gather information about Alex's movements, but somewhere along the way, his feelings had grown more complicated.Ryder shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. This wasn't the time for sentimentality. He had a war to win, and Luna, despite the feelings she stirred in him, was no longer part of his plan. Felly had made it clear that she would stand by him no matter what, and Ryder knew that she was the partner he needed to bring Alex down.As Ryder stood in his office, reviewing the latest reports from his scouts, Felly entered the room, her dark eyes glinting with excitement."We're ready," she said, her voice confident. "The pack is stronger than ever. We've recruited enough wolves to outnumber Alex's forces. It's time to make our move."Ryder nodded, though a part of him still hesitated. "We need to be smart about this, Felly. Alex won't go down easily. He's prepared for an attack."Felly stepped closer, her hand resting on Ryder's arm. "That's why we strike when he least expects it. Let him think we're waiting. Then, when his guard is down, we go in for the kill."Ryder's eyes darkened. This was the moment he had been waiting for. All the nights of planning, the battles, the betrayals—it all came down to this. He would finally have his revenge on Alex.But as he looked at Felly, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Luna. The thought of her, somewhere out there with Jack, gnawed at him. He had used her, yes, but there was something about her he couldn't let go of.Felly seemed to sense his hesitation. "Forget about her," she said sharply. "Luna's with Jack now. She's not part of this anymore."Ryder's jaw clenched. Felly was right. Luna had made her choice, and now he had to make his."Let's finish this," Ryder said, his voice cold and resolute.As Felly left the room, Ryder couldn't help but wonder what the future held. The war was about to begin, and when it was over, nothing would be the same again.***Back at Jack's house, Luna lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind was a mess of conflicting emotions—her feelings for Jack, the guilt over Ryder, and the fear of what was to come. She knew the battle between Alex and Ryder was inevitable, and when it happened, there would be no turning back.Jack stirred beside her, pulling her close. "You okay?" he asked sleepily.Luna nodded, though her heart was heavy. "Yeah. Just thinking.""About what?""About everything," she whispered. "About what's coming."Jack kissed the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. "We'll get through it. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."Luna wished she could believe him. But deep down, she knew that when the dust settled, everything would be different.---