Bound by the Moon

Chapter 42

The next morning dawned cold and gray, the weight of the coming confrontation hanging heavy in the air. Astrid stood on the edge of the forest just beyond the Silverclaw Packhouse, taking in the familiar scent of pine, moss, and earth. It had been months since she left this place, yet it felt like a lifetime ago. The home she had once known now seemed like a distant memory, tainted by the cruelty of Marcus and the indifference of her brother Darius.

Lucien's presence behind her was an unshakable force, both comforting and unsettling. He had always been a protector, fierce and unyielding in his loyalty to her. But after last night—after the brutal way he had dealt with Marcus—something had shifted. His fury had been absolute, a storm of power that terrified even her. She could still hear the echoes of Marcus's body hitting the wall, still see the feral gleam in Lucien's eyes as he'd held the Beta by the throat, ready to end his life.

Lucien had always been dangerous, but last night she had seen the true depth of that danger. His darkness had come to the surface, barely leashed, and she wasn't sure what scared her more—that he could lose control so completely, or that a part of her had found comfort in it.

The crisp morning air carried the muted sounds of the pack starting their day. Patrols were already out, and the scent of wolves mixed with the ever-present tension of the rogue threat. Lucien approached her with silent grace, his movements predatory, controlled, as always, but today, there was something sharper about him. His dark eyes held an edge, a brooding intensity that hadn't dissipated since last night.

"Ready?" he asked, his deep voice pulling her out of her thoughts.

Astrid nodded, forcing her mind to the task at hand. "We need to figure out how organized these rogues are. If they've been gathering in numbers like Darius's scouts reported, this could be bigger than just territory disputes. This could be an all-out war."

Lucien's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his jaw clenched tightly. "War is inevitable if we don't crush them first."

There was a cold certainty in his words, one that sent a chill down her spine. Lucien wasn't just prepared for violence—he was already planning it. She could sense the predator within him, barely restrained, ready to unleash hell if necessary.

"We'll speak to your brother, get his plan," Lucien continued, though there was no doubt in his tone that he didn't trust Darius to handle this crisis. "But understand this, Astrid—if I see him faltering, I will take control."

Her stomach twisted at the thought, but she nodded. There was no arguing with Lucien when he was like this, when the ruthless Alpha in him took over. She had seen firsthand what happened to those who crossed him.

The two of them made their way to the packhouse, the ancient stone structure standing like a sentinel over the territory. The tension in the air thickened with every step. Inside, the scent of wolves was stronger, the sense of impending conflict palpable. As they approached Darius's office, Astrid's nerves tightened.

She wasn't ready for this—not after everything that had happened with Marcus, not with the weight of their strained history hanging between them. But there was no turning back now.

When they entered, Darius was sitting at his desk, his posture stiff, the lines of exhaustion etched deeply into his face. His desk was cluttered with maps and reports, and it looked like he hadn't slept. He glanced up as they entered, his expression darkening when he saw Lucien.

"You're here early," Darius said, the tension in his voice barely concealed.

"There's no time to waste," Lucien replied, his tone cold and authoritative. He stepped further into the room, his presence seeming to fill the space. "Your scouts reported rogue activity along the southern border. What's your plan?"