Moonbound: Caught Between Mafia and Mate

Chapter 7: War Games

The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Luna found herself in the east wing again, the room where she had experienced her first taste of true power. The morning air was cool, and Maria had wasted no time in beginning their training. Luna's body still ached from the intensity of her awakening the night before, but the hunger for control over her abilities had taken root deep inside her. She wasn't just surviving anymore—she was becoming something new.

"Focus," Maria instructed, her voice calm but firm. She stood a few feet away, observing Luna as she concentrated on a small orb of light that flickered weakly in the palm of her hand.

Luna's brow furrowed, sweat beading on her forehead. She stared at the orb, willing it to grow stronger, to stabilize, but it flickered like a dying flame, constantly threatening to extinguish.

"You're overthinking it," Maria said. "Your power doesn't come from your mind—it comes from your instincts. Stop trying to control it so rigidly. Let it flow."

Luna took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to push away the doubts and fears that clouded her mind. She reached inward, feeling for that deep well of energy that she had touched the night before. This time, she didn't try to force it into shape. She let the energy move through her body, like water slipping through her fingers, fluid and untamed.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. The orb of light had grown, now a steady, glowing sphere resting in her hand. It pulsed gently, like a heartbeat, warm and alive.

Maria smiled faintly. "Much better."

Luna couldn't help but smile back, feeling a rush of pride. The power no longer felt so foreign, so overwhelming. It was becoming a part of her, something she could call upon when she needed it.

"How long will it take before I can really control it?" Luna asked, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and impatience.

Maria's smile faded slightly, her eyes thoughtful. "It depends. Power like yours is rare. Most werewolves have some connection to the moon, but you... your bloodline is different. Stronger. It could take months, or it could take years."

Luna's heart sank a little at the thought of years of training. She didn't have that kind of time. Not with Matteo breathing down their necks, and certainly not with a traitor lurking among them.

Maria seemed to sense her frustration. "But I'll do everything I can to help you get there faster. We don't have the luxury of time, I know that. But you've already made incredible progress. Don't underestimate yourself."

Luna nodded, though the weight of her situation pressed heavily on her. She was improving, yes, but it still wasn't fast enough. The threat from Matteo was growing with each passing day, and Lorenzo was about to plunge headfirst into a war to protect her. If she didn't get control of her powers soon, she might end up being more of a liability than an asset.

"Let's take a break," Maria suggested, sensing Luna's fatigue. "Pushing yourself too hard will only set you back. We'll pick up again tonight."

Luna sighed but agreed. Her body ached, and her mind was swimming with too many thoughts. A break would be good. She needed time to process everything that was happening, not just in her training but in her life.

As she left the training room and headed back toward the main part of the mansion, Luna's thoughts drifted to Lorenzo. She hadn't seen him since the night of the attack, and she knew he was busy preparing for the confrontation with Matteo. The mansion was buzzing with activity, guards constantly on alert, weapons being stockpiled. War was coming, and Luna was at the center of it, whether she liked it or not.

In Lorenzo's Office

Lorenzo sat behind his desk, his hands clasped together as he studied the maps and intel spread out before him. His mind was a battlefield, strategizing every move, every potential attack. Matteo was making moves—he could feel it in his bones. The calm before the storm wouldn't last much longer.