The Forest girl : Luna

Chapter 13 : Edge of Loyalty

The air was thick with tension as I continued my charged conversation with Edward, both of us navigating the complex emotions swirling between us. He leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "You're fighting a losing battle," he challenged, a mix of intrigue and something deeper in his tone. "You can't keep pretending you don't feel anything." I opened my mouth, ready to retort, when our communication device suddenly crackled to life, slicing through the electric atmosphere. "Buddy to team, we've got intel," a focused, clear voice announced. "The drug lord's younger brother was spotted at the old docks. You need to move fast."

My heart leapt in my chest. "What's the situation?" I demanded, all my focus shifting to the mission. "He's got a few known associates with him. They're planning something big, and we need to intercept before it happens. Be ready for anything; they're heavily armed." Edward shot me a look, determination hardening his features. "We can't let this slip away," he said, rising to adjust his gear. "I'll call the team back so we can execute the plan." "Good idea," I agreed, forcing the earlier tension to the back of my mind. "We can't afford any loose ends. This needs to be finished."

Edward quickly reached out to the team, his voice steady and commanding, and I felt the adrenaline begin to override the swirl of emotions. Shield had a reputation for working seamlessly under pressure, a reputation that put us above the local police in the eyes of the people. We had to live up to it. Once the plan was set, we geared up and headed out. The urgency of the situation propelled us into action, every movement calculated, every glance carrying a silent understanding of the risks we were about to face.

When we arrived at the docks, the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. Shadows loomed large in the dim light, and the tension crackled like static in the air. "Stay sharp," Edward murmured, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble. We crept closer, spotting the younger brother, flanked by armed men. My heart raced as I whispered the plan. "We take them down swiftly. No room for mistakes." Our team moved as one, a symphony of precision and strength. But just as we were about to engage, chaos exploded around us. Gunfire erupted, and instinct took over. Without thinking, I threw myself in front of Edward, shoving him out of the way. Pain lanced through me as a bullet found its mark, and my world tilted.

"Maddie!" Edward's shout echoed around me as I fell, the pain searing through my side. The chaos around me blurred, fading as everything went black. When I woke, the sterile scent of antiseptic hit me first. I groaned, every nerve in my body screaming in pain. The bright lights above me felt harsh, and the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor made my head spin. I tried to move, but agony radiated from my wound. "Maddie!" Ava's voice pulled me out of the fog. She was sitting beside me, eyes wide with fear. "You're awake." "What happened?" I croaked, my voice raw. "Where's Edward?" Ava's face darkened. "He... lost it when you got hurt. He's still out there, tracking them down. He wouldn't stop."

My heart sank, worry crashing over me like a wave. "He's alone? He'll make mistakes. We can't afford that." "Maddie, you can't just—" "I have to," I insisted, pushing past the pain. "Help me get up. Now." Ava looked at me like I'd lost my mind, but she helped me anyway. Every movement was agony, but I couldn't sit back and let Edward spiral. As we hurried down the hall, the determination outweighed the pain. I wouldn't let him drown in his anger. I couldn't. I reached the apartment just as Edward and his team walked in. Relief flooded through me at the sight of him unharmed. He looked every bit the composed leader, and I couldn't help but admire him.

"Maddie!" Edward's eyes widened with worry. "You should be resting." I crossed my arms, wincing. "I'm not sitting around while you lose yourself in revenge." He stepped closer, his voice tight. "I did what I had to. You shouldn't have put yourself at risk." "It's my job," I snapped back, heat rising in my chest. "We're a team. You don't get to make all the sacrifices." The fire in his eyes softened, just for a moment. "But you could have died," he said quietly. "I can't lose you." My breath caught at the intensity in his voice, but I held my ground. "Then stop acting like it's only your fight. We're in this together." He stared at me, something unreadable passing through his gaze. Finally, he nodded, the tension easing just a bit. "Fine. But we finish this together.""Agreed." I took a shaky breath, relief and exhaustion washing over me. The weight of our shared pain, our past, and our bond pressed heavily between us. No matter how hard I tried to push it aside, it was always there. We were bound together in this fight, for better or worse.