As Charlie stepped into the room, his gaze fell on Luna, a mix of wariness and admiration crossing his features. She was not just any human; she was the goddess he once revered. Her ocean-green eyes sparkled with a faint smile, but there was something in her demeanor that he couldn't ignore. He took a moment to survey her, noting the tension in her posture and the way she held herself—ready but restrained.Luna returned the scrutiny, her gaze appraising him from head to toe, cataloging the subtle shifts in his body language. Despite her past, she sensed that Charlie was behaving normally, though a hint of caution lingered in his eyes. Her people had turned against her, but here stood one who seemed to grapple with his feelings, torn between loyalty and the weight of history.Clearing his throat, Alex pulled their attention back to him, his expression a mix of hurt and determination. The pain from Luna's rejection still stung deeply. He wanted to shout, to argue, to make her understand, but instead, he stood there, the silence heavy between them."It's okay," he finally said, attempting to brush off the moment. "She is... she is family." His words surprised Charlie, who recognized the weight behind them. A smile crept onto Charlie's lips, genuine happiness shining through for his friend. After everything Alex had been through, particularly after Davina, it was a miracle to see him feeling anything other than broken.But before they could linger on that thought, Charlie reached for an iPad, turning it toward Alex and Luna. The video flickered to life, revealing a horrific scene. Wolves were staggering, bleeding from their eyes, ears, and noses, their bodies wracked with spasms of madness. The sight was gruesome, almost too terrible to comprehend. They were clawing at themselves, running wild, their sanity slipping away before their very eyes before finally fainting bleeding.Alex's expression shifted to horror, his eyes widening as he absorbed the chilling imagery. Luna remained calm, though her heart raced with worry. "He's made his move," she replied nonchalantly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil within. She knew that without immediate intervention, the affected wolves would perish within fourty-eight hours."But how is this possible?" Charlie whispered, confusion threading through his voice. "One minute they were fine, and now... they're insane. It's like something is in the air!""They've eaten -," Luna explained, her tone measured and steady."Something poisoned" both Alex and Luna echoed in sync, their eyes locking for a brief moment before returning to Charlie.But as she spoke, she noticed Alex's gaze was still averted, the weight of his feelings pressing heavily on him"Dark magic doesn't work like this," Luna continued, her voice firm. "If Quintus poisons the air, it would affect all species and he can't win against everyone coming together. But this—this is targeted towards us. He must have poisoned something: food, water—anything."Charlie nodded, absorbing her words, his mind racing with implications. "We need to stop it. I have to go," Luna declared, determination etched into her features as she looked at Alex, more like an informant than a partner.But before she could move, Alex grasped her arm gently but firmly, his voice carrying an authority that could usually sway even the strongest. "No."Luna raised an eyebrow, a fire igniting in her. "You can't keep me here while they're dying! It will be just matter of time he attack us . What if it's your neighboring pack next? And then yours?""I don't care. I'll fight them, but you stay here." His tone was resolute, but uncertainty flickered beneath the surface.Luna's frustration flared. "This doesn't work like this! Snap out of this love cage! I'm their goddess, and you're an Alpha King! So act like it!" Anger laced her words, and Alex felt the sting of her rejection, both for his feelings and for her own struggles. The truth was she can't see him ruining himself and everyone just because he wants to protect her ."I will find some way," he insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. "There is always another way ""This is the another way ! " Luna shot back, pushing him away, her heart aching."Then hell, I'm coming with you," he replied, his voice rising in pitch, frustration spilling over."What about your pack? Who will protect them? Someone has to be here! - your beta can't handle this alone while you walk away Alex" Luna argued, pointing at Charlie, who felt a pang of offense at being used as an example in their heated exchange. He had never seen anyone stand up to Alex like this, and it fascinated him. Even in her human form, Luna commanded authority.Alex tightened his grip on Luna's hand, refusing to let go. "I promise - I'll be back," she tried to say calmly, hoping to ease the tension. "I just need to get the one person who can stop Quintus."His heart sank as she mentioned her plan. "Luna, you can't—""His mother," she thought to herself, recalling a fleeting moment of Quintus once mother. In the depths of her mind, a name surfaced: his mother. The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the shadows that had been lurking in her memory. As she revisited their earlier conversation, a chilling detail crystallized in her thoughts. Quintus had mentioned his child and his people as the "lost ones," but he had never spoken of his mother.A sudden, vivid image flashed in her mind—the old woman from the vintage shop. Dorothy.Luna recognized her immediately, not just from memory but from an instinct that coursed through her veins. In that fleeting moment of clarity, she understood the connection between them, something she had overlooked before.At first glance, the resemblance was striking; she had felt it the moment she met her. But in that chaotic whirlwind of emotions and disjointed memories, Luna had lost sight of the truth. She hadn't wanted to alarm the old woman, who had done nothing but help her, standing as a quiet guardian in the shadows of her forgotten past.But now, as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Luna's heart raced. The vintage shop had been filled with magical artifacts, remnants of a power that had once thrived but now lay dormant."She's the one behind Quintus." Luna murmured to herself as charlie looked at her in confusion. She turned to Alex, urgency lacing her voice as the weight of this revelation pressed down on her. "Dorothy isn't just a harmless old lady. She's connected to Quintus—she's more than she appears. ""That gives you even more reason not to go!" Alex countered, his voice rising, his fear palpable."She won't hurt me," Luna insisted, the memories of their interactions filling her with a strange sense of reassurance. "She's helped me all this time and If she helped him escape, then she must know how to stop him. She has the power, Alex. I didn't realize it before, but she's the key to all of this - she can fix these people ."Alex met her gaze, knowing she believed that to be true. But the nagging doubt remained. What if it was all part of a plan to lure her out?"Luna—""No, Alex!" she interrupted, her voice fierce and unyielding. "I need to do this, and you need to trust me."As Luna tried to step past him, the fire in her eyes was matched only by the fierce determination etched on Alex's face. "You can't stop me, Alex," she insisted, trying to push through the barrier of his presence.But before she could make it past him, his large hands wrapped around her waist, hoisting her effortlessly over his shoulder like a sack of grain. "Fuck - Alex!" she protested, squirming against his grip, the world spinning as she was thrown into a position of vulnerability."Stop fighting me, Luna," he said, his voice low and firm, though there was an underlying current of frustration. She kicked her legs, twisting and turning, trying to break free, but his hold was unyielding."You can't do this! Put me down! - We are loosing the time ." she shouted, her face flushed with anger and indignation as they passed through the door and into the dimly lit corridor leading to the basement. The air grew cooler, thick with the scent of damp stone and rust."I can and I will," he replied, his tone brooking no argument as he stormed out of the room , through the corridor and they descended the stairs. Charlie maintaned a distance from them but followed either way . Luna's heart raced as they reached the bottom. The atmosphere shifted drastically; a cold dread washed over her as she caught sight of the cells lining the walls. Her eyes widened in horror as they entered a chamber filled with iron bars and heavy chains, remnants of a past that felt both distant and horrifyingly present. The walls were rusted and stained, traces of old blood marred the concrete floor."What is this place?" she whispered, fear lacing her voice as she struggled against him, panic rising in her chest."Just a precaution," he said, his tone clipped, as he opened one of the cells with a heavy clang. The sound echoed ominously in the silence."No, Alex! Don't you dare!" Luna cried out, desperation coursing through her as he stepped inside and positioned her within the cold, dark space. She bolted after him, her instincts kicking in, but he was quick—sidestepping her and locking the heavy door behind him with a resounding thud."Let me out!" she shouted, her fists pounding against the iron bars, anger and betrayal surging within her. "You can't just confine me like this!""I'll get Dorothy myself, " Alex stated, his voice steady, though a flicker of regret crossed his features. "I can't let you go out alone. You're just human, and I won't let you walk into danger knowing your plans.""Plans?" she echoed incredulously, fury igniting within her. "You think I have plans? I'm trying to save you and our people !""Exactly, and that's why I can't let you go! - I will find a way , just trust me ." His tone was final, but his heart ached knowing he was pushing her away."You're being unreasonable!" Luna yelled, her voice thick with emotion. "You're treating me like I'm helpless! Let me out of here, Alex!"But he simply turned away, walking toward Charlie, who stood at a distance, shocked at the unfolding scene. "Guard her," Alex commanded, his voice low but authoritative. "Don't let her go anywhere. I'll be back in a few hours."Luna's protests followed him as he walked away, anger fueling her desperation. "You can't just leave me here! Alex! You're making a mistake!" But her words fell on deaf ears, the finality of the cell door ringing in her ears as she stood there, fuming and trapped, rage coursing through her veins.