Unspoken anxiety thickened the night air. A frigid breeze rustled the leaves like whispered warnings from other forces.
" He's coming."
The whispers continued unabated. Actually, they had become louder and more forceful.
Before, I had turned them off, certain they were only echoes of my own anxiety. Still today, though?
I was not so sure now.
I was lost in ideas when someone knocked on my door.
When I opened it Kai was standing there with dark, knowing silver eyes.
"It's time," he replied.
I downed the lump from my throat. "He's absolutely coming."
Kai refrained from blinking. Exactly.
I drew deeply and steadied myself. Then let us be ready for him.
As the pack assembled, the war room teemed with anxiety. Warriors waited for commands at the edge.
With his fingertips tapping the wooden surface, Kai stood at the head of the table. Sebastian is going to attack shortly.
Raine crossed her arms, looking at me flutter. "Are we confident he is that desperate?"
I held no flinches. True.
Among the more experienced fighters, Tobias emitted a low snarl. "then let's fight for them first."
" No. " Kai spoke with a sharp, final quality. "We don't move first. We let them come to us."
I pouted. Why?
Kai's gaze met mine. "Because Sebastian is expecting a fight. But he's not expecting you."
A shiver slid down my back.
He was right. Sebastian still thought of me as the Luna he discarded.
He had no idea what I had become.
The moon hung heavy in the sky as my warriors gathered.
We had marched through the night, moving silently, shadows cutting through the dense forest.
Shadow Moon's borders loomed ahead, its defences fortified. Kai was expecting me.
Good.
I wanted him to.
"Alpha," Kieran murmured beside me, his expression tense. "Are you sure about this?"
I clenched my fists. "She belongs here."
Kieran's hesitation infuriated me. "She's not our enemy, Sebastian."
My wolf growled in response. "She's not theirs, either."
Kieran exhaled sharply. "You rejected her."
The words sliced through me.
I knew that. I knew I had pushed her away, convinced myself that I didn't need her.
That she was a mistake.
But seeing her beside Kai, watching the bond between them grow stronger—I couldn't let it happen.
I wouldn't.
"Zaia is coming back," I said coldly. "One way or another."
Then, I gave the signal.
The attack began.
The first explosion of battle echoed across the territory.
I stood at the centre of the pack, watching as Sebastian's warriors clashed with ours.
Snarls and growls filled the air, the scent of blood thick.
Sebastian was here.
I could feel him.
His presence burned against my senses, the last remnants of our bond pulsing faintly.
I turned to Kai. "Where is he?"
Kai's smirk was sharp. "Looking for you."
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. No more running. No more fear.
It was time to face him.
I sprinted into the fray, weaving through the chaos until I found him.
Sebastian stood at the heart of the battlefield, his golden eyes locking onto mine the moment I approached.
Everything else faded.
His warriors, my warriors, the battle around us—it all disappeared.
It was just him and me.
"Zaia," he breathed, his voice hoarse.
I stared at him, unmoved.
I had spent years thinking he was my world.
But now, I was my own.
I lifted my chin. "You shouldn't have come."
His jaw clenched. "You don't belong here."
My wolf snarled inside me.
"I don't belong to you."
Sebastian took a step forward. "You're mine, Zaia."
A cold laugh escaped me. "I was yours. You threw me away."
Something flickered in his eyes—pain. Regret. Fury.
"Come back," he said, softer this time.
I shook my head. "No."
Sebastian growled, his body tensing.
I saw it in his stance—the moment he realized I was truly gone.
His wolf lashed out.
I barely dodged in time.
He came at me fast and brutal, forcing me onto the defensive. But I didn't cower.
I met him head-on.
Claw against claw. Snarl against snarl.
We clashed like equals—like two Alphas fighting for dominance.
And this time, I didn't hold back.
I stood at the edge of the fight, watching as Zaia and Sebastian tore into each other.
She was faster than before. Stronger.
And most importantly—she wasn't losing.
A slow smirk spread across my face.
Sebastian had expected to find the weak, broken Luna he discarded.
Instead, he had found a warrior.
"She's something else, isn't she?"
I turned slightly, finding Raine at my side, her arms crossed.
"She is," I admitted.
Raine exhaled. "He's not going to stop."
I watched Sebastian grow more frantic as Zaia continued to match him blow for blow.
"I know."
"Then what's the plan?"
I smirked. "Simple."
I turned toward the fight, my voice clear and commanding.
"Zaia," I called.
She heard me instantly, her body tensing in recognition.
Then, I spoke the words that changed everything.
"Finish this."
I heard Kai's command.
And I obeyed.
Sebastian lunged again, but this time—I didn't step back.
He gasped as I pinned him, my claws pressed against his throat.