Dawn broke thin and gray.
Mist hovered low over the forest, clinging to the ground like it did not want to let go of the night. Luna stood at the edge of the clearing, bare feet pressed into cold earth, arms hanging stiffly at her sides.
She felt small.
Not powerless. Just exposed.
Kael circled her slowly, eyes sharp, movements quiet. No Alpha presence. No command. Just a warrior assessing another.
"You rely too much on instinct," he said.
Luna frowned. "I thought instinct was good."
"It is," Kael replied. "When it's controlled. Yours floods everything."
She clenched her fists. "Because the moon used to answer."
"And now it doesn't," Kael said. "So you have to answer yourself."
That stung more than she expected.
Kael stopped in front of her. "Attack me."
Luna blinked. "What?"
"Now," he said.
She hesitated only a second, then lunged.
Kael moved instantly, stepping aside, hooking her arm and sending her stumbling forward. She barely caught herself before hitting the ground.
"Again," he said calmly.
Heat flared in her chest. She rushed him, faster this time.
He blocked, redirected, swept her legs.
She hit the dirt with a grunt.
Kael crouched beside her. "You lead with emotion."
Luna pushed herself up, dirt on her palms. "You're enjoying this."
A corner of his mouth lifted. "Maybe a little."
She attacked again.
Again, she failed.
By the fifth time, her arms trembled, breath ragged.
"Enough," Kael said.
She shook her head stubbornly. "No. Again."
Kael studied her, then nodded. "Good."
They trained until her muscles screamed and her lungs burned. No power. No silver light. Just movement, balance, awareness.
When Luna finally collapsed onto the grass, staring at the sky, she laughed weakly.
"I'm terrible at this."
Kael handed her water. "You're human again."
She sat up, taking a long drink. "I don't know if that comforts me."
"It should," he said. "Humans survive without gods."
Her smile faded. "Adrian said others were watching. Ones who want me to break my vow."
Kael's expression darkened. "They will test you."
"How?" Luna asked.
He did not answer immediately. Then, "By taking what you care about."
Fear slid cold through her chest. "You?"
Kael met her gaze. "Me. Your father. Innocents."
Luna's hands tightened around the bottle. "Then I need to get stronger. Faster."
"You will," Kael said. "But strength without killing is rare."
"I'll be rare," she said firmly.
Kael exhaled. "That kind of resolve changes things."
A sudden snap echoed from the trees.
Kael was on his feet instantly, shifting slightly, ready.
Rhea stepped into the clearing, looking tired and irritated.
"Good," she said. "You're awake."
"What happened?" Kael asked.
"The council is stirring," Rhea replied. "Not the Lunar ones. The unified council."
Luna stood slowly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning," Rhea said grimly, "they're calling you an unstable variable."
Luna laughed humorlessly. "That sounds bad."
"It means they want containment," Rhea continued. "Or removal."
Kael's eyes flashed. "They won't touch her."
"They already sent scouts," Rhea said. "Witches. Hunters. Even humans with toys they don't understand."
Luna's stomach dropped. "Humans?"
"Yes," Rhea said. "You scared everyone."
Luna swallowed. "I never wanted that."
"Doesn't matter," Rhea replied. "Power always looks like a threat from the outside."
Kael placed a hand on Luna's shoulder. "We move."
"Where?" Luna asked.
Rhea's lips curved into a thin smile. "Somewhere the council hates."
Kael nodded. "The old territories."
Luna frowned. "What's there?"
"Ruins," Rhea said. "Old magic. And answers the council buried."
Luna felt the silver mark stir faintly. Not power.
Memory.
"Then that's where we go," Luna said.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, though the sky was clear.
Kael glanced upward. "They're already watching."
Luna lifted her chin. "Let them."
She had lost a memory. Lost the moon's voice. Lost the illusion of safety.
But she had gained something sharper.
Choice.
And whatever waited in the old territories would learn one truth.
She was no longer a weapon.
She was a line.