Morning came too quickly.
I woke to find Damon already dressed, standing by the window with his back to me. The tension in his shoulders was visible even from across the room, and something in my stomach clenched with dread.
"Damon?" I pushed myself up, the furs slipping from my shoulders. "What's wrong?"
He didn't turn around. "Caleb's waiting outside. He has something he wants to discuss with both of us."
I blinked, confused. "Both of us? What about?"
Finally, he turned. His face was carefully blank, but his eyes—his eyes were stormy, dark with an emotion I couldn't quite name. "I guess we'll find out together."
I dressed quickly, my mind racing through possibilities. Had something happened during my visit to the Meteor pack? Had there been another attack? Or was this about... no. I wouldn't let myself finish that thought.
Caleb was waiting by the central fire, a cup of tea in his hands. He looked up as we approached, and for just a moment, his eyes met mine. There was something there—an apology, maybe, or a warning. Then his gaze shifted to Damon, and his expression became carefully neutral.
"Alpha. Luna." He nodded to each of us. "Thank you for meeting me."
Damon didn't sit. He stood with his arms crossed, his body radiating barely controlled tension. "What's this about, Caleb?"
"I wanted to discuss the patrol schedules." Caleb's voice was calm, professional. "After the Red Claw attack, I think we need to increase our presence on the northern border. Maybe double the night watch."
"Agreed." Damon's tone was clipped. "Anything else?"
Caleb hesitated. It was a tiny pause, barely a heartbeat, but I caught it. "There's something else. A personal matter."
Damon's jaw tightened. "Go on."
"Yesterday, when I escorted Elara to the Meteor border, we both saw something. A figure in the trees, watching us." Caleb's eyes flicked to me briefly. "It might have been nothing—a trick of the light, a wandering deer. But Elara was uneasy, and I think we should take it seriously."
Damon turned to me, his expression sharpening. "You didn't mention this last night."
"You were holding me. I was exhausted." I kept my voice steady. "By the time I woke this morning, I'd almost convinced myself I imagined it."
"And now?"
"Now I'm not so sure." I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the morning sun. "It felt like someone was watching. Like we were being followed."
For a long moment, Damon just stared at me. Then he turned back to Caleb. "Increase the patrols. Double the night watch on all borders, not just the north. And I want a report every morning on anything unusual."
Caleb nodded. "I'll see to it immediately." He started to turn away, then paused. "Damon. There's something else. Something I need to say."
Damon's eyes narrowed. "Say it."
Caleb took a breath. "I know you're not happy about Elara staying in my hut the other night. I understand why. But I need you to know—nothing happened. Nothing will ever happen. She's your mate, and she's my Luna. I would die before I disrespected that."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. I held my breath, watching the two men who meant more to me than I wanted to admit.
Damon was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, some of the tension left his shoulders. "I know, Caleb. I know." He paused. "You're my brother. My best friend. I trust you. It's just... this is new for me. All of it. Sometimes I don't know how to handle what I feel."
Caleb's expression softened. "I understand. Truly." He glanced at me, then back at Damon. "But Elara is strong. Smarter than either of us give her credit for. Maybe it's time to stop protecting her and start partnering with her."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Caleb was defending me. Standing up for me. And Damon—Damon was listening.
"You're right." Damon's voice was quiet. "I know you're right." He turned to me, and for the first time since we'd woken, his eyes were fully on me, without the shadow of suspicion. "I'm sorry. I've been so focused on keeping you safe that I forgot you might have something to offer beyond just existing."
"I have a lot to offer," I said softly. "If you'd let me."
He crossed the distance between us and took my hands. "Then show me. Teach me. Help me be the Alpha—and the mate—you deserve."
I wanted to cry. Wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him everything would be okay. But there was still a part of me—a small, guilty part—that was aware of Caleb watching us, that felt the weight of his gaze like a physical thing.
"Together," I whispered. "We'll figure it out together."
Damon kissed me then, right there in front of Caleb and anyone else who might be watching. It wasn't a passionate kiss—it was soft, tender, full of promise. When he pulled back, he was almost smiling.
"I have meetings all morning," he said. "But I want you to come with me to the war council this afternoon. You have insights about strategy, about healing. It's time the pack saw what I see in you."
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
Damon squeezed my hands once more, then turned and walked toward the meeting hut. I watched him go, my heart full of conflicting emotions.
When I turned back, Caleb was still there. His face was carefully blank, but his eyes—those summer-blue eyes—held a world of pain.
"You didn't have to defend me," I said quietly. "To him."
"Yes, I did." His voice was low, rough. "Because it's the truth. And because..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Never mind. I should go. There's work to do."
"Caleb." I caught his arm before he could turn away. The touch was brief, barely a second, but it was enough. Enough to feel the warmth of his skin, the tension in his muscles. "Thank you."
He looked at me then, really looked at me, and for a moment the mask slipped completely. I saw everything in his eyes—the longing, the guilt, the desperate fight to do the right thing.
"You're welcome, Luna." The title was deliberate, a reminder of the distance between us. Then he was gone, striding toward the border with purposeful steps, leaving me alone with my racing heart.
The war council met in the afternoon.
I sat at Damon's right hand, trying to ignore the curious glances from the other warriors. Caleb was across the table, his expression focused and professional. It was like the morning had never happened.
"We've confirmed that the Red Claw is gathering at the northern pass," Finn reported, pointing to a spot on the map. "Scouts estimate at least fifty warriors, possibly more. They're waiting for something."
"Reinforcements," Caleb said grimly. "They're not ready to attack yet, but they will be."
Damon nodded, studying the map. "We need allies. The Meteor pack owes us for helping their Luna. I'll send a messenger requesting their support."
"I can go." I spoke without thinking, and every head in the room turned to me. "I established a connection with their healer, Lena. And their Luna seemed to trust me. It might be more effective coming from me."
Damon considered this, his expression thoughtful. "It's not a bad idea. But it's dangerous. The route to Meteor territory passes close to Red Claw lands."
"I'll go with her." Caleb's voice was steady. "I can lead a small escort, keep her safe."
Something flickered in Damon's eyes—jealousy, maybe, or suspicion. But he nodded. "Do it. Take Finn and three others. Leave at dawn."
The council continued, discussing supply lines and defensive positions and a dozen other details. I listened, absorbing everything, making mental notes. By the time the meeting ended, I felt like I finally understood the shape of the threat we faced.
Afterward, Damon walked me back to our hut. "You did well in there," he said. "The warriors were impressed."
"They were surprised, maybe. Not the same thing."
"Give them time." He stopped outside our door, turning to face me. "Elara, about Caleb..."
I held my breath, waiting.
"I trust him. With my life, with the pack, with you." Damon's eyes searched mine. "But I also know what it looks like when a man is attracted to a woman. And I see the way he looks at you."
My heart stopped. "Damon—"
"I'm not accusing you of anything." He cut me off gently. "I'm telling you that I see it. And I'm telling you that I trust you both to do what's right. But if something changes—if you ever feel like you can't handle it alone—come to me. Promise me."
I swallowed hard. "I promise."
He kissed me then, slow and deep, and I let myself sink into it. Let myself forget, for just a moment, about blue eyes and warm smiles and the terrible pull of something I couldn't have.
That night, Damon made love to me with a tenderness that brought tears to my eyes. He touched me like I was precious, like I was the only woman in the world. And I responded in kind, pouring all my confusion and guilt and desperate need into the connection between us.
Afterward, as I lay in his arms, I told myself that this was enough. That he was enough. That the flutter in my chest when I saw Caleb would fade with time.
But even as I thought it, I knew I was lying.
Dawn came too soon.
I dressed in traveling clothes, packed my supplies, and met Caleb and the others at the edge of the territory. He was already there, mounted on a dark horse, his face unreadable.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready."
We rode out as the sun rose, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink. The forest was peaceful, beautiful, and I tried to lose myself in it. Tried not to think about the man riding beside me, close enough to touch.
We made good time, reaching the halfway point by midday. Caleb called a halt near a small stream, letting the horses rest and drink.
"We're making excellent progress," Finn said cheerfully. "At this rate, we'll reach Meteor territory before sunset."
I smiled at him, grateful for his easy presence. He was young, enthusiastic, completely unaware of the tension between his Beta and his Luna. It was refreshing.
While the others rested, I walked a little way into the trees, needing a moment alone. The stream burbled peacefully, and I crouched beside it, splashing cool water on my face.
"You shouldn't wander off alone."
I didn't turn around. I'd heard his footsteps, felt his presence like a warmth at my back. "I'm not wandering. I'm right here."
Caleb moved to stand beside me, looking down at the water. "I meant what I said yesterday. To Damon. Nothing will ever happen between us."
"I know."
"It has to be that way. For the pack. For him." His voice was rough. "For us."
I looked up at him then, and the pain in his eyes nearly broke me. "I know, Caleb. I know."
For a long moment, we just looked at each other. Then, slowly, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face. The touch was feather-light, barely there, but it burned.
"We should get back," he whispered.
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
But as we turned to go, a sound stopped us both cold. Footsteps—running, urgent—and Finn's voice, sharp with alarm.
"Beta! Luna! Come quick!"
We ran back to the others, and what we found made my blood run cold.
One of our warriors lay on the ground, an arrow protruding from his chest. The others were in fighting stances, weapons drawn, facing a ring of strangers who had materialized from the trees.
Red Claw.
"We've been waiting for you," their leader said, smiling cruelly. "The Alpha's precious Luna. What a prize you'll make."
Caleb moved in front of me, his body a shield. "You'll have to go through me."
"That can be arranged."
The world exploded into chaos.