Luna. Chapter 162

Lyra's POV

The phone rang just as I was finishing my morning coffee. Unknown number, but something told me to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Lyra? This is Alpha Nova from the Crescent Moon Pack."

I knew the name but had never spoken to him directly. "Alpha Nova. What can I do for you?"

"I'm calling because I heard about what happened to your pack. The attacks."

"What about them?"

"I want you to know you have my support. Whatever you need."

I sat down hard. "Why?"

"Because the same thing's happening to us."

My blood went cold. "What do you mean?"

"Three of my warriors have gone missing in the past two weeks. When we found them..." He paused. "They weren't themselves anymore."

"Ashwalkers?"

"That's what you're calling them? Yes. They attacked their own packmates. We had to put them down."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Be angry. Someone's doing this to us. To all of us."

"Do you have any idea who?"

"I have my suspicions. And I think you do too."

"The royal family."

"The king, specifically. This has his stench all over it."

I felt a surge of hope. If other alphas were recognizing the threat, maybe we weren't as alone as I'd thought.

"What are you proposing?"

"An alliance. A coalition of packs willing to stand against this madness."

"How many packs are you talking about?"

"So far, I've got commitments from four others. All of us have lost people to these... transformations."

"And you want our pack to join?"

"I want you to lead it."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "Me?"

"You've been fighting this longer than any of us. You know what we're up against."

"Alpha Nova, I appreciate the offer, but—"

"Lyra, we need someone the others trust. Someone with a reputation for integrity. That's you."

"I'm not even technically an alpha."

"You're Kael Blackwood's mate. You're carrying his child. And from what I hear, you've faced down the curse that's been plaguing your family. That makes you exactly the kind of leader we need."

I looked around our empty house, thinking about Kael out there gathering intelligence, about my children scattered across the territory trying to help.

"I need to think about it."

"Don't think too long. Every day we wait, more of our people disappear."

"I understand."

"I'll call you tomorrow for your answer."

"Alpha Nova? How did you get this number?"

"Cordelia gave it to me. She said you'd want to hear what I had to say."

After he hung up, I sat staring at the phone. A coalition of packs. A real resistance against the king.

It was everything we'd hoped for.

And it was terrifying.

"What do you think?" I asked my unborn daughter. "Ready to help Mommy save the world?"

A strong kick was my only answer.

I took that as a yes.