Luna. Chapter 168

I spent the next day trying to convince myself that last night's meeting hadn't been a complete disaster. The other alphas were still committed to the coalition, even if Kane had complicated things.

I was making lunch when my secure phone rang. The caller ID showed a number I didn't recognize.

"Hello?"

"Lyra? It's Cordelia."

My heart jumped. "Is Kael okay?"

"He's fine. But we need to talk. Can you meet me tonight?"

"Where?"

"The old water tower on Maple Street. Eleven o'clock."

"Is it safe?"

"Safer than using phones." Her voice was tense. "Lyra, there's been a development. A big one."

She hung up before I could ask what kind of development.

I spent the rest of the day anxious and distracted. Asher noticed.

"Mom, you taste worried," he said over dinner.

"Just thinking about grown-up stuff."

"Dad stuff?"

"Among other things."

"He's okay. I can feel him."

"Good. That's good."

At ten-thirty, I drove to the meeting location. The old water tower had been abandoned for years, surrounded by overgrown trees that provided good cover.

Cordelia was already waiting, a slim figure in dark clothes.

"Thank you for coming," she said.

"What's the development?"

"Kael found something. Information about the king's next move."

"What kind of information?"

"Adrian is planning to ally with foreign powers. Specifically, Princess Isadora of the Eroz Kingdom."

I felt my blood run cold. The Eroz Kingdom was known for its brutal military efficiency and supernatural warfare capabilities.

"An alliance for what?"

"Mutual defense, officially. But really, it's about power. Adrian provides Isadora with access to our territory's natural resources. She provides him with military support to crush any remaining resistance."

"When?"

"They're meeting next week to finalize the terms."

This changed everything. If Adrian had foreign military backing, the coalition wouldn't stand a chance.

"There's more," Cordelia continued. "The alliance comes with a condition."

"What condition?"

"Adrian has to prove his control over his own territory first. He's planning a public demonstration of power."

"What kind of demonstration?"

"Mass executions. Starting with known resistance leaders."

"Who's on the list?"

"You are."

I felt the world tilt sideways. "Me?"

"Alpha Nova, Alpha Martinez, several others. But you're at the top."

"How does Kael know this?"

"He's been attending the planning meetings. Adrian trusts him now."

"Why?"

"Because Kael convinced him that you're his weakness. That eliminating you would break his connection to the resistance movement."

I sat down hard on a fallen log. "He's using our relationship as cover."

"Yes. And it's working. Adrian believes Kael is loyal to the crown."

"What's the timeline?"

"Three days. The executions are planned for the full moon."

Three days. Not nearly enough time to evacuate everyone on the list.

"There's something else," Cordelia said. "Something Kael specifically wanted me to tell you."

"What?"

"He has a plan. A way to stop both the executions and the alliance."

"How?"

"By challenging Adrian formally. Single combat for the crown."

I shot to my feet. "No. Absolutely not."

"Lyra—"

"I won't let him do it. It's suicide."

"Maybe. But it's also the only way to stop a war that will kill thousands."

"There has to be another option."

"If there is, we haven't found it."

I paced back and forth in the small clearing. "When would this challenge happen?"

"Tomorrow night. Before the executions. Before the alliance meeting."

"And if he loses?"

"Then we all die anyway. But at least we die fighting instead of kneeling."

I wanted to argue, to insist there was another way. But deep down, I knew she was right.

"What does he need from me?"

"Your blessing. He won't do it without your consent."

"My consent to watch my mate fight his brother to the death."

"Your consent to save our people."

I closed my eyes, feeling the baby kick restlessly inside me. "This is impossible."

"Impossible choices are the only kind we have left."

We stood in silence for several minutes, both lost in our own thoughts.

"If he does this," I said finally, "what are his chances?"

"Better than you might think. Adrian has been relying on magic and political manipulation for years. Kael's been training constantly."

"That's not much reassurance."

"It's all I can give you."

"And if he wins?"

"Then he becomes king. The alliance with Eroz falls apart. The resistance becomes the new government."

"And if he loses?"

"Then you run. Take Asher and the baby and get as far away as possible."

"I won't abandon the coalition."

"You won't have a choice. If Kael dies, you'll be next on Adrian's list."

I knew she was right. But the thought of running, of leaving everyone else to face Adrian's wrath, made me sick.

"I need to think about this," I said.

"There's no time to think. Kael needs an answer by tomorrow morning."

"Then I'll give him one."

"Lyra, I know this is asking the impossible—"

"It's asking me to send the man I love to his death."

"It's asking you to let him try to save everyone else's lives."

I looked up at the stars, wondering if the Moon Goddess was really listening. If she was, I hoped she had better ideas than we did.

"Tell him yes," I said quietly.

"Are you sure?"

"No. But tell him yes anyway."

Cordelia nodded. "He'll want to see you before the challenge."

"Too dangerous."

"He's not going to face his brother without saying goodbye to you first."

"Then he better win," I said. "Because I'm not saying goodbye."