Luna. Chapter 171

We got home from seeing Kael just as the sun was setting. I had six hours before the challenge, and I couldn't just sit around waiting.

"What are we going to do tonight?" Asher asked.

"You're going to bed early. I have some work to do."

"What kind of work?"

"Important work."

I got Asher settled with a movie while I went to my office. I had coalition communications to coordinate, emergency protocols to finalize, and magical protections to create.

The magical part was new territory for me, but I was learning fast.

I started with simple protection charms for the coalition alphas. Nothing fancy, just basic shields against physical harm.

I used personal items they'd left behind after yesterday's meeting. Alpha Nova's pen, Alpha Martinez's reading glasses, small things that would carry the magic without being obvious.

Each one took about twenty minutes of concentrated effort. By nine o'clock, I had protection charms for five different people.

I was exhausted but not finished.

Next, I worked on communication spells. Ways for the coalition members to stay in contact if traditional methods failed.

This was harder. Communication magic required linking multiple people across distances, something I'd never attempted.

But desperation was a powerful teacher.

I used a map of our territory, marking the location of each allied pack. Then I poured energy into creating connections between the points.

It felt like trying to weave light into patterns. Delicate work that required absolute focus.

When I finished, I could sense the other coalition members. Faint connections, but real ones.

Around ten-thirty, Asher appeared in the doorway.

"Mom? I can't sleep."

"Bad dreams?"

"No dreams. Just worried feelings."

I pulled him onto my lap. "Want to help me with something?"

"What?"

"I'm trying to create protections for our friends. Magic that will keep them safe."

"Can I add my protection too?"

"What do you mean?"

"I can share the happy-safe feeling from my bracelet. Spread it to other people."

"Is that safe for you?"

"I think so. It feels right."

I looked at my son, this amazing little boy who wanted to help save the world.

"Okay. But be careful."

Asher placed his small hands over mine on the map. Immediately, I felt his power joining mine.

It was like having a spotlight suddenly turn on. Where my magic was warm and steady, his was bright and pure.

Together, we strengthened every connection I'd created. Made every protection charm more powerful.

When we finished, the entire network was glowing softly.

"That was amazing," I said.

"It felt good. Like hugging everyone at the same time."

"You're incredible, you know that?"

"I learned from you."

I tucked him back into bed around eleven-fifteen, then returned to my office to monitor the magical network we'd created.

Everything was holding steady. The coalition members were in position. The protection charms were active.

All we could do now was wait.

At eleven-forty-five, I felt it. A disturbance in the network. Something big was happening.

I closed my eyes and focused on the sensation.

Kael. He was moving toward the challenge location.

I could feel his determination, his fear, his love for our family.

At midnight exactly, the formal challenge began.

I couldn't see it, but I could feel it through the magical connections. Two powerful forces clashing in the dark.

The fight was brutal and fast. I felt every blow Kael took, every surge of adrenaline as he fought for his life.

For twenty minutes, it was impossible to tell who was winning.

Then suddenly, it was over.

I felt Adrian's presence vanish from the network. Gone. Dead.

Kael was alive. Injured but alive.

And he was king.