Luna. Chapter 188

(Kael's POV)

The castle grounds were supposed to be empty except for Adrian's guards.

They weren't.

I crouched behind the marble fountain in the main courtyard, watching dozens of creatures prowl between the perfectly manicured hedges.

Ashwalkers.

But something was wrong with them. They moved differently than the ones I'd encountered before. Less aggressive. Less focused on hunting. More purposeful in their patrol patterns.

Almost like they were patrolling instead of attacking.

"Alpha, what's your status?" Marcus's voice came through my earpiece.

"We have complications. Ashwalker presence throughout the grounds."

"How many?"

"At least fifty. Maybe more."

The numbers were staggering. Ashwalkers were rare creatures, difficult to control and expensive to maintain. Deploying this many suggested either desperation or resources we hadn't accounted for.

But their behavior was even more concerning than their numbers.

These creatures weren't hunting randomly. They were following specific routes. Coordinating their movements. Responding to some kind of command structure.

Someone was controlling them with precision that shouldn't be possible.

"Orders?"

I studied the creatures more carefully. Their formation suggested professional military deployment. Each group covered specific territory with minimal overlap but maximum coverage.

This wasn't improvised defense. This was planned strategy.

"Hold position. I'm going to try something."

I stood up slowly, making no attempt to hide from the nearest group of Ashwalkers.

They noticed me immediately. Three of them turned in my direction, their glowing eyes fixed on my position.

But they didn't attack.

Instead, they tilted their heads like curious animals, studying me with an intelligence I'd never seen in Ashwalkers before.

I took a step forward.

The creatures stepped back, maintaining distance but showing no aggression. No bared teeth. No threatening postures. Just careful observation.

Another step.

This time, they didn't retreat. One of them made a low sound that might have been recognition.

Or acknowledgment.

"What the hell?" I muttered.

The largest Ashwalker moved closer, its massive head lowered in what looked almost like a bow.

The gesture was unmistakably respectful. Submissive, even.

I extended my hand slowly, the same way I would approach an unknown dog.

The creature sniffed my fingers, then pressed its head against my palm.

The contact sent a shock through my entire system. Not physical pain, but recognition. Connection. Like the bond I had with my pack, but different.

Older. Deeper. More fundamental.

"Marcus, are you seeing this?"

"Seeing what? We lost visual on your position."

"The Ashwalkers aren't attacking me. They're acting like... like they know me."

"That's impossible."

But it wasn't impossible. As I stood there with my hand on the creature's head, I could feel something. A connection that predated conscious memory. An understanding that went beyond rational explanation.

These creatures recognized me. Not as an enemy. Not as prey.

As something else entirely.

"Alpha, we need to move. The guards are starting to notice the delay in their patrol reports."

I looked around the courtyard. Every Ashwalker was watching me now, their eyes reflecting an intelligence that shouldn't exist.

But more than intelligence. Loyalty.

They were waiting for orders.

My orders.

"Change of plans," I said into my radio. "We're not going around the Ashwalkers."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we're going through them. With them."

"Sir, that doesn't make sense."

Maybe not. But standing in that courtyard, surrounded by creatures that should have torn me apart, I knew something had changed.

Something fundamental about who I was. What I was. What I was capable of.

The largest Ashwalker stepped back and issued a low call that echoed across the grounds. The other creatures responded immediately, repositioning themselves into formation.

But not defensive formation. Escort formation.

They were preparing to accompany me into the castle.

And maybe, just maybe, that change was exactly what we needed to end this war.

I touched the photograph in my pocket one more time, thinking of Nova and Asher waiting for their father to come home.

"All units," I said into my radio. "New plan. Follow my lead and do exactly what I do."

Time to find out what these creatures knew that I was just beginning to understand.