Luna. Chapter 26

(Lyra's POV)

The next morning brought a surprise visitor. I was in the kitchen helping with breakfast prep—against Dr. Elena's orders, but I felt fine and needed to stay busy—when Beta Harrison appeared in the doorway looking concerned.

"Luna, there's someone here to see you."

"Who?"

"Alpha Victor. Your father."

I set down the mixing bowl I'd been holding. Dad was here? He never left his territory except for official pack business.

"Is everything alright?"

"He says he needs to speak with you privately. He seems... upset."

I untied my apron and followed Harrison to Magnus's study, where I found Dad pacing by the window. He looked agitated in a way I'd rarely seen.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

He turned when he heard my voice, and I could see the worry lines around his eyes. "Lyra. Thank god you're safe."

"Safe? What are you talking about?"

"I received some concerning information this morning. About Seraphina."

I couldn't help being scared. "What about her?"

Dad moved closer, his expression grim. "She didn't leave Iron Claw territory like she was supposed to. According to my sources, she's been seen in the area. And she's not alone."

"What do you mean?"

"She's with someone. A man no one recognizes. They've been asking questions about you, about where you went, about your pregnancy."

Fear gripped my brain "Asking what kind of questions?"

"The kind that suggest they're planning something." Dad's voice was tight with controlled anger. "Lyra, I think you need to consider leaving Mountain Cross. At least temporarily."

"Leaving? But this is my home now."

"It's not safe. If Seraphina is planning something—"

"Then we deal with it here." Magnus's voice came from the doorway. He entered the study with Beta Harrison behind him. "Lyra is under my protection. She's not going anywhere."

"Magnus, you don't understand what this woman is capable of," Dad said.

"I understand that she manipulated my Luna's first marriage and caused her to be rejected and exiled. That's enough to make her my enemy."

"She's dangerous," Dad insisted. "More dangerous than you know. Three years ago, before she disappeared, there were incidents. Pack members getting sick, accidents that weren't really accidents. We couldn't prove she was involved, but the timing was suspicious."

"You think she was poisoning people?" I asked, horrified.

"I think she's been planning her return for a long time. And I think anyone who stands in her way is at risk."

Magnus moved to stand beside me, his presence solid and reassuring. "Then we'll increase security. Double the patrols, limit access to the packhouse. But Lyra stays here where I can protect her."

"Magnus, maybe Dad's right. Maybe I should—"

"No." Magnus's voice was firm. "You're not running again. You've found a home here, respect here. We're not letting one manipulative woman drive you away."

Dad looked between us, clearly frustrated. "At least let me send some of my warriors to help with security."

"That would be appreciated," Magnus agreed.

The next few hours passed in a blur of security preparations. Extra guards were posted around the packhouse. Patrols were increased. All pack members were warned to be alert for strangers.

I tried to go about my normal routine, but the fear sat heavy in my stomach. What did Seraphina want? What was she planning?

"You're safe here," Sarah said, finding me staring out the kitchen window. "Alpha Magnus won't let anything happen to you."

"I know. But I hate feeling like a target. Like I'm putting everyone else at risk."

"You're not putting anyone at risk. That woman is choosing to cause trouble. There's a difference."

That afternoon, Dr. Elena stopped by for an unscheduled visit.

"Just checking on you," she said. "Your father mentioned you might be feeling stressed."

"A little."

"How's the baby? Any unusual symptoms since yesterday?"

"No, everything feels normal." I placed my hand on my belly. "Active as usual."

"Good. But I want you to promise me something. If you feel any cramping, any bleeding, any unusual pain, you call me immediately. Stress can sometimes trigger early labor."

"I'm only twenty-two weeks."

"Which is why we need to be extra careful."

As evening fell, I found myself in my room trying to read but unable to concentrate. Every sound made me jump. Every shadow outside my window looked suspicious.

A soft knock interrupted my nervous energy. "Come in."

Magnus entered carrying two cups of tea. "Thought you might be having trouble relaxing."

"Thank you." I accepted the warm mug gratefully. "Any word from the patrols?"

"Nothing unusual. But we'll keep watching."

Magnus sat in the chair beside my bed, his presence calming some of my anxiety.

"Magnus, I need to ask you something."

"What?"

"If Seraphina comes here, if she tries to hurt me or the baby... will you be able to stop her?"

"Yes." His answer was immediate and certain. "I'll protect you and your child with my life if necessary."

"I believe you. But what if she doesn't come here directly? What if she tries to hurt people I care about to get to me?"

"Like who?"

"You. Sarah. The pack members who've been kind to me." I set down my tea with shaking hands. "I couldn't bear it if someone got hurt because of me."

"Lyra, listen to me." Magnus leaned forward, his dark eyes intense. "You are not responsible for Seraphina's actions. Whatever she chooses to do, whatever damage she causes, that's on her. Not you."

"But she's targeting me."

"She's targeting you because she's jealous and vindictive and can't accept that her manipulation backfired. That has nothing to do with anything you've done wrong."

My phone buzzed with a text message. I glanced at it, expecting to see Dad's name or maybe one of the pack members.

Instead, it was from an unknown number: "Enjoying your new life? Don't get too comfortable."

I dropped the phone like it had burned me.

Magnus was beside me in an instant, picking up the device and reading the message. His expression turned murderous.

"Harrison," he called, his voice carrying easily through the packhouse.

Beta Harrison appeared within seconds. "Alpha?"

"Trace this number immediately. And contact the police. This constitutes criminal harassment."

"Magnus, wait," I said. "What if responding just makes her angrier?"

"I don't care if she gets angry. I care about keeping you safe." Magnus handed the phone to Harrison. "From now on, all of Lyra's communications go through pack security first."

As Harrison left to handle the phone trace, Magnus turned back to me.

"Pack your things."

"What?"

"You're moving to the Alpha suite. With me. Where I can keep you safe around the clock."

"Magnus, I can't. That's not fair to you—"

"It's not a request, Lyra. It's protecting." His voice softened slightly. "You'll have your own room, your own space. But I need you close enough that I can protect you properly."

I looked at this man who'd taken on so much responsibility for my safety and welfare. Who was rearranging his entire life to keep me and my baby secure.

"Okay," I said quietly. "If you think it's necessary."

"I do."

As Harrison left to handle the phone trace, Magnus turned back to me.

"Pack your things."

"What?"

"You're moving to the Alpha suite. With me. Where I can keep you safe around the clock."

"Magnus, I can't. That's not fair to you—"

"It's not a request, Lyra. It's protecting." His voice softened slightly. "You'll have your own room, your own space. But I need you close enough that I can protect you properly."

I looked at this man who'd taken on so much responsibility for my safety and welfare. Who was rearranging his entire life to keep me and my baby secure.

"Okay," I said quietly. "If you think it's necessary."

"I do."