Luna. Chapter 42

(Lyra's POV)

We made our way back to the packhouse under heavy guard, the helicopters still circling overhead. Sebastian stayed close to my side, his protective instincts clearly triggered by seeing me under attack.

"Isabella," he said quietly as we walked, "there's something I need to tell you about the Goddess Stone."

"What about it?"

"It wasn't just stolen. It was taken for a specific purpose."

"Which is?"

"To amplify supernatural abilities beyond their natural limits. In the right hands, with the right subject, that stone could create power unlike anything the world has seen."

I felt my blood go cold. "They want to use it on me."

"Or on your child, once they're born."

"Over my dead body."

"That might be exactly what they're planning."

Before I could ask what he meant, Derek appeared beside us looking grim.

"We have a problem. General Cassius is requesting immediate access to the packhouse. He says he has federal warrants."

"For what?"

"For you. Apparently, you're now classified as a person of interest in a national security investigation."

"Based on what evidence?"

"Based on the fact that you demonstrated supernatural abilities in front of federal agents," Magnus said, joining our group. "And based on witness testimony about your connection to the stolen stone."

"Witness testimony from who?"

"Unknown. But someone gave them detailed information about what happened last night."

I looked around at the faces surrounding me. People who'd risked their lives to protect me were now being threatened by federal authorities because of what I'd done.

"Maybe I should talk to him," I said. "Try to explain—"

"You shouldn't explain anything," Sebastian said firmly. "Cassius isn't interested in the truth. He's interested in acquiring you as an asset."

"Then what do we do?"

"We buy time while we figure out who's really behind all this."

Derek's phone buzzed with an urgent message. He read it quickly, his expression growing darker.

"Cassius is landing in five minutes. Full federal task force."

"How many agents?" Magnus asked.

"Enough to overwhelm our defenses if they choose to use force."

I pressed my hand to my belly, feeling the baby respond to my stress with agitated movement. "I can't let innocent people get hurt because of me."

"No one's getting hurt," Kael said, appearing with several Iron Claw warriors. "We're not letting federal agents just walk in here and take you."

"Kael, what are you doing here?"

"Protecting my family." His eyes were intense, determined. "Whatever our relationship issues, that baby you're carrying is mine. I'm not letting anyone take either of you."

"But if Cassius has warrants—"

"Then he'll have to serve them properly. Through pack legal channels, with appropriate oversight." Sebastian's voice carried the authority of someone used to dealing with federal bureaucracy. "We're not without rights, even when dealing with national security claims."

The sound of helicopters landing interrupted our conversation. Through the pack house windows, I could see armed agents spreading out around the building.

"Showtime," Derek said grimly.

General Cassius entered the main hall flanked by at least twenty agents, all armed and ready for confrontation. He looked completely calm, like this was just another day at the office.

"Alpha Derek, Alpha Sebastian," he said politely. "I apologize for the dramatic entrance, but we have urgent business to discuss."

"General," Derek replied formally. "I assume you have proper documentation for whatever you're planning."

"Of course." Cassius produced a folder of legal papers. "Federal warrants for the detention of Isabella Sebastian, also known as Lyra Blackwood, for questioning in a matter of national security."

"On what grounds?"

"Demonstration of supernatural abilities that pose a potential threat to civilian populations. Possible connection to terrorist activities involving stolen government assets. Resistance to federal investigation."

"I haven't resisted anything," I said, stepping forward. "I answered your questions last night."

"Partially and under duress. We need a more thorough interview process."

"You mean interrogation."

"I mean a comprehensive examination of your abilities and their potential applications."

The clinical way he said it made my skin crawl. "I'm not a lab rat."

"You're a person with capabilities that could revolutionize national defense. That makes you too valuable to walk around unsupervised."

"I'm also a pregnant woman with rights under federal law."

"Rights that are superseded by national security interests."

Sebastian moved to stand beside me, his presence radiating quiet authority. "General, with respect, you're talking about indefinite detention without trial. That's unconstitutional under any circumstances."

"The Constitution doesn't address supernatural abilities, Alpha Sebastian. We're in uncharted legal territory."

"Actually, we're not." A new voice cut through the tension.

Everyone turned toward the speaker. An elderly man in an expensive suit was approaching, flanked by two younger assistants carrying briefcases.

"Mr. Harrison," General Cassius said, his confidence wavering slightly. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I'm sure you weren't. Samuel Harrison, constitutional attorney, representing Miss Sebastian." The lawyer's smile was sharp. "And I'm afraid your warrants are invalid."

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that they were issued without proper pack notification, without consideration of existing supernatural rights legislation, and without acknowledgment of Miss Sebastian's current diplomatic status."

"Diplomatic status?"

"As Luna of Mountain Cross Pack and heir to Moonlight Pack, Miss Sebastian enjoys certain protections under inter-pack treaty agreements. Agreements that were ratified by the federal government in 1987."

Cassius looked confused. "There's no such thing as diplomatic immunity for pack members."

"Isn't there? Perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the Supernatural Recognition Accords before attempting to detain pack leadership."

I stared at the lawyer, then at Sebastian. "How did you—"

"I made some phone calls while you were chasing thieves," Sebastian said quietly. "Samuel is an old friend who specializes in supernatural law."

"The point is," Harrison continued, "any detention of Miss Sebastian requires approval from both pack councils and review by the Federal Supernatural Rights Commission. None of which you have."

"This is a matter of national security—"

"This is a matter of constitutional law. And unless you have proper authority, I'm afraid you'll need to leave pack territory immediately."

Cassius looked around the room, clearly calculating his options. He was outnumbered, legally challenged, and surrounded by hostile werewolves.

"This isn't over," he said finally.

"No, it isn't," Harrison agreed cheerfully. "But it is postponed until you can provide proper legal documentation."

As the federal agents began to withdraw, I felt a mixture of relief and dread. We'd won this battle, but the war was far from over.

"How long do we have?" I asked Harrison.

"Forty-eight to seventy-two hours, depending on how quickly they can work through the legal system."

"And then?"

"Then we see how creative they're willing to get with their interpretation of national security law."

Magnus moved closer to me. "It's enough time to figure out our next move."

"What next move? They have warrants, federal authority, and unlimited resources."

"And we have something they don't," Sebastian said firmly.

"Which is?"

"The truth. About who really killed your family. About who's been manipulating events from behind the scenes. About who really stole the Goddess Stone."

"How do we find the truth?"

"By following the evidence. By asking the right questions." Sebastian looked at me with determination. "And by using your abilities to uncover what's been hidden."

I thought about the power I'd felt when touching the stone, the way I'd been able to influence the lake, the instincts that led me to places and people I shouldn't have known about.

"If I use my abilities too much, I might lose control. I might become exactly what they say I am—dangerous."

"Or you might become what your bloodline was always meant to be," Derek said quietly. "A protector. Someone strong enough to fight for what's right."

I looked around at all the people who were willing to stand with me against impossible odds. Sebastian, the father I'd forgotten. Derek, the brother I'd never known I had. Magnus, who'd protected me without question. Kael, who'd fought for me despite everything that had gone wrong between us.

"Alright," I said finally. "Let's find out who's really behind this."

"And when we do?"

"Then we make them pay for every life they've destroyed. Starting with my family twenty-five years ago."

I placed my hand on my belly, feeling my baby move restlessly.

"And we make sure our children grow up in a world where they're free to be themselves, not weapons in someone else's war."