The Banished Shy Luna Chapter 103

“Load up! Now!”

Tyson’s voice cracked like a whip through the motel parking lot.

The twins jumped, scrambling to toss the last duffels into the back of the SUV. Warriors were already moving, quick and efficient, climbing into their assigned vehicles. The air shifted fast—from sleepy tension to full-blown alert.

I hadn’t even closed my door before Tyson barked again, “I said now! Everyone in their vehicles. Warriors, engines on, formation tight.”

He turned to the front-row car. “Gun it to the next rest stop. Thirty-five miles out, no stops, no slowing down. Move.”

The warriors didn’t hesitate. Tires screeched against gravel, the scent of burnt rubber and exhaust thick in the morning air.

Toren spun toward us, his voice sharp. “What the hell is going on?”

I met his eyes, breath still uneven. “The motel wife—she told me someone was tracking us. She saw a man last night under the cars with the Moonshade mark.”

Everything in Toren’s body went still. His expression hardened into something lethal. “You’re certain?”

“She wouldn’t risk warning us otherwise,” I said quietly. “She looked terrified.”

He cursed low, sliding into the seat beside me. “If Lucas’s men tagged our vehicles, they’ll know exactly where we are. We can’t risk staying on this road.”

“No kidding,” Tyson muttered from behind me. “That’s why I said move.”

The SUV jolted forward, our convoy roaring back onto the main road. Eight black vehicles lined up in perfect formation—silent predators cutting through the midday light.

The ride was tense. No one spoke for the first twenty minutes. You could feel it—the storm brewing under Toren’s calm exterior, the quiet fury radiating off Tyson, and Talon’s hands clenched tight on his knees, ready for anything.

The twins sat pressed close to me in the backseat, their eyes wide but steady.

When the rest stop finally came into view—a cracked parking lot beside a faded sign that read Harper’s Junction—the collective exhale was audible.

“Pull in,” Tyson commanded. “Separate the vehicles. We don’t want a chain reaction if something goes wrong.”

Engines quieted. Doors slammed. Warriors spilled out into the open air.

“Check every car,” Toren barked. “Now!”

Talon moved first—dropping to his knees beside one of the SUVs and motioning the passengers out. “Everyone out! Give me space!”

He ducked under the frame, gravel scraping under his palms. “I need eyes on the rear wheels and front bumpers. Look for wires, seals, or anything magnetic!”

Toren crouched beside our vehicle, his hand running along the edge of the undercarriage. His expression was dark, focused. “This one’s clear.”

“Same here,” Talon called from across the lot.

Tyson was on the far side of the rest stop, directing two younger warriors who looked about ready to pass out. “Don’t half-ass it!” he snapped. “If you miss one thing, we all pay for it!”

But one warrior—a tall, broad man with a jagged scar down his neck—straightened up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “We already checked this one, Alpha. It’s clear.”

Tyson turned slowly. “Then you won’t mind if I check again.”

“I said,” the man growled, stepping forward, “it’s clear.”

“Move,” Tyson said simply.

The warrior sneered, squaring his shoulders. “You don’t give me orders like I’m some rookie—”

Before he could finish, Tyson shoved past him, crouching down to look. The man’s temper snapped. He grabbed Tyson by the arm and shoved him hard, sending him back a step.

The sound that came out of Tyson wasn’t human—it was low, guttural, dangerous. His aura hit the air like thunder.

I moved before anyone else could—grabbing his arm, pressing my hands to his chest. “Tyson, stop,” I said quickly, my voice soft but firm. “He’s not worth it.”

Tyson’s breathing was ragged, his teeth bared, his body shaking with the urge to rip the man apart.

“Don’t,” I whispered again, pressing my forehead against his back. “You’ll regret it later.”

He went still—barely. Then, through gritted teeth, he growled, “You ever touch me again, and I’ll skin you where you stand.”

The warrior paled and stepped back fast.

That’s when I heard it.

A snicker—from behind me.

A female warrior, standing near one of the SUVs, whispered to another woman loud enough for everyone to hear, “Look at her—little Miss Princess. Already flustered, can’t even handle her mates. Figures—never worked a day in her life.”

The other woman stifled a laugh behind her hand.

Nicole stepped forward, her expression cold and sharp. “Watch your mouth,” she warned. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Show your Luna some respect.”

The first woman turned, scoffing. “Respect? For what? She’s just some spoiled Alpha’s daughter who lucked into a mark. Everyone knows it.”

Nicole’s tone darkened. “Say that again.”

“Oh, I’ll say it louder so your Luna can hear—”

“I heard you the first time.”

My voice stopped them cold.

The air shifted.

Every head turned toward me as I stepped forward slowly, the gravel crunching beneath my boots. The tension rolled through me like heat, my aura flickering just enough to make the air hum.

“You want to test your Luna,” I said quietly, dangerously, “say it to my face.”

The woman froze, throat bobbing as she swallowed.

“I’m right here.”

The energy between us crackled. The other warriors shifted uneasily, some stepping back. Even Tyson’s hand flexed near my waist, torn between pride and concern.

But before I could take another step closer, someone shouted from the far end of the lot—

“Toren! Over here!”

Every head whipped toward the voice.

The scent hit next—metallic, sharp, wrong.

Toren was crouched near one of the rear SUVs, his eyes wide and wild. “Everyone back!” he roared.

And in that heartbeat, I knew—

We were too late.

The world didn’t move in time with the warning.

The sound hit first—an ear-splitting BOOM that ripped through the air like thunder made of fire. The ground lurched beneath us, a shockwave slamming into my chest so hard it stole my breath. The SUVs nearest the blast lifted off their axles for a heartbeat before crashing back down, shattering glass and twisting metal.