By the time the meeting finally started wrapping up, I was practically pacing the perimeter of the packhouse; the cool, crisp morning air did nothing to dispel the storm within my skull.


    Dane fell into step beside me, his footsteps unhurried, almost measured.


    “You’re taking a big risk,” he said, quieter this time.


    “Everything about this is a risk,” I returned, not looking at him. “This way, we can win without losing everything.”


    “And what if you’re wrong?”


    I turned to him, squaring my feet. “At least I’ll know that I gave everything in me to protect this pack. Protect you.”


    He smiled, a sh smile. In that moment, our yoke lightened that fraction.


    Without a word, Raven raced forward, face white and heaving. “Luna,” he choked out, thrusting a paper. “A message from Orion.”


    It wasn’t until I unfolded it, my eyes fell upon bold strokes: “Your move, Luna. Let’s see if you are as strong as you im.”


    Only then did I hand him the paper, where it was shaken right off from my already tightly clenched fist.


    His face had gone ck after having read the words; his hands


    trembling to hold the wrath inside.


    “He’s ying games now,” Dane breathed quietly, very low indeed.


    “This is not a game,” I countered, sharp.


    He met my gaze, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Then stop treating it like one. Fight him. End this.”


    “I will,” I said, my voice steady. “But I’ll do it my way.”


    Raven shifted on his feet, his look darting away. “There’s more, Luna. Orion’s forces are closing in on the border. They’re baiting us.”


    Dane’s eyes shed with anger. “And you’re still considering ying his game?”


    I turned to him, undeterred. “It is not a game, Dane. It’s strategy.”


    The tension between us hung in the air, thick as the scout looked at us with an ounce of nervousness. Finally, Dane exhaled, and his shoulders slumped in reluctant eptance.


    “Fine,” he said. “But don’t wait too long. He won’t.”


    I clutched the paper tightly as the sun began to rise, casting its light over the packhouse.


    “Your move also, Orion,” I whispered to myself. “Let’s see if


    you’re as strong as you im to be.”