The Alpha's Reluctant Mate: Moonborne

ith flames that danced like devils across the trees. Smoke curled into the cold night air, thick and choking. And beneath it, raw, panicked, desperate, screams echo

er long silver braid tangled with smoke. "I'm sorry," she whispered to the child. "I should've seen this coming. Should've listened to the dreams. But I was too proud, i was too blind" A howl tore through the night closer now. Laura froze. It was not a Silver Crest howl. She recognized it. It was coarse, guttural, unclean. It was the Nightfall Pack. Her enemy's offspring. They had allied with the traitors. She'd seen Kane Blackwood's father, Lucas tear through the heart of the inner sanctum with cold eyes and fire-drenched claws. Laura had fought him once, years ago. He had promised extinction. And now, he had delivered it. Another howl. This time, behind her. They were closing in. Laura reached the edge of the ridge. Below, a rocky slope descended into the woods forest. If she could just get to the river, cross the old bridge, she could reach the old den carved into the hills. A place hidden even from their enemies. A place of sealing. She moved to shift. But her magic was splintering. Her wolf was injured, her ribs were cracked, and her strength fading. "Moon, guide me," she murmured, and then plunged into the slope. She half-ran, half-fell down the rocks, shielding Ivy with her body as thorns tore into her arms and legs. Snow mixed with ash, the scent of burning pines choking the air. The woods trees swallowed her quickly. Darkness fell heavy between their twisted trunks, and still, she did not stop. The pain didn't matter. Only Ivy did. By the time she reached the bridge, her legs were shaking. A tall figure cloaked in black blocked the path. Laura's heart lurched. She took a step back, but the figure raised a hand. "It's me," came a rasping voice. "Thorne. I told you I'd come." Relief hit her like a wave. She staggered forward. Thorne, the old scholar, once banished for his obsession with blood magic. He had warned the council of betrayal, pleaded for protection. They hadn't listened. "Ivy-she's the only one left," Laura panted, tears finally breaking through. "You know what she is. What she's meant to be." "I do," he said, stepping forward. His face was drawn and ancient, the moonsilver scars across his eyes glowing faintly. "Take her. Hide her. Erase everything." Laura unw