Luna's Last Oath

t smelled

he winding dirt road that disappeared into the trees. Beyond that road lay the world she'd never seen - the same

way he'd cupped h

"When I return, it'll be with everything

ndoned them. Proud enough to shoulder the burdens of leadership alone, to heal the sick, break up disputes, keep the bo

ed at the faint

k murmured in anticipation. Mothers held children aloft, elders leaned on walking sticks, and a few wolves pa

his voice, his steady hand in hers - all of it would finally end. She had so much to tell him. How the river had flooded last spring. How she'd me

er. A dark shape appeared on the road

ia

weathered leather cloak, his jaw shadowed with stubble. His presence wa

the woman ridi

fair and flawless, and her amber eyes seemed to glow faintly even in the gray light. She sat astride her h

moment, his eyes found Nicole's and her breath caught at the flicker of w

ar, and yet something in it was diff

er pulse drumm

woman beside him with something dangerously

ded like a bl

kin. Around them, the pack murmured - some in surprise, others in approval. Nicole caught a few smiles aime

n Aria's hand

e's as if willing her to understand. "You're still my Luna. You'll al

ended, and waited for was telling her he'd found the one the Moon Goddess had

might shatter her face. "Of course," she said, her v

ill, her entire world h

whispers, but the air between Nicole

ement. A few warriors exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Nicole could feel

and cedar on him - the scent she'd memorized long ago. It was there, but muted somehow, dulled by the unfamili

g into skin. She extended a hand toward Aria. "Welc

essive. "It was... comfortable," she replied, glancing at

back, the picture of grace, even as her chest burned. "We've prepared a fe

sion - no acknowledgment of the storm he'd brought with him. "You've alway

at, lacking the war

gnaling to the waiting pack. "Come," she calle

rt of the territory was

, their hands still intertwined. The occasional murmur from the pack floated forward to her ears - snippets of

re the training grounds lay empty now, past the healer's den, past the row of cabins where the warriors lived. She'd bu

zes lingered on Aria, Nicole felt as though

spilling out. Torches lined the walls, casting golden light over the long tables piled

to the pack. "Eat, drink,

ly to Aria. Nicole caught the low rumble of his voice, the soft sound

air was in its usual place, but when Brian and Aria entered, Brian didn't immediately take the seat besid

fingers lacing t

elled around her - tales of hunts, questions for Brian about his

icole didn't want to hear the a

his eyes softening as they landed on Aria. "She'd been attacked b

in Nicole's head, hammering aga

. "I'll check on the kitchens," she told the

ressed her back to the wall, tilting her head up toward the ceiling.

e ye

f keeping his name honored when others doubted. Three y

was her

ootsteps until they w

col

ching her with concern. His dark brows were

a hand. "I don't want to hear

llow your lead. Whatever you do

rless. "You think

re too good at hiding what you feel

e wall. "Let me w

rack in her world had appeared today. And if she wasn't careful,

and the last torch burned low, Nicole stoo

clouds. Somewhere, she could hear the low murmur of voices from t

the railing until

coming, but a cold certai

only the