Banished Luna Returns with Sextuplets

5

Felicia

The road stretched long and empty through the neutral territory. Tall trees lined both sides, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze. It was quiet — too quiet. The kind of quiet that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I kept both hands on the steering wheel and tried to focus on the drive. My eyes were still puffy from crying, and my chest felt heavy, but I pushed forward. I had to keep moving. I had to find safety for me and my baby.

A strange feeling ran down my spine, like cold fingers tracing my skin. I glanced in the rear-view mirror. Nothing but empty road behind me. I shook my head and told myself it was just nerves. After everything that had happened today, it was normal to feel jumpy. No one was following me. Markus had made his choice. The pack had turned its back. I was on my own now.

I drove a little faster, hoping to reach Mason’s cabin before night fell completely.

Then it happened.

Bright headlights suddenly appeared from the side road ahead. Two old trucks swerved out and blocked the narrow path. I slammed on the brakes. My car skidded to a stop, tires screaming on the dirt. Before I could reverse, another vehicle pulled up behind me, trapping me in the middle.

My heart jumped into my throat. Rogues. I could smell them even through the closed windows — wild, unwashed, dangerous. They were thieves who lived outside any pack rules, taking whatever they wanted from travelers.

Four men jumped out, carrying guns and knives that glinted in the fading light. They moved toward my car with confident, lazy steps. One of them, tall with a scarred face and dirty blond hair, grinned as he tapped on my window with the barrel of his gun.

“Out of the car, sweetheart,” he called. “Hand over everything you got. Money, jewelry, that pretty little bag. Make it quick and nobody gets hurt.”

My hands shook as I unlocked the door. I stepped out slowly, clutching my small bag to my chest. The evening air felt colder now. I could feel their eyes on me, scanning me from head to toe.

“Nice car,” another rogue said, circling around. “But look at her… damn, she’s a beautiful one.”

The scarred man’s grin widened. His eyes turned dark and hungry. “Change of plans, boys. We’ll take the stuff, sure. But first, we’re gonna have our way with this pretty wolf. She looks like she could use some company after whatever made her cry.”

Fear exploded in my chest. No. Not this. Not after everything else today. I thought of the tiny life growing inside me and something fierce rose up.

“I don’t have much,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just take the money and let me go.”

They laughed. The scarred one stepped closer, reaching out to grab my arm. “Oh, we’ll take the money. And then we’ll take you.”

That was it. Panic and motherly instinct took over. Before he could touch me, I swung my fist as hard as I could and punched him straight in the nose. Blood spurted. He howled in pain and stumbled back.

I didn’t wait. I turned and ran toward the trees, my legs pumping fast. If I could just shift or find a place to hide—

Strong arms grabbed me from behind. I was yanked backward so hard my feet left the ground. The scarred rogue spun me around and slapped me across the face. My cheek burned.

“You stupid b***h!” he snarled. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

The others closed in, laughing and cheering. One of them ripped my bag from my hands and tossed it to the ground. Another grabbed my hair, pulling my head back. I kicked and struggled, but there were too many of them. Tears of terror filled my eyes. I could feel their rough hands on my arms, my waist. Their breath smelled of alcohol and rot.

“Please,” I begged, my voice breaking. “Don’t do this. I’m pregnant—”

They only laughed louder. “Even better,” one said. “We like them feisty.”

I fought harder, screaming as loud as I could, but the sound seemed to disappear into the empty forest. My wolf was frantic inside me, wanting to shift and tear them apart, but I was too scared and outnumbered. If I shifted now, I might hurt the baby.

Just when one of them started dragging me toward their truck, new headlights cut through the darkness. Another vehicle roared up the road and screeched to a halt. Doors slammed. Heavy footsteps pounded the ground.

“Get your filthy hands off her!” a deep, commanding voice shouted.

Gunshots rang out. Not many — just enough to scare. The rogues froze. The scarred man let go of me suddenly, and I dropped to my knees on the dirt road, gasping for air.

I looked up through blurry eyes. Three strangers — tall, strong men who moved like trained fighters — were advancing on the rogues. They weren’t pack wolves I recognized. Their scents were different, mixed with something wild but controlled. One of them, with dark hair and sharp eyes, grabbed the scarred rogue by the throat and slammed him against the truck.

“You picked the wrong woman to mess with tonight,” he growled.

A fight broke out fast and brutal. Fists flew. Bones cracked. The rogues tried to fight back, but they were no match. Within minutes, two of them were running into the trees, bleeding and cursing. The other two lay unconscious on the ground.

The dark-haired stranger turned toward me. His face softened when he saw me curled on the ground, shaking.

“Hey, it’s okay now,” he said gently, crouching down but not touching me. “You’re safe. They’re gone.”

I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn’t work. My whole body was trembling. The adrenaline was fading, and the fear was crashing over me like a wave. My cheek throbbed where I had been slapped. My arms hurt from being grabbed so roughly.

Then the pain hit my stomach — a sharp, twisting cramp that made me gasp.

“My baby!” I cried out, both hands flying to my belly. Panic flooded me. No, please, not my baby. Not after everything.

The world started to spin. Black spots danced in front of my eyes. I could hear the strangers talking urgently, one of them saying something about getting help, but their voices sounded far away.

I fought to stay awake, but my eyelids felt so heavy. The last thing I saw was the dark-haired man reaching out to catch me as I fell.

“My baby…” I whispered again, my voice barely a sound.

Then everything went black.