Luna Return

Chapter5

The world blurred around Aria as her gaze fixed on the dagger in Selene’s hand.

It was unmistakably the ceremonial blade from the Luna trials engraved with the Moonclaw crest and dipped in silver. And it was soaked in her brother’s blood.

“Selene…” Aria’s voice shaked like a leaf, not with fear, but rage. “What did you do?”

Selene blinked, then quickly threw the dagger into the underbrush like nothing happened. “I don’t know how he got that! He’s a rogue! He must have stolen it!”

Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “You were the last one with it. After the ritual.”

“I was attacked!” Selene breaks in fear, turning the suspicion back on Aria. “By rogues. Maybe she lured them here; she's the one who’s been sneaking out, disappearing for hours.”

Aria took a step forward, barely able to contain the fling rising in her throat. “My brother is bleeding out and all you care about is twisting things around? You’re the one holding the blade.”

Kai groaned weakly behind her, and Aria dropped to her knees beside him. His skin was pale, his pulse fading.

“He needs help,” she said, looking up at Lucien. “Now.”

Lucien hesitated, his expression torn. “If we take him in, the council will demand a trial. He’s a rogue, Aria. You know what that means.”

Aria’s heart beat in her ears. She couldn’t lose him, not after losing everything else.

“Then I’ll take responsibility,” she said, standing tall. “If the council wants a fight, they’ll get one. But if you leave him to die, Lucien, then you’re no better than the traitors who let this happen.”

His jaw clenched. “You’re putting yourself in danger.”

Aria said “I’ve been in danger since the moment you rejected me,” she said coldly.

Lucien pulled back.

Without another word, he shouted at the nearest guard. “Get the healer. Now.”

Aria let out a shaky breath, her hand pressed against Kai’s wound as she whispered to him, “You’re going to be okay. I won’t let them take you.”

Behind her, Selene frowned, her mask of innocence slipping for just a second. And in that second, Aria saw the truth.

Selene wasn’t done.

She was just getting started.

Later that night, the clinic was quiet except for the soft beeping of machines and Kai’s slight breathing. Aria sat by his side, holding his hand, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

He hadn’t woken since they brought him in.

The healer had done all she could, but the wound had been laced with silver.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were alive?” Aria whispered, brushing his matted hair from his forehead. “They told me you were dead. That the rogues killed you. I thought I lost you.”

Kai didn’t stir.

The door squeaked behind her. Lucien entered. “I figured you’d still be here,” he said, voice softer than usual.

“I’m not leaving him.”

“I know.”

Aria stood, arms crossed, keeping the distance between them. “Why are you really here?”

Lucien looked at her for a long moment. “To ask about that dagger. And your brother.”

Aria stared back. “You think I’m hiding something?”

“I think you know more than you’re saying. You always were good at hiding secrets under silence.”

Her eyes burned. “And you were always good at pretending to care.”

That hit him hard. His expression changed .

“I’m not pretending now,” he said. “Something’s wrong in this pack, Aria. I can feel it. Selene’s lying I just don’t know about what yet.”

Aria stepped closer, her voice low. “She’s afraid. I saw it in her eyes. But it’s not me she’s afraid of it’s something bigger.”

Lucien frowned. “Like what?”

She hesitated, then pulled a folded note from her pocket the one she’d found hidden in Kai’s jacket while he was unconscious. It was written in his handwriting, and it chilled her to the bone.

“The Crescent Pact is real. She’s working with them. Tell Aria to run.”

Lucien read it twice, then looked at her. “Do you know what this means?”

Aria nodded slowly, her heart beating fast.

“It means this wasn’t just a personal betrayal. There’s a war coming… and Selene’s on the wrong side.”

Suddenly, the infirmary lights flared up.

Then went dark.

A howl erupted outside one filled with fear.The alarms blared through the packhouse.

Lucien drew his blade. “Stay here.”

But Aria was already moving to Kai’s side, shielding him.

And then the door burst wide open, Not with rogues,But with three pack warriors.

Their eyes were glowing,And they weren’t here to help.