*Starblood fortress — Early Morning*
Crystal stood at the balcony overlooking the main training grounds, arms wrapped around herself as the early morning wind tangled in her hair.
The sky was painted in the pale hues of dawn but her thoughts were far from peaceful. Below, the warriors were already rebuilding…hammering, training, sharpening blades that might never see rest again.
She wasn’t part of that world anymore. Not just Luna, not her learning to heal, not even just a mate.
Everything had changed.
Footsteps approached behind her but she didn’t turn. She already knew it was Ryder.
“I thought I was just meant to be the Luna,” she said quietly. “After Amy… after George, I thought that was the worst of it. That I would heal, love again, serve my pack, live in peace.”
His silence d
