The Rejected Luna Claimed By The Lycan King

Second Strike

The second attack came without warning.

At least, that’s what Shadowfang Pack believed.

I learned about it, as I always had—from reports that Lucian gave me to hear, not because I had to be there, but because I could be useful and was.

I was in the periphery of the war room as commanders hurried around the map table.

Another outpost.

Another strike.

This time, further into the Shadowfang lands.

Lucian's finger skated over the map-plot.

This is the corridor for reinforcement,” he said.

One of the commanders nodded in agreement. Since the previous breach, they’ve beefed up their security, but still follow the same rotation cycle.

I scanned the notes with my eyes.

I already knew the parts of it.

Because I had said to him.

The attack was carried out on the same night.

I didn't see it this time, but I heard the reports here.

Faster than before.

More precise.

More damaging.

Shadowfang's outer defenses not only broke—they crumbled in bits rather than pieces that were supposed to be exposed at that early stage.

Lucian's troops did not stand around.

They couldn't afford to wait.

They attacked at the point where the resistance would be least expecting them and they quickly left before they could be fully retaliated.

One of the commanders made a shooing sound when the final report was received.

“Eastern supply route is broken,” he said.

Another added, "Internal communication is not working, they're not able to coordinate the responses.

Lucian didn't respond much.

He could only nod once.

“Expected,” he said.

My chest constricted a little while I was listening.

Expected.

That word again.

I didn't say a word, but my mind did.

I already had a fantasy vision of Shadowfang Pack.

Confusion spreading.

Orders that do not get to the appropriate wolves.

Have faith in the defeated rank.

They would not have known what was happening, at this point.

They would feel this, though.

And I had been instrumental in that.

I should have felt guilty, as part of me.

I knew that.

But instead…

I felt something I didn't expect.

The mysterious and disconcerting feeling of accomplishment.

Not joy.

Not happiness.

Just… recognition.

It feels like seeing a building that you have trusted that you know you have to fall apart, and it does!

I didn't like the feeling that I had.

But I couldn't falsely deny it, either.

I had to listen for Lucian's voice to pierce my brain.

“You don't say much,” he remarked.

I looked at him.

“Yes,” I said, “I am listening.”

He gazed at me for a second.

Then he pointed at the map.

“Our speed is greater than we thought,” he said.

That's because they're reacting, reacting, reacting, one of the commanders added.

Lucian's eyes returned to me.

“That will change,” he said.

I frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

He moved in closer to the table.

“Let's go deeper into it,” he said.

My belly got a little knot in it.

Deeper.

Not just patrols.

Not just routes.

More sensitive information.

I knew what he was saying right away.

“They're going to begin to tighten up their loose screws” I said.

“Yes,” Lucian replied.

I lifted my arms slightly above my chest.

“That translates to more than border killings, I said in a quiet voice.

Lucian didn't claim that it wasn't true.

He never did.

Rather he said, “You are already here within this.”

I really felt that sentence hit me hard.

He was right, as he had been.

I wasn't out there watching anymore.

I was a part of the apparatus they were faced with.

Haven't noticed for a second.

That sense of control I was developing… felt slimmer.

More complicated.

Following the meeting, I went outside by myself.

It was colder in the lower courtyard.

I leaned against the stone wall, trying to keep my mind in check.

I should have put an end to this by now.

At least made it slower.

But Shadowfang wasn’t just a place I had lived in.

It was also the location where I had been destroyed.

And that truth didn’t make anything simple.

Someone was coming towards me on foot.

I didn’t turn.

Lucian was in the vicinity.

“Once again you're thinking too much,” he said.

“Yes, I always think,” I said.

He didn’t argue.

But rather, “That is why you are useful,” he said.

I exhaled slowly.

“It's not really a compliment,” I replied.

“No, it's not,” he said.

I looked a little at him.

“It's getting harder now,” I said.

“Yes,” Lucian said.

“Why?” I asked.

He followed his eyes with a steady gaze.

“They're adapting,” he said. “And since your pack is beginning to split apart inwards.”

My hands clutched just a little.

“Good,” I said quietly, to my surprise.

Lucian studied me with his gaze instantly.

That little mistake came to notice.

I straightened slightly.

“Well… strategically,” I added.

He didn’t respond to that correction.

Rather, he added, “You don't take that long of a pause as much anymore.”

I didn't respond right away.

So I knew that he was correct.

I had no pleasant feeling about that realization in my little, broken heart.

⸻

It was later in the night when I was brought a message.

Not by Lucian.

Not by Kaela.

But by one of the silent companions of the fortress.

“Please inform me, someone asked you to,” she said.

I frowned slightly.

“Who?” I asked.

She hesitated.

Then looked down.

The Shadowfang council,” she replied.

My body went still.

She continued carefully.

“Clara Wells is fully accepted by them as Luna, I added. “Without opposition.”