The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna
Chapter 189
Night had fallen by the time I finished strapping the weapons to my body. A silver dagger against my thigh, a pistol at my waist- loaded, this time–and a small satchel containing emergency supplies. The black hood Kieran had given me hung heavily around my shoulders, ready to be pulled up when we approached Ravenhollow territory.
The scenturia potion had tasted vile–bitter and metallic, like blood mixed with rust–but Kieran had assured me it would mask my scent for at least twelve hours. Enough time to get in, gather intelligence, and get out. That was the plan, anyway. Simple in theres.
Kieran stood a few paces away, watching as I made my final adjustments. His face was a careful mask, but I could see the tension in the set of his shoulders, the way his fingers kept flexing at his sides.
“I would have preferred going with you,” he said quietly.
“You have to stay here,” I reminded him, though part of me wished he could come.
“Ready?” Kieran asked, stepping closer to hand me a small map drawn on weathered parchment.
I nodded, tucking the map into an inner pocket. “We should be back before dawn, if everything goes according to plan.
“We would see soon.” His fingers brushed mine, lingering for a moment. “Remember, the paths are all on the map.”
“Goodbye, for now,” I said, summoning my wings with a thought. It still felt strange–the rush of power as they emerged, the weight settling against my back, the way my entire center of balance shifted
Without looking back, I leapt into the air, wings spreading to catch the night breeze. The sensation of flight still thrilled me–the wind streaming through my hair, the ground falling away beneath me, the sheer freedom of movement. For these moments, I could forget the danger ahead, forget that I was flying toward the man who had cast me away, toward the place that had once been my home and then my prison.
The meeting point was a small clearing just beyond Ravenhollow’s eastern border, where the forest grew particularly dense. I spotted the ten soldiers Zed had provided, dark shapes huddled in the shadows. They straightened as I descended, their expressions changing from wariness to something like awe as my feet touched the ground. With a thought, I retracted my wings, feeling them fold back into my body.
“Queen,” one of them acknowledged with a slight bow.
The title felt strange now, but I didn’t correct them. If it gave them confidence in my leadership, I would play the role.
“The Ravenhollow soldiers had vacated the eastern borders; they must have completed their shift for the night,” I said, keeping my voice low. “We have thirty minutes or less before a new badge arrives. We would have to go, two at a time.” I pointed to the barely visible trail that would lead us past the border markers. “If you are in trouble, raise a signal.”
The men nodded, their faces grim with determination. Moving silently, the first pair disappeared into the darkness, followed by the second. I waited, counting the seconds in my head, before motioning the third pair forward.
We were halfway through when a voice cut through the darkness. “Wait.”
I froze, my hand automatically moving to the dagger at my thigh.
Who is there?” The voice came again, closer this time. A beam of light swept the undergrowth.
Border patrol. Earlier than expected.
I signaled the remaining soldiers to stay put, then slipped into the shadows, circling around to approach the guard from behind.
1/3
Chapter 189
か
in her feted to inきま
With the sports thanking to the plan, they split in pris, hing in spare to the stay as a boken, tooty to continct categ
thing
One hour turned to two. The night grew colder, and the forest sound the host of an owl, the rustle of small creatures in the undergrowth–began to fray my nerves. What was taking so long? Hat they been captured? Should I go looking for them?
Just as I was about to break protocol and go searching, shadowy figates emerged from the trees, I tensed, hand on my weapon, patil I recognized the first pair of soldiers.
“What happened? I asked, noting their empty hands, No documents, no evidence, nothing
We got nothing, the first soldier reported, his voice tight with frustration.
“What?”
“There is nothing in there–no information, the second added.
Before I could question them further, my heightened senses caught the sound of footsteps approaching. Someone is coming,” I whispered, gesturing for them to hide. “Over here.”
We melted into the shadows just as another pair of soldiers appeared, moving quickly and glancing nervously over their shoulders.
“We have to leave now,” one of them said without preamble.
“What about the others?” I asked, confused by their urgency-
“Three men had been killed, my partner too; it was like they knew we were coming.”
My blood ran cold, But that is impossible.”
“We need to leave!” The soldier’s eyes darted around, scanning the darkness.
“There are still three left.” I couldn’t leave anyone behind.
The soldier hesitated, then leaned closer, “They’re at the Safe room, planting a bomb.*
“What?” Shoek jolted through me, “Our escape should be their top priority….
A distant boom cut off my words, followed by the unmistakable sound of an explosion. The ground trembled beneath our feet as a plume of orange flame rose above the trees, illuminating the night sky.
“Go! I ordered, pushing the soldiers toward the border. “Run!”
2/3
The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna
