The Luna Strike Back

Jenson’s POV

I step into the room and freeze for a second, my eyes locking onto Rose my mate, my everything standing in front of the full-length mirror in nothing but a towel. She’s five months pregnant, her belly round and radiant, her skin glowing with a warmth that takes my breath away.

She studies her reflection with a quiet frown, one hand resting protectively on her bump, the other tugging at the edge of the towel like it could hide the changes she’s still adjusting to.

“My beautiful mate,” I say softly, walking toward her and wrapping my arms gently around her waist from behind. Her scent is soft and calming, lavender and honey, now mixed with the faint, intoxicating sweetness of new life.

“You look incredible.”

Rose lets out a small sigh and pouts, her eyes still fixed on the mirror. “How can you say that? I feel like a waddling watermelon.” Her voice is tinged with frustration. “Why isn’t my pregnancy like Luna Kaylie’s? She’s two months ahead of me, and her bump’s half the size of mine.”

I press a kiss to the spot just beneath her ear. “Every woman’s body is different,” I murmur, letting my fingers stroke small, soothing circles against her stomach. “You’re carrying our pup. There’s nothing more beautiful than that. And trust me, you’re still the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

She finally turns in my arms, placing my hand gently over her belly. I smile and kneel slightly, brushing my lips over the spot where I feel the faintest flutter of movement.

“Hi there, little one,” I say in a soft, playful tone. “Daddy’s here. You being good to Mommy today?”

Rose giggles, slipping into a babyish voice. “I’m fine, Daddy. But Mommy’s in full crisis mode because she hasn’t found anything to wear to the big meeting with Alpha Lucas’s allies.”

I glance over her, taking in the way the towel barely clings to her curves. “You’ll look amazing in anything,” I say with a teasing grin. “Though personally… I vote for this outfit.” I tug playfully at the towel.

She smirks. “Or maybe you just prefer me in nothing at all.”

Before I can answer, the towel gives up the fight and drops to the floor.

“Rose…” I chuckle, hands automatically sliding to her hips. “We don’t have time for this.”

“We’ve got time for a quick distraction,” she murmurs, taking my hand and guiding it lower, her skin warm and soft beneath my touch. Even now. especially now with our child growing inside her, she pulls me in like gravity. Everything else fades away.

Until….

"Jenson."

The voice crashes into my head through the mind link like a cold slap of water. It’s Lucas, and his tone is sharp.

"Kaylie and I are on the helicopter, heading back to Blue Sapphire Pack. Something’s happened. An omega from Yellow Stone showed up at Kaylie’s graduation gala. She warned us. Alpha Alex is planning something. Something big. Something bad."

I freeze. My heart drops as I instinctively reach for my pants. “Wait, you're coming back with the omega?”

"No." His voice tightens. "She didn’t survive. Her name was Inggrid . She collapsed before we could question her. We’re bringing her body. Adrien’s our healer prepping for the autopsy. We need answers fast."

“Damn…” My chest tightens. The joy from moments ago fades like smoke.

"Jenson, focus. Have all the allied alphas arrived yet?"

“Only Alpha Toby and Luna Liana from Red Sapphire. The others are on their way, they’ll be here within the hour.”

"Good. Double the patrols. Lock down all border checkpoints. I want scouts flying over the mountains and sensors active near the eastern ridge. We’ll be landing in twenty."

The mind link cuts out before I can respond. I stare into the middle distance for a second, absorbing the weight of what’s just happened.

Rose watches me with wide, anxious eyes, clutching the towel back around her.

“What is it?” she asks, voice shaky. “What’s going on?”

I pull her into a brief but firm hug, grounding myself in her presence before I speak. “Lucas and Kaylie are coming back. An omega from Yellow Stone tried to warn them about something about Alex. She died before they could learn the full message.”

Rose’s expression hardens. “Alpha Alex again? Why can’t he fight fair? Instead of building a future like Lucas is, all he does is sabotage, scheme, and manipulate.”

I nod grimly. “He’s desperate. He knows he can’t win on merit. That’s why he’s playing dirty.” I exhale. “Right now, four packs support Lucas. Four are backing Alex. One’s undecided. The King’s old pack? Still neutral they oversee the election. They can’t intervene.”

Her shoulders sag under the weight of that knowledge. “I just want Kaylie and Lucas to be okay. Kaylie’s already gone through so much to become Luna. She deserves peace, not more battles. She should be preparing for her child, not for war.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and nod. “Lucas already lost Leah. Kaylie saved him from the edge. If something happens to her now… I fear Lucas wouldn't be able to find his way back." I pause, my voice catching. “He won’t survive it. Not again.”

We stand there in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, listening to the quiet beat of her heart against my chest.

But outside these walls, far beyond this fragile bubble of warmth and calm…

Something dark stirs.

A shadow, cold and thick as smoke, creeps slowly toward the Blue Sapphire Pack.

It slithers under the surface of alliances, feeding on fear, anger, and ambition.

And none of us not yet can see the full storm it brings.