Chapter 28
Zachary’s POV
The Next Morning..
Mason and I stood in Alpha Greg’s office. William glared at me, his eyes blazing with unspoken anger. His posture was stiff, every muscle in his body seemingly ready to pounce.
“I still don’t understand why we’re letting him leave without giving him more of what he deserves” William growled, his fists clenched.
“William” Alpha Greg said sternly, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Amara asked for this. She wants space and we have to respect her decision. This isn’t about you or me; it’s about her”
I stepped forward. “Alpha William, I understand your frustration. I can only ask for your forgiveness at the moment. Please allow my warriors to stay and train as we discussed. This arrangement benefits both packs”
William scoffed but said nothing, his jaw tightening.
Greg nodded. “Fine. Your warriors can stay. Amara made her wishes clear and I believe in second chances though you’ll have to earn it, Zachary”
I bowed my head in gratitude. “Thank you, Alpha Greg. I promise not to interfere with her decision. And Alpha William, I will make amends, no matter how long it takes”
William crossed his arms. “You’d better. Because if you hurt her again, you’ll have me to deal with”
As we left the office, I made my way to Luna Mary. She greeted me with a calm but distant look.
“Luna Mary” I said softly, “I can never undo the pain I’ve caused Amara or your family. But I hope, one day, you can forgive me. Please tell her...” I hesitated, my voice breaking slightly. “Tell her I’m sorry for leaving without a word, but I thought it was best”
Mary nodded gently. “Please take care of yourself”
I bowed, knowing I couldn’t ask for more.
Back at Night Blood Pack
Mason and I returned to our pack in the late evening. As we passed through the gates, I could see the expectation in my people’s faces. My friends, pack members and even a few elders glanced our way, their hopeful eyes searching for the one thing I couldn’t give them yet- Amara, thier Luna.
Sam, my gamma, approached with a small frown. “Welcome back, Alpha. Everyone’s been waiting”
I nodded curtly. “Thank you, Sam”
I see he wants to ask me something but avoids it. I know what it is. But I don’t know what to say, if anyone asks directly about Amara.
I mind linked Mason, “Did you asked them not to ask questions about Amara?”
Mason nodded. “Yes, Zach. No one will bother you”
I sighed, grateful for Mason’s efficiency. “Good. Let’s focus on the rogue situation. I want updates immediately”
Me, Mason, Sam and Matt gathered in my office. We spent an entire day there and come up with some changes which we need to practice in our pack, which will make us stronger and efficient in case of attack.
After a month...
In the training yard, Sam was running drills with the warriors. I observed from a distance, nodding in approval as they moved with precision and focus.
“Good work, Sam” I called as he approached me.
“Thanks, Alpha” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “The warriors are getting stronger every day. Even the females are holding their own in combat. We’re ready”
“Not just ready” I said firmly. “We’re going to end this threat before it reaches us. We don’t back down, not as Night Blood”
Matt smiled. “They’re ready because they believe in you, Alpha. You’ve made us stronger”
I gave him a nod of appreciation but said nothing. My people deserved the best from me and I would give them nothing less.
As the day ended and the pack settled, I found myself staring at the empty space in my room. Amara’s absence was a constant ache, one I couldn’t escape. I whispered into the silence, “Amara, I miss you. I wish you were here with me”
Later that evening, Sam and Matt, joined me in the war room.
“Zach” Sam began, spreading a map across the table, “we’ve received intel that Maximum is gathering forces near the southern border packs. His movements suggest he might be planning an infiltration soon”
Matt pointed to several marks on the map. “We’ve doubled patrols here and but the southern border is vast. We’ll need to redistribute warriors to cover blind spots”
I nodded. “Agreed. Increase the patrol frequency and have warriors on rotating shifts. No one should be out of range for backup. Sam, I want you to personally oversee drills tomorrow. Everyone needs to know their role during an attack”
“Yes, Zach” Sam replied, his tone sharp with focus.
“Masy” I continued, “Let’s recall our warriors from Blue Moon.I heard they have made a quiet progress in human combat skills. But make it clear, they are to leave discreetly. I don’t want to cause Amara or her family any unnecessary worry”
Mason nodded. “Understood”
As the night wore on, I buried myself in strategies and plans. But no matter how hard I tried, Amara’s face lingered in my thoughts. Her voice, her scent, her touch it haunted me.
----
Amara’s POV
It’s been a month since Zachary left. He honoured my request, giving me the time and space I needed to think.
Life at home has settled into its usual rhythm spending morning to afternoons at the hospital and evenings training as I used to before ever stepping foot in Night Blood’s territory.
When I’m not working, I’m with Colin. His giggles and bright smile never fail to lift my spirits, even on the heaviest of days.
He’s such a cutie pie and I cherish every moment with him.
Still, there’s an undercurrent of sadness in the air.
Even though my family tries their best to act normal, I can see it in their eyes, especially Mom’s.
She watches me with a quiet pain, as if every day she’s holding back tears.
I know they’re worried about me, my future and the uncertainty that lingers around everything that’s happened.
I can’t blame them.
Every day, I wrestle with my own thoughts.
Do I stay here at home, safe in the familiar or do I take a leap of faith and go to Zachary?
That day, when he spoke to Dad and poured out his feelings, was the first time I saw true honesty in his eyes.
He meant every word. And later, when he left despite his longing to stay, he won a piece of my heart.
The warriors Zachary left behind have integrated well with our pack, training side by side with our members.
Occasionally, they call me “Luna” The title feels foreign, almost funny, like it belongs to someone else.
But the word carries a weight that stays with me, reminding me of the possibility of a life I never expected.
If I accept Zachary, I wouldn’t just be his mate. I’d be his Luna, standing beside him to lead a pack that has grown to respect me despite the distance. The thought both excites and terrifies me.
Eva, my wolf, is unwavering “We are his Luna. We are born to do this. Don’t doubt yourself” she says, her confidence bolstering me when I waver.
But the questions never stop.
Have I made a mistake by asking for so much time apart? What if I go to him now, only to find he’s moved on or regrets waiting? What if this entire ordeal was for nothing?
Zachary is never far from my thoughts. His face, his scent, his voice, the way he looked at me with love, it all lingers, a constant presence in my mind. And with every passing day, the ache in my chest grows stronger, tugging me closer to a decision I can no longer ignore.
The question remains, am I brave enough to take that step?
Later that evening, word spread that the Night Blood warriors were leaving the next day. They claimed it was because their training was nearly complete, but I wasn’t convinced. Something felt off.
Determined to get the truth, I approached one of the warriors.
“Why are you all leaving so suddenly?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. My tone carried a hint of suspicion.
He hesitated, his gaze darting around nervously. “Luna... uh, it’s just that the training is nearly over. We need to return to teach the others what we’ve learned”
I crossed my arms, raising a brow. “You know what ‘Luna’ means, don’t you? It means I can see right through you. Don’t lie to me. I know there’s more to this. Now, spill!”
He swallowed hard, then sighed in defeat. “Beta Mason told us Maximus is planning an attack soon. That’s why we’re leaving. Alpha didn’t want to worry anyone here, especially you, Luna”
My chest tightened at his words. A rogue infiltration? And they didn’t involve me?
After dismissing the warrior, I wrestled with the information. They were heading back to face a threat and they thought I’d just sit here, uninvolved? “We need to go with them, to help mate” Eva growled.
Her words struck a chord, and my decision solidified. I couldn’t stay back, not when Zachary and his pack could be in danger.
I informed my family of my plans, and as expected, there were objections especially from Will. Ethan immediately offered to join me.
“I can't do that to Bethany and you. You just got her” I said gently. “You need to stay here and be with her. Besides, I can handle this alone”
Dad and William, however, were less willing to let me leave alone.
“Take 100 of our warriors with you” William insisted.
I shook my head. “I appreciate the concern, but I know Zachary. He’s too prideful to accept help from another pack. Let us handle this first. If things go south, then you can send backup”
Dad’s expression softened, and he smiled proudly. “That’s my girl. You’re born to be a Luna. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise” He kissed my forehead.
Mom hugged me tightly, her warmth grounding me even as my resolve strengthened.
After bidding farewell, I left with the Night Blood warriors. I instructed them not to inform
Zachary or Mason of my plans. This was my decision and I wanted to face it on my own terms.
As we made our way to Night Blood territory, my heart raced.