Alpha's Loss, Luna's Freedom

Synopsis

The carriage rocked gently as we traveled through the dense forest separating our territory from the neighboring Silver Moon Pack. Beside me, Lily hummed softly, her small fingers tracing the carved wooden wolf I'd given her for her fifth birthday last month. "Mama, will we see the big waterfall again?" she asked, her hazel eyes—so like mine—wide with excitement. I smiled, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "Not today, little moon. We're just visiting Alpha Gregory to renew our territory agreement." She pouted, then brightened. "Will Daddy be there?" The familiar ache bloomed in my chest. Marcus had promised to join us, then canceled at the last minute with a vague excuse about "pack business." I'd glimpsed Rebecca's sleek car pulling into the private entrance of the pack house as we departed. "No, sweetheart. Daddy had important Alpha duties." The lie tasted bitter, but I'd become accustomed to the flavor. "More important than us?" Lily's innocent question pierced deeper than any claw. Before I could fashion another comforting lie, the carriage lurched violently. Our driver shouted something unintelligible before his voice transformed into a gurgling scream. The acrid scent of blood flooded my nostrils. "Mama?" Lily's voice trembled. "Stay down!" I commanded, pushing her to the floor of the carriage. My wolf, Sarah, surged forward in my consciousness, her protective instincts matching my own. *Rogues. Many of them.* Sarah growled. The carriage door ripped open. Five massive wolves with matted fur and hungry eyes surrounded us, their muzzles already stained crimson. Our guards lay motionless on the