Part 1
After Damon spoke, the whole room went quiet. Luna's heart pounded so hard she could hear it. Fear and anger mixed inside her, but before she moved, Kieran was already there.
One second, Damon stood across the room. Next, he slammed into the wall with Kieran's arm pressed against his throat. The crash shook the house.
"You did what?" Kieran's voice was low, but it sent chills through everyone.
Damon didn't fight back. Instead, he smiled. "I told the packs where she is. All three of them. They'll be here tomorrow night."
"You idiot," Thomas snapped. "You made her bait."
"I made her the answer," Damon shot back, his yellow eyes glowing. "Do you even know what's happening out east?"
Luna's voice came out shaky. "What's he talking about?"
Sage stepped forward. The air around her smelled like herbs and rain. "There's fighting between groups. It's getting worse."
"Worse?" Damon laughed bitterly. "Whole vampire nests wiped out. Witch circles burned by demons. Fairies hunted down. Someone wants war. They're making us think it's each other's fault."
Kieran pressed harder on his throat. "And you thought risking Luna would fix it?"
"I thought the packs needed a reason to choose sides," Damon said quickly. "The Crimson Bloodline is that reason. But no Alpha will accept her without a test."
Luna stared at him. "You're talking about me like I'm a weapon."
"You are," Sage whispered. "That's why you're dangerous to whoever is starting this. You're the one thing they can't control."
A howl broke the night air. Then another. And another. Every werewolf in the room froze.
"Border guards," Thomas muttered, his teeth sharp. "They smell strangers from three directions."
Kieran shoved Damon back, but didn't take his eyes off him. "How long?"
"They'll wait until morning," Damon said, rubbing his throat. "But Garrett Stone won't be patient."
"Who's Garrett Stone?" Luna asked.
"Alpha of the Iron Pack," Thomas answered, his face grim. "He thinks only wolves should exist. Everyone else is the enemy."
Luna felt ice crawl up her spine. "And the other two?"
"Victoria Blackwood," Sage said. "She thinks you're bad for wolf blood. To her, you're a monster."
"And the third?"
"Dmitri Volkov," Damon admitted. "Wild pack leader. He wants your power so he can rule."
Luna's gaze swept over them. Every face was worried, even sorry. "So tomorrow I face three Alphas. One wants me dead. One wants to use me. One wants me gone."
"That's right," Kieran said.
"And if I refuse?"
"They'll declare war on the Frost Pack," Thomas said. "The old laws allow it."
Luna's anger burned hot. "So, I don't have a real choice."
"You do," Kieran said softly, stepping closer. "And I'll fight for you. Even if it means war."
The promise shook her. He was ready to risk his whole pack for her freedom. But could she let kids and families suffer because she was afraid?
She steadied her voice. "What do these tests mean?"
Sage and Kieran traded a look.
"Fights. Challenges. Showing power," Sage explained.
"And if they want you gone," Damon said coldly, "it's to the death."
Luna's mind felt strangely clear. Maybe shock, maybe instinct. "Can I win?"
Kieran hesitated. "One Alpha, maybe. You're strong. But three, with no training," His words trailed off.
"Then we use the twenty-four hours," Luna said firmly.
For the first time, Thomas grinned. "That's real Crimson Bloodline."
"There's another way," Sage added, her green eyes glowing faintly. "Your great-grandmother turned fights into talks. She showed she was too important to lose."
"Multi-species magic," Luna whispered.
"Showing them you're not just another wolf," Sage corrected. "You're the bridge."
Kieran nodded. "If you can prove you're different, they might talk instead of fight."
Luna felt a spark of hope. She wasn't alone.
"Okay," she said. "Where do we start?"
Kieran's smile was sharp. "Your first wolf change. Everything else comes after."
As if the night agreed, another wave of howls echoed in the distance. This time, Luna thought she heard curiosity mixed with the threats.
Let them come, she thought. I'm not going down without a fight.
Part 2
Kieran led Luna through the trees to a smaller building. It looked like a mix of a gym and a dojo. Moonlight poured through wide windows, and soft mats covered the floor.
The first thing Luna noticed was the smell. Wolves. Sweat. Training. But under it all was something that felt like home. Her chest warmed without warning.
"This is where we train," Kieran said as he turned on dim lights. They glowed softly, easy on her sharper eyes. "The pack learns control, fighting, and teamwork."
Luna stepped to the center of the mat. Her bare feet sank into it quietly. Her senses roared to life again, voices in the house, mice in the bushes, the slow heartbeat of a sleeping child.
"It's too much," she whispered.
Kieran came closer, his gray eyes steady on hers. "Everything feels too sharp, too loud, right?"
"Yes. How do you stand it?"
"You learn to block it out," he said. "Like turning down radio static. Focus only on what matters."
He placed his hand on her shoulder. The storm of sounds faded in an instant. She could breathe again.
Her eyes widened. "How did you do that?"
"Alpha influence," he explained. "It keeps young wolves in control."
Luna's throat went dry. Her voice came small. "That's all this is? Just Alpha influence?"
Kieran's eyes darkened. She caught his scent: pine, leather, and something that made her pulse race.
"No," he said softly. "It's not."
The moment pressed heavily between them. Her heart fluttered. She liked it. Maybe too much.
The door banged open.
"Sorry to ruin it," Thomas smirked, not sorry at all. "But we've got company."
Kieran straightened, alert. "The Alphas?"
"No. Friends." Thomas's grin faded. "Word's spreading. Three groups sent people to see her."
Luna's stomach dropped. "More people who want something from me?"
"No," said a new voice.
A tall woman stepped in. Silver hair shimmered, though she looked no older than thirty. Her eyes were solid black, endless.
"Luna Blackthorne," she said smoothly. "I am Celeste Noir, from the Seattle vampire group."
"Vampire," Luna repeated, surprised how normal the word felt.
"Among other things." Celeste smiled, fangs flashing. "I run clubs downtown. I know everyone worth knowing."
Kieran moved protectively closer. "What do you want, Celeste?"
"Neutral ground," she said simply. "We don't want to own the Crimson Bloodline. We just want Seattle to survive what's coming."
"What's coming?" Luna asked.
Thomas's face tightened. "We didn't tell her everything. Damon was right—the attacks aren't random."
Celeste nodded. "No. Someone is hitting every group in the Northwest. Wolves, witches, vampires. They want us blaming each other until a real war breaks out."
Luna's knees gave out. She dropped onto the mat. "And you think I can stop it?"
Celeste's black eyes softened. "I think you're the only one who can pull us together long enough to find who's behind it. But you'll need allies, Luna. Werewolves alone aren't enough. Vampires, witches, fairies, demons, we all have to stand."
"No pressure," Luna muttered.
Kieran sat beside her, steady and warm. "You don't have to do this alone. That's what packs are for. And friends."
She looked at them, Kieran, Thomas, and Celeste. Strangers, but ready to risk everything. It didn't feel crushing. It felt like belonging.
"Okay," she said. "But first, I have to survive tomorrow night. And I don't even know how to control this."
"Then we start with the basics," Kieran said. He stood and held out his hand. "Lesson one: senses."
She took it. Heat rushed up her arm. His pupils widened. He felt it too.
"Focus on my heartbeat," he said, stepping back but not breaking eye contact. "Block out everything else."
She closed her eyes. The noise crashed in, Thomas's fast beat, Celeste's slower one, wolves outside.
"I can't," she whispered.
"Yes, you can," Kieran said firmly. "Your bloodline is strong. Your ancestor could hear a heartbeat from miles away. So can you."
She tried again. This time, she thought only of Kieran, his smell, his voice, his presence. Then, there it was. Clear as a drum. His heartbeat.
"I hear it," she said, opening her eyes to his smile.
"Good. Now add Thomas."
It was easier now. She balanced both rhythms, blocking out the rest.
"Great," Kieran said. "Lesson, one done."
"What's lesson two?"
"Control," Thomas said, lifting a heavy training weight. "New wolves don't know their strength. I've seen doors ripped off hinges by accident."
He squeezed the weight. The metal bent under his hand. He tossed another one to Luna.
She caught it like it was nothing. But when she tried to set it down, her fingers punched straight through the steel.
"Oops," she muttered.
"Normal," Kieran said. "Try again. Think human strength, not wolf."
It took six broken weights before she managed to place one down gently. She grinned with pride.
"How long did it take you?" she asked Kieran.
"Three months," he admitted. "You did it in twenty minutes."
Celeste stepped closer. "Can I test something?"
Kieran tensed. "What?"
"If she's truly Crimson Bloodline, she should touch other species' powers too. I want to see if she can use vampire traits."
"Is it safe?" Luna asked.
"Probably not," Celeste said honestly. "But against three Alphas, you need every edge."
Luna met Kieran's worried gaze. "What's the worst that happens?"
"Best case, nothing," Celeste said calmly. "Worst case, it kills you. Middle case, you unlock powers no wolf has ever had."
Images of Garrett Stone, Victoria Blackwood, and Dmitri Volkov flashed in Luna's mind. They expected a normal wolf.
She lifted her chin. "Let's do it."
Kieran stepped closer, jaw tight. "You don't have to."
"Yes, I do," she said. "You told me I need every advantage."
He sighed. "What do you need?"
"Hold her hand," Celeste said, showing fangs. "And pull her back if it goes wrong."
Luna placed her hand in Kieran's. Warmth steadied her. Not just calm, but strength.
And in that moment, she realized the danger wasn't only outside. She was falling for him.
"Ready?" Celeste asked.
"Ready," Luna said.
Part 3
Before Celeste could begin, the door opened again. A new scent hit Luna: dark spices, night flowers, and cool water under moonlight. It made her dizzy.
The man who entered was nothing like Kieran. Where Kieran was solid and steady, this one moved like smoke. Tall, lean, dark hair falling over his forehead, skin with a faint golden glow. But his eyes froze Luna, deep brown, flecked with gold that seemed to move.
When he looked at her, something clicked inside. Not warmth like with Kieran. Something sharper. Dangerous.
"Magnus Shadow," Kieran said tightly. "You're early."
"The eastern lands are burning," Magnus replied, voice carrying a faint accent. "Three witch groups were burned last night. They made it look like wolves did it." His gaze never left Luna. "The last Crimson Bloodline should know what she's facing."
Luna's throat went dry. "And what am I facing?"
"War. Chaos. The end of everything your ancestor built." He stepped closer. She saw how tired he looked, even though he tried to hide it. "Unless you're strong enough to stop it."
"She's learning," Kieran said firmly, moving closer to her side. "We're training her."
Magnus glanced at him, then back at Luna. "Basic training won't be enough."
"And how would you know?" Thomas snapped.
"Because I've seen it," Magnus said quietly. "Possible futures. Most end in blood." His gold-flecked eyes locked on Luna. "Yes. I see what's coming."
"You can see the future?" Luna whispered.
"Not one future. Many," Magnus said. "Choices change them. But most end badly."
Celeste tilted her head. "What about tomorrow? What do your visions say?"
Magnus hesitated. "It depends. On whether she accepts power beyond any wolf alive."
"You mean multi-species magic," Luna said.
"No. I mean becoming something new," Magnus answered. "Your ancestor built bridges. You can become all of them at once."
Kieran stepped forward, protective. "That's dangerous."
"Everything about her is dangerous," Magnus said flatly. "The question is, dangerous to her enemies, or to herself?"
The air grew heavy. Luna could feel tension between the two Alphas. But underneath it, something else. Attraction. Both men looked at her with more than duty in their eyes.
She shook her head. "Can we please focus on me not dying tomorrow? Identity crisis later."
Magnus smiled faintly. His smile was nothing like Kieran's. Where Kieran felt safe, Magnus promised trouble.
"Smart," he said. "I like that. Now, Celeste, you were about to try something risky?"
"I was going to test if she could use vampire power," Celeste said. "Would you like to help?"
"Absolutely not," Kieran said instantly.
"Actually," Magnus said slowly, "wolf and vampire together might balance instead of clash."
"Or tear her apart," Kieran snapped.
Luna looked at them both. The smart choice was basic training. But the Alphas tomorrow wouldn't play fair.
"I want to try," she said firmly.
"Luna," Kieran began, but she raised her hand.
"With both of you helping," she said. "If Magnus is right, it could keep me safe."
Magnus nodded in approval. "Clever."
Kieran frowned, then gave in. "Fine. What do we do?"
"Contact," Celeste said. "Luna sits in the middle. Kieran, Magnus, you hold her hands. If it goes wrong, pull her back."
Luna sat cross-legged on the mat. Magnus sat on her right, Kieran on her left. They each took one of her hands. The difference was instant.
Kieran's grip was warm and steady, grounding her.
Magnus's grip was sharp, electric, like lightning.
Together, her body buzzed with power.
"This is already intense," Luna whispered.
"We haven't started," Celeste said. "Focus on my voice. Go past wolf limits. Kieran, Magnus, keep her grounded."
"How?" Luna asked nervously.
"Vampire power flows between life and death," Celeste said. "If she leans too far toward death, she may not come back."
"Great," Luna muttered.
Magnus squeezed her hand. "If you get lost, I'll find you."
Kieran's grip tightened. "We both will."
She looked at their joined hands. Two Alphas. Two paths. Both were tied to her. It should scare her, but instead, it felt right.
"Ready," she said.
Celeste began to chant. The words sank into Luna's bones. Her awareness stretched past her body.
At first, nothing. Then cold vampire magic pressed against her like an ocean.
"I feel it," she whispered.
"Don't fight," Celeste said. "Let it mix with your wolf."
She tried. At first, it clashed, oil and water. Then it shifted, swirling together like a dance.
Her vision exploded. She saw heat glowing from everyone, energy lines through the land. And far away, three Alphas are closing in.
"Impossible," Celeste breathed. "She's seeing with both wolf and vampire sight."
But Luna barely heard. She saw threads of possible futures. Most ended in death.
"Magnus," she gasped. "So much death."
His voice sharpened. "What else?"
"Someone's behind it. Laughing while it happens."
She tried to pull back, but her vision caught on a figure at the window. Tall. Silver hair. Glowing eyes. Watching. The figure raised a hand in a mocking wave before vanishing.
"Someone was here!" Luna cried, ripping free. "Watching us. Then gone."
Thomas rushed to the window. Nothing.
Magnus's face went pale. "Describe them."
She did. His jaw tightened.
"Vera," he said grimly. "My aunt. She should be in the east."
"But she's here," Kieran said darkly. "Watching Luna test powers that could change everything."
Luna's chest clenched. "She's not here to help, is she?"
Magnus's eyes filled with sadness. "No. She isn't."
Part 4
The room felt colder after Vera's shadow disappeared. Luna kept glancing at the windows, afraid those glowing eyes would appear again. Thomas ordered more guards outside, while Sage drew glowing protective runes on the walls. The magic buzzed against Luna's sharpened senses.
"Focus," Sage said gently. A small flame hovered above her hand. "Witch magic needs a clear mind. If you're distracted, the spell fades."
Luna tried. A spark flickered, then died. Her head was too full. Magnus sat nearby, unreadable. Kieran polished weapons but kept watching her. Thomas paced, giving orders through his earpiece.
"I can't," Luna admitted, letting the spark fade. "My thoughts won't stop."
"Then speak them," Sage said calmly. "What's bothering you?"
Luna looked around the room. "Everything. Vera is spying on us. Three Alphas coming. Powers that might kill everyone here." She hesitated. "And the fact that I'm stuck between two guys who"
"Who both care about you," Sage said simply. "And you care about them."
"That doesn't help me focus," Luna muttered.
Magnus finally spoke. "We should face it. This tension. It's hurting her training."
Kieran looked up. "And what do you suggest?"
"Stop pretending," Magnus said. "Luna will have to choose someday. Hiding it only makes it worse."
Luna's cheeks burned. "Not now. I'm trying to survive tomorrow."
"Actually," Sage said, thinking, "Magnus might be right. Conflict in your heart blocks magic. Admitting it might help."
"So, I need to fix my love life before I can cast spells?" Luna groaned.
"Not fix," Kieran said carefully. "Just admit it's there."
Both men watched her. Patient. Intense. The smart move was to avoid it. But the truth pressed too hard.
"Fine," she blurted. "Yes, I feel something for both of you. Yes, it's complicated. No, I don't know what to do. And no, I'm not choosing while enemies are hunting me." She stood, pacing. "I care about both of you too much to decide out of fear."
Magnus nodded. "Fair."
"Reasonable," Kieran agreed quietly.
Sage lifted her hand. A flame danced strongly above her palm. "Good. Now try again. Don't fight your feelings. Use them."
Luna sat down, held out her hand, and thought of fire. She thought of Kieran's steady gaze. Magnus's dangerous smile. The heat between them.
A flame burst above her palm, bright and steady.
"Great," Sage said. "Now add your wolf."
Luna pictured her wolf senses, her strength. The flame flared silver-white, glowing so bright she saw magical threads in the air. She saw the life-force of everyone in the room. And outside, three shadows wait beyond the barrier.
"There are more out there," she said quickly. "Not Vera. Three others. They feel hostile."
Magnus shot to his feet. "Where?"
"North side. South side. Just past the barrier."
Kieran grabbed a crossbow. "Thomas needs to know."
The door opened. Thomas entered with armed packmates.
"We know," he said grimly. "Border Patrol found six strange scents. Scouts. Sent by the Alphas."
Magnus cursed. "They're not waiting for morning. They're coming tonight."
"Can they break the rules?" Luna asked. "I thought challenges had to be fair."
"They can if they think you're too dangerous," Kieran said.
Fear gripped her chest. The flame flickered. "So, what do we do?"
"We fight," Thomas said simply. "We protect the pack. And you."
"I can help," Luna said quickly.
"Absolutely not," Kieran and Magnus snapped together.
She glared. "Excuse me?"
"You've had six hours of training," Kieran said. "You can't control it."
"And if you die, the rest of us fall," Magnus added.
"So, I hide?" Luna demanded.
"Yes," they said in unison.
She turned to Sage. The witch shook her head.
"They're right. But you can help another way." Her green eyes glowed brighter. "Strengthen the barrier. Feed power into it while I shape it."
It wasn't fighting, but at least it was something. "What do I do?"
"Be the battery," Sage said. "Keep the power steady."
Kieran's voice was firm. "Stay with her. No heroics. If it fails"
"Run," Magnus finished. "Promise."
Their fear softened her anger. "I promise," she whispered, though it felt like a lie.
Outside, howls tore the night. Not curious. Not welcoming. Hungry.
Thomas's voice rang through his comm. "All units, hold the lines. Protect the civilians."
Through the window, Luna saw the pack move. Some shifted to wolves, others armed themselves. They spread through the trees like a wall.
"Ready?" Sage asked, kneeling at a carved circle.
"Yes," Luna said, placing her hands where Sage pointed.
The chant began, sharp and steady. Power raced into the circle, glowing silver, then colors she couldn't name. Her mind stretched. She felt the whole territory, every wolf, every threat, every ally.
The first impact slammed the barrier like a hammer. Then another. Then another.
"It's working," Sage said.
But Luna felt the truth. "They're not trying to break through. They're pushing us in."
The roof groaned. Something huge landed above.
Luna's breath caught. Scales. Wings. Eyes like fire.
"Dragon," Sage whispered, pale. "There's a dragon on the roof."
Part 5
The dragon's roar shook the whole building. Windows cracked, beams groaned, and Luna's ears rang from the sound. Through the skylight, she saw it, scales like shifting shadow, wings scraping the roof, eyes burning like fire.
"That's impossible," Sage gasped, struggling to hold the barrier. "Dragons don't fight in wolf wars. None have been seen in two hundred years."
The beast slammed down again. Wood split.
"The pack," Luna whispered. She could feel Kieran and Magnus out in the forest. Thomas and the others are holding the lines. If the roof fell, they'd all be trapped.
"The wards will hold," Sage said, but her voice shook.
Another crash. The beams cracked.
"No, they won't." Luna grabbed a sword from the rack. The weight felt natural in her hands.
"Luna, stop!" Sage cried. "You promised to run if it failed."
"I lied," Luna said, stepping forward.
The roof gave way. The dragon dropped through like a storm, landing in the center of the room. Thirty feet long, wings folded tight, its presence ancient.
It lowered its massive head. Its voice rumbled like stone. "Luna Blackthorne. The last Crimson Bloodline. Smaller than I expected."
"You can talk," Luna breathed, sword shaking in her grip.
"I can do many things," the dragon said. "Including ending the chaos your awakening has caused."
"I didn't cause this," Luna said. "I'm trying to stop it."
The dragon laughed, a thunderous sound. "Your bloodline was ended for a reason. Your ancestor forced peace where there should have been hunger and war. She made predators forget what they are."
"She saved lives," Sage argued, her voice tight.
"She weakened us," the dragon snapped. "Werewolves lost their wildness. Vampires forgot their hunger. Witches grew tame. Your bloodline made us soft. Tonight, I erase it."
The doors burst open. Kieran and Magnus stormed in, half-shifted, ready to fight. They froze when they saw the dragon.
"Solareth," Magnus whispered, stunned. "The Last Dragon. A myth."
"I am no myth," Solareth said, fire glowing in his throat. "I am here to erase the Crimson Bloodline."
Kieran stepped in front of Luna, even against something that could crush him. "You'll have to go through us."
"Gladly," Solareth growled.
But before he struck, Luna's power surged. Wolf strength, vampire sight, witch fire, all rose together. Something older stirred too, something as ancient as the dragon itself.
"Wait," she said, raising her hand.
The dragon paused, fire fading.
"You said my ancestor weakened you," Luna said. Her voice shook, but she stood firm. "What if she wasn't weakening? What if she were preparing?"
"Preparing?" Solareth narrowed his fiery eyes.
"For something worse. Something older," Luna said with certainty. "And it's coming back."
Magnus went pale. "The visions. The futures where everyone dies. They weren't from wolf wars. They were from something bigger."
Sage whispered, "What is it?"
Solareth's huge body stilled. "The Void Walkers. Beings outside reality. They feed on our power. Leave only hollow shells."
"They're coming back?" Luna asked.
"They never left," Solareth said. "Every attack. Every madness. Every war. Their hand has been behind it."
Luna's stomach twisted. "Vera," she whispered. "She's not serving another pack. She's serving them."
Magnus's voice broke. "No. She's family. She's fought for us."
"Or she's been setting the stage all along," Luna said softly.
The dragon gave a slow nod. "The girl sees truth."
Kieran's voice was rough. "Then what do we do?"
Luna lifted her chin, fire sparking in her chest. "What my ancestor tried to do. Unite every species. Not for peace. For war. Because if we don't, none of us survives."
For a long moment, Solareth studied her. Then, to everyone's shock, he bowed his head. "Perhaps I judged wrong."
"You did," Luna said, her courage surprising even herself. "But you're right about one thing. Tomorrow changes everything. The question is, do we fight together, or die alone?"
Outside, the sounds of battle rose. Howls. Claws. Screams.
"The challenges," Luna said suddenly. "Garrett Stone. Victoria Blackwood. Dmitri Volkov. They're still coming."
"Let them come," Solareth said, almost amused. "Let them see what they're truly fighting for."
Luna looked at Kieran and Magnus. All three of them knew. Tomorrow's trials weren't about who controlled her. They were about who was strong enough to stand with her when the real war came.
"This is going to be interesting," Magnus said, a dangerous smile on his lips.
"That's one word for it," Kieran muttered, his grin just as sharp.
Luna lifted her sword. It felt heavier now, not just as a weapon, but as a promise. She wasn't fighting only for herself anymore. She was fighting for everyone.
The real war was about to begin.