Luna did not sleep.
She lay on Kael's bed, staring at the ceiling while shadows crept across the walls. Every sound made her tense. The hum of the heater. Footsteps in the hallway. A distant door slamming.
Kael sat in a chair near the window, arms crossed, watching the night like it might attack at any moment.
"You don't have to stay awake," Luna said softly.
"I do," he replied.
She turned her head to look at him. In the dim light, his eyes glowed faintly gold. Not threatening. Protective.
"You knew this would happen," she said.
Kael did not deny it. "I hoped I was wrong."
"That man," Luna whispered. "Adrian. What is he?"
Kael stood and walked closer. "A vampire. An old one."
Her stomach twisted. "And he's involved in the murders."
"Yes."
"And the wolves?" she asked. "Are they too?"
Kael hesitated.
Luna pushed herself up on her elbows. "Tell me."
Kael exhaled slowly. "Some are. Not my pack."
She absorbed that in silence.
"So this is a war," she said.
"It will be," Kael replied. "If we don't stop it early."
The silver mark under her skin pulsed, like it agreed.
Luna pressed her hand to her side. "You keep saying I'm the key. To what?"
Kael's gaze softened. "To balance."
She frowned. "That sounds vague."
"It's meant to," he said. "The truth is dangerous."
"I'm already in danger," Luna snapped. "People are dying. I deserve to know why."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then he nodded.
"Okay," he said. "I'll tell you. But once I do, there's no going back."
"I know," Luna said. "There hasn't been for a while."
Kael sat on the edge of the bed. "You're not just moon-touched. You're Moonbound."
The word echoed in her mind.
"Moonbound," she repeated.
"It means you are tied to the lunar source itself," Kael explained. "Not a wolf. Not a witch. Something older."
Luna shook her head. "That's not possible."
"It is," he said gently. "And it's why your powers are awakening now."
"My mother," Luna whispered. "She died under a full moon."
Kael's jaw tightened. "She was protecting you."
The room seemed to tilt.
"From what?" Luna asked.
"From becoming what you are too early," Kael replied.
Luna's chest hurt. "So she knew."
"Yes."
"And my father?"
"He knows part of the truth," Kael said. "Not all."
Luna laughed bitterly. "Of course."
Thunder cracked outside, shaking the window.
Kael looked up. "The full moon is tomorrow night."
Fear bloomed in her chest. "That's when the murders happen."
"Yes," he said. "And that's when Adrian will make his move."
Luna swung her legs off the bed and stood. "Then we stop him."
Kael rose too. "You can't face him yet."
"Watch me," she said.
Before Kael could respond, the silver mark flared white-hot.
Luna gasped, dropping to her knees.
Pain ripped through her veins, sharp and burning. Images flooded her mind. Blood. Moonlight. Wolves kneeling. A throne of stone.
Kael was beside her instantly. "Luna!"
She screamed as the voices returned, louder than ever.
Awaken.
Claim.
Choose.
Her body arched as power surged outward, rattling the walls. The lights exploded, plunging the room into darkness.
Then silence.
Luna collapsed forward, breathless.
Kael caught her, holding her close. "Easy. I've got you."
She clutched his shirt, trembling. "It's getting stronger."
"I know," he said. "That's why Adrian is closing in."
Luna pulled back slightly. "He said the killings must continue."
"They're a ritual," Kael said grimly. "Blood under the full moon weakens the veil."
"Between what?" she asked.
"Between this world and the old one," Kael answered. "Where monsters ruled freely."
Luna swallowed hard. "And I can stop it."
"Yes," Kael said. "Or finish it."
Her heart pounded. "That's not much of a choice."
Kael met her gaze. "It is. Because you choose who you become."
A knock echoed through the apartment.
Both of them froze.
Kael moved silently, positioning himself between Luna and the door.
Another knock. Louder.
"Kael," a female voice called. "Open up."
He cursed under his breath and opened the door.
A woman with sharp eyes and dark hair stepped inside. She wore a leather jacket and smelled like rain and wolf.
"Rhea," Kael said. "This better be good."
She glanced at Luna, then back at Kael. "We have a problem."
Luna stood straighter. "Let me guess. Another body."
Rhea nodded. "Found near the old observatory."
Luna's blood ran cold. "That's where the moon rises first."
Rhea studied her carefully. "So this is her."
Kael stiffened. "Watch your tone."
"I mean no disrespect," Rhea said. "But she's already activating."
Luna crossed her arms. "I'm right here."
Rhea's lips twitched. "Good. Then listen."
She turned serious. "Adrian is gathering allies. Vampires. Rogues. Even humans who want power."
Kael's eyes darkened. "Then we don't have much time."
"No," Rhea agreed. "And there's more."
She hesitated. "The council is coming."
Luna's heart sank. "The supernatural council?"
"Yes," Rhea said. "And they don't believe in mercy."
Kael looked at Luna, worry clear in his eyes.
Luna lifted her chin. "If they're coming for me, they'll have to listen."
Rhea raised an eyebrow. "Brave."
Luna met her gaze. "No. Tired of being hunted."
Thunder rolled again, closer this time.
Kael took Luna's hand. "Tomorrow night changes everything."
Luna squeezed back. "Then we face it together."
Outside, the clouds shifted.
And the moon began its slow, inevitable rise.