286 From Mara’s Angle

    Mara

    Martha and I barely had time to pack. We moved fast-stripped down to the essentials. Speed was everything. I’ve never liked traveling by road, but flying wasn’t an option, and time was running out.

    The women, though? They were buzzing with energy. You’d think I handed them real military ranks the way they reacted-but that was the point. Give them structure, give them purpose, and they’d find their fire. And they did. The thought of facing ric lit something in them. Many of them had history with the bastard. If they caught him alone, there’d be no mercy. And honestly? I couldn’t me them. ric hadn’t just burned bridges-he’d salted the earth. No wonder he kept to the shadows. Cowards always do.

    As we crammed into the transports, I stood up to address them onest time before we hit the road.

    “Ladies,” I said, raising my voice so it cut through the chatter. “I know we’re fired up. I know we’re ready to throw down. But hear me-everyone not with us is fair game… except ric. He doesn’t get an easy death. He gets to bleed first. Hurt. Then we bring him in. Understood?”

    A chorus of cheers. Agreement. Bloodlust barely restrained.

    Martha caught my eye and smirked. She looked like a damn warrior goddess in a tank top and cutoff shorts-fit, fierce, and way too hot for this moment. No wonder ric and Vander couldn’t let her go. That woman walked like she knew her worth-and anyone who underestimated her would regret it.

    Each van had a leader. Orders were clear. We were just about to roll out when my phone buzzed.

    I picked it up immediately. “Hello?”

    “Luna Mara, this is Alpha Sam Lawless of Mistwood,” the voice said.

    It wasn’t the same one I’d spoken to yesterday. I stiffened, instantly on alert.

    “Your voice…” I said slowly.

    Heughed softly. “I have an Alpha who fronts for me. Keeps things… simpler.”

    I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Hiding behind others didn’t exactly scream trustworthy.

    “I got the documents you sent,” he continued. “Everything checks out. I just have one question.”

    “Is ric Moongrove Chase Nighthorn?” he asked.

    The question was backwards-but I knew what he meant.

    “Yes. He is,” I replied, calm and clear.

    “So Chase Nighthorn is Vander Nighthorn’s half-brother?”

    I couldn’t help it. Iughed-loud and real. It was too absurd not to.

    “Seriously?” I said, still chuckling. “Did you actually do your research?”

    (286 From Mara’s Angle

    “I did,” he said, not offended, just confused. “But I still want to know how they’re rted.”

    “They’re not,” I said, letting out a breath and steadying my voice. “Chase Nighthorn is just a name he pulled out of thin air. His real name is Tom ric Moongrove. He’s from a little nowhere town called Emberridge in Goldenpeak. And no-he’s got zero blood ties to the Nighthorns.”

    I heard swearing on the other end. Not quiet either. Someone was pissed.

    “That weasel,” he growled.

    I let the silence hang for a second.

    “I flew into Mooncrest this morning with some of my men to capture that bastard,” he said. “Can you lead

    me to him?”

    I sighed. “You’ve got good timing. I’m heading there now. He’s in a one-on-one fight with Alpha Vander for

    control of the ind. I’m going to make sure he doesn’t cheat.”

    “That’s perfect. I’m at the Great Luval now. Can we head there together? Just so you know-we’re armed.”

    A smile pulled at my lips. Reinforcements weren’t just wee-they were needed.

    “Any help is good help,” I said. “But you have to agree-he’s ours to punish.”

    He paused. Then: “Can I take a part of him?”

    I thought it over. “As long as it’s something he can live without… sure.”

    And just like that, we had a deal.

    I filled Martha and the fight club leaders in. The second I mentioned Alpha Sam Lawless was backing us,

    the energy shifted. They were fired up-like wolves scenting blood.

    We met Sam as nned, and right away, I caught Olivia eyeing him like dessert. Couldn’t me her-the

    man had presence. But the bold, inky mark on his neck said imed, loud and clear. Pity. Maybe in another

    lifetime.

    The journey was brutal. We rode through the night, hours grinding by in a haze of headlights and stiff limbs. No one slept. The tension was too thick. Every mile we crossed, we got closer to the reckoning.

    By the time we reached the battleground, the sun had wed its way into the sky-and hell had already

    broken loose.

    Chaos reigned.

    I scanned the field, heart pounding. If we’d been even a few minutester, ric would’ve taken it. The tide was turning in his favor, and fast. But we were here now-and that changed everything.