Chapter 21: The War They Brought to My Door

Faye’s POV

The first explosion shook Shadowmoon Estate before anyone had time to prepare.

Windows rattled.

The ground trembled beneath my feet.

Leo grabbed my hand.

“Mom!”

“I'm here.”

Sebastian immediately drew his claws.

“Guards, secure the eastern wall!”

Howls erupted throughout the estate.

The peaceful courtyard transformed into a battlefield within seconds.

Mira stood beside me, her silver eyes fixed on the forest.

“They won't stop.”

I looked at her.

“How many?”

“Enough.”

Roman stepped forward.

“The Crimson Council doesn't send an army unless they intend to wipe out an entire bloodline.”

Sebastian's gaze hardened.

“Then they'll have to get through the Silver Moon Pack first.”

Mira shook her head.

“They aren't here to fight your pack.”

Her eyes moved to me.

“They're here to isolate Faye.”

I understood immediately.

They didn't need to defeat everyone.

They only needed to separate me from the people protecting me.

Another explosion sounded.

A section of the eastern wall collapsed.

Wolves poured through the opening.

Their eyes glowed a strange crimson.

“Ashen Blood?” Sebastian asked.

Roman shook his head.

“Crimson Council soldiers.”

Sebastian shifted.

His enormous black wolf landed in front of us.

He let out a roar that shook the courtyard.

The attacking wolves hesitated.

Then the battle began.

I pulled Leo behind the stone pillars.

Mira stayed beside me.

“You need to awaken fully.”

I stared at her.

“How?”

“You can't force it.”

“You have to remember who you were.”

I closed my eyes.

I remembered the previous life.

The lonely house.

The cold mattress.

Sebastian leaving.

Leo turning his back on me.

The years I spent waiting.

The humiliation.

The weakness I had accepted as truth.

Then I remembered the moment I woke up again.

The first breath I took.

The first time I decided I would not wait.

Something inside me cracked open.

Silver light erupted from my body.

Every wolf in the courtyard stopped fighting.

Even Sebastian's black wolf turned toward me.

The attackers dropped to their knees.

Mira smiled through her tears.

“There you are.”

The silver light expanded beyond the walls.

It swept through the forest like a wave.

Every crimson-eyed soldier was forced backward.

I could hear their minds.

Fear.

Confusion.

Pain.

And beneath all of it, obedience.

I whispered one word.

“Leave.”

Every soldier turned around.

They ran.

Silence returned.

The wolves of Silver Moon stared at me.

I looked at my hands.

“Did I do that?”

Mira nodded.

“You didn't command their bodies.”

“You commanded the blood inside them.”

Sebastian shifted back and walked toward me.

There was blood on his shoulder.

“You're hurt.”

He shook his head.

“It's nothing.”

I reached for his arm.

His eyes softened.

“Faye…”

I touched the wound.

Silver light spread beneath my fingertips.

The injury closed instantly.

Sebastian stared at his shoulder.

Then at me.

“You healed me.”

I pulled my hand away.

“Apparently.”

Leo ran toward us.

“Mom!”

I caught him.

He hugged me tightly.

“I knew you could do it.”

I laughed softly.

“You did?”

He nodded proudly.

“You're my mom.”

“You can do anything.”

For the first time, I felt the weight of the past begin to loosen.

Then a wounded guard came running.

“Alpha!”

Sebastian turned.

“What happened?”

“We captured one of their commanders.”

“He's alive.”

“He keeps asking for the Moonborn.”

Mira's expression became serious.

“Bring him here.”

The guard hesitated.

Sebastian nodded.

“Bring him.”

Minutes later, a man was dragged into the courtyard.

His clothes were torn.

Blood covered his face.

But when he saw me, he smiled.

“So the rumors were true.”

I stared at him.

“What rumors?”

He laughed quietly.

“That the Moonborn has returned.”

Then his smile disappeared.

“But you're already too late.”

Sebastian's expression hardened.

“Explain.”

The man looked at me.

“The Crimson Council doesn't need to capture you anymore.”

“They already have what they wanted.”

My stomach tightened.

“What?”

He smiled again.

“Your son.”

Everything inside me went cold.

I looked down.

Leo was no longer beside me.

The courtyard was empty where he had been standing.

“Leo?”

I turned around wildly.

“Leo!”

Sebastian's face changed.

His wolf exploded to the surface.

“LEO!”

But there was no answer.

Only a small silver toy lay on the stone floor.

The toy Leo had been carrying all morning.

My knees nearly gave out.

Then I heard a voice inside my head.

A child's voice.

“Mom…”

My eyes widened.

Leo was calling me through the bond.

“Mom, I'm scared.”

I clenched my fists.

“I'm coming, Leo.”

The Moonborn mark on my wrist began to burn.

“No matter where they take you…”

“I'll find you.”