Chapter Eight
Jasper launched himself into the air, spear raised high. I barely had time to block. The clash rattled my arms, but before I could recover, his foot slammed into my stomach, sending me stumbling back.
"Ouch," I hissed out of reflex. But then I froze.
Wait. That didn't hurt.
Something inside me surged. My body felt light—powerful. As Jasper came at me again, my instincts took over. I twisted aside, moving faster than thought, the spear in my hands almost an extension of myself. Every strike he threw, I countered. Every step he took, I was already there.
Then, in a flash, I struck. My spear whistled through the air and stopped inches from his throat. My chest rose and fell, and that's when I saw it—my reflection in his eyes. My irises glowed silver.
Jasper dropped to one knee, smirking. "You've passed your final test."
Before I could reply, he tossed a folded piece of parchment at my feet. I picked it up and unfolded it.
"A map?" I asked, breathless.
"It's where the Lightning Pack is holding John," Jasper said, his voice calm again. "Every guard. Every passage. How to get in without being noticed."
Hope surged in me. "Thank you."
And then I ran—faster than I ever had before. The forest blurred around me as I moved, determination burning like fire in my veins.
Behind me, Jasper stayed kneeling. Then, slowly, he rose. The exhaustion vanished from his face as though it had been an act all along. His eyes narrowed.
"I still can't believe she handled thirty percent of my strength. Just… don't make the same mistake your mother did."
He turned slightly. "You can come out now."
From the shadows, a woman stepped into the clearing. Black clothes clung to her curves, her beauty almost dangerous. Most men wouldn't have been able to look away.
"Sophie," Jasper said flatly. "I've done what you asked. Make sure you keep your end of the deal."
She smirked. "No problem." With that, she vanished back into the trees, leaving only silence.
Jasper exhaled slowly, his voice low. "I just hope you'll be ready in time… for the Battle of Saints."
---
Meanwhile…
Chains rattled as John strained against them, his wrists raw and bleeding. He roared in frustration. "Let me out!"
The heavy door creaked open. Dylan stepped inside, flanked by several pack members. His eyes gleamed with disdain as he looked at John.
John glared up. "What do you want?"
Dylan answered with a vicious kick, sending him crashing against the stone wall. The impact cracked it, dust raining down. Pain tore through John as blood spilled from his lips.
"Where is the token?" Dylan demanded.
John coughed, spitting red. "We gave it to you already."
Dylan crouched low, his expression mocking. "You think I wouldn't notice a fake?"
Confusion flashed in John's eyes. "Fake? I… I don't know what you're talking about."
Dylan's grin widened. "If you didn't plan this, then why can't we find Luna's body where we left it?"
John froze, heart hammering. "She's alive?"
Dylan leaned closer, voice slick with venom. "Tell me where she is, and I'll tell you the truth about your parents' deaths. Better yet—I'll still make you Alpha of the Lightning Pack."
John spat in his face. "Never."
Snarling, Dylan slammed his boot into John again. "You're just like your parents. Stubborn until the end. If I can't find her… I'll make her come to me." His laughter echoed as he left the cell.
John pounded the chains, shouting. "What do you mean? Dylan! Come back! What do you mean?!"
---
By then, I was already inside the Lightning Pack's den. My senses—sharper than ever—picked out the movements of every guard. One by one, I took them down silently, their bodies dropping before they could raise alarms.
I slipped into a uniform, blending into their patrol. Step by step, I moved deeper until I found the prison. My heart stopped when I saw him.
"John…"
I unlocked the cell with stolen keys. He stirred weakly, lifting his head. His eyes were swollen, his body bruised.
"What do you want now? Leave me alone," he muttered hoarsely.
I tore the mask from my face. "It's me. Luna."
His eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"
"I came to save you," I whispered, kneeling to unfasten his chains.
But before I could finish, his grip tightened on my wrist. His voice was urgent, broken. "No… you have to leave now. It's a trap. They knew you were coming."
My stomach dropped. "What?"
Shadows spilled across the prison as dozens of wolves emerged from the darkness. At their center stood Dylan, a cruel smile on his face.
"John, don't be rude," he drawled. "I was just about to entertain our guest