The elevator’s quiet hum seemed louder than usual as we rode up, every second stretching out in tense silence. My wolf was on high alert, soaking in every detail as if preparing for an ambush. When the doors finally slid open on the fourth floor, I didn’t expect to be swept up in a tight, warm hug. Luna Ava’s familiar scent filled my senses as she clung to me, her relief almost palpable.

“My sweet girl, you’re alright!” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“Luna, what’s going on?” I managed to ask, gently tapping her shoulder to ease her hold so I could breathe.

She pulled back, her hands on my shoulders, her expression soft yet worried. “We’ve received a serious threat, Selene,” she said carefully. “One that seems to target a powerful female in the pack. We don’t know the exact target yet, but it came after the trials.”

The Luna’s words sank in slowly, like a stone sinking through deep water. “What does that have to do with me?”

Luna Ava gave a slow nod, understanding my confusion. “You were one of the strongest female contenders. The timing of this threat...we can’t ignore that it could be aimed at you.” She looked away for a moment, the worry deepening in her expression. “The Alpha King’s guards are doing everything they can to trace where this threat originated, but whoever it was left no scent and no trail. All we know is that a warning was sent and that it mentioned…you.”

I blinked, trying to make sense of it. A chill crept down my spine. “Is that why Ethan said he couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong last night? He ended up staying on my floor because it helped calm his wolf.” I thought back to the tense energy that had kept all my friends close last night.

Luna Ava nodded solemnly. “The bond between you and your friends is powerful. Ethan’s instincts are rarely wrong, especially now that he’s training for his Gamma role.” She gave a small smile as she looked at me with pride. “Your connection to them might just be the best protection we have for now.”

“What exactly did this threat say?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Luna Ava took a shaky breath, as if she was still deciding how much to share. “There was a package left along the western border, Selene. It contained two fingers—each bearing the Luna mark. No trace of the messenger, no scent, just a message that someone is targeting Lunas or high-ranking females.” She looked at me with pained eyes. “They were tortured, Selene. Burned with silver powder down to the bone, and we believe they may have...they may have gone through what you experienced.”

The room tilted. My stomach churned as her words settled in. Torture. Silver. The memory of that day hit me hard, like a punch to the gut. The smell of burning flesh, the searing pain—it all came flooding back, freezing me in place. I could vaguely see Luna Ava speaking, her mouth moving, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in a shadowy memory I couldn’t escape.

Then, warmth. Gentle hands cupped my face, grounding me, pulling me back. My eyes snapped open, meeting the panicked gaze of dark brown eyes, worry radiating from them. Ethan.

“Selene, you’re scaring us,” he whispered, his voice raw. “Please breathe.” His fingers tightened, cradling my face as he spoke softly, desperate to pull me from whatever nightmare had ensnared me.

Somehow, the intensity of his eyes and the urgency in his voice brought me back. But then his eyes flared with something else—a fierce determination—and before I could register what was happening, he leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a quick, grounding kiss. It was like a jolt of electricity, snapping me back fully into the present.

Gasping, I pulled back, trying to process everything. My heart hammered in my chest as the world refocused around me, the warmth of Ethan’s hands anchoring me. I was surrounded by familiar scents and sounds—the growl rumbling from somewhere close by, the steady, soothing murmur of the Luna.

I became aware of other presences, too. Aaron and Ryan were right behind Ethan, their eyes reflecting a mix of relief and fury. Ethan’s face softened as he looked at me, his worry now turning into something tender.

“It’s okay, I’m here,” I whispered, my arms instinctively wrapping around him as if he was my lifeline. I could feel him relax, his breathing steadying as he hugged me tightly, grounding us both.

“That was terrifying, Selene,” he said, his voice low and only for me. “I didn’t know how to bring you back.”

“It’s okay,” I replied softly. “You did. Thank you.”

Aaron’s arm wrapped around me next, gently shifting me into his lap, but I kept one hand firmly on Ethan’s arm, unwilling to let go completely. Aaron’s familiar, solid presence brought a steady warmth. “What happened, Mom?” Aaron asked, his gaze shifting between me and the Luna.

Luna Ava explained everything she’d shared with me, though she seemed more focused on my reaction than the actual details. When she got to the part about the silver, I felt a shiver run through me. Instinctively, I leaned back toward Ethan, and he slipped his arm around me, offering silent reassurance. Each touch, each familiar scent helped me push away the dark memories that lurked just below the surface.

Ryan, sitting close by, finally broke the silence. “Mom, what’s the plan?” he asked, his voice laced with tension. “We can’t just stay locked up forever.”

Luna Ava’s expression turned firm. “We’re increasing patrols and implementing higher security. But for now, none of you go anywhere alone. That means school, training, even within the pack house. We’ll only leave the lockdown once the Alphas return and say it’s safe.”

My gaze flickered to Ethan, and he nodded, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze as he sat beside me, unwilling to leave my side. “If that’s what it takes to keep everyone safe, we’ll follow the rules,” he murmured. I gave a small nod, relieved to have their presence beside me. For once, even being overprotected felt like the best possible comfort.

“Now, let’s take a moment to eat,” Luna Ava said with a small smile, trying to ease the tension. “And maybe afterward, a well-deserved nap.” She rose to her feet, gesturing for us to follow her to the nearby lounge where food was set up.

As we moved together, a strange, unexpected calm settled over me. For all the fear, the pain, and the unknowns, I knew one thing for sure: I was no longer fighting alone. The bond I shared with each of them—Leo, Ethan, Cam, Ryan, Devin, and Kylie—felt stronger than ever, and for the first time, it felt like enough to face whatever might come next.