Page 3 of Ruthless Reign

Pure evil.

Lex, and maybe even Maverick, will feel the devastation. Knowing they lost me will be agonizing, catastrophic—just like what happened to Maverick's father.

My heart breaks remembering the confession from his pack. His rejection of love and refusal to take a mate, worried that it may destroy him, and consequently his pack. They say you have nothing to lose until you do, and I understand now.

As alphas, everything is intensified. They carry the weight of entire packs on their shoulders, and as nature born leaders, they are the most intact with our universal connections. It's their role to lead, and to also produce future alphas so that packs continue on.

In Maverick's case, he had to prematurely step into his role as alpha after his parents died—it was his duty to carry on for the sake and survival of the Night Pack.

My packs can't do that. We don't have that option.

Even if I had already produced heirs, the idea that Lex and Maverick would die is a painful nightmare I don't want to think about.

"I won't let you harm them," I say, shaking my head. "I'll kill you."

The image of my packs being wiped out is bone-chilling, and I'm overcome with the need to protect them all—even Maverick's pack.

"Huh—Maybe there's a little Luna in you, after all," he replies dryly. "I guess we'll see."

He turns and walks back toward the stairs, the wood groaning under his weight as he ascends. I struggle against the chains, trying to break loose.

"Let me go!" I yell to him, but he's already vanished from sight. The door slams closed behind him as I'm left alone again in the cold basement, my heart racing as I try to mind link everyone once more. I realize it's pointless with the moonstones around me, their presence blocking my ability to reach out, but I keep trying anyway.

I can't help but feel like this is my own fault. We knew the hunters were getting dangerously close. They managed to sneak through our boundaries on more than one occasion—even getting into my bedroom while I slept. I let my guard down, overwhelmed with grief and confusion, believing I would be fine going for a quick run.

It was a deadly mistake—and costly.

In my selfishness, I let down everyone. Not only my Shadow Pack, where my parents and friends are, but Lex and Maverick too—and all the members of the Blood Moon Pack and Night Pack. Their lives are now in jeopardy, caught in the downfall of a crumbling empire.

But I won't give up—I refuse. I might not be Luna yet, but they are still my people. It's my job to protect them—just like their alphas do.

Despite not being able to reach out, I can still feel the pull of my mate bonds. I try not to dwell on the last words I heardbefore I was knocked unconscious. In my heart, I know Maverick is alive somewhere out there, that they didn't kill him during the attack. He would have raised the alarm to Lex and Alpha Daxton, the three alphas doing what they do best when faced with an enemy.

I have no idea how I'm going to get out of this, but one thing is clear.

The Great War is coming again—but this time, there are three packs out for blood, joining forces that these assholes won't stand a chance against.

Chapter Two

Nyx

Several hours pass before I hear the distinct sound of approaching footsteps again.

This time, I know they are coming before the door at the top of the stairs opens. When the guy appears again, I notice that he's not alone. He's accompanied by an older man and woman, the three of them wasting no time to descend the stairs and stand in front of me.

I glare at them all one by one, memorizing all their features as best as possible. When I get out of here, I want to remember who took me, so that I can watch their demise once my alphas get their hands on them.

When my eyes reach the woman, I immediately sense something different about her. There's a weird energy radiating off her sunken features, little white strands sprinkled in once jet-black hair. She's not dressed casually like the others either—wearing a purple floor-length maxi dress, accessorized with chunky jewelry and gemstones.

And judging by her look of disgust, not just toward me but the men too, she's not one of us.

"You're a witch," I point out, voicing my thoughts.

She raises an eyebrow at my statement but does nothing to deny it. When the silence remains, I turn my attention to the other newcomer, quickly realizing that there's nothing new about him.

Instantly, my blood runs cold—but it's not with fear. I'm angry, sending death glares at him as I take in his fading red hair.

He realizes my attention is on him and seems amused at my reaction.

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