Chapter 4 New Threat.

Clara stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the courtyard where the younger wolves paced anxiously. "They can feel it," she murmured. "The bond's gone. She's really gone."

Jonah rubbed his temples, exhaustion clear on his face. "We're rudderless without her. Brandon hasn't even come home."

Maria entered, throwing her jacket over a chair. Her eyes were rimmed red from lack of sleep. "He hasn't answered a single call. The elders are furious. They're demanding he come before them tonight."

"Does he even care?" Clara asked bitterly.

Maria hesitated, then pulled out her phone, showing a photo. "He's with Kylie. Again. They were spotted at that rooftop bar downtown last night."

Clara's jaw tightened. "He's not even hiding it anymore."

Jonah slammed his hand against the table. "And yet the pack's paying for his selfishness. Pups woke up crying last night. Half of them fell sick. You know what it means when a Luna breaks her bond."

Maria nodded grimly. "Their strength is tied to hers. And he's left us weaker every hour she's gone."

In the distance, a howl rose-high, mournful. A sound of grieving.

Maria's throat tightened. "They're calling for her."

Meanwhile, Brandon sat sprawled across Kylie's couch, a glass of whiskey in hand. The sunlight streaming through the curtains made him squint, his head pounding from too much drink and too little sleep.

Kylie stood at the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone. "You should go back," she said without looking at him. "They're going to blame me for this."

Brandon let out a humorless laugh. "Let them. I'm tired of pretending. Tired of carrying it all."

Kylie turned, setting the phone down. "They're your people, Brandon. You're their alpha."

He didn't respond, just tipped the glass back, letting the burn slide down his throat. "I never wanted it. I never wanted any of it."

Kylie's gaze softened. She walked over, sitting beside him. "You don't have to be what they expect. Be who you want."

He looked at her then, something bitter flickering in his eyes. "And what if what I want destroyed everything?"

She touched his hand lightly. "Then let it burn."

But back at the estate, Maria wasn't ready to let it burn. She stood before the elders again, her voice clear and steady despite the exhaustion weighing her down.

"We need to name a temporary Luna," she said. "Before the pack splinters further."

The elder leader stared at her, his face lined with worry. "Without Lindsay's consent? Without Brandon's acknowledgment?"

"We don't have a choice." Maria's jaw clenched. "He's abandoned his post. He's abandoned us. Every hour he stays away, the pack weakens."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.

The elder leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Who do you propose?"

Maria hesitated only a moment before answering. "Me."

The hall fell silent.

Jonah stepped forward, frowning. "Maria-are you sure? This isn't temporary. If you step up, you might never be able to step down."

"I'm sure," she said quietly. "If no one holds the line, we'll lose everything."

Outside, the wind howled again.

And across town, as Brandon poured himself another drink, his phone buzzed once, twice, then fell silent again.

The message sat unopened on his screen:

"Brandon. The council's declared you unfit. Maria's been named acting Luna. Return before nightfall... or be exiled."

Brandon stared at the phone without moving.

Then slowly, a smirk curled across his lips.

"Let them try."

London's rain fell steadily against the hospital window as Lindsay sat curled in the chair, staring out at the gray sky. The beeping of machines beside her was steady, almost comforting in its constancy. Her hair was tied back loosely, a scarf draped over her shoulders.

Maria's last message still sat unopened on her phone. She hadn't replied. She couldn't.

Outside, a nurse passed by, slowing briefly at the sight of her. "You've been sitting there for hours, miss. You should rest."

"I'm fine." Lindsay's voice was soft, distant.

But inside, she wasn't fine. Her chest ached in a way no surgery could fix. Brandon hadn't called. Not once. Even after leaving, after the pack fallout, after the news of her surgery leaked-nothing.

She had left hoping distance might make him realize what he'd lost. Instead, it only seemed to clear the path for Kylie.

Lindsay's phone buzzed. Another message from Maria.

"He's back."

The words sank like a stone in her stomach.

She opened it slowly.

"He's agreed to return... but only on one condition."

Lindsay swallowed hard, scrolling down.

"He wants Kylie named as Luna."

Her breath left her in a shaky exhale. Of course he did.

Across the sea, back at the estate, Brandon stood tall before the elders. Kylie lingered behind him, arms crossed, chin raised defiantly.

"I'm not here to beg," Brandon said evenly. "I'm offering a choice. I return, I lead, I reclaim the bond... but she stands beside me."

The elders exchanged uneasy glances. Maria stood at the edge of the circle, arms folded tightly across her chest. "You'd trade the pack's survival for her?"

Brandon's jaw tensed. "She's my choice."

"You've already made your choice," Maria shot back. "And look where it's led."

Brandon's gaze didn't waver. "I won't come back without her."

Silence hung heavy in the room.

Outside, the wolves gathered, their murmurs growing louder. Some looked to Maria with pleading eyes. Others looked toward the house where Kylie waited, uncertain.

"We need to decide before the next full moon," the elder leader said gravely. "Or the pack will split for good."

Brandon nodded once, then turned away, walking back toward the house. Kylie stepped out to meet him, linking her arm with his.

Behind them, Maria's voice rang out. "You may lead them, Brandon. But they won't follow her."

Brandon paused at the door, but didn't look back.

Inside, Kylie pressed a kiss to his jaw. "Did they say yes?"

"Not yet."

"Then they will." She smiled, self-assured. "They'll have no choice."

But as night fell, across the sea, Lindsay sat alone in her hospital bed, gazing at the moonlight through the window. Her hand rested lightly over the fresh scar hidden beneath her gown.

Her phone buzzed again.

An unknown number.

She hesitated, then answered quietly.

A low voice spoke on the other end.

"Lindsay... you need to come back."

She froze.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because he's not the only threat anymore."

A shadow passed across the moon outside.

And in the woods beyond the estate, unseen eyes glinted in the dark.