Luna Mira’s Choice novel Chapter 45

Killian’s POV

I stepped out of the witch’s cottage, the cool night air bating against my skin. The moon hung high above, casting a pale glow over the forest. Every part of me was on edge, my heart pounding with the urgency to find Mira. The amulets of protection hung around my neck, their silver pendants cool against my chest. The sacred dagger rested securely at my hip. I gripped it briefly, reminding myself of the witch’s words: Pierce his heart.

I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed my father’s number. It rang twice before he answered.

“Killian?” His voice was rough, likely from the stress of the past few days.

“I have Mira’s location. She is being held in a tower deep in the Red Forest, south of the Blue Moon pack.”

There was a pause. “The Red Forest? That is dangerous territory. Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I need backup. As many guards as you can spare. Send the Beta and Gamma too.”

“I’ll handle it,” he said firmly. “Meet them at the edge of the forest. Be careful, son.”

“I will,” I promised before ending the call.

I wasted no time. The drive to the meeting point was a blur. When I arrived, several guards were already waiting. My father’s chief guard, Marcus, a large, imposing man with sharp eyes, stood at the front. His presence alone made me feel more confident. The Gamma was beside him, his usual calm demeanor giving off a sense of readiness.

“We are ready when you are,” Marcus said, his gaze steady.

“We need to move fast,” I told them. “Time isn’t on our side.”

We all piled into two black SUVs. The engines roared to life as we sped toward the forest. The road was rough, the trees growing denser with each passing mile. My hands gripped the wheel tightly, my eyes scanning the darkness ahead. The Red Forest loomed closer, its reputation for being treacherous weighing heavily on my mind.

After a while, the road became nearly impassable. Thick roots and dense vegetation made it impossible to continue by car.

“This is where we shift,” I announced as I stepped out of the SUV. The others followed suit, already preparing for the change.

Leo pushed forward eagerly. Let me out, he growled. We need to run.

I nodded, giving him control. The shift was swift, my body morphing into my large, black wolf. My senses heightened instantly, the scents of the forest filling my nose. The others shifted too, their wolves standing ready. Marcus’s wolf, a massive brown beast, stood beside me, while the Gamma’s gray wolf flanked my other side.

I let out a low growl and took off into the forest, the others following close behind. The ground beneath my paws was soft, the damp earth muffling our steps as we ran. The trees blurred around us, their branches stretching like skeletal fingers. The scent of pine and moss filled the air but I focused on the faint trace of

Mira. It was faint but there, a thread of hope I clung to.

Leo’s growls echoed in my mind. Faster. We need to go faster.

I know, I replied, pushing myself harder.

We ran in silence, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the pounding of paws against the ground. The forest was eerily quiet, as if it, too, was holding its breath. Every shadow felt like a threat, every rustle a warning. My heart pounded in my chest, the fear of being too late gnawing at me.

Suddenly, a scent hit me–rogues. The air reeked of them, foul and pungent. I came to a halt, letting out a warning growl. The others stopped too, their ears perked and eyes scanning the area.

Out of the shadows, a group of rogues emerged, their eyes glinting with malice. There were at least ten of them, their forms ragged and feral. One of them, a large, scarred wolf, stepped forward, baring his teeth.

“You’re not going any further“, he snarled, his voice rough and taunting.

I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I lunged at him and caught him off guard. The force of my attack sent us both tumbling to the ground. His claws raked against my side, but I ignored the pain, focusing on pinning him down, I snapped my jaws at his throat, but he twisted away, snarling.

The forest erupted into chaos as the others joined the fight. Marcus and the others took down two rogues. Their strength and coordination were seamless. The guards fought fiercely, their growls and snarls filling the air.

The rogue beneath me twisted again, trying to throw me off, but I sank my teeth into his shoulder. He howled in pain, and I used the distraction to slam him into a tree. His body went limp, and I didn’t waste another second.

Take them down! I ordered through the mind link.

The battle was brutal but swift. One by one, the rogues fell, either retreating into the shadows or lying defeated on the ground. My chest heaved as I caught my breath, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. Blood stained the ground, and the air was thick with the scent of battle.

“Is everyone okay?” I asked, my eyes scanning the group.

“We’re good,” Marcus replied.

I nodded, but the worry in my chest only grew. The fight had cost us precious time. Mira… hold on. I sent a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. I hoped that she was watching over her.

“We need to keep moving,” I said aloud, shifting back into my wolf form. The others followed without question.

We continued our journey through the forest, the dense vegetation slowing us down but not stopping us. My body ached from the fight, but I pushed through the pain. The thought of Mira, alone and vulnerable, kept me going. Leo was restless and he growled in my mind.

As we ran, the forest grew darker, the trees thicker. The air was colder here, a chill that seeped into my bones. I didn’t let it deter me. I had to find her. I had to save her.

Leo’s voice echoed in my mind. We’re close. I can feel it.

I hoped he was right. The fear of being too late was like a weight on my chest, but I couldn’t give in to it. I had to believe we would reach her in time.