The Alpha's Unwanted Luna (by Miss L) novel Chapter 407

I’ve also come across candles, small clusters of tree branches, and symbols crafted from scattered debris, all carefully bound together with twine, scattered throughout the forest. They seem to serve a dual purpose—both protective charms and decorative elements. Had someone asked me a year ago if I’d welcome such chaos, I would have firmly said no. Yet, strangely enough, these arrangements now offer me a sense of security I hadn’t expected to feel.

Before stepping inside my office, I inhale deeply the soothing scent of lavender and lemongrass hanging just outside the door. The calming aroma steadies my nerves for a moment. No sooner have I closed the door behind me than my phone starts ringing. My heart leaps with hope—it might be Ben.

“Elara?” A feminine voice breaks through, slightly breathless.

I blink a few times, trying to shake off the disappointment when I realize it isn’t the deep, familiar baritone I’d been longing to hear. “Uh, yeah… hello?”

“Hey! Umpf… I hope this is a good time. I just wanted to check in on you and see how Ben’s settling in. He’d never call us for a chat like this, and Jeremiah’s worried about his best friend.”

“Oh, hey Rayna! Are you sure now’s a good moment? You sound like you’ve got your hands full.” I catch a muffled grunt in the background.

“There really isn’t much downtime with pups, honestly. Especially when you have two who are already channeling the most extreme behaviors of their father and aunt—skipping straight past crawling and walking, too. I’ve pretty much given up on some aspects of parenting and safety rules. Believe it or not, Jer and James are actually watching the twins right now. I just have to keep the door open in case one of the big boys gets hurt.” She laughs, and I can’t help but smile at her humor despite the chaos she describes.

Since I began integrating coven members into the packhouse, the elders have only spoken to me briefly and sparingly. They don’t approve of witches on our land, but Rayna’s right. It’s my decision—my instinct—to work with them to save the pack, and I’m wasting energy arguing with the elders about it.

“But what am I supposed to do about Ben? I know how he feels about her. I know she’s mated to your brother, and that’s tearing Ben apart. And now this magic stuff is just another barrier keeping us from even having a moment to figure out what any of this mate bond stuff really means.”

hints at underlying conflicts that may soon surface, testing alliances and challenging long-held traditions. Hazel’s struggle to balance the expectations of the elders, the needs of her pack, and her own heart will likely lead to moments of vulnerability and fierce determination. The emotional undercurrents set the stage for a chapter rich in tension, where every decision could ripple through the lives of those she holds dear.