Chapter 2

• Unraveling Secrets
• With Alpha Damian Blackthorn and his two huge werewolves at Luna Hartley's cabin, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Luna was fixed in place, her heart hammering in her chest as she glared obstinately at the massive Alpha.
• Stepping forward with a low, lethal voice was Aiden Blackwood. What game are you playing at, Danny? My protection extends to Luna and the kids."
• Damian's eyes gleamed cruelly, his sneer growing. Is that protection? I don't think that rejecting Luna and letting her figure things out is 'protection,' Aiden. You've chosen, and now it's time to live with the results."
• Fists gripping at her sides, Luna experienced a burst of rage. From us, what do you want, Damian? Our relationship to your son or your pack is nonexistent."
• Damian looked at Luna with unnerving intensity, his eyes grow hungry. "Quite the reverse, Luna. Right now, I'm really interested in you and your kids.
• Armed and prepared for battle, Aiden stepped to stand guardianly in front of Luna. You are not entitled to them. Walk away right now.
• Lucas moved forward before Damian could answer, his voice piercing the chill of the cabin. Trespassing is what this is, Danny. Such threats are not appropriate from you."
• Damian twisted his lip in contempt, looked briefly to Lucas, then back to Luna. Lucas Thompson, you say. Always the devoted buddy, obstructing actual authority."
• Lucas tense his jaw in resolute squareness. "I'm not going to let you hurt them, Damian. Any intentions you had, they stop here."
• Damian laughed harshly, hateful narrowing of the eyes. "You think Lucas, you can stop me? It is unknown to you what you are dealing with."
• Luna was trying to think of a plan while her heart sped with rebellion and terror. As Aiden confronted the Alpha of the Silvermoon pack, she looked at the tension in his eyes. She knew Aiden still loved her and their kids, despite everything.
• Quietly approaching him, Luna muttered, "Aiden." "We have to leave this place. Damjan cannot take us.
• Nodding, Aiden never took his eyes off Damian's. Lucias, leave this place with Luna and the kids. Hold them off, I will.
• Lucas looked between Damian and Aiden, paused. "Aiden, are you positive about this? They won't be forgiving with you.
• Aiden locked his jaw, his fists tensed. Lucas, just start. As much time as I can, I'll buy you.
• Reluctantly nodding, Lucas looked to Luna and motioned for her to come along. Come along Luna. Go we must."
• Heart thumping with terror for Aiden, Luna grabbed her luggage and raced to Lucas's side. Once more turning to face Damian and his werewolves, Aiden was standing resolutely and defiantly.
• Claws clashing, werewolves roaring, and laborers grunting reverberated behind Luna and Lucas as they ran out of the hut. Luna prayed Aiden would be OK, her chest tightening with anxiety and tears stinging at the corners of her eyes.
• Moonshade Valley was illuminated golden by the early morning sun, which also created lengthy shadows on the woodland floor. Lucas, looking worried, guided Luna and the triplets to a remote trail that ran through the forest.
• Glancing back toward the cabin, Lucas replied, "We have to keep moving." "How long Aiden can hold them off is unknown."
• With fear for Aiden and doubts about their future, Luna nodded. "What are we going to do, Lucas? Though we can't stay here forever, we can't run either."
• Luna had always loved the resolution in Lucas's eyes, which flickered with a tightening of his jaw. Luna, there will be a way. I refuse to let them to injure the children or you. That much I swear.
• Luna's thoughts sped with worries and questions as they went through the woodland. Damian wanted them for what? Why had he arrived now, all these years later? What did it mean for Aiden and their broken relationship, too?
• One thing was evident, though, and that was that Luna would stop at nothing to save her kids and figure out how to get past the dangers that now hung over them.
• Moonshade Valley's surrounds reverberated with the noises of pursuit as Luna Hartley, Lucas Thompson, and the triplets sped through the thick undergrowth. Luna was startled to death by every sound of leaves rustling and twigs breaking, her thoughts racing with concern for Aiden and the peril they had left behind.
• Every now and again Lucas peered over his shoulder, his senses keenly alert for any indication of a pursuit. Low and urgent, he murmured, "We need to find somewhere safe to hide."
• Luna gasped out in short, frightened breaths as she nodded. Not too far away is a cave. It ought to offer some protection because it's hidden."
• Then Lucas took them off the main track and down a meandering road that finally led to a remote clearing. Tucked down at the foot of a rocky outcrop was a little cave, its entrance hidden by a thicket of overhanging branches and plants.
• Luna and the kids were to go in first, Lucas said, and he would monitor outside to make sure they weren't followed. Once inside, Luna shook her hands and looked over the triplets for any injuries before setting them down on the damp cave floor.
• You okay? Softly removing a lock of hair from her daughter's face, Luna asked.
• The triplets gave serious nods, resolute looks despite huge fearful eyes. Even as small children, they had inherited the tenacity and fortitude of their mother.
• Lucas entered the cave, looking about him for any warning signals. He said, "We should be safe here for now," sounding both relieved and worried. "But we need to decide what to do next."
• Luna nodded, a flurry of worries and concerns racing through her head. Why do they want us, Lucas? Damian came after us, why?
• Lucas paused, thought-filled wrinkles on his brow. I'm not positive, Luna. I believe Aiden, though, may know some answers. Damian seemed to be someone he knew previously."
• With Aiden mentioned, Luna's heart sunk, her thoughts drifting to the Alpha who had rejected their relationship but yet felt something for her and their kids. Her voice full of concern, she whispered softly, "Do you think he's alright?"
• Lucas groaned and looked over at the cave's opening. In such case, Luna. Strong as Aiden is, Damian and his gang are deadly. Anything needs to be planned for."
• A low snarl sounded from outside the cave as if on cue, then footsteps. Luna knew they had been followed, and her heart sped up and her eyes widened with terror.
• Quickly moving to shield Luna and the kids, Lucas stepped in front of them. Urgently whispering, "Stay back," he gripped a little knife he had fastened to his belt.
• Luna did not anticipate the figure that came into the cave. It was Aiden, his face determinedly gloomy, his garments bloodied and ripped. A werewolf Luna identified as one of Aiden's pack members trailed behind him.
• "Aiden!" Gasping, Luna hurried to his aid. Just what transpired? Are things okay with you?
• Aiden locked his jaw, resolution hardening his eyes. Luna, there isn't much time. Damian and his gang hardly stop. Right now, we have to leave this place.
• Lucas gave his assent, his eyes raking over Aiden's wounds with worry. Not here can we stay. They'll come looking for us.
• Aiden cast a determined look toward Lucas. "We must devise a counteroffensive. Damian isn't going to stop until he gets his way.
• Luna's head was racing with ideas, mostly focused on the triplets and their protection. "Aideen, what are we going to do? We have to quit running.
• With a softening of his eyes, Aiden turned to face Luna. Luna, I am aware of that. Yet I have a strategy. Though it's dangerous, this could be our only opportunity.
• Curiousity sparked, Lucas lifted an eyebrow. With what in mind, Aiden?
• Aiden looked gravely at Lucas after first eyeing Luna. We have to band together. Lucas, we might be able to get together enough support to confront Damian and defend Luna and the kids."
• Lucas looked between Aiden and Luna, paused. Aiden, you're asking me to believe you. Following events of yesterday night..."
• Aiden gave a serious nod, remorse smearing his eyes. Lucas, I did a mistake. But I want to put things right. For the pack, for the kids, and for Luna.
• Luna walked forward, hope and doubt hurting in her heart. We must make an effort, Lucas. And Aiden is correct. We are not capable of doing this by ourselves.
• Lucas let out a great sigh, his shoulders hunched over in surrender. "All right, Aiden. Trust me. But should you treacher us once more..."
• Aiden nodded gravely. "Not me. That much I swear.
• With their flimsy alliance established, the guys got to work. To take on Damian and his pack, they would want allies, money, and a plan. But for now, hope flared like a tiny flame in the darkness, a ray of hope against insurmountable odds.