<b>Chapter </b><b>67 </b>


    The scent of warm bread and spices hung in the dining room as I walked in, hoping the day would feel a little more normal–less like the shadow of war loomed over <b>us </b>all.


    But the moment I saw


    aw him, I knew.


    Francesco stood near the head of the long table, phone still gripped in his hand, though the call had clearly ended. His broad shoulders were stiff, tension rising like a second skin over him. But it was his expression that stole the air from my lungs.


    His golden eyes–usually calm, firm, and full of power–were drowning in sadness.


    My feet free in ce.


    “What is it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He didn’t answer immediately.


    Instead, he slowly walked to me, as if carrying a weight too heavy to speak. Each step was a silent warning that something was terribly, irreversibly


    wront


    When he finally stood in front of me, his hand reached for mine.


    “He went to Ruben’s pack,” Francesco began.


    And just like <b>that</b>, my heart sank. My eyes widened in horror, my voice catching in my throat


    “No.“I breathed, dread pooling in my stomach like lead.


    Francesco’s arms wrapped around me th


    the next second, shielding me from the storm his words were about to bring


    Ein… Their entire pack <b>has </b>been ughtered. No survivors”


    “I’m so sorry,


    A scream tore from my chest, uncontained and raw. My knees gave out, but he held me.


    Tears <b>flooded </b>my eyes before I even understood what I was crying for.


    Not for Ruben. No. He had rejected me, made it clear I wasn’t worthy to stand beside <b>him</b>. I had long since grieved that bond and epted his absence from my life. I had moved forward.


    But the people….


    The families


    The children.


    I <b>had </b>grown up with them. I had known their smiles, their voices. I had danced at their festivals and shared meals during celebrations. No matter the rejection, they had been my people once.


    They didn’t deserve to die


    “<b>Luca</b>?” I choked out, the name like poison on my <b>tongue</b>.


    Francesco nodded<b>, </b><b>his </b>jaw tightening. “Yes, I’ve already sent warriors and trackers to confirm the scene and collect the bodies for burial. We owe them at least that <b>much</b>.”


    “And you?” I asked, my <b>voice </b>trembling


    “I’m going there myself in an hour<b>,</b><b>” </b><b>he </b>said.


    hed my tear–streaked face to look at him. “I’ming with you”


    His reaction was instant.


    “No!”


    The harshness of his voice startled me. I took a step back, confusion and hurt flickering in my chest


    Francesco closed his eyes and let out a breath. Then, gently, he cupped my face in both hands, resting his forehead against mine.


    “Mi amore,” he whispered in Italian. “I can’t take that risk. There’s a chance Luca or his men are still nearby. I need to know you’re safe here.


    “But I can fight


    “I know you can,” he interrupted gently, “But right now, I need to be Alpha. I need to end this. And I can’t do that if I’m constantly <b>worried </b>about losing


    you.”


    His words wrapped around me like chains and warmth all at once.


    He was right


    But it didn’t make it easier.


    I nodded softly, tears dripping down my cheeks as he leaned forward to press <b>a </b>kiss <b>to </b>my forehead.


    He pulled me <b>close </b>into his embrace, and I held him tightly, breathing in his scent, grounding myself in the one thing that still felt safe


    But as he pulled <b>away</b>, the questions began to return, faster than I could suppress them.


    Why Ruben’s pack?


    Why now!


    Was it random?


    Or… was it personal?


    Did Luca know that Ruben was once my fated mate? That his rejection had left a mark on my soul?


    <b>Was </b>this a message?


    I didn’t have answers


    But the fear curled around me like smoke.


    From the balcony of the manor, I watched Francesco depart. Six sleek ck vehicles were parked in front, warriors gathering supplies and weapons grim efficiency. I saw Beta Alfonso standing near me, giving orders. He would remain here to protect the territory while the Alpha was gone.


    Francesco approached me onest time before leaving.


    He kissed me, longer this time. As it saying all the words he didn’t have time to speak.


    “I’lle back,” he said. “I swear it.”


    I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “Juste back sale.”


    He <b>turned </b>and walked away, nked by his elite guards. Some wolves in shitted form would follow through the forest trails, hidden from the roads, swit


    and invisible


    The moment be disappeared beyond the gates, I felt a cold emptiness take his ce,


    Beta Alfonso approached quietly. “Luna, let’s head inside


    I didn’t argue


    But I didn’t return to my room either.


    Instead, I made my way to <b>Francesco’s </b>office and slipped into the adjoining library. The scent of old books weed me–a strange,forting presence. I ran my fingers along the spines until I found the one I needed.


    Athick leather bound journal


    My Diary–Anastasia


    Topened the book, setting it on myp as I sat in the velvet chair near the window.


    “I can’t sit here doing nothing.” I whispered to myself


    Then quietly, I called to the voice within me.


    “Help me.


    My wolf stirred, her presence a soft warmth in my chest.


    “I’m here whenever you need me, Eine


    And for a moment, I didn’t feel alone.


    I turned the pages of the book, immersing myself in the story of Anastasia Francesco’ste mate. She had once stood where I was now. Alone. In danger,


    Waiting


    I could learn from her. From her strength. From her losses.


    But as I read, <b>an </b>image surfaced in my mind.


    Ruben.


    His face as I once know it–young, proud, handsome.


    And then… his son.


    His smile. His cold rejection.


    had never met the child in person. But I knew he existed


    My chest lightened, and tears silently


    ly streamed down my cheeks again.


    The boy hadn’t done anything wrong


    He had just been born to a man who had made the wrong choices


    And now… he was likely gone too.


    A whole pack reduced to ash.


    I mourned. Quietly. Deeply. Alone.


    Not for my lost mate.


    Mona44GI


    But for the souls who would never see another moonrise.


    Third Party Perspective:


    In the dense woods that circled the Italian territory, hidden beneathyers of enchanted camouge and scent <b>barriers</b>, a man crouched beside a moss covered boulder. His cloak, woven from shadow and woll pelt, shifted with every breath of wind.


    He was not alone.


    All around the forest, cloaked figures lingered- spies, trained to move as shadows, Silent. Deadly


    They had been ced here for one purpose.


    To confirm that the <b>Lycan </b>Alpha had truly left his territory… without his mate.


    Their orders were clear.


    “The moment he is gone, we take her. Alive”


    “She’s his weakness,” one of them whispered through the mind–link: “Luca said it himself. <b>She’s </b>the reason Francesco Totti has grown sotter


    The leader of the spies narrowed his <b>eyes </b>in the direction of the manor


    “She’s more than a weakness,<b>” </b>he replied. “She’s a symbol. The perfect tool to bring down the Alpha Lycan from the inside.”


    They had been watching her for weeks. Her routines. Her emotions<b>. </b>Her connection to their greatest enemy.


    And now…she <b>was </b>alone.


    Protected, yes—but not invincible.


    They only needed one chance.


    And they would strike before Francesco returned.


    Because <b>war </b>wasn’t just about strength.


    It was about tinding


    And Eine Rollin had just be the center of it all.


    <b>AD </b>