Ascension 66_A Warrior Luna's Awakening

Riley’s POV

 +8 Pearls

 “The co–pilot has ordered inspection,” one of the guards barked. “We only assist. If you refuse, we’ll be forced to seize it by strength.”

 The air thickened, bristling like hackles raised before a fight.

 Then a voice I hadn’t expected cut through the tension.

 “Freya… perhaps you should let them check it.”

 My head snapped toward the sound. My heart stuttered.

 Caelum Grafton.

 The Alpha of Silverfang. My former mate. My betrayer.

 Why was he here?

 Aurora stepped quickly to his side, her eyes lighting with false warmth. “Caelum, what are you doing here?”

 His lips pressed thin, and he didn’t meet her gaze. He wouldn’t admit the truth–how he’d shadowed my car, seen me carry my parents‘ ashes, guessed I was bringing Arthur and Myra Thorne home to their resting ce. He wouldn’t admit he’d followed not for her, but for me.

 “Don’t tell me you came because you knew it was my flight today?” Aurora teased, voice honeyed poison.

 “…Yes.” He gave a stiff nod, then turned toward me. “Aurora’s only concerned for safety. It’s just a check, Freya.”

 “Check?” My voiceshed out like a whip, sharp enough to cut flesh. “Caelum, are you saying even in death my parents will know no peace?” 

 “That’s not what I meant. I just thought—if there’s nothing wrong-

 “I’ve already filed through the proper channels!” I cut him off, fury igniting in my chest. “If Aurora failed to receive the notice, that’s her negligence. And yet you’d demand I hand over my parents‘ remains to cover her ipetence? Tell me, Caelum–don’t you find thatughable?” 

 His throat bobbed, but he had no answer. He couldn’t even meet my eyes.

 Aurora snarled, snapping at the guards. “What are you waiting for? Seize the box! If it’s a bomb, who bears responsibility then?” 

 Her words struck sparks of fear through the guards. They moved, circling me like wolves closing in.

 Lana tried to push through to my side, but they blocked her path with broad shoulders and armored arms.

 I clutched the urn tighter to my chest. The military had offered escorts. I’d refused. No, it had to be me. I alone would carry Arthur and Myra back to the Ashbourne’s soil, back to the sacred ground where warriorsy.

 And now, here in the belly of an airport, they dared dishonor them.

 “Who dares touch this urn?” My voice thundered, sharpened by the battlefield that had forged me.

 For a heartbeat, the guards froze. My killing intent mmed into them like a wave of ice. I saw it in their eyes–the primal shudder of prey meeting predator. None dared step closer.

 Aurora barked again, shrill. “Do it! Are you cowards?!”

 Their fear shed with their orders. Atst, steel scraped as they pushed forward.

 My wolf surged. Ished out.

 One boot mmed into a chestte–he flew back.

 A second guard fell beneath my heel.

 A third went sprawling with a cry.

 +8 Pearls

 They struck me, batons and fists, but I did not fall. The ashes in my arms were heavier than any weapon, more sacred than

 shield. Blood warmed my skin, but my spirit only grew sharper.

 any

 I was wrath. I was fury. I was a daughter defending her fallen.

 Aurora’s voice shrieked across the chaos. “Pathetic! So many of you against one woman and still you can’t take her down? Get the\urn!”

 “Those are the ashes of Ashbourne dead!” Lana cried out desperately. “Aurora, are you even wolf anymore?”

 Aurora sneered. “Lies. As if anyone believes that tale.”

 My gaze locked on her, my vision rimmed in red. My wolf snarled behind my eyes, and I strode forward, cutting through the guards like a storm.

 No one dared block me now.

 Aurora’s face went pale as I bore down on her, the urn still sped against my chest. She stumbled back, shrieking at the guards. “Stop her! Don’t let her near me!”

 But none moved. None would riskying hands on what might truly be warrior’s ashes.

 I reached her, drove my boot into her chest. She crashed to the ground, the breath torn from her lungs. My foot pinned her to the tiles, pressing down, the crack of ribs threatening in the air.

 Her face twisted, a mask of rage and fear. “Freya, this is an airport–you dare attack me here?”

 “You dared first,” I growled, voice low as thunder. “Why should I not?”

 Caelum’s voice broke in, frantic. “Freya–Aurora was only thinking of safety, how could you-”

 My kick sent him flying before he finished, his body mming into the steel chairs with a sickening thud.

 He looked up at me, disbelief shattering across his face. He had never seen me like this. Never believed I’d strike him down.

 “You have no right to speak to me of this,” I hissed, eyes colder than winter’s edge.

 Then I looked down at Aurora, still writhing beneath my boot. “Arthur Thorne. Myra Brown. They gave their lives for thisnd. And you dare-“my voice dropped to a deadly whisper, “-to soil their memory.” 

 She spar, though her voice trembled. “You… you think you can keep me from this flight? I’ll see to it you never board-”

 “And you think I won’t break you here and now?” I snarled, my heel grinding down, ready to snap bone and end her arrogance in one strike

 The hall shook with sudden rhythm–boots in formation. Soldiers. The echo of a pack trained for war.

 “HALT!”

 The voice was deep,manding, carrying the weight ofmand that could silence wolves mid–howl.

 Every head in the hall turned.

 squad of soldiers stormed into view, their steps a thunder roll, their scent thick with discipline and authority. At their head, a voice like iron roared again-

 “What is the meaning of this?”

17kNovel

Ascension 66