<b>Chapter </b><b>133 </b>


    Summer’s POV


    <b>My </b>heart raced as I studied Melissa’s face.


    She looked terrified–her eyes constantly scanning our surroundings as if expecting Alpha Foster’s enforcers to appear at any moment.


    “What is it, Melissa?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the anxiety twisting in my chest.


    “That he’s nning something against the ckwood Pack. Against you and Alpha Alexander.” Her voice broke. “<b>I </b>couldn’t stay silent. Not after how kind you always were to me.”


    Lyra’s hand found mine, squeezing gently in support.


    “How did you find me?” I asked, trying to process this disturbing information.


    “I’ve been watching the mall entrances for days,” she admitted. “I knew you shopped here sometimes. It was the only ce I could think to look without entering ckwood territory directly.<b>” </b>


    My mind raced with questions and concerns. Was this why Alexander had been called away so urgently<b>? </b>Did this have something to do with the “pack business” Ethan had mind–linked him about?


    <b>“</b>Melissa,” I said carefully, “I appreciate youing to warn me, but I need to know exactly what you’ve


    heard. What is Foster nning?”


    Her eyes darted around the busy mall again. “I don’t know specific details. But he’s been meeting with wolves from outside our territory–including that she–wolf who used to pursue Alpha Alexander.”


    “Natalia Thompson?” Lyra’s voice was sharp with surprise.


    Melissa nodded. “And others. Powerful wolves from packs I don’t recognize. Some with ents from


    overseas.”


    My blood ran cold. If Foster was allying himself with Natalia–who had every reason to hate both Alexander and me after her recent disgrace–and unknown foreign wolves, this could be far more serious than a simple territorial dispute.


    “Please, Luna,” Melissa begged, her voice trembling. “I risked everything to bring you this warning. Many in Silver Creek still respect you. If anything happened to the ckwood Pack because Foster…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.


    I straightened my spine, my decision made. “Thank you, Melissa. You did the right thing.” I turned to Lyra. “We need to contact Alexander immediately.<b>” </b>


    Lyra was already pulling out her phone, her expression grave. “I’ll mind–link Ethan too.”


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    As she stepped aside to make the call, I reached out to squeeze Melissa’s arm reassuringly, “You’ll <b>stay </b>with us now. The ckwood Pack will protect you.”


    Relief flooded her features, quickly reced by fresh anxiety. “But what about the others? There are more wolves who want to leave Silver Creek, but they’re afraid.”


    The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders–not just for the woman before me, but for all those suffering under Foster’s reign. These were wolves I had once been responsible for as their Luna. Even though that title was no longer mine, I couldn’t ignore their plight.


    “We’ll help them too,” I promised, though I wasn’t entirely sure how. “But first, we need to understand exactly what Foster is nning.”


    Lyra returned, her expression confirming my fears. “Alexander wants us back at the pack house immediately. He’s sending a security detail to meet us here.”


    As we waited for our escort, watching the mall entrances for any sign of Silver Creek wolves who might have followed Melissa, I couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that the past I’d fought so hard to escape was rushing back to confront me.


    Foster had taken nearly everything from me once before. The thought that he might be plotting against my new life, my new pack–against Alexander–filled me with a cold, focused rage.


    This time, I wouldn’t be the victim. This time, I would be ready.


    Twenty minutester, four imposing ckwood enforcers arrived, immediately forming a protective formation around us as we made our way to the waiting SUVs. I noticed how Melissa’s eyes widened at their respectful treatment of me–so different from how Foster’s guards had treated me in the final


    months of our mating.


    The drive back to ckwood pack house was tense, with Melissa sitting silently beside me, her hands fidgeting in herp.


    I could smell her fear–not just of Alpha Foster’s potential retaliation, but of the unknown future she now faced as a defector from her pack.


    <b>“</b>You made the brave choice,” I told her softly. “Alexander will ensure you’re protected.”


    She gave me a tremulous smile. “I never thought I’d see you like this again, Luna. Strong, confident… happy, despite everything.”


    Thement touched me deeply. “I am happy,” I admitted. “I found where I belong.”


    When we arrived at the pack house, Alexander was waiting on the steps, his powerful frame tense with concern. The moment I stepped from the vehicle, his scent enveloped me–pine, musk, and that unique alpha power that was his alone.


    <i>2/3 </i>


    My wolf stirred inside me, seeking thefort of our mate.


    “Summer,” he said, pulling me into a fierce embrace before his eyes locked on Melissa standing nervously behind me. “This is our visitor from Silver Creek?”