A Luna for the Lycan King novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

We all decided to walk back to camp, in case there were others that needed our help. Darren had his arm wrapped tightly against my waist. He was exhausted, since he hadn’t slept and had gone straight into another battle.

“Are you okay?” I asked, his green eyes flipping to mine with a smile.

“I’m fine. Nothing a little sleep won’t cure.”

“We’re going to be staying at the camp for a few days to strategize. We’re also waiting for the naga to join us.”

“Why haven’t they arrived yet?” Darren growled, his annoyance evident.

Dayanara’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Ah, yes. Their general is currently…indisposed. Molting, if you can believe it. They’ll join us when he’s finished shedding his skin.”

I wrinkled my nose at the mental image. “Charming.”

“Nature isn’t always pretty, darling,” Dayanara quipped with a

wink.

Finn glanced back to look at me. “How is Ivan holding up?”

“I think he’s pretty shaken up over Anton. He’s trying to be

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strong, though,” I answered, Dayanara nodding in agreement.

“I wish I could tell you he’ll make it, but it just depends. The fairies gave him the best chance possible. The rest will be up to him. When will you be leaving? I can escort you to your

home safely. The distance is nothing on the back of a griffin.” Dayanara gave me a kind smile. I liked her and felt like we could be friends.

“Well… since they aren’t going to be leaving for a few days, I won’t be either. I want to stay by Darren’s side as long as possible.” I felt Darren’s fingers curl into my waist and I looked up at him.

“I can use you by my side,” he admitted quietly. The raw

emotion in his voice sent a shiver through me. I leaned into him, loving that this man was mine. I just wished I could continue to fight and be near him.

As we approached the camp, a commotion ahead caught our attention. Ivan’s hulking form came into view, his golden eyes blazing with fury as he stormed toward us.

“What the actual hell?!” he snarled, his gaze zeroing in on Dayanara. “What is wrong with you, you useless witch?!”

Dayanara’s lips curled into a smirk, her green eyes flashing with amusement. “Oh, calm down, you overgrown teddy bear. Allissa’s fine, isn’t she? A little adventure never hurt anyone.”

Ivan’s face reddened, his massive hands clenched into fists. “Adventure? She was fucking kidnapped!”

“Ivan, I’m okay,” I interjected, trying to diffuse the tension. “Really. Dayanara wanted to help-”

“So she took you right out from under me?!”

“Clearly proving how safe she was by your side,” Dayanara mused.

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If rage was a color, Ivan would be completely red right now. I watched his pupils dilate as his chest heaved in anger.

“How is Anton?” Darren asked, shifting the conversation from Dayanara. Immediately, his attitude changed.

His shoulders sagged, the fire in his eyes dimming to embers of worry. “It’s… not good,” he rumbled, his voice low and gravelly. “The healers aren’t sure if he’ll pull through. We won’t know more for a couple of days. If he pulls through, it’ll be weeks before he can rejoin the battle. We’ve sent word to our father. I’m sure he’ll be coming here now.”

I looked beyond Ivan, and my eyes widened as they landed on the unicorns! They stood in a wide circle around the perimeter, their coats gleaming like freshly fallen snow in the fading light. But it was their horns that truly mesmerized me–each one glowed with an ethereal light blue hue, pulsing gently in perfect unison.

“The unicorn shifters have put up a perimeter. No demon is getting through that.” Darren must have read my mind.

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I felt a rush of relief. We would be able to rest peacefully. “That’s incredible,” I murmured, then glanced at Darren. His green eyes were heavy with exhaustion. Rest was exactly what he needed at that moment.

“We should get some rest,” I said softly. “It’s been a very long day for you. And this pup is making me tired as well.” I watched his eyes shift to concern for me, and I immediately reassured him. “I’m fine.”

We told the others good night and headed to our tent. I pursed my lips and looked ahead. “I was afraid I lost you today.”

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” he teased, bumping into my side as we approached our tent. He reached out, flipping the canvas to the side, and escorting me in.

Darren’s arms encircled me, and I breathed in his familiar scent of cinnamon wafers, letting it wash away the last of my tension.

I gently tugged at Darren’s battle–worn shirt, used an enchanted cloth to clean his skin and then helped him into a clean shirt. I guided him to the bed and he sank into the mattress with a small groan. He flipped off his boots and laid back, patting the spot next to him. I quickly joined him, scooting closer to him.

I ran my fingers through his dark hair, smoothing it back from his forehead. “Sleep now, my love,” I cooed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Darren’s eyes fluttered closed, but his hand found mine,

intertwining our fingers. “Stay with me?” he murmured, already

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half–asleep.

“I’m not going anywhere.” His breathing immediately leveled out as he surrendered to his exhaustion. I pressed a soft kiss against his temple. “I love you,” I whispered against his skin. His body turned, wrapping his arms around me and holding me captive against his chest. I let out a silent giggle. Even while asleep, he was possessive. Feeling his steady heartbeat beneath my ear, I allowed myself to relax fully in his embrace.

***

I jolted awake, my heart pounding. The tent was pitch black, and Darren’s steady breathing the only sound. What had woken me? I inhaled deeply, trying to calm myself, when a familiar scent hit me–woodsmoke and pine needles. My old pack.

Carefully, I slid from Darren’s arms, my body protesting as I moved. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I breathed a sigh of relief as I slipped on my robe, the silk cool against my flushed skin.

The scent grew stronger as I stepped outside. My eyes scanned the darkness, searching, then landing on the source—a figure by one of the campfires. My breath caught in my throat as recognition dawned.

“Bastian?” I whispered, scarcely believing my eyes.

He turned, a grin spreading across his face. “Allissa! I was hoping I’d see you.”

Chapter 76

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I rushed toward him, a whirlwind of emotions, “What are you doing here?”

“We answered the call to fight,” he said, clasping my hands. “We just arrived.”

My mind reeled. “But the pack… who’s looking after everyone?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all taken care of,” Bastian assured me. “We left capable wolves in charge.” He smiled. “Look at you, still looking after us. Tell me, how are you? You look…”

“Happy,” I finished for him, unable to keep the smile from my face. “Life has been wonderful, and Darren is the best man in the world. He is good to me.”