176 The Quiet Before The Storm
Mara
When I came back upstairs to wake Tiffany, I found her cradling Emma, breastfeeding in the soft morning light. The scene stopped me cold.
There was a quiet stillness between them-an intimate, sacred calm that made the storm waiting outside feel even more vicious. For a moment, I wished I didn’t have to break it.
“Tiffany,” I said gently.
She looked up at me, eyes still soft from sleep and motherhood. I kept my voice even, steady-because panic was a luxury we couldn’t afford.
“We have to go. Now. To the Nighthorn Mansion.”
Her brow creased. “Did Lucian or Darian tell you that?”
“No.” I shook my head, holding her gaze. “I did.”
She stared at me, confusion hardening into concern. I didn’t give her time to argue.
“Trust me, Tiffany. It’s not a choice. It’s about survival.”
She blinked, her arms tightening around Emma. “What happened?”
I let out a breath and told her. “He sent a letter. The psycho who’s been hunting us-he knows where we live. He could be watching us right now. But he won’t risk attacking us at the mansion. It’s protected.”
Her eyes widened, and I saw fear flicker through them. She looked down at Emma, then back at me. “We have to tell them
-Lucian, Darian-”
“No,” I said firmly, and she knew I meant it. “They can’t be distracted. They’re out there doing what they have to do. While they’re gone, I’m in charge. And I will keep us safe.”
She hesitated. “Why, Mara? Why keep it from them?”
I straightened. This was one of those moments where my title had to matter. “Because I’m not asking, Tiffany. I’m giving a
Luna’s order.”
She stilled. She understood what that meant. “So… we sneak out?”
“We leave like we’re just running errands. Head toward the mall, then veer off to the mansion. If he’s watching, he won’t suspect anything. The last thing we need is to tip him off.”
I saw the shift in her eyes-resolve sliding into place. She nodded slowly and stood, balancing Emma against her
shoulder.
“I have clothes there,” I said. “Pack only the essentials-anything for Emma that can’t be replaced. I’ll buy you new clothes once we’re safe.”
She looked at me, hesitant. “Can I stay in your wing until this blows over?”
I allowed myself a small smile. “Of course you can.”
Tiffany nodded, then slipped out to gather her things. I sent a mental link to the Clearwaters, giving them the same order.
No one could afford to break formation now.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Chase. The man said he had no issues with Lucian or me, yet he’d tried to kill us-more than
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once. How did that make sense? Was Chase Nighthorn even one person? Or were there layers to him I hadn’t seen yet? My head spun trying to pin it down, but there was no time to unravel contradictions. Survival came first. Answers could
wait.
I grabbed my phone and called Austin. He picked up on the third ring.
“Luna Mara,” he said, his voice calm and respectful.
I exhaled slowly, relieved to hear that steadiness. “Austin, I’m coming to the mansion. Tiffany and the Clearwaters are with me. Prepare rooms for them in our wing. Tiffany too. Make sure it’s ready.”
“Yes, Luna,” he replied without hesitation. No questions, no doubts. I was grateful for that.
“One more thing,” I added, voice dropping lower. “If Lucian calls-don’t say a word about this. I’ll handle him when the
time’s right.”
“Yes, Luna.”
I ended the call and moved quickly. I grabbed my laptop and a few key documents from the office. Lucian never kept anything important at the house-smart, in hindsight-so there was no need to waste time packing. Still, an uneasy pressure gnawed at my chest. We needed to move. Fast.
An hour later, we were ready.
We walked out the front door like it was any other day. No rush, no fear-just a casual outing. Richard drove, Tiffany and I
sat in the back with Emma nestled between us. We stopped at the mall, walked around, laughed at nothing. From the
outside, it looked like normal life. But beneath it all, we were on edge.
Afterward, we made the detour. The road to the Nighthorn Mansion felt heavier than usual. As we pulled up, I saw Austin
waiting outside with a few staff members. They stood tall, ready.
At the entrance, Tiffany’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Mara, please… I don’t want to stay in the right wing.”
She looked at me, eyes tired, voice trembling just enough to show she wasn’t okay. I took Emma from her gently. The baby
gurgled, soft and warm against my chest. She looked up at me with innocent curiosity, and my heart tightened.
How had I ever doubted wanting one of these precious creatures?
1 kissed her cheek and smiled at Tiffany. “You’ll be staying with me.”
Relief washed over her face, and she smiled back. That one small gesture felt like a victory.
But peace is never permanent.
As if summoned by dread itself, Martha and Alpha Vander appeared at the top of the steps. From the look of them, they’d
been on their way out and just happened to stumble across us. Of all the people…
Martha’s voice came first-sharp and snide. “Well, well. Look who decided to grace us with her presence.”
I bit back the instinct to roll my eyes. Of course she’d target Tiffany.
“Alpha Vander,” I said, nodding politely at the former Alpha.
He offered a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “What brings you here, Luna?”
For a second, I considered telling him the truth. But something in me said no. This wasn’t the time. And they weren’t the
ones to trust.
So I simply smiled, holding Emma a little closer.
“Just a visit,” I said coolly. “Thought it was time for a change of scenery.”
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Let them wonder. Let them think what they wanted. I had more important things to protect.
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