Chapter 73: Saving Our Luna

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Saving Our Luna Martha’s scream tore through the air as she watched blood pool around Lily’s stomach where the knife had just been plunged. The maid struggled against the hands holding her back, her face contorted in horror. “Stop this! You’ll kill her!” Martha wailed, her voice cracking with desperation. “You’ll kill her!” The man who had stabbed Lily twisted the blade slightly before pulling it out, causing Lily to arch in silent agony. Her mouth opened in a soundless scream as tears streamed down her dirt-stained face. Another pack member approached with a wooden bowl, catching the blood that flowed from her wound. “This should be enough for the Alpha,” the man muttered, watching the bowl fill with crimson liquid. “His life is worth more than hers. If it isn’t enough, there’s more from where that came from.” Martha finally broke free from her captors and lunged forward, only to be caught again by stronger hands. She thrashed wildly, her gray hair coming loose from its bun. “You monsters! She’s innocent! She’s your Luna!” Shirley, who was watching from the edge of the crowd in horror, rushed to Martha’s side. Though she had managed to maintain her composure, her mind was a mess. She was desperately thinking of a solution. “Martha,” she whispered urgently, grabbing the older woman’s arm. “This won’t work. They won’t listen. Only Zayn can save her now.” Martha turned to her, tears streaming down her cheeks. “They’ll kill her before we reach him!” “Then let’s go now. There’s no time to lose!” Shirley declared firmly, determined. Martha tightened her grip on Shirley’s hand, looking back at Lily. Her heart ached. She didn’t want to leave Lily like this. But for her sake, she had no choice. The two women slipped away from the crowd amidst the chaos. The air in the infirmary was tense. Talia worked tirelessly on Zayn, who was still unconscious. She kept her hands steady as she stitched a deep gash across his chest. Victoria hovered nearby, her face a mask of distress as she occasionally dabbed a damp cloth on Zayn’s forehead. “His temperature is rising,” Talia muttered, her brow furrowed. “This isn’t normal.” Victoria’s hand trembled slightly as she brushed Zayn’s sweat-soaked hair from his face. “You must save him. You have to.” Outside the door, Martha and Shirley arrived breathless. But when they tried to enter, two guards to block their way. “No visitors,” one grunted. “Alpha Zayn’s condition is critical.” “But we must see him!” Martha cried, her voice rising in panic. “Luna Lily’s dying! They’re killing her!” The second guard sneered. “The Brightpaw girl? Good riddance.” Shirley stepped forward, her usual calm demeanor hardened with urgency. “Listen to me. They’re taking her blood, claiming it is required for your Alpha’s survival, under false pretenses. If she dies by their hands, how are you going to answer to Alpha Zayn? Do you know the consequences of killing a Luna? Your Alpha’s mate?” The guards exchanged uncertain glances. Inside, however, their voices had carried through the thin wooden door. Talia paused mid-stitch at the commotion outside, her ears picking up Martha’s desperate words. She dropped the needle, her face draining of color. She turned to Victoria, “Did they say Lily is dying? That they’re killing her?” Victoria did her best to hide her smirk, focusing her concern on Zayn, “Focus on saving Zayn, Talia. He matters more than anyone. Do you want his blood on your hands? What will your deceased sister say?” “But if they’re—” “He’s the Alpha!” Victoria snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously. “That girl is nothing. A Brightpaw. The enemy. Finish your job, healer.” Talia hesitated, torn between her duty to Zayn and the obvious injustice happening outside. She had once hated the Brightpaw name for what they did to her sister. But Lily was innocent. She had come to care for Lily. She picked up her needle again with shaking hands, trying to focus. “Please! You have to let us in! Lily will die! She will die!” Martha’s desperate pleas cut through the door once more. She banged her fists against the door, inciting the wrath of the guards who now threatened to remove her from the premises. Zayn’s eyes fluttered open. “Zayn?” Talia called out to him, watching as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. “Zayn! You’re awake! Thank the Moon Goddess!” Victoria exclaimed with tears in her eyes as she held his hand tightly, crouched next to him. His eyes were unfocused at first, glazed with pain and fever. His lips moved, forming a single word. “Lily...” Using his free hand, he gripped Talia’s wrist with surprising strength. Martha and Shirley were still outside, their voices carried through. Victoria leaned closer, trying to stroke Zayn’s face as she cooed, “Zayn, I’m here.” Zayn’s eyes hardened as he pushed her hand away, his focus sharpening. “What’s happening?” he rasped, his voice rough. “What’s that noise?” Though angered by his actions, Victoria kept up her facade, “Nothing important. You’re badly wounded, Zayn. Let Talia heal you.” Zayn didn’t even spare her a glance. He turned to Talia, knowing she would tell him the truth. “They’re saying Lily’s in danger,” she said firmly, meeting Zayn’s intense gaze. “Martha and Shirley are outside, trying to get help.” “What?” Zayn growled, attempting to sit up despite his injuries. Victoria spoke up, “You shouldn’t worry about—” “Let them in,” Zayn ordered, cutting her off. When no one moved, Zayn yelled, “Guards! Let them in, now!” The door swung open, and Martha rushed in. Her clothes were stained with Lily’s blood from her earlier attempt to help. Shirley followed closely behind, her usually composed face marked with distress. “Alpha, please,” Martha begged, falling to her knees beside his bed. “They’re killing Lily, you have to save her!” “What?” Zayn’s voice was deadly quiet. “Someone told the pack you needed Lily’s blood to heal,” Shirley explained quickly. “They...They’ve tied her to a post and stabbed her to collect her blood for you. ” Just as Shirley finished speaking, a pack member rushed into the room, holding a bowl of dark red liquid. Talia’s eyes widened in shock. “I...no... this is not what I meant!” She muttered in defeat. A deep growl rumbled from Zayn’s chest, vibrating through the room. His eyes flashed red, and the veins in his neck bulged as he threw off his blankets. Though his vision was blurred and his mind was spinning, Zayn tried to steady himself. “Where is she?” he demanded, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed despite Talia’s protests. “You can’t move yet! Your wounds will reopen,” she warned, trying to stop him. Zayn ignored her, standing on unsteady feet. “Where. Is. She?” “The main square,” Martha sobbed. “Please.” The transformation began before he’d even taken a full step. Bones cracked and muscles rippled beneath his skin as his wolf fought to emerge. Not a complete shift, but enough—his eyes blazing red, claws extending from his fingertips, fangs elongating in his mouth. “Zayn, stop!” Victoria cried out, grabbing his arm. “You’re hurt!” With a snarl, he shook her off, sending her stumbling backward into a shelf of medical supplies. Glass vials crashed to the floor as he stalked toward the door, his movements becoming steadier with each step, fueled by pure rage. Pack members scattered as he made his way through the infirmary. Few understood what was happening, confused by their Alpha’s actions. But Zayn didn’t care. He was focused on saving Lily. He followed Lily’s scent in the air, ignoring the dense scent of her blood that lingered in the room he came from. His wolf howled inside him, desperate to break free completely, to tear apart everyone who had dared harm their mate. ‘My mate. Mine.’ His wolf chanted in his mind. Zayn fought to maintain control, knowing a full shift might waste precious seconds. He moved swiftly, ignoring the burning pain of his wounds reopening. Blood seeped through his bandages, but he didn’t slow. When he arrived at the square, the crowd sensed his presence. The rowdy crowd quickly fell silent as he approached, his presence commanding immediate attention. They parted like water, eyes wide with fear. The man who had stabbed Lily still knelt beside her, blood-filled bowl in hand. Lily’s small form was slumped against the post she was tied to, her dress soaked crimson around the stomach. Her face was pale, lips tinged blue. As if sensing Zayn’s approach, her eyes fluttered open. She looked at him through swollen eyes, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Despite everything, her lips curved into a faint smile as she mouthed his name. ‘Zayn.’