Chapter 7: Echoes of Deception

My heart pounded in my chest as Ash led me through the crowded ballroom. Every face seemed suspicious, every shadow a potential threat. The warmth of his hand on my back was both comforting and confusing - how could I feel so safe with someone I barely knew?

We reached a quiet corner where Rowan was waiting, her face etched with worry. As soon as we were out of earshot of the other guests, I turned to Ash.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper. "How did you know I was in danger?"

Ash's stormy eyes met mine, conflict clear in their depths. "I overheard the same conversation you did," he said quietly. "But I've been tracking these individuals for some time. They're part of a larger plot that goes beyond just you, Luna."

My head spun with questions, but before I could voice any of them, Rowan cut in.

"Who are they? Why do they want Luna dead?"

Ash shook his head. "I don't have all the answers yet. But I know it's not safe for her to stay here."

The reality of the situation crashed over me. Someone wanted me dead. Me, Luna Evernight, the girl who couldn't even shift. What could I possibly have done to warrant an assassination?

"I need to get back," Ash continued, his eyes scanning the room. "If I'm gone too long, it might raise suspicion. Can I trust you to keep her safe?" he asked Rowan.

Rowan nodded firmly. "With my life."

Ash's gaze returned to me, softening slightly. "Be careful, Luna. I'll do what I can to throw them off your trail, but you need to get as far away from here as possible."

With that, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd as swiftly as he had appeared.

I turned to Rowan, panic clawing at my throat. "Rowan, what are we going to do?"

She grabbed my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "We're going to get you out of here. Come on, let's find somewhere quiet to talk."

We made our way to a small study off the main hall, locking the door behind us. As soon as we were alone, the dam broke. Tears streamed down my face as I told Rowan everything - the conversation I'd overheard, Ash's warnings, the fear that was threatening to consume me.

Rowan listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. When I finished, she pulled me into a tight hug.

"It's going to be okay, Luna," she murmured. "We'll figure this out."

I clung to her, drawing strength from her steadiness. "But why?" I choked out. "Why would anyone want me dead?"

Rowan pulled back, her hands on my shoulders. "I don't know," she admitted. "But that doesn't matter right now. What matters is keeping you safe."

She was right, of course. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "So what do we do?"

"You need to leave the pack," Rowan said, her voice firm. "Tonight."

The thought of leaving everything I'd ever known sent a fresh wave of panic through me. "Leave? But where would I go?"

"I have an idea," Rowan said. "My aunt lives in a small town about a day's journey from here. It's not pack territory, so you should be safe there until we figure out what's going on."

I nodded slowly, my mind whirling. "Okay. Okay, I can do that. But what about you? What about my foster parents?"

"I'll stay here and try to find out more information," Rowan said. "And I'll explain everything to Aspen and River. They'll understand."

We spent the next hour planning my escape. Rowan would create a diversion, allowing me to slip away unnoticed. I would take the old forest path, which was rarely used these days, to reach the highway where Rowan's aunt would pick me up.

As we finalized the details, a thought struck me. "Rowan, what about Ash? Should we tell him?"

Rowan hesitated. "I don't know, Luna. I know he's your true mate, but we barely know him. Can we really trust him?"

The question sent a pang through my chest. Could I trust Ash? The pull I felt towards him was undeniable, but he was still a stranger. And yet, he had warned me about the danger...

"Let's keep this between us for now," I decided reluctantly. "The fewer people who know, the safer I'll be."

With our plan in place, we prepared to put it into action. But as we were about to leave the study, Rowan suddenly turned to me.

"Wait," she said. "You should take this." She pulled a small USB drive from her pocket. "It's some information about your father that I've been meaning to show you. I thought it might help with your training, but now... well, it might be useful."

I took the drive, curiosity mingling with my fear. "What's on it?"

"Some old pack records, mission reports from the war. I haven't had a chance to go through it all yet, but I thought you might want to know more about your dad's last mission."

The mention of my father's final battle sent a familiar ache through my heart. I clutched the drive tightly, grateful for this unexpected connection to him.

We made our way back to the ballroom, the cheerful music a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. As Rowan moved to create her diversion, she gave my hand one last squeeze.

"Be safe, Luna," she whispered. "I'll contact you as soon as I can."

With that, she was gone, and I was alone in a sea of potential enemies.

I took a deep breath and began making my way towards the exit, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. Just as I reached the door, a commotion broke out on the other side of the room - Rowan's diversion.

In the ensuing chaos, I slipped out unnoticed.

The cool night air hit me as I stepped outside, and for a moment, I hesitated. This was it. I was really leaving everything behind.

But the memory of those chilling words - "The Luna girl dies tonight" - spurred me on. I couldn't stay here. Not if I wanted to live.

I made my way swiftly through the darkened streets of the pack territory, sticking to the shadows. The old forest path loomed before me, a dark mouth ready to swallow me whole.

Just before I entered the forest, I paused, fishing the USB drive from my pocket. Curiosity overcame me, and I pulled out my phone plugging in the drive.

As I scrolled through the files, my eyes widened. There were mission reports, as Rowan had said, but also encrypted messages, mysterious coordinates, and...

My breath caught in my throat. There, in one of the files, was a photo of my father. But he wasn't alone. Standing next to him, looking much younger but unmistakable, was Ash Stonehill.

My mind reeled. Ash knew my father? But how? And why hadn't he said anything?

But it was the text beneath the photo that made my blood run cold:

"Operation Moonfall successful. Target eliminated. Awaiting further instructions."

Target eliminated. The words echoed in my head, their implication too terrible to contemplate. My father's death... had it been more than just a casualty of war?

The sound of voices in the distance snapped me back to reality. I didn't have time to process this now. I needed to run.

With one last look at the pack lands I'd called home all my life, I plunged into the forest's darkness. My heart raced with fear, confusion, and a growing sense of betrayal.

I didn't know who I could trust anymore. I only knew for sure that nothing was as it seemed. My father's death, the attempt on my life, Ash's involvement - it was all connected somehow.

As I ran deeper into the forest, the branches whipping past me, one thought kept repeating in my mind: I would survive this. I would uncover the truth. And then, I would make those responsible pay.

The Luna girl wouldn't die tonight. Instead, she would rise from the ashes of betrayal, more vital than ever before.