The morning after the attack, Astravel felt different. The air was thick with tension, and the scent of blood still clung to the streets. Warriors moved with purpose, reinforcing the city’s defenses and preparing for the next battle. The wolves of Astravel had survived the first strike—but they knew it wouldn’t be the last.

  Ashley stood in the war chamber, staring at the map where the hunters’ last attack had been marked. They weren’t just striking at random. The attacks were focused on key locations—villages, supply routes, and now Astravel itself.

  Coleen stood beside her, arms folded. “They’re closing in.”

  Dave, who had just returned from scouting, placed his dagger on the table. “We found something.”

  Ashley turned to him. “What is it?”

  Dave pulled out a piece of cloth stained with blood. “We tracked one of the hunters who escaped. He was already dying from a wolf’s bite, but before he bled out, he said something.”

  Coleen narrowed his eyes. “What did he say?”

  Dave’s expression darkened. “He said, ‘We are coming for the Queen of Wolves.’”

  The room fell silent.

  Ashley felt the weight of their gazes. The hunters weren’t just attacking Astravel. They were after her.

  Ashley clenched her fists. “If they want me, I won’t wait for them to come. I’ll go to them.”

  Coleen’s wolf growled. “Absolutely not.”

  Ashley turned to him. “We can’t keep waiting for them to strike. We have to find their base and end this.”

  Lena crossed her arms. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

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  Elena, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up. “What if we let them take her?”

  Everyone turned to her in shock.

  Elena quickly added, “Not for real. I mean, we make it look like they capture her, but we set a trap instead.”

  Dave nodded slowly. “That could work. We leak false information, make them believe Ashley is traveling to a remote village unprotected. When they take the bait, we ambush them.”

  Coleen’s eyes darkened. “I don’t like this.”

  Ashley placed a hand on his arm. “I can handle myself.”

  His muscles tensed under her touch. “That’s not the point. This is exactly what they want.”

  Ashley held his gaze. “Then let’s give it to them—on our terms.”

  After a long silence, Coleen exhaled sharply. “Fine. But I’m going with you.”

  Ashley smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  The plan was simple but dangerous.

  Word was spread through spies that Ashley would be traveling to a small village at the outskirts of Astravel to help cure poisoned wolves. She would go alone, with only a single guard—Lena.

  In reality, Coleen, Dave, and a full force of warriors would be hidden nearby, ready to strike.

  The night before the mission, Ashley stood on the palace balcony, looking at the moon. Crescent Moon. Her kingdom. Her past. Would she finally get her revenge?

  Coleen stepped beside her.

  “You don’t have to do this,” he said softly.

  Ashley turned to him. “Yes, I do.”

  Coleen’s golden eyes burned into hers. “Then I’ll make sure you come back alive.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “You better.”

  He smirked. “I don’t plan on losing my mate.”

  Ashley’s breath caught in her throat.

  She had known for a while now, but hearing him say it—**claim her—**felt different.

  Before she could respond, he was already walking away.

  “Get some rest, Ashley.”

  She watched him go, her heart pounding.

  Tomorrow, the battle would begin.

  Ashley and Lena rode into the village at dawn, their horses moving through the mist-covered streets. The town was eerily quiet, as if the people knew what was coming.

  Ashley dismounted, keeping her senses sharp. She could feel them.

  The hunters were here.

  Lena whispered, “Are you sure about this?”

  Ashley nodded. “Just stay close.”

  They walked toward the center of the village, waiting. Then—a whistle cut through the air.

  The signal.

  Before Ashley could react, hooded figures emerged from the shadows.

  A hunter stepped forward, his blade gleaming. “You made this too easy.”

  Ashley smirked. “Did I?”

  The ground shook as warriors burst from their hiding places.

  Coleen’s wolf let out a thunderous howl, and chaos erupted.

  Ashley dodged an arrow and lunged at the nearest hunter, her claws extending. She wasn’t just bait. She was the executioner.

  The battle had begun.