Killian’s eyes blazed with fury as he locked his gaze onto the wretched figure of Sara. The stone lying on the ground glimmered ominously in the low light, and he picked it up with a growl that resonated through the very core of the earth. “A diamond stone? Who dares to give my Luna such a vile gift?” His voice, low and menacing, sent a shiver through the air, vibrating like a warning siren. Jared stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest as Killian's presence filled the room. The Alpha scraped the stone off the floor with the urgency of a storm surging forward, and an overwhelming sense of dread washed over Jared. “Guards!” Killian bellowed, and within moments, two guards appeared, their faces pale and trembling. “Yes, my Alpha,” they stammered in unison, the fear palpable in their voices. “Who dared to lay a hand on my Luna?” Killian demanded, his words cutting through the silence like a blade. The guards quivered, their knees almost buckling beneath the weight of his glare. Just then, a wave of dizziness swept over them, and they collapsed, unconscious from the oppressive aura of their leader. “Have you lost your tongues? Did I not command you to protect her?” Killian’s voice rose, an icy tempest laced with fury. He summoned another group of guards, anger radiating from him like heat from the sun. “Drag these incompetent fools from my sight. Twenty lashes for each of them!” he commanded, the words filled with dark authority. Sara, lying on the bed, stirred as the commotion subsided. Her eyes fluttered open, and she felt a sudden rush of relief wash over her, as if the searing heat that had engulfed her was slowly beginning to fade, perhaps soothed by the magnetic presence of Killian. “I’m sorry you had to endure this,” he murmured, his voice softer now, though still thick with protectiveness. “It’s alright,” Sara replied weakly, managing a smile that lit up her weary features. “Who did this to you?” Killian pressed, concern etching deeper lines on his face. Sara’s gaze drifted toward the ceiling as she searched her memory, but only confusion greeted her. The face of her assailant was a blur, a void she couldn't seem to fill. What lingered were the groceries he had handed her. Her brow furrowed as she fixated on the innocent bags sitting beside her. “Sara?” Killian’s voice broke through her reverie, pulling her back from the abyss of forgotten terror. “I… can’t remember,” she confessed, the frustration evident in her tone. “The only thing I can recall is him giving me those groceries.” She pointed toward the bags that seemed so mundane now. With a faint sigh, Killian shook his head. “You must not take those. I’ll have them confiscated for investigation; they could be dangerous. When you’re well enough, you can visit the market for your own supplies.” He noticed the slight frown that creased her lips and added quickly, “Take my badge. You can get anything you need without spending a single coin.” Instantly, her frown lifted, and her eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered softly. “Rest now,” Killian instructed gently as he turned to leave, but internally, a storm raged. There was something strange in his heart; a nagging instinct that told him Sara was in peril. “I was fortunate to arrive in time,” he thought grimly. “Her identity could have been exposed for real.” As he walked away, his mind churned with the memory of the whitish smoke that had darkened to red when he had removed the stone. It was subtle, yet unmistakable. Three days passed since that harrowing event, and Sara was healing, revitalized and stronger than ever. “I’d love to visit the market,” she declared to Violet, who was buried in a knitting project. “The market? Are you sure? I could go for you,” Violet suggested, glancing up with concern. “No, I insist. I need to familiarize myself with this place. It’s time I explored,” Sara insisted with determination. “Just don’t take too long, okay?” Violet warned but knew better than to argue with her mistress. “Of course!” Sara promised, fully aware of the dangers that lurked outside, especially with the rogue wolves becoming bolder. As she stepped out, the world beyond her room welcomed her with a chaotic symphony of sights and sounds. The market was alive with vibrant colors and fresh scents, but her focus remained sharp – she had a mission: groceries. Amidst her shopping, whispers floated through the air, fragments of chatter that caught her ears. “That’s her! They say she’s our Luna,” one voice remarked, while another added skeptically, “Our Luna? I’ve never even seen her before.” Sara felt their eyes on her, but she chose to ignore the murmurs, pressing on through the crowd. At the grocery stall, she quickly selected the items she needed and approached the cashier with Killian’s badge in hand. The woman’s expression shifted instantly from indifference to suspicion as she scrutinized the badge. “Who gave you this?” she demanded, her tone edged with disdain. “Excuse me? Killian gave it to me!” Sara countered, her voice steady but laced with confusion. “Thief! You dare flaunt our Alpha’s emblem?” The woman's shrill accusation cut through the air, and soon a crowd began to gather. “What do you mean? It’s mine! Killian himself...” Sara began, but her words fell flat against the eruption of anger from the woman. “How dare you speak his name like that?” The woman’s hand shot out, ready to strike, but in an instant, an unseen force halted her, holding her arm painfully aloft. Gasps rippled through the crowd as people recognized the display of power. “She really is the Luna!” they whispered in shock, bowing their heads in reverence. But Sara was equally bewildered. How had she conjured such strength? She hadn’t embraced the mate bond fully, so how could she wield such power? Clutching her groceries, she hurriedly made her way out of the market, a peculiar heaviness in her heart. Yet as she walked along the deserted path back to the town square, she was blissfully unaware of the lurking dread that slithered around her. Shadows danced on the edges of her vision, and as a flash of light caught her eye, a sudden, jarring blow struck the back of her head, plunging her into darkness. “Done!” a deep voice commanded. “Carry her deep into the woods.” The ominous words echoed as Sara’s limp form was whisked away, swallowed whole by the menacing embrace of the forest.