Lucian committed one mistake after another: he envied Noah, Valentina's late close friend; underestimated her for lacking a wolf spirit; and blindly believed the provocations of his childhood sweetheart, Elara. Onyx forcibly seized control of his body and, assuming the identity of a wolf spirit, pleaded with Valentina for a second chance. Valentina agreed to take things slowly—she would first fall in love with Onyx before forgiving Lucian. She joined the Night Wolves and became Luna. However, Jason, the Alpha of the Red Moon Wolves, and Max, the defected wolf king, had long conspired to kill her, driven by an ancient prophecy: "When balance is shaken, the queen descends." Jason sent the hybrid wizard Isla to read Elara's thoughts and exploit her love for Lucian and hatred toward Valentina to set a trap. The main force of the wolves was lured away, allowing the rebels to launch a massive attack. Valentina stood alone at the entrance of the refuge, killed the rebel wolf king Max—with a dagger—but was fatally bitten through the throat.
