Home / Werewolf / Dark Luna Rising / Chapter 56: The Devil's Horn

Share

Chapter 56: The Devil's Horn

Author: A. SWANDANCER
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-02 07:47:27

The tavern was dimly lit, its wooden beams sagging from decades of weight and wear. A haze of smoke hung in the air, curling from pipes and cigars, mixing with the acrid scent of stale beer and sweat. The low hum of voices created a cocoon of sound, shielding each table’s secrets from the next.

Diego sat at the bar, his broad shoulders hunched over a half-empty glass of whiskey. The amber liquid barely rippled as he turned it between his fingers, staring at the way the light refracted through it. He should’ve been out there—tracking, hunting, fighting—but here he was, wasting away in a dingy tavern, drowning in his failures.

A week. Seven days. A hundred and sixty-eight hours since Erika had been taken. And he had nothing.

He tossed the whiskey back in one gulp, wincing at the burn.

Emily’s words still rang in his head: “Let go, Diego. If she comes back, then you’re meant to be.”

What a load of crap.

Erika wouldn’t come back because she was being held against her will, manipulated, us
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 57: Breaking Storm

    Diego rode the adrenaline rush all the way back to the house, his boots kicking up dirt as he took the steps two at a time. His mind was sharp, focused—the first time in a week he felt like he was moving toward Erika rather than away from her.He pushed through the front door, scanning the dimly lit space until he spotted Gabriel at the wooden dining table, surrounded by old, yellowed journals and stacks of notes. The sorcerer barely looked up as Diego stormed in, his brows furrowed over a page he was meticulously deciphering.“I’ve got something,” Diego announced, breathless.Gabriel finally looked up, adjusting his reading glasses. “That makes two of us,” he said, holding up a thick, leather-bound journal. “Though, you go first. You look like you’re about to explode.”Diego paced the length of the room before stopping short, gripping the back of a chair. “The settlement at Devil’s Horn.”Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Come again?”“I overheard some men at the tavern. There’s a settleme

    Last Updated : 2025-02-03
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 58: Fugitives

    The mansion was no longer safe. The moment Hugo delivered the news, Diego knew he had only moments to decide his next move before The Board sent more agents to seize him. He couldn't fight them—not alone. And with his pack taken, he had no leverage. His only option was to flee.Diego packed only the essentials—cash, weapons, and a burner phone he found in his old stash. Hugo, despite his age, moved swiftly through the house, gathering supplies without needing to be told. He had been Diego’s father’s right-hand man for decades and had served as the pack’s steward since Diego was a child. But tonight, he wasn’t just a steward. He was Diego’s only ally.They slipped out through a side passage, avoiding the main gates. Hugo had taken the liberty of securing a vehicle—an old black SUV that blended in easily with the nighttime traffic. They drove in silence, putting Valentia behind them as fast as possible.Diego clutched the steering wheel, his mind racing. Three days… The Board had taken

    Last Updated : 2025-02-04
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 59: Path of No Return

    The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the sound of rustling leaves a constant reminder that they were deep in enemy territory. Diego led the way through the dense forest, his keen senses on high alert. Gabriel followed closely, his footsteps unnervingly light for a man who had spent most of his life buried in books. Hugo, on the other hand, grumbled under his breath as he trudged behind them, his broad frame less suited for the stealth required of this mission.They had been traveling for hours, weaving through the shadowed terrain of the valley that curved toward Devil’s Horn. Despite their caution, Diego couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He signaled for a stop and scanned the forest. The trees stood still in the absence of wind, yet something felt off.Gabriel stepped up beside him, voice low. “You sense it too?”Diego gave a terse nod. “We’re not alone.”Hugo exhaled sh

    Last Updated : 2025-02-05
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 60: A Line in the Sand

    The scent of roasted meat and spiced tea filled the dining chamber, but Diego barely noticed it. His gaze was fixed on Erika. She looked healthy, her dark hair gleaming in the firelight, her posture at ease as she sliced into a piece of bread. No chains, no signs of distress.And beside her—his mother.Dunia met his eyes with a calm, unreadable expression. She took a slow sip from her tea, as if she were at a leisurely brunch rather than in the stronghold of their supposed enemy.Diego’s hands clenched into fists. What the hell was going on?Malrik gestured toward the long wooden table. “Sit, Diego. Eat. We have much to discuss.”Diego barely heard him. His entire world had narrowed to Erika, sitting there as though she belonged.“You’re safe,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended.Erika finally looked up at him, her gaze level. “I told you before—I can take care of myself.

    Last Updated : 2025-02-06
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 61: Devil's Bargain

    The heavy wooden doors of the dining chamber shut with a resounding thud as the guards took their positions outside. Diego shifted in his seat, his instincts prickling with unease.Malrik leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced together in a way that exuded both confidence and control. His piercing gaze flickered over Diego, Gabriel, and Hugo before finally settling on Diego with a knowing smirk.“You want an alliance,” Malrik said smoothly. “Very well. But alliances are built on trust. And trust… must be earned.”Diego’s jaw tightened. “Go on.”Malrik’s smirk deepened. He stood, walking leisurely to the map spread out on the far table. It was littered with markings—territories controlled by The Board, known strongholds, weak points. Diego’s eyes immediately locked onto a region circled in red.“Blackthorn Prison,” Malrik said, tapping a finger against the map. &ldqu

    Last Updated : 2025-02-07
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 62: Into The Fire

    The war chamber felt heavier than it should, the air thick with tension and unspoken emotions. A single oil lamp cast flickering shadows over the grand oak table, illuminating the tattered map of Blackthorn Prison. Red ink scrawled across it in deliberate lines, marking guard rotations, weak points, and underground passages that could either be a way in—or a death trap.Malrik stood at the head of the table, fingers tapping against the rough parchment. “The prison is fortified on all sides. Outer walls are reinforced with silver-laced stone. Guards at every post. Patrols change every three hours. If your pack is there, they’ll be in the lower levels—where the High Council keeps high-risk prisoners.”Diego’s eyes traced the map, heart pounding at the thought of his people locked away in those cells, at the mercy of their enemies. “So, what’s the plan?”Malrik gave a tight smile. “We get in. We get your p

    Last Updated : 2025-02-08
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 63: Rain of Swords

    The sun dipped below the jagged peaks of Devil’s Horn, swallowing the settlement in the shadows of dusk. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The fires in the village flickered like distant stars, but the heart of the rebellion was far from resting.They were preparing for war.Diego stood near the edge of the settlement, fastening the last of his weapons onto his belt. The weight of the blades felt familiar, grounding. Behind him, Hugo checked the straps on his gear while Gabriel whispered a quiet incantation over a set of vials—protective spells, no doubt. Nearby, Malrik and his warriors were gearing up, their presence a silent reminder that this mission was no simple infiltration.It was a message.Erika approached, her movements swift and sure as she secured a dagger to her thigh. The moonlight caught the edges of her hair, making her seem ethereal—untouchable. She barely glanced at Diego before addressing

    Last Updated : 2025-02-09
  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 64: The Cage

    The air inside Blackthorn Prison was thick with damp stone and the stench of unwashed bodies. The moment Diego stepped through the narrow crack in the outer wall, he felt the shift—a weight pressing down on him, as if the walls themselves knew they didn’t belong.They crouched in the shadows of an abandoned storage chamber, hidden behind rusted crates and barrels that stank of rot. Faint torchlight flickered beyond the barred doorway, casting jagged shadows along the stone floor.Malrik adjusted the dagger at his hip, his lips curled in satisfaction. “Haven’t been in Blackthorn in years. Brings back memories.”Erika shot him a glare. “We’re not here for nostalgia.”Diego ignored them both, scanning the chamber. No guards. No movement. But something felt off.Too easy.Gabriel knelt beside him, whispering, “We need to move. The prison shifts its watch every three hours—we have a smal

    Last Updated : 2025-02-10

Latest chapter

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 67: The Breaking Point

    The fire in the war chamber burned low, sending wavering shadows across the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and tension—heavier than the iron weapons stacked against the far wall. Malrik stood at the head of the war table, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Diego lingered nearby, silent but alert.Erika didn’t hesitate. “This plan to assassinate the King—it won’t give us the future we perceived. It’ll only play into Bor Khulan’s hands, with no peace in between.”Malrik’s golden eyes narrowed. “Care to elucidate?”Erika stepped forward, bracing her palms against the rough wood of the table. “You think Bor Khulan cares about your cause? Your people? He doesn’t. He’s using all of us—me, you, Diego—to carve his way to the throne.” She looked directly at Malrik, her voice steady. “When this war is over, he’ll be the onl

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 66: The Game Begins

    The wind was restless that night. Although the pack and everyone they’d rescued from the cage were brought to safety, the air carried whispers of danger as they waited in the abandoned ruins beyond Blackthorn. The mood was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension, but none of them broke the silence.Hugo and Gabriel took turns watching the horizon for movement. Erika sat calmly beside Malrik while he casually twirled a dagger between his fingers.Bor Khulan would come.Or he wouldn’t.Either way, Diego was prepared for the worst.His fingers twitched at his side, itching to grab his weapon. Everything about this felt like a setup. He didn’t trust Malrik, and he sure as hell didn’t trust the man they were waiting for.Bor Khulan—the rebellion’s supposed benefactor, the one pulling strings in the shadows. Diego had only heard of him through whispers, t

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 65: Specters of Menace

    The air in Blackthorn's interrogation hall crackled with tension as the guards closed in. Twelve of them. Armed. Ready.Diego barely had time to think. No escape. No talking their way out of this.This was a fight.The first guard lunged—Malrik met him halfway.The man barely had time to react before Malrik’s fist caved into his chestplate, sending him crashing into the wall like a ragdoll.Then the battle erupted.A guard swung at Diego—he dodged, twisting his body before driving an elbow into the man’s ribs. The soldier grunted, stumbling back. Diego didn’t give him a second chance. He grabbed the man’s wrist, twisted it sharply, and stole his sword in one smooth motion.Steel flashed. Blood splattered.Across the hall, Erika had already taken down two guards. Fast. Precise. Ruthless. She flipped over one opponent, drove her dagger into his shoulder, then kicked him hard in the chest—

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 64: The Cage

    The air inside Blackthorn Prison was thick with damp stone and the stench of unwashed bodies. The moment Diego stepped through the narrow crack in the outer wall, he felt the shift—a weight pressing down on him, as if the walls themselves knew they didn’t belong.They crouched in the shadows of an abandoned storage chamber, hidden behind rusted crates and barrels that stank of rot. Faint torchlight flickered beyond the barred doorway, casting jagged shadows along the stone floor.Malrik adjusted the dagger at his hip, his lips curled in satisfaction. “Haven’t been in Blackthorn in years. Brings back memories.”Erika shot him a glare. “We’re not here for nostalgia.”Diego ignored them both, scanning the chamber. No guards. No movement. But something felt off.Too easy.Gabriel knelt beside him, whispering, “We need to move. The prison shifts its watch every three hours—we have a smal

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 63: Rain of Swords

    The sun dipped below the jagged peaks of Devil’s Horn, swallowing the settlement in the shadows of dusk. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The fires in the village flickered like distant stars, but the heart of the rebellion was far from resting.They were preparing for war.Diego stood near the edge of the settlement, fastening the last of his weapons onto his belt. The weight of the blades felt familiar, grounding. Behind him, Hugo checked the straps on his gear while Gabriel whispered a quiet incantation over a set of vials—protective spells, no doubt. Nearby, Malrik and his warriors were gearing up, their presence a silent reminder that this mission was no simple infiltration.It was a message.Erika approached, her movements swift and sure as she secured a dagger to her thigh. The moonlight caught the edges of her hair, making her seem ethereal—untouchable. She barely glanced at Diego before addressing

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 62: Into The Fire

    The war chamber felt heavier than it should, the air thick with tension and unspoken emotions. A single oil lamp cast flickering shadows over the grand oak table, illuminating the tattered map of Blackthorn Prison. Red ink scrawled across it in deliberate lines, marking guard rotations, weak points, and underground passages that could either be a way in—or a death trap.Malrik stood at the head of the table, fingers tapping against the rough parchment. “The prison is fortified on all sides. Outer walls are reinforced with silver-laced stone. Guards at every post. Patrols change every three hours. If your pack is there, they’ll be in the lower levels—where the High Council keeps high-risk prisoners.”Diego’s eyes traced the map, heart pounding at the thought of his people locked away in those cells, at the mercy of their enemies. “So, what’s the plan?”Malrik gave a tight smile. “We get in. We get your p

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 61: Devil's Bargain

    The heavy wooden doors of the dining chamber shut with a resounding thud as the guards took their positions outside. Diego shifted in his seat, his instincts prickling with unease.Malrik leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced together in a way that exuded both confidence and control. His piercing gaze flickered over Diego, Gabriel, and Hugo before finally settling on Diego with a knowing smirk.“You want an alliance,” Malrik said smoothly. “Very well. But alliances are built on trust. And trust… must be earned.”Diego’s jaw tightened. “Go on.”Malrik’s smirk deepened. He stood, walking leisurely to the map spread out on the far table. It was littered with markings—territories controlled by The Board, known strongholds, weak points. Diego’s eyes immediately locked onto a region circled in red.“Blackthorn Prison,” Malrik said, tapping a finger against the map. &ldqu

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 60: A Line in the Sand

    The scent of roasted meat and spiced tea filled the dining chamber, but Diego barely noticed it. His gaze was fixed on Erika. She looked healthy, her dark hair gleaming in the firelight, her posture at ease as she sliced into a piece of bread. No chains, no signs of distress.And beside her—his mother.Dunia met his eyes with a calm, unreadable expression. She took a slow sip from her tea, as if she were at a leisurely brunch rather than in the stronghold of their supposed enemy.Diego’s hands clenched into fists. What the hell was going on?Malrik gestured toward the long wooden table. “Sit, Diego. Eat. We have much to discuss.”Diego barely heard him. His entire world had narrowed to Erika, sitting there as though she belonged.“You’re safe,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended.Erika finally looked up at him, her gaze level. “I told you before—I can take care of myself.

  • Dark Luna Rising   Chapter 59: Path of No Return

    The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the sound of rustling leaves a constant reminder that they were deep in enemy territory. Diego led the way through the dense forest, his keen senses on high alert. Gabriel followed closely, his footsteps unnervingly light for a man who had spent most of his life buried in books. Hugo, on the other hand, grumbled under his breath as he trudged behind them, his broad frame less suited for the stealth required of this mission.They had been traveling for hours, weaving through the shadowed terrain of the valley that curved toward Devil’s Horn. Despite their caution, Diego couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He signaled for a stop and scanned the forest. The trees stood still in the absence of wind, yet something felt off.Gabriel stepped up beside him, voice low. “You sense it too?”Diego gave a terse nod. “We’re not alone.”Hugo exhaled sh

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status