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Chapter 65: Specters of Menace
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-11 06:00:41The 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—
Bab terkait
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-12Dark 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13Dark Luna Rising Prologue
It was Erika’s fifteenth birthday, and the air outside was crisp with the promise of late autumn. As she stood in the doorway of the small house she’d grown up in, Erika waved to her mother, who was seated at the kitchen table, sorting through papers.“I’m heading to the park to meet Emily and the others,” Erika called over her shoulder. “I’ll be back before dinner.”Her mother looked up, her face softening with that familiar maternal affection. “Sure, it’s your birthday. Enjoy it with your friends. But there’s something I need to talk to you about later, when you get back, okay?”Erika nodded, distracted by the thought of meeting her friends. She'd planned to spend a fun evening with them, maybe swing by the ice cream shop afterward. As she stepped out into the cool afternoon, the world felt alive—unaware of the impending storm. Erika was different, though. She knew it. Her family was different. But she didn’t let that show when she was with her friends. Living in a small town, surr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 1: Farewell Bells
Six years later.The morning sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Abbey’s dining hall, painting the long wooden tables with soft hues of amber, crimson, and jade. Erika sat at the corner table with Ursula, her only true friend in this secluded sanctuary. The faint aroma of baked bread and chamomile tea lingered in the air, though Erika had barely touched her plate.Ursula grinned, leaning forward on her elbows. Her auburn hair caught the morning light like fire. “So, today’s the big day. Off to your grand adventure, Lady Luna-to-be.” Her voice was playful, but her hazel eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.Erika stirred her tea absentmindedly. “I wouldn’t call it an adventure,” she murmured, glancing at her reflection in the steaming liquid. “I don’t even know this Diego person. What if he’s…” She hesitated, trying to find the right word.“A monster?” Ursula teased, though her smile faltered. “Relax, Erika. He’s an Alpha, not a troll. I bet he’s tall, dark, brooding—just l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 2: The Mansion
The grand entrance to the mansion loomed before Erika as two servants pulled open the towering oak doors. The foyer was immense, with marble floors polished to a mirror-like gleam, gilded railings that spiraled upward to a grand staircase, and chandeliers dripping with crystals that caught and refracted the flickering light of candles. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but Erika couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d stepped into a cage, no matter how opulent its bars.Hugo ushered her forward with a gesture, his usual stoicism intact. “This way,” he said, his voice reverberating off the high ceilings. Erika clutched her bag tightly as they passed through halls adorned with oil paintings of Lycans in regal poses, their golden eyes seeming to follow her.At the end of the hallway, double doors opened to a study bathed in warm, golden light. A tall figure stood by the fireplace, his back to her. He wore a dark suit tailored to perfection, and his posture was rigid, exuding power.“Alpha,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 3: The Mating Ceremony
The garden was unrecognizable beneath the silvery gaze of the full Hunter’s Moon. Once vibrant flowers now drooped and curled as though wilting under the weight of Erika’s apprehension. Clouds rolled sluggishly across the sky, dimming the moonlight. Rows of darkly clad Lycans gathered, their golden eyes gleaming like embers in the shadows. The air was thick with expectation, and Erika’s skin prickled with an uneasy awareness of every gaze trained on her.She shivered, though the night wasn’t cold. She stood in the center of the garden, her delicate gown billowing faintly in the breeze.Diego stood beside her, his presence as imposing as ever. His suit was sharp, his movements effortless, but there was a detachment in his posture, a distance that Erika couldn’t ignore.The officiator, a wiry man with a voice like gravel, began the ritual. Erika’s fingers trembled as Diego’s hand closed over hers, cold and firm, for the handfasting. His grip was perfunctory, devoid of affection, as thou
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 5: Mother Luna
The golden light of dawn filtered through the heavy brocade curtains of Erika’s chambers, bathing the room in warmth that felt at odds with her aching body and unsettled mind. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she shifted under the weight of the silken duvet. Her shoulder throbbed where Diego’s mark lay, a constant reminder of last night’s ceremony—unfinished, hollow, and far from what she had dreamed.A soft knock broke her thoughts. The door creaked open, and a young woman in a neatly pressed gray uniform stepped inside. Her hair was pulled back in a tight braid, and she carried an air of quiet efficiency."Good morning, Luna," the maid said, bowing her head. "I am Astrid, your personal chambermaid. I’ve been instructed to assist you as you begin your duties here."Erika pushed herself up slowly, the motion stiffening her sore muscles. “Thank you, Astrid. It’s… nice to meet you.” She offered a faint smile, hoping to find some companionship in the rigid structure of her new li
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 5: The Labyrinth
Erika stepped into the sprawling hallway beyond the sunroom, Dunia’s parting words still ringing in her ears: “A Luna’s strength comes not from bending, but from knowing when to stand tall.” She inhaled deeply, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. This place—this gilded cage—was now her home, and she needed to know every inch of it.The mansion was a labyrinth of cold marble and ornate woodwork. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, casting fleeting patterns of color on the floor. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls from high ceilings, their brilliance unable to warm the air of the Di Rocco estate. The silence was palpable, broken only by the occasional sound of distant footsteps or the faint rustle of fabric as servants moved about.Erika’s sandals echoed softly as she walked through one hallway after another, marveling at the grandeur while feeling a creeping sense of unease. Doors lined the corridors, many of them locked. One in par
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-06
Bab terbaru
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
