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Dominic and I trudged back toward the pack house, the weight of the encounter in the woods hanging heavily between us. The dull ache in my arm from the werecat's claws was a constant reminder of my recklessness. Dominic hadn't said much since we left the forest, his jaw tight and his steps brisk, as if the mere act of walking might cool his frustration. The pack house came into view, its looming structure a symbol of safety and authority. Relief washed over me, though it was short-lived when I spotted Alpha Harold standing at the entrance, his arms crossed and his piercing eyes locked on us. Dominic muttered under his breath, “Here we go.” Alpha Harold’s presence was intimidating, as always. His tall frame exuded dominance, and the weight of his glare was enough to make anyone second-guess their choices. He stepped forward as we approached, his expression stormy. “Elise,” he began, his voice cold and clipped. “With Dominic again, I see. Why am I not surprised?” Dominic opened
“Why in the world was I even caught up into this mess?” I was surprised I was talking to myself but it would seem I was not done yet as I even added, “Now I even ended up becoming an apothecary luna.” with a disheartened sigh in the end.The scent of dried herbs filled the room as I leaned over the small table, meticulously measuring ingredients with trembling hands. The steady rhythm of my mortar and pestle grinding roots into a fine powder was the only sound, a therapeutic contrast to the chaos in my mind. The lie I had spun to Harold about creating a healing potion wasn’t entirely far-fetched; my mother, once an apothecary, had taught me the basics of herbal remedies. But reviving those long-forgotten lessons now, under such pressure, felt overwhelming. I glanced at the small cauldron on the table, where a viscous green liquid simmered gently. Steam curled upward, carrying the sharp, earthy aroma of wild thyme and calendula. A healing potion, meant to speed recovery for wounded
CHAPTER 35The next morning, the sunlight streamed into my room, illuminating the neatly arranged vials of the healing potion I had worked on late into the night. The green liquid gleamed in the morning light, a small victory in the face of Leonor’s taunts. I ran my fingers over the cool glass of one vial, silently resolving to take it to Harold as proof of my dedication. My stomach twisted at the thought of facing him. Though he had allowed my explanation, his warning still hung heavily in the air. If he suspected I had lied, there would be consequences. A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat. Was it Harold? Or worse—Leonor? “Come in,” I called, trying to sound composed. The door opened, and to my surprise, it was Dominic. He stepped inside, his expression unreadable, carrying a basket filled with fresh herbs. “I thought you might need these,” he said, setting the basket on the table. “Thank you,” I replied, a mix of relief and gratitude i
After leaving Harold’s office, my nerves were still buzzing from the encounter. His approval, however faint, was more than I had hoped for, and it bolstered me in ways I couldn’t explain. Yet, Leonor’s scrutiny lingered in my mind like a persistent shadow, threatening to dim my small victory.Without thinking, I found myself heading toward the training grounds. It was Dominic I wanted to see—someone who wouldn’t twist my triumph into a test or a lecture. I needed his bluntness, his calm demeanor, and maybe even his smirk to cut through the tension knotted in my chest.I found him sparring with a group of gamma warriors. His movements were precise and commanding, his focus absolute as he took each opponent down effortlessly. Watching him, I felt a pang of envy. Strength and confidence radiated from him, and in those moments, it felt like he carried the weight of the entire pack with ease.As the match ended, Dominic’s gaze found mine. A flicker of curiosity crossed his face before he d
CHAPTER 37“Everything is just so beautiful around here, Dominic. I am truly impressed.” I couldn’t help myself from not reacting. The whole place felt enchanting and so serene that I could really want to stay here for a little while longer.The glow of lanterns against the darkening sky added a surreal quality to the evening. My body felt lighter, as if the weight of the day had been lifted, leaving behind a strange calm. Dominic, with his smug yet comforting presence, was the reason.As we returned to the dinner setup, Dominic paused, letting out a soft chuckle.“You know,” he said, pulling out my chair, “you don’t look as annoyed with me as usual. Are you going soft, Luna?”I scoffed, but a faint blush crept up my cheeks. “Hardly. I’m just… tired of arguing all the time.”“Progress,” he teased, sitting across from me.The quiet between us settled once more, this time filled with the gentle hum of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves. I found myself glancing at Dominic, his rela
The sun filtered through the wooden beams of the training warehouse, casting golden streaks across the floor. I sidestepped quickly, dodging Dominic’s punch, his knuckles cutting through the air inches from my face. His movements were sharp and precise, each one calculated. I was getting better at predicting them, though my execution still lagged behind.“Too slow, Luna,” Dominic teased, pivoting out of the way as I aimed a counter-punch.I huffed, repositioning myself. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”“Immensely,” he admitted, smirking in that maddening way of his. “But don’t take it personally. You’re improving.”Determined to prove him wrong, I lashed out with a high kick aimed at his midsection. But, as always, he was faster. He caught my ankle effortlessly, holding it in a firm grip.“You’ve got the strength,” he said, releasing me with a hint of approval. “But your stance—”“I know, I know,” I interrupted, exasperated. “Keep my weight balanced.”Dominic chuckled, stepping back
I stayed in the room for what felt like hours, my eyes darting between the woman’s serene face and the shadows that crept along the walls. Questions swirled in my mind, unanswered and relentless. Who was she running from? What danger did she bring with her?A faint stirring broke my thoughts. The woman shifted under the blankets, her face contorting briefly as if caught in a nightmare. Then, with a sudden gasp, her eyes fluttered open.I leaned forward, startled by the intensity of her gaze. Her eyes, a piercing shade of green, locked onto mine.“You’re safe,” I said gently, trying to ease her obvious fear. “You’re in the pack house. No one can harm you here.”Her breathing remained uneven, her hands gripping the blanket tightly. She scanned the room, her gaze darting to the door as though expecting someone to burst through at any moment.“They’ll find me,” she said hoarsely, her voice trembling. “You don’t understand.”“Who will find you?” I asked, keeping my voice calm despite the u
The air around the pack house felt charged as though the forest itself was bracing for something unseen. Dominic had been in the meeting for hours, and while I tried to distract myself by tending to Seraphina and the herbs I had collected earlier, my mind wouldn’t settle.Seraphina’s warnings had struck a chord with everyone who heard them. The Crescent Moon Pack’s tragedy was more than a distant story now; it was on our doorstep. And even though I wasn’t privy to the inner circle’s discussions, I felt the weight of the decisions they were undoubtedly making.By the time Dominic emerged from the meeting, his jaw was tight, and his eyes were sharp with determination.“What’s happening?” I asked, meeting him halfway down the corridor.“We need to talk,” he said, motioning for me to follow him outside.The night was crisp, the moon casting a silvery glow over the grounds as we walked toward the training grounds. It was a small comfort to have some privacy away from the oppressive atmosph
The oppressive void of the Abyss seemed to pulse with life as I pressed forward. My footsteps echoed in the silence, and the faint glow of the shard in my hand was the only thing keeping the encroaching darkness at bay. The further I ventured, the heavier the air became, as though the Abyss itself were aware of my presence.But then, a sound—a quiet footfall—pierced the silence. I whirled around, my heart pounding. From the shadows emerged a figure I recognized instantly.“Dominic?” I gasped.He stood tall, his sword strapped across his back and his face set with determination. “You didn’t really think I’d let you go through this alone, did you?”I stared at him, disbelief and concern warring within me. “You can’t be here. This place—this realm—breaks the laws of nature for someone like you.”“I know,” he said simply. “But I also know I couldn’t live with myself if I stayed behind while you faced this alone. Whatever consequences there are for me being here, I’ll deal with them. Right
The inside of the hut was far larger than it appeared from the outside. Shadows danced along the walls, their movements synchronized with the flickering blue light emanating from a crystal orb on a pedestal at the center of the room. The figure who had welcomed us threw back her hood, revealing a strikingly pale woman with hair like silver threads and eyes that glowed faintly violet.“I am Seraphine,” she said, her voice like the hum of a distant storm. “You seek to breach the Abyss and recover what was taken. But beware—the Abyss does not give freely.”Her eyes scanned us, lingering on me. “You carry the weight of destruction and creation in your soul, Elise,” she said. “The orb you shattered was not just a prison; it was a tether. Its destruction set forces in motion that even Kieran does not fully comprehend.”Kaela crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. “That’s great and all, but we don’t need riddles. We need a way to stop Kieran and save Harold.”Seraphine’s lips curved int
The weight of Kieran's parting words lingered like a curse, wrapping tightly around my thoughts. Harold was gone, and the chilling reality of Kieran’s threat—turning Harold against us—felt like a death sentence waiting to unfold.Kaela paced the chamber, her boots scraping against the stone floor, her frustration bubbling to the surface. Dominic leaned heavily against the wall, his sword still drawn, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt. For once, none of us had a plan, and the absence of action felt suffocating.“We can’t sit here,” Kaela snapped suddenly, her voice cutting through the silence. “He has a head start. Every second we waste is another second Harold gets dragged deeper into Kieran’s madness.”“I know,” Dominic said, his tone strained. “But we don’t even know where Kieran went. Forbidden sorcery doesn’t leave a trail.”Kaela turned on him, her eyes blazing. “So what? We just wait around while he completes whatever twisted plan he’s concocting? That’s not good enough.
The atmosphere around felt lie it was heavy with an eerie silence as I sat on the cold stone floor, catching my breath. My body trembled from the ordeal with the orb, its torment still fresh in my mind. My companions surrounded me, their faces painted with relief and pride. Dominic knelt beside me, his arm steadying my shoulders, his concern etched into his expression.“You did it, Elise,” Kaela said, her voice trembling with awe. “You destroyed its power.”I nodded weakly, the adrenaline waning as exhaustion set in. “It wasn’t just me,” I murmured, glancing at each of them. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without all of you.”Harold stood a few paces away, his gaze fixed on the shattered remnants of the orb. For weeks, his presence had been enigmatic, his loyalty wavering between us and the shadows that sought to consume him. I didn’t trust him entirely, but something in his demeanor suggested he was fighting against whatever had bound him to Kieran.But before I could say anything
“I’ll do it,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.Dominic’s reaction was immediate and fierce. “No, Elise. Absolutely not.”“Dominic, please,” I said, looking up at him. “You’ve protected me so much already. You’ve been my shield, my strength. But this...this is something I have to do. For all of us.”He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “I won’t let you.”“You can’t stop me,” I said gently, though the words broke my heart. “This is my choice. Please, don’t make it harder than it already is.”Kaela stepped closer, her silver eyes meeting mine. “If this is truly your decision, you must prepare yourself. The orb will test you—your will, your body, your very soul. You must not falter, no matter what it shows you.”“What do you mean?” I asked, my throat dry.“The orb feeds on fear, doubt, and pain,” Kaela explained. “It will draw out your worst memories, your deepest regrets, and amplify them. If you give in...it will consume you.”Dominic’s hand shot out, gripping Ka
The room fell into stunned silence. Kaela’s words echoed in the stone chamber, heavy with implications. Dominic’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowing as he moved closer to her, keeping his body positioned protectively in front of me.“You cursed it?” Harold asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. “Do you have any idea how many lives have been destroyed because of that thing?”Kaela turned to him, her expression filled with regret. “More than you could possibly imagine,” she said quietly. “And I have lived with the weight of that knowledge every day. That’s why I’m here. To fix what I’ve done.”“If you want to fix it,” Dominic said coldly, “then tell us how to destroy it.”Kaela’s silver eyes darkened, the faint glow dimming. “Destroying the orb is not as simple as the Lycan claims. The magic is ancient and deeply entwined with the essence of life itself. A life may stop its power temporarily, but true destruction requires something far greater.”“What do
The room fell silent, the weight of the Lycan’s words pressing down on us like a suffocating fog. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and the tension in the air was thick enough to cut. Dominic’s jaw tightened, and I noticed Harold’s hand inching toward his sword, his fingers brushing the hilt in an almost unconscious gesture of readiness.“There has to be another way,” I said, my voice betraying the desperation I felt.The Lycan shook his head, his fiery red eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. “Magic like this always comes with a cost. The question is: who among you is willing to pay it?”Before I could even register the words fully, Dominic stepped forward, his posture rigid, his resolve clear. “If it comes to that, I’ll be the one to pay.”“No,” I protested immediately, my heart lurching in my chest. “You can’t.”Dominic turned to face me, and his gaze softened, though it held a deep, unyielding determination. “Elise, this is my responsibility. If anyone should bear the c
The glow of the Life Orb pulsed faintly in the dim light of the war room, its eerie hum filling the air like an unwelcome reminder of the weight pressing down on us. It lay on the table, its surface smooth and unyielding, as if daring us to break it, yet refusing to yield. Dominic was pacing again, his frustration apparent in the way he clenched and unclenched his fists. He was desperate to find a way, but nothing we had tried had worked.“It doesn’t matter how hard we try,” Dominic muttered, frustration lacing his voice. “It won’t break, burn, or even chip.”Harold stood with his arms crossed, looking as though he could stand there in silence for hours, his thoughts heavy but unspoken. “We need another plan. Something definitive.”I watched them, my heart sinking as the burden of this quest weighed on all of us. The orb was a constant reminder that we were running out of time. I hadn’t spoken yet, not wanting to add to the tension in the room, but I couldn’t ignore it anymore.Maelis
The tranquility of the night was short-lived. By dawn, scouts returned with grim news: Kieran’s forces had moved closer, their numbers larger than anticipated. The pack was on edge, and the atmosphere buzzed with tension. Dominic immediately called a council meeting, and the once-calm halls of the meeting house became a hub of hurried whispers and clashing opinions.I stood beside Dominic at the head of the room, my gaze sweeping over the gathered pack leaders. Maelis stood to my right, her arms crossed as she observed silently, and Harold lingered at the back, his presence drawing more than a few uneasy glances. Dominic raised his hand, silencing the murmurs.“Kieran is no longer a distant threat,” he began, his voice commanding the room. “He’s at our doorstep, and he’s not alone. We’ve confirmed at least two dozen wolves—armed and loyal to him. This isn’t just about Harold anymore. Kieran’s building an army, and we need to be ready.”A murmur rippled through the room. One of the eld