Chapter 143: The Thread That Holds Darius's POV Aria shivered in my arms, breathing irregularly and shallowly as if she were teetering on an invisible cliff. The air was heavy with the ashes of chaotic magic that clung to everything like ash after a wildfire, and the chamber around us was unnaturally calm. She didn't see me, but her eyes were open. She was no longer present. "Aria," I said, giving her a little shake. "Return to me." She twitched her lips but did not make a sound. Flickering like an unstable flame, the raw energy she had taken from the item streamed from her skin. I sensed a furious, unrelenting power that wasn't hers throbbing under my fingers. She wasn't like this. "Killian!" My voice broke as I yelled over my shoulder. He stood a few paces away, his sword still drawn, looking around the room's wreckage for danger. He looked at us abruptly, his face white with anxiety. "She's slipping," I said, unable to contain my alarm. Killian hurried across the room, star
Chapter 144: A Fragile Alliance Killian’s POV Howls, snarls, and the distant rumble of crumbling ruins filled the battlefield like a wild symphony. As wounded wolves hobbled away from the slaughter, blood smeared the ground and the metallic flavor was strong in the air. The triumph seemed hollow, even with the flickering flames lighting up the ruins of our labor. Veyron was gone, but his devastation was still there, fresh and festering like an open sore. With my sword dangling freely by my side, I stood in the middle of the improvised assembly. All around me were rogues who had ultimately decided to fight Veyron, and the remains of two packs, Moonshine and Golden Claw. However, there was a noticeable sense of tension and mistrust in the air. The only thing between extinction and survival was this ceasefire. It was also in danger of failing. One of the senior enforcers from Moonshine, Marcus, whose fur was matted with dried blood, hissed, "We can't stay here." "The magic Veyron rel
Chapter 145: The Choice of Eternity Aria’s POV The sigil burned in the earth like a warning, or perhaps an invitation. The faint traces of Veyron’s dark magic still clung to the air, sharp and suffocating. Every wolf stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the glowing mark. For a moment, no one spoke. Then, the world shifted. It wasn’t a tremor or a storm; it was something far more profound. The ground felt as though it melted away beneath me, and the landscape blurred into a silvery mist. I reached out instinctively, grasping at nothing, but my fingers caught no purchase. “Aria!” Killian’s voice rang out faintly, followed by Darius’s deeper timbre. But they sounded far away, as though I was hearing them through water. The mist thickened, swirling into patterns that shimmered like moonlight on the surface of a lake. Slowly, a figure emerged from the haze, radiant and otherworldly. The Moon Goddess. Her presence was overwhelming, not in its harshness but in its sheer magnitude. She di
Chapter 146: Breaking the Chains Aria’s POV The moment stretched endlessly, as if the universe itself held its breath. Veyron’s shadow coiled around the glowing sigil at my feet, and the Moon Goddess’s light grew dimmer with every passing second. The weight of their gazes bore into me, the Goddess urging with silent patience, Veyron taunting with his malevolent smirk. “Choose, Aria,” the Moon Goddess whispered. “The fate of your kind hangs in the balance.” My heart thundered in my chest. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It wasn’t about my bond with Darius or the fractures between the packs. It was about every wolf who had suffered under the mate bond system—and those who had found strength in it. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. Memories surged forward, unbidden. I saw the pain in Selena’s eyes when she realized her bond had been twisted into servitude. I remembered the bitterness in Killian’s voice when he spoke of the mate bond as a cage. And I felt the aching love
Chapter 147: Fractured Harmony Killian’s POV It was oddly quiet on the battlefield. It was noticeable and unnerving that the mate bond mechanism was no longer in place. There was a peculiar vacuum in place of the previously constant buzz in the back of my head. Without the supernatural tie that had led our species for eons, wolves' instincts faltered as they gazed at one another with wide, unsure eyes. While some drew away, their faces marked with bewilderment and terror, others clutched to their partners, seeking to prove that their love was still genuine. The flags of my load fluttered feebly in the wind as I stood amid them. Before my eyes, my wolves—strong, proud warriors—were shattering. One of the wolves murmured, bitterly, "She destroyed it." "The bonds have been removed." Another said, with a tinge of optimism, "She freed us." "Is this freedom?" Another voice yelled. "Or is there mayhem?" --- The disagreements became louder, wolves turning on one another in furious dis
Chapter 148: A Promise in the Shadows Killian’s POV There was a delicate calm in the air, and the camp was quieter than normal. Both packs of wolves proceeded warily, their eyes down and their strides uncertain, as if they were treading on shattered glass. Aria was more tense than anybody else because of what had happened in the last several days. She stood at the edge of the woodland, her shoulders rigid, her eyes lost in the horizon, and I observed her from a distance. Since the struggle, she hadn't spoken anything. She had been emotionally exhausted by the burden of leadership and the consequences ever since she decided to abolish the mate bond system. And I was torn about it. I wanted to support her and help her bear the load, but each time I went close, I saw the same glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. It caused me to stop, but I wasn't sure whether it was about me or everything around her. --- A Silent Farewell I was aware of my obligations. I went up to her th
Chapter 149: The Heart's New Path Darius’s POV Without the mate link, I felt as if a piece of my soul had been torn from the world. Aria's emotions, the faint hints of her power, her suffering, and her delight, were no longer palpable to me. I had been dancing to that music my whole life, and it was like missing the beat. I wasn't upset with her, however. I knew why she had done it. She desired independence for all of us, not just for herself. She encouraged us to choose love rather than let destiny decide it for us. Even if her decision had destroyed the core of who we were, I still respected it. However, it did not imply that I was abandoning her. --- A Novel Difficulty Following the altercation with Tobias, there was tension in the camp. As they attempted to comprehend the disintegrating relationships and the menacing resurgence of the artifact's power, wolves whispered in low voices and looked about anxiously. Right now, I wasn't concerned about Tobias or the tainted magic
Chapter 150: The Cost of Freedom Aria’s POV With the exception of the gentle flutter of the wind through the burnt trees and the delicate whispers of the survivors caring for the injured, the forest was now quiet. The stench of loss, ash, and blood filled the air. I gazed toward the horizon while standing at the battlefield's edge. The light from the rising sun was illuminating the surrounding area like a brittle promise of hope. But as of yet, I was unable to sense it. The conflict was finished. When Tobias lost, his army dispersed. The corrupted rogues had either fallen or fled after being perverted by the black energy of the relic. However, the cost we had to pay was inscribed in blood and tears on the ground. Darius, too... I looked around and saw him lying on a homemade stretcher. His face was emaciated and pallid, and his chest rose and fell slightly. At the expense of his power, he had borne the brunt of Tobias's evil magic to save me. He may not wake up, they said. ---
Chapter 200: A New DawnAria’s POVThe woodland was filled with the aroma of wildflowers and pine as the wind blew through the trees. The Golden Claw pack's domain was illuminated by silver light from the brilliant moon overhead. Even though I had always turned to the moon for direction, something seemed different today. Or maybe it was me that had changed.I felt whole for the first time in my life—not because of a connection, a title, or other people's expectations, but because I had created my own identity. I had reconstructed a universe from the ashes of the past, fought gods, and disobeyed old customs. I had come to this point because of every scar, decision, and sacrifice.Looking out over the peaceful landscape that extended to the horizon, I stood at the edge of the clearing. This was my heritage, my people, and my home. More than that, however, it was a blank canvas—a future that only I could influence.---Freedom's Weightliberty.I had struggled, bled, and clung to that wo
Chapter 199: The Leader I’ve Become Aria’s POV The dawn broke over the camp, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. I stood at the edge of the clearing, staring into the woods that had become both my refuge and my battlefield. The past few days had been relentless—a swirl of revelations, battles, and choices that had irrevocably shaped me into someone I barely recognized. And yet, I felt stronger than I ever had before. The mate bond was gone, and with it, the tether that had once dictated my choices and emotions. It was a strange kind of freedom, one that I still wasn’t entirely sure how to wield. But as I looked around at the camp bustling with activity, I knew one thing for certain: I was no longer just a survivor. I was a leader. The packs were scattered, but not broken. They were looking to me now, not as a savior or some mythical figure, but as a symbol of what we could become—a society built on choice, trust, and unity rather than ancient, unyielding traditions.
Chapter 198: Parting Words Killian’s POV The camp was quiet in the early morning, the stillness heavy with the aftermath of the latest revelation. The glowing fissure, the figure cloaked in shadow—it was a warning that none of us could ignore. Yet, as the chaos settled into a wary calm, I knew my time here was coming to an end. I watched from a distance as Aria stood at the center of the camp, her presence commanding despite her exhaustion. She gave orders with a steady voice, her pack looking to her for guidance. She’d grown into a leader far beyond what anyone could have imagined—certainly more than I had ever expected. It was why I couldn’t stay. I turned away, heading toward the edge of the camp where my warriors waited. They were restless, eager to return to the Moonshine Pack’s territory and rebuild what we’d lost. But there was something else simmering beneath their surface: doubt. The mate bond’s dissolution had left a void, one that no amount of speeches or alliances cou
Chapter 197: Whispers of Tomorrow Aria's POV The sun had fully risen by the time I returned to the main camp. The celebration from the night before had left the field littered with remnants of shared meals and extinguished fires. Wolves were already moving about, cleaning and preparing to return to their packs. Yet, despite the bustle, an air of unease lingered, as if the earth itself remembered the tremors I’d felt in the forest. I brushed off my sleepless night as I moved through the camp, nodding to warriors and pack leaders. Their gratitude warmed me, but it was clear that the weight of leadership—and of what came next—was not solely mine to bear. “Aria.” I turned at the sound of my name. Darius stood a few feet away, his gaze steady. He was dressed simply, but the way he carried himself spoke volumes of the warrior he was. He gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” I hesitated, glancing at the chaos of the camp. But the look in his eyes was sincere, not demanding. “Alrig
Chapter 196: The Weight of Victory Aria’s POV The night sky was alight with celebration. Bonfires crackled and danced, illuminating the open field where wolves from every pack gathered, their voices raised in song and laughter. Victory had united them, if only temporarily, and for the first time in what felt like forever, hope seemed within reach. I should have been happy. I should have been standing among them, sharing in their joy. Instead, I found myself on the outskirts of the gathering, leaning against a gnarled tree as the noise of the celebration faded into the background. The relics were destroyed, and the rogue faction was defeated. Yet the voice from the temple—the cryptic warnings of the “shattered moon”—lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. “Why aren’t you celebrating?” Selena’s voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see her approaching, her dark hair glowing softly in the firelight. She carried a plate of food in one hand and a goblet in the other. “I could a
Chapter 195: Breaking the Chains Aria’s POV The night was unnervingly quiet, a stillness that felt heavy, foreboding. It was the kind of silence that carried the weight of something unseen, a predator’s pause before the pounce. I stood on the ridge overlooking the rogue faction’s encampment, my heart steady, my purpose clear. Beside me, Killian and Darius waited, their expressions a mix of tension and resolve. It wasn’t the first time we had stood side by side against a common enemy, but this time felt different. This wasn’t just a battle for survival—it was a battle for the future. “I’ll go in alone,” I said, my voice firm. Killian’s brow furrowed. “Aria, that’s reckless. You don’t even know how strong their defenses are.” “That’s exactly why I have to go,” I countered. “This isn’t just about brute force. It’s about dismantling the very thing that gives them power. And I’m the only one who can do that.” Darius stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “We’re stronger
Chapter 194: The Serpent’s Shadow Veyron’s POV Darkness. It had been my companion long before I embraced its power, and now, even in death, it clung to me like an eternal cloak. This wasn’t oblivion—I had escaped that fate by sheer will and cunning. No, I existed in the in-between, where shadows whispered and time bent like warped glass. The rogue leader knelt before me, his head bowed low, his body trembling with the weight of my presence. His name was Silas, a name that once held no meaning. But now, he was my tool, a carefully placed pawn in the grand design. “You’ve failed,” I said, my voice cold and echoing, a sharp blade cutting through the still air. Silas flinched but did not dare look up. “The packs were stronger than expected, my lord. Aria—she—” I slammed my hand onto the obsidian table before me, the ripple of power making the shadows dance around the room. “Do not speak her name so lightly. She may be the key, but she is not your concern. Your concern is doing what I
Chapter 193: Bonds Forged in Fire Darius's POV The battlefield was chaos. Screams of rage and pain tore through the air, mingling with the clash of steel and the snarls of wolves in their primal form. Blood slicked the earth beneath my boots, and the coppery scent of it burned my nostrils. But amidst the carnage, my focus was unshakable: Aria. She stood at the center of it all, a beacon of strength and defiance. Her golden blade caught the light of the setting sun, each swing carving a path through the shadowed beasts that Silas had unleashed. She fought like she had been born for this moment, her movements fluid and unrelenting. Killian was to her left, his powerful frame a blur as he shifted between his wolf and human forms, tearing through the rogue forces. His fighting style was brutal but precise, a testament to years of training and instinct. And I was at her right, guarding her flank, ensuring no threat got close enough to harm her. We didn’t need words to coordinate; every
Chapter 192: The Rising Flame Aria's POV The shadows pressed in from all sides, their cold tendrils coiling around me like a living vice. Silas's laughter echoed through the darkness, a haunting melody of triumph. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into my heart. Was this it? Was I truly out of my depth? But then, a warmth began to stir within me, faint but steady. It was the same energy I had felt in the ancient temple—the power that had surged through me when the mate bond system broke. The Moon Goddess’s rival might have sought to manipulate that moment, but the strength that pulsed in my veins now was entirely my own. I closed my eyes, blocking out Silas’s voice and the suffocating weight of the darkness. Instead, I focused inward, drawing on the fire that burned in my core. It grew hotter and brighter until it was no longer something I controlled but something I unleashed. With a cry, I released the energy, and the shadows around me exploded into shards of light. I fell to on