All Chapters of Eclipsed Wolves: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The storm rolled in without warning. Wind tore through the treetops, shaking leaves loose in swirls of gold and ash. Theoden moved first, sharp and alert, eyes scanning the shadows. Selene followed close behind, her power humming faintly beneath her skin like a warning drumbeat. Luka and Darius flanked their sides, silent but tense. They’d followed the symbol north, deeper into the forgotten wilds, tracking the faint echoes of Cassiel’s power. But something else had found them first. Theoden stopped suddenly, his hand raised. They weren’t alone. Figures emerged from the forest—six of them. All tall, cloaked in deep black, their presence wrong. Ancient. The smell of old magic rolled from them in waves. Their eyes glowed white—not with life, but with memory. Memory of a time before rules, before balance. Elders. Theoden snarled. “Run.” But it was already too late. They moved like lightning. One Elder struck Luka first, sending him crashing into a tree with a sickening crack.

The door creaked open with the sound of old stone grating against itself. Cool air drifted from the passageway beyond, carrying the scent of earth and something older—ancient magic, soft and still. Selene stepped through first, Theoden close behind her. Their hands brushed, fingers tangling briefly. She felt the comfort of his warmth and let it ground her. At the end of the corridor, a figure stood waiting. He looked nothing like the Elders who had attacked them. His robes were worn, soft gray with no sigils or symbols. His hair was white, but not from age—it shimmered like moonlight. His eyes were a gentle gold, and they crinkled warmly when he smiled. “Selene,” he said, as if greeting an old friend. “Theoden.” The sound of their names on his lips struck something deep inside them. Selene blinked. “Cassiel.” He nodded. And just like that—everything settled. The tension in Theoden’s shoulders melted. Selene felt Nova exhale in her mind. “He’s safe,” Nova murmured. I remember

Theoden ran like something was chasing him. Selene was right behind him, their feet pounding against the earth as branches whipped past, hearts racing faster than they could think. Luka’s broken voice still echoing in Theoden’s mind. “—can’t… move… Darius—close—too close—“ No directions. No context. Just panic. The clearing came into view seconds later. Luka and Darius lay on the ground, sprawled out and still. Too still. Selene skidded to her knees beside Luka. His skin was pale. His chest barely moved. Theoden dropped beside Darius, pressed two fingers to his neck, then his chest. “No pulse,” he said through gritted teeth. “Barely a breath.” Selene reached for Luka’s wrist. Nothing. “Oh no—no no no.” They didn’t think. They moved. Selene positioned her hands over Luka’s sternum and began chest compressions. “Come on, come on,” she whispered, counting under her breath. Across from her, Theoden tilted Darius’s head back and started CPR, alternating between breaths and co

The smoke had cleared. The trees were still. The sky above was gray, muted by drifting clouds, the aftermath of a storm not made of rain but magic. Selene stood with her hands on her knees, catching her breath. Theoden was still on the ground, propped against a tree, his chest heaving, blood drying along the side of his jaw. Luka and Darius knelt nearby, both pale and silent, their bodies bruised and burned, but alive. None of them spoke for a while. There was nothing to say. They had survived. But barely. Selene straightened slowly, her eyes scanning Theoden’s face. He didn’t look at her, just focused on breathing. His shoulders trembled slightly from the strain. Something in her chest tugged. Without a word, she moved to him. He didn’t flinch when she knelt beside him. He didn’t stop her when her hand pressed to his chest—soft, careful, her fingers spreading gently over the worst of the burns. Golden light spilled from her skin. He inhaled sharply. “Selene…” “Shhh,” she

Selene stood at the edge of the central clearing, fingers threaded together, eyes closed. Theoden stood beside her, arms folded, watching the slow rise of the sun as it kissed the tops of the trees. Today was not for battle. It was for building. They had already tested the shields. They knew it worked—knew that together, they could forge something more powerful than either could do alone. Now, it was time to give that protection to everyone. Selene stepped forward first, her hands glowing with quiet gold. She approached one warrior at a time, speaking softly, letting her light wrap around their frame. Each shield she cast was specific, intentional—her thoughts focused on that wolf’s safety, their strength, their life. She whispered words only they could hear. Sometimes a name. Sometimes a wish. Sometimes a memory. And then Theoden would step up beside her. He’d raise his hand, let his fire slide across the gold, not to burn—but to seal. The flame curled around the light, hummin