Chapter Thirteen

‎The courtyard was bathed in the eerie glow of the blood moon, its crimson light spilling over the stone walls, painting everything in shades of rust and shadow. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of pine and iron, and a restless energy hummed through the pack, their eyes glinting as they gathered in a tight circle. I stood beside Rex, my hand still warm from his grip, my heart steady despite the weight of Sage Elara’s words: *Salvation or ruin.* The prophecy hung over me, a blade waiting to fall, but I wasn’t the girl who cowered anymore. I was Lycan, a mother, a warrior, and tonight, I’d prove it.

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‎Rex’s presence was a quiet strength, his red eyes scanning the pack, his broad frame tense but unyielding. He hadn’t let go of my hand since we’d left the hall, and the warmth in my chest pulsed stronger under the moon’s gaze, like my wolf was awake, ready, tied to him in ways I still didn’t fully understand. My cousin, my mate—blood and bond twisted together, confusing, overwhelming, but real. My other hand rested on my stomach, the faint flutter of the child within grounding me, reminding me why I had to fight.

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‎Sage Elara stood at the center of the circle, her silver hair glowing red in the moonlight, her robe rippling as she raised her hands. “The blood moon marks the turning,” she said, her voice sharp, carrying over the murmurs. “The cursed wolf has risen, her power awakened. Tonight, her choice will shape our fate.”

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‎The pack’s eyes turned to me, a mix of awe, fear, and something new—hope. I felt their weight, their trust, and it steadied me, even as my heart raced. I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore, or for Rex, or for the child I carried. I was fighting for them, for the pack that had once looked at me like a stranger, for the home I’d claimed under this cursed sky.

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‎A low howl broke the silence, distant but sharp, cutting through the night. The pack tensed, their heads snapping toward the forest. Rex’s grip tightened, his eyes narrowing. “They’re back,” he said, his voice low, a growl beneath it. “The rival pack. They know the moon’s power.”

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‎My stomach twisted, the warmth in my chest flaring hot, like my wolf sensed the threat before I did. “How many?” I asked, my voice steady, though fear gnawed at me.

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‎“Too many,” he said, his eyes meeting mine, fierce but soft. “But we have you.”

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‎I swallowed, my throat tight. Me. The cursed wolf, the Lycan, the one who’d torn through their enemies last night. I nodded, my jaw set, and stepped forward, the pack parting for me. “I’m ready,” I said, my voice loud, carrying over the courtyard. “Whatever comes, I’ll fight.”

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‎A cheer rose, low at first, then growing, a chorus of howls that shook the air. Rex’s hand brushed my arm, a silent promise, and I felt the bond pulse, strong and steady. I wasn’t alone, not anymore.

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‎The forest erupted, dark shapes bursting through the trees, their eyes glowing yellow and green, their snarls wild with hunger. The rival pack was larger this time, their fur matted with blood, their teeth bared. I shifted, the pain sharp but quick, my silver-grey fur shimmering under the blood moon, my claws digging into the earth. Rex shifted beside me, his black wolf massive, his red eyes blazing, and we charged together, the pack behind us.

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‎The fight was chaos, a blur of fur and blood, claws and teeth. My wolf moved with a power I was still learning, fast and fierce, tearing through enemies with a strength that felt endless. I felt Rex beside me, his snarls matching mine, our movements synchronized, like we were one. The bond burned, not just blood, but something deeper, something that made me fight harder, for him, for us.

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‎A wolf lunged at me, its jaws snapping, but I was faster, my claws slashing its throat. Another came, and I met it mid-air, my teeth sinking into its neck, blood hot on my tongue. The pack fought around me, their howls rising, but the rival wolves kept coming, their numbers overwhelming, their eyes mad with the moon’s pull.

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‎I saw her then—Sage Elara, standing at the edge of the courtyard, her hands raised, her voice chanting words I couldn’t understand. The air shimmered, a faint glow spreading, and the rival wolves slowed, their movements sluggish, like they were caught in a dream. She was helping, her magic—old, ancient—giving us a chance.

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‎Rex’s growl pulled me back, sharp and urgent. A massive wolf, bigger than the rest, charged him, its claws raking his side. Blood spilled, dark against his black fur, and my heart stopped. I lunged, my wolf roaring, and tackled the beast, my claws tearing through its flank. It fell, but not before its teeth grazed my shoulder, pain searing through me.

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‎Rex was beside me, his wolf nudging mine, his eyes fierce but worried. I growled, low and steady, telling him I was fine. We fought on, the pack rallying, Sage Elara’s magic weaving through the air, slowing our enemies. One by one, the rival wolves fell, their numbers thinning, until the courtyard was quiet again, the blood moon high above.

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‎I shifted back, my body trembling, my shoulder burning where the wolf had struck. Rex was human again, blood streaking his face, his chest heaving. He grabbed my arm, steadying me, his eyes searching mine. “You’re hurt,” he said, his voice rough, almost breaking.

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‎“I’m okay,” I said, my voice shaky but firm. I touched my shoulder, blood slick under my fingers, but the wound was shallow, already closing. Lycan blood, healing fast, stronger than I’d ever known. I looked at him, his face etched with worry, and the warmth in my chest flared, not just the bond, but something more—trust, maybe, or love.

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‎Sage Elara approached, her robe stained with dirt, her eyes bright with something like pride. “You chose salvation,” she said, her voice soft but clear. “The prophecy is fulfilled. The cursed wolf has saved us.”

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‎The pack cheered, their voices rising, a howl that shook the night. I stood taller, my hand on my stomach, the flutter stronger now, a life that was mine, not Cassian’s. Rex’s hand found mine, his grip firm, and I didn’t pull away. His eyes held mine, red and fierce, but soft, like he saw me—not the prophecy, not the Lycan, but me.

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‎“We’re not done,” he said, his voice low, meant for me alone. “The rival packs will come again. But we’ll face them together.”

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‎I nodded, my throat tight. “Together,” I said, my voice steady, a promise. I wasn’t the cursed daughter anymore, not the girl sold to settle a debt. I was Talia, Lycan, mother, warrior, and this was my home, my fight.

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‎The blood moon sank, the sky lightening, and the pack began to disperse, their voices softer now, their eyes no longer filled with fear. Rex stayed beside me, his hand warm in mine, and I felt it—the future, not just his, but ours. The child I carried, the pack we’d saved, the bond we shared—it was enough, for now.

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‎As we walked back to the manor, the warmth in my chest settled, steady and strong, like a heartbeat that wasn’t just mine. I didn’t know what came next, what other threats waited, but I knew one thing—I’d face them, with Rex, with my child, with the strength I’d found in my blood.