Chapter nineteen

The fire in the Ironclaw village burned low, its embers casting a soft glow over the stone houses, the air now clean, free of the curse’s bitter tang. The pack—Moonshadow and Ironclaw together—sat in a loose circle, their voices quiet, their wounds bandaged, their eyes bright with a hope I’d helped kindle. My hand rested on my stomach, the flutter of my child steady, a beacon in the chaos of the night’s battle. I was Lycan, a mother, a healer, and the weight of what I’d done—breaking the curse, facing the dark wolves—settled into me, not as a burden, but as strength. Rex’s hand stayed in mine, his red eyes soft but vigilant, the bond between us pulsing, warm and unshakable.

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‎Mara, the Ironclaw Alpha, stood near the fire, her grey-streaked hair catching the light, her storm-cloud eyes on me. “You’ve changed everything, Talia,” she said, her voice steady, carrying over the crackle of the flames. “The land breathes again because of you. But the dark wolves—those who fed on the curse—they’ll come for you again.”

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‎I nodded, my throat tight, the warmth in my chest stirring, my wolf alert but calm. “I know,” I said, my voice firm. “But I’m not afraid. Not anymore.” The words felt true, not just for the pack, but for me, for the child I carried, for the future I was building with Rex.

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‎He squeezed my hand, his jaw set, his eyes searching mine. “We’ll face them together,” he said, his voice low, a vow. “No one touches you or the child.”

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‎My heart swelled, torn between love and the lingering fear of what lay ahead. The dark wolves, the prophecy, the power in my blood—it wasn’t over. But with Rex beside me, with the pack’s trust, I felt ready, like I could carry the weight and not break.

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‎A soft cry broke the quiet, and I turned, my heart skipping. The young girl from earlier, the one who’d hugged me after the circle, stood at the edge of the firelight, her thin face pale, her eyes wide with fear. “They’re coming,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I saw them. More wolves, in the forest.”

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‎Rex was on his feet, his red eyes blazing, the pack rising behind him, their hands reaching for weapons. I stood, my wolf stirring, the warmth in my chest flaring hot, ready. “How many?” I asked, my voice sharp, stepping toward the girl.

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‎She shook her head, tears spilling. “Lots. Too many. Their eyes… they’re like the ones before.”

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‎Mara’s face hardened, her hand gripping a dagger at her belt. “The curse’s remnants,” she said, her voice grim. “Those who thrived on its power. They won’t let the land heal without a fight.”

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‎Rex’s growl was low, primal, his body tensing beside me. “We end this now,” he said, his voice a command, his eyes meeting mine. “Talia, stay close.”

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‎I shook my head, my jaw tight. “I’m fighting,” I said, my voice steady. “This is my fight too.” I felt the flutter in my stomach, my child’s strength, and I knew I couldn’t hide, not now, not ever.

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‎His eyes flashed, pride and worry mixing, but he nodded, his hand brushing my arm. “Together,” he said, his voice soft but fierce.

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‎The pack moved as one, Moonshadow and Ironclaw side by side, their weapons glinting, their eyes glowing in the firelight. We stepped into the forest, the trees closing around us, their shadows thick and heavy. The air was cold, sharp with the scent of damp earth and something darker—blood, hunger, the curse’s echo. My wolf stirred, claws itching, ready to protect what was mine.

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‎The attack came fast, dark wolves bursting from the trees, their red eyes cruel, their snarls wild. They were bigger than the rogues, stronger, driven by something more than desperation—a hunger for the power my blood had undone. I shifted, my silver-grey fur shimmering, my claws digging into the earth, and lunged, my wolf fierce, unstoppable.

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‎Rex fought beside me, his black wolf massive, his red eyes blazing, our movements synchronized, the bond guiding us. I tore through a wolf, my claws slashing its throat, blood hot on my fur. Another came, and I met it, my teeth sinking into its flank, my strength surging, Lycan blood alive in my veins. The pack fought around us, their howls rising, blades flashing, but the dark wolves were relentless, their numbers pressing in.

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‎A wolf broke through, its eyes locked on me, its jaws wide. I dodged, my claws ripping its side, but it was fast, its teeth grazing my leg, pain searing through me. Rex’s roar shook the trees, his wolf tackling it, his claws tearing through its chest. He turned to me, his eyes wild, checking me, and I growled, low and steady, telling him I was fine.

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‎The warmth in my chest flared, not just my wolf, but the healing power I’d felt before, the light that had stopped the rogues. I shifted back, my human form trembling, my leg bleeding but healing, and raised my hands, instinct guiding me. “Enough!” I shouted, my voice raw, carrying through the forest. The warmth surged, a wave of light bursting from me, soft but blinding, spreading like a tide.

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‎The dark wolves froze, their snarls fading, their red eyes dimming, like the curse’s hold was breaking. Some fell, whimpering, others backed away, their tails low, their hunger gone. The pack stared, their weapons still, their faces awed. Rex shifted back, blood streaking his face, his red eyes wide as he stepped toward me.

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‎“You did it again,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “You’re… unstoppable.”

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‎I shook my head, my breath ragged, my hands trembling. “Not unstoppable,” I said, my voice shaking. “Just fighting for what matters.” I pressed a hand to my stomach, the flutter strong, my child safe, and looked at him, his eyes full of love, pride, fear.

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‎Mara approached, her dagger sheathed, her eyes bright with respect. “The curse is truly gone now,” she said, her voice steady. “You’ve broken its last hold. The dark wolves—they were the last of it.”

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‎The pack cheered, their voices rising, a howl that shook the forest. I stood, Rex’s hand in mine, the girl from the village clinging to my side, her smile wide. I knelt, hugging her, tears stinging my eyes. “You’re safe now,” I whispered, my voice breaking, and she nodded, her small arms tight around me.

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‎Rex pulled me up, his arms wrapping around me, his heart pounding against mine. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice rough, raw. “You’re everything, Talia.”

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‎I looked up, his red eyes holding mine, and I felt it—the bond, the love, the future we’d build. “I love you too,” I said, my voice steady, my heart full. “For always.”

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‎The forest was quiet now, the threat gone, the dawn brightening. We turned back to the village, the packs united, their steps light, their voices rising in song. I was Talia, Lycan, mother, healer, and with Rex beside me, my child growing inside me, I was home, ready for whatever came next, with love, with strength, with the family I’d fought for.