chapter 21: Silver Against The moon

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*Chapter 21: Silver Against The Moon*

“Run,” Kieran said.

I didn’t.

Because 20 council warriors were already surrounding us.

And the one in front was Elder Voss.

“Alpha Kieran Blackwood,” Voss said. “Surrender the omega. Now.”

Kieran stepped in front of me. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Then you both die for treason.” Voss raised his hand. “Take them.”

They moved.

Kieran shifted. Fast. Gold fur, massive, roaring.

He took down 3 in the first 5 seconds.

But there were 20.

And he was still healing.

“Get behind me!” he yelled.

I couldn’t. 

One of them grabbed my arm and dragged me back.

“Let her go!” Kieran roared. He turned, and another warrior hit him from behind.

Pain shot through the bond. Sharp.

Something in me broke.

The silver on my neck burned.

Up to my ear. To my jaw. To my cheek.

“Don’t you touch him,” I whispered.

The warrior holding me laughed. “What’s a weak omega gonna—”

Silver light exploded out of me.

It wasn’t a shield this time.

It wasn’t a blast.

It was fire.

Silver fire wrapped around the warrior and threw him 20 feet.

He didn’t get up.

Silence.

All 20 warriors stopped. Staring at me.

Even Kieran stopped fighting. Panting. Blood on his mouth.

“Rejoice?”

I stepped forward. The silver was all over my neck now. Up to my ear. Glowing.

My eyes hurt. Like they were glowing too.

“You want me?” I said. Voice didn’t sound like mine. “Come get me.”

Voss narrowed his eyes. “So the rumors are true. A cursed omega with witch magic.”

“It’s not magic,” I said. “It’s choice.”

“What?”

“Sacrifice. I chose him.” I pointed at Kieran. “Truth. I told him.”

My voice shook. “And love. I choose him.”

The last word hit the air like a bell.

The silver on my neck flared so bright I had to close my eyes.

When I opened them, it had changed.

Half my neck was silver.

And at the very top, right under my ear, a thin line of gold appeared.

Just one.

Kieran gasped. “Your mark...”

Voss took a step back. “Impossible. Gold hasn’t been seen in 300 years.”

“I’m not cursed,” I said. “Not anymore.”

I raised my hands. The silver fire danced between my fingers.

“Now. Are you going to arrest us? Or are you going to leave?”

One of the younger warriors dropped his weapon.

Then another.

Then another.

Voss looked at them. Then at me. Then at Kieran, bleeding but standing.

“This isn’t over,” Voss spat. “The Council will hear about this.”

“Let them hear,” Kieran growled. Standing next to me now. Shoulder to shoulder. “The moon chose her. Not you.”

Voss stared at us for a long moment.

Then he turned and walked away.

The rest followed.

Gone.

Just like that.

Kieran and I stood there in the quiet. Breathing hard.

Then he turned to me. Eyes wide. “You did it. You used it. You—”

“I chose you,” I whispered. “Three times.”

Kieran stared at the thin line of gold on my neck.

Then at me.

And he broke.

He pulled me into his arms and buried his face in my neck. Not biting.

Just breathing me in. Shaking.

“I thought they were going to take you,” he whispered. “I thought—”

“I’m here,” I said. Running my hands through his hair. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

He pulled back. Cupped my face. His thumb brushed the new gold line.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“So are you,” I whispered back.

And for the first time since he marked me, there was no pain.

No fear.

No death clock ticking.

Just us.

Kieran leaned in.

And kissed me.

Not desperate. Not claiming.

Soft. 

Like he was afraid I’d disappear.

I kissed him back.

The bond sang.

Silver and gold, tangled together.

When we pulled apart, the gold line on my neck had spread.

Just a little.

We weren’t done yet.

But we were winning.

Until my phone buzzed again.

Unknown: `Cute. You think that was love? Wait until the moon tests you for real. -M`

Mae.

Kieran read it and his jaw clenched. “She’s watching us.”

“Let her watch,” I said. Taking his hand. “We have a bond to finish.”

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*END OF CHAPTER 21