Chapter 72: The Calm Before Dawn

The moon was high by the time they returned to the stronghold. Serena didn’t let go of Elias’s hand once. Their fingers remained intertwined like a silent promise neither dared voice again—not yet. There was too much weight in the air. Too much unspoken dread behind every loving glance.

Inside the stone-lined hallways of the packhouse, soft torchlight flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows across the tiled floor. The guards gave them curt nods, stepping aside as they passed. Word had already spread—Serena was the one they wanted. And no one knew why.

Elias led her to his quarters, their footsteps quiet but synchronized. He opened the door and let her in first, watching as she paused in the center of the room.

The space was both luxurious and practical—solid wooden furniture, soft grey throws, weapons arranged with precision on the far wall. The large bed dominated the room, a thick fur blanket tossed carelessly over it. It smelled like him—cedar, ash, and that faint wildness that had always made Serena’s heart skip.

Elias shut the door behind them and leaned against it, arms folded. He didn’t say anything for a moment. Just stared.

“What?” Serena asked softly.

“I’m memorizing you.”

She turned to face him fully. “Why?”

“Because there’s a battle coming,” he said, stepping toward her. “And the thought of losing you terrifies me more than any rogue or curse ever could.”

Her heart twisted. “You’re not going to lose me.”

“I’ve nearly lost you a dozen times already,” he murmured. “To secrets, to prophecy, to your own fear.”

“And yet I’m still here.” She closed the space between them. “Elias… I’m scared too. But not of the power. Not of the prophecy.”

He looked down at her, his breath hitching as she placed a hand gently on his chest.

“I’m scared of not living in the moment,” she said. “Of letting fear steal this—us.”

His eyes darkened with emotion. “Then let’s not waste another moment.”

He kissed her again—slower this time. Reverent. There was no fire, no rush to consume. Just a deep, lingering warmth. Serena responded, her hands sliding around his neck as she melted into the kiss. His arms wrapped around her, drawing her against him, and for a long moment, nothing else mattered.

When they parted, Elias didn’t move away. He rested his forehead against hers, breathing her in.

“Stay here tonight,” he said. “Please.”

Serena nodded. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

They undressed slowly, not out of hesitation but intimacy. There was no need for words as she slipped into one of his shirts—several sizes too big—and climbed into the bed beside him. He pulled her close under the covers, his hand resting protectively on her hip.

For a while, they lay in silence, the sound of his heartbeat in her ear grounding her.

“Do you think the power inside me is changing me?” she asked quietly.

Elias didn’t respond immediately. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her temple.

“I think it’s revealing you,” he said. “Not changing you. You were always more than just a girl trying to survive. You’re the moon’s answer to a world on the edge of collapse.”

She shivered. “No pressure, right?”

Elias chuckled, low and deep. “No pressure at all.”

They drifted off not long after, tangled in each other’s warmth, the weight of the coming dawn pressing at the edges of their dreams.

When Serena awoke, the light outside was still pale. Pre-dawn. She stretched, only to find Elias already sitting up, shirtless, strapping a blade to his forearm. His eyes flicked to her the moment she stirred.

“Did I wake you?”

She shook her head, rubbing her eyes. “No. Couldn’t sleep much.”

Elias gave her a soft smile, standing to walk around to her side of the bed. He crouched beside her, hand cupping her jaw.

“You sure about this?” he asked.

“I need answers. Even if they scare me.”

He nodded solemnly. “Then we do this together.”

A knock sounded at the door. Elias was already moving before the second rap, yanking it open to reveal Theron. The rival Alpha’s expression was unreadable, but his eyes briefly flicked to Serena behind Elias. Something shifted in his gaze. Not envy—something more complicated.

“They’re gathering at the outer gates,” Theron said. “Four of my warriors, five of yours. Riven’s offered support too. She’ll meet us at the border.”

Elias stepped aside, letting Theron in. Serena pulled herself out of bed, wrapping a robe around her. She was still sleepy-eyed, but alert.

“Anything new?” she asked.

Theron nodded. “They’ve stopped their march—for now. It’s a waiting game. Like they know you’re coming.”

Serena exchanged a glance with Elias. “Then let’s not keep them waiting.”

An hour later, they stood at the edge of the forest. Serena wore dark leather, her hair braided back, her dagger strapped to her thigh. Elias stood beside her like a wall of muscle and resolve, while Theron flanked her other side, radiating tension and controlled power.

The team behind them was silent—wolves and warriors who had sworn loyalty to Serena, even when her destiny became murky.

They crossed the border just as the sun rose.

On the other side, in the shadow of the dead trees, stood a group of five figures cloaked in black. Their faces were obscured, but the one in front—taller, broader—stepped forward with eerie grace.

“You came,” the figure said. The voice was male. Smooth. Almost charming.

Serena narrowed her eyes. “You asked for me by name.”

“We asked for the moonborn,” he corrected. “But yes. Serena, child of the forgotten bloodline. You shine even without the stars.”

Elias snarled softly, stepping forward, but Serena raised a hand.

“What do you want?”

The man chuckled. “To serve.”

She blinked. “What?”

“To kneel,” he continued, his tone like honey. “You’ve been lied to, Serena. Hidden. Bound. But now, the chains have broken. And the world is ready to burn—or to be reborn under your light.”

Elias growled louder. “She’s not interested in your cultist riddles.”

The man ignored him. “There’s more in you than even you know, Serena. Come with us. We’ll show you. Teach you how to wield the gift that has been sealed for centuries.”

Serena’s heart pounded. Something in her gut told her the man wasn’t lying. Not fully. But the energy emanating from him felt wrong. Like rot beneath perfume.

“No,” she said. “I don’t need you to unlock anything. I’ll find my path without darkness.”

The man’s smile faded. “Then you’ll die before your light reaches its zenith.”

Elias unsheathed his blade. “You’ll have to go through all of us first.”

The forest suddenly erupted in motion. Shadows peeled away from trees, more cloaked figures emerging. The rogues weren’t just a scouting party. They were the vanguard.

Serena stepped back, her power crackling to life along her fingertips.

“Get ready,” Elias said.

Theron growled low. “Here we go.”

The rogues lunged.

And the war began.