All Chapters of Moonbound: The Rise Of The Alpha: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Lyla’s breath was steady, but her heart pounded like a war drum.She could feel the weight of the challenge, the silent judgment of the pack, and the way the forest itself seemed to hold its breath.This was more than just a fight.This was a choice.A choice that could decide who she became.Across from her, Mason shifted.His body exploded into his wolf form, fur dark as a shadow, muscles rippling with power.His golden eyes burned like fire, locked onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.This wasn’t just a test of strength.This was an ultimatum.A battle between the Alpha they had followed and the Alpha the forest had chosen.And the pack was watching.Waiting.Wondering if Lyla was still one of them.Or something else.She took a slow breath.ThenShe shifted.Shifting had never felt this easy.This seamless.Lyla’s bones moved like liquid, her body twisting into her wolf form with unnatural grace.The pain had always come with the transformation. Burning.

Lyla had made her choice.There was no taking it back.The moment the words left her lips “I’ll do it.” the energy in the air shifted. The forest responded, the ancient ruins trembled ever so slightly, and the Gate of Shadows pulsed.She had accepted the Marked Ones’ challenge.Now, she had to face whatever came next.But as she stood there, feeling the weight of their expectant gazes both the Marked Ones’ approval and the pack’s unease a cold realization settled over her.She wasn’t just fighting for leadership anymore.She was fighting for who she was becoming.And she wasn’t sure she liked the answer.The pack wasn’t standing beside her anymore.They were watching her.From a distance.Like they weren’t sure if she was still one of them.Dani looked furious, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles had turned white. Jonas wouldn’t meet her gaze, his expression a mask of disbelief.And MasonHe was silent.But his silence was louder than anything else.She had defeated him. She had

The world around her felt different.The wind that once whispered secrets now sighed with recognition. The earth beneath her feet wasn’t just solid ground it was alive, humming with an energy that pulsed in rhythm with her own heartbeat.Lyla knew.She wasn’t the same.The Trial of Shadows had taken something from her.And in return, it had given her something else.Something more.Something dangerous.Her breathing came fast and sharp as she pushed herself onto unsteady legs. The pain from the battle with Mason was gone, replaced by a strange, electric pulse flowing beneath her skin.Then she saw their faces.The pack.They were staring at her.Not with relief.Not with celebration.But with fear.No one spoke.Dani was motionless, her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Jonas, usually the first to throw out some snarky remark, was completely silent.Mason stood rigid, his muscles tense like he was preparing for another fight.But the worst of them all was Eli.His golden eyes us

Lyla had made her choice.And the world shifted around her because of it.She wasn’t sure what she had expected relief, certainty, resolution.But all she felt was a strange, hollow ache spreading in her chest, as if something important had been severed.She could still hear the echo of Eli’s voice, pleading with her not to do this.She could still see Mason’s hardened stare, Jonas’ anger, Dani’s disbelief.But none of them stopped her.None of them reached for her.And that hurt more than she was willing to admit.The silence that followed her choice was unbearable.Until the Marked Ones finally spoke.“Welcome home.”Dani was the first to step back, her face blank but her shoulders stiff.Jonas muttered something under his breath and turned away, his hands clenched into fists.Mason didn’t say a word.But the way his jaw tightened, the way his golden eyes darkenedLyla knew.He would never see her the same way again.But EliHe still hadn’t moved.He was still watching her.And Lyla

Lyla stood over the bodies of the fallen creatures, her breath steady, but her heartbeat loud in her ears.The last of the shadows receded into the ground, but she could still feel them inside her waiting, pulsing, whispering.She had won.But why didn’t it feel like victory?The Marked Ones watched in silence.Judging. Calculating.She had proven herself.So why did she feel like she had just lost something important?A slow clap echoed in the silence.Lyla whipped around, her heart still pounding.The leader of the Marked Ones was watching her intently, silver eyes gleaming.“You learn quickly,” they murmured.Lyla swallowed, forcing the shadows back down.She wanted to pretend she wasn’t shaken.That she wasn’t standing there, wondering if she had just crossed a line she couldn’t come back from.Instead, she straightened her spine.“I didn’t mean to use it,” she admitted.The Marked leader tilted their head.“Didn’t you?”Lyla’s stomach tightened.Because maybe, deep downShe had.