Semua Bab Luna by Contract, Mother in Secret : Bab 21 - Bab 30

Aria’s heart pounded as the sound of footsteps reverberated down the narrow stairwell. The dim lantern light flickered across the underground chamber, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. She gripped her dagger tightly, her knuckles whitening, and glanced at Caden. He stood resolute, his sword drawn, his broad frame positioned protectively between her and the stairs.“Stay behind me,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble of calm authority.She nodded, pressing her back against the cold wall, her eyes locked on the stairwell’s shadowed mouth. The air was thick with dust and tension, every creak of the steps amplifying her dread.Three figures emerged from the darkness, their outlines stark against the faint glow. They were armed—two wielding swords, one hefting a brutal axe—and their eyes gleamed with fanatical fervor. The leader, a wiry man with a scar slashing across his cheek, sneered as he took in the scene.“Well, well,” he rasped. “The wolfless alpha and his cursed bitch. Vic

The Seer’s TrialThe mountain path steepened as Aria and Caden led their group higher, the air thinning with each step. The mist from the valley had dissipated, but the chill of the altitude seeped into their bones. Rollan stirred in his sling, his tiny hands clutching at Aria’s cloak as if sensing the tension. The warriors trailed close, their eyes scanning the jagged cliffs for signs of Victor’s loyalists. The ritual’s interruption had scattered the enemy, but the threat lingered like a shadow, unseen yet palpable.Caden rode beside Aria, his face etched with determination, though she caught the flicker of doubt in his eyes. The loss of his wolf weighed on him, a silent burden that grew heavier with each passing hour. She reached out, brushing her fingers against his arm. “We’ll find the seer,” she said softly. “She’ll have answers.”He nodded, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. “I hope so. For all our sakes.”The trail narrowed, forcing them to dismount and lead the horses by hand.

Shadows in the StoneThe mountain path twisted like a serpent, its jagged stones biting into Aria’s boots as she ran, Rollan clutched tightly against her chest. The air was thin and sharp, each breath a struggle as they climbed higher into the peaks. Behind them, the loyalists’ horns blared, closer now, their pursuit relentless. Arrows whistled through the air, thudding into the earth or clattering against rock, each one a reminder of how narrowly they’d escaped the ambush. Caden led the way, his sword still drawn, his eyes scanning the cliffs for any sign of shelter or advantage. Despite his wolfless state, he moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, his presence a steady anchor amidst the chaos.“Keep moving!” he barked, his voice cutting through the wind. “There’s a cave ahead—we’ll make our stand there.”Aria’s legs burned with exhaustion, but she pushed forward, her gaze flicking to the warriors behind her. Torren and the others were wounded, their faces pale but resolute.

The storm roared as Aria and Caden emerged from the temple, the wind tearing at their cloaks and driving rain into their faces. Rollan nestled against Aria’s chest, his small cries swallowed by the tempest’s fury. The seer’s words reverberated in her mind: “Return to where it began.” Wolfcrest Avenue—the gala where their bond ignited, where Victor’s curse first sank its claws into their lives. It was a journey back to the origin of their hope and their pain, and the weight of it settled heavily on her shoulders.Caden limped beside her, his shoulder wound seeping fresh blood through the makeshift bandage. “We need shelter,” he said, his voice rough against the howling wind. “The storm’s worsening, and I won’t be much use if I collapse.”Aria scanned the valley, her eyes stinging from the rain. The temple’s glow had faded behind them, leaving only the jagged outlines of the mountains against the lightning-streaked sky. A faint flicker caught her attention—a cave mouth, barely visible t

The Heart of the CurseThe gala hall stood before them like a wounded beast, its shattered doors hanging limply, revealing a cavernous interior bathed in a pulsing crimson glow. Shadows twisted across the cracked cobblestones of Wolfcrest Avenue, alive with menace. Aria clutched Rollan closer, his small body warm against her chest, his tiny fingers gripping her tunic. His wide eyes mirrored the eerie light, innocent yet burdened by the mark that pulsed faintly on his skin. Beside her, Caden’s presence was a steady anchor—his sword drawn, his wolf senses sharpened, his breath misting in the cold, ash-laden air. The stench of decay hung heavy, laced with a darker note: Victor’s essence, festering like a wound that refused to heal.From the depths of the hall, Victor’s voice slithered forth, smooth and venomous. “Welcome back, Aria. It’s fitting, isn’t it? To end where it all began.”Her jaw tightened, but her voice held firm. “You’re not taking him, Victor. You’re dead.”A chilling laug