All Chapters of Moonbound Deception: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

CHAPTER 42 — A LIGHT BEHIND THE CURTAINThe night air still held a biting chill, slipping through the cracks in the old wooden walls of Dr. Hayes’ clinic. Even though the hearth in the corner glowed softly and the oil lamp hanging from the ceiling cast a warm golden light, the wind outside still managed to creep along the skin with a gentle but relentless cold. The clinic—usually the safest refuge—felt too quiet tonight. Too fragile.The lamp’s glow sent tiny shadows dancing across the walls and table, as if something alive lurked behind every corner. The scent of herbs and alcohol from the small medicine shelf dominated the air, mingling with the aroma of gently steaming chicken soup from the clay bowl on the center table. Across from me, Dr. Hayes gently pushed that bowl toward me.“Here. Sit. Eat something before your body completely gives out,” he said softly, though there was weight in his voice. It

CHAPTER 44 – ON THE EDGE OF AWAKENING.The night sky loomed dark above Silverwood, hiding the stars behind a veil of thin clouds like a gray shroud of time. In the distance, a light drizzle began to fall, gently soaking the wooden rooftops of Kael’s ranch and releasing the sharp, fresh scent of earth and green grass—once trampled by the thousand steps of wolves. There, in the stillness of a night that had forgotten how to breathe, two souls stepped onto the grounds with steady strides.Aria and Kael approached the ranch with heavy breath. The air was cold and biting, but they didn’t shiver. Something colder had touched them already—ever since the news from Blue Stone, ever since Kael’s howl of grief had shattered the silence of the world.The heavy wooden door creaked open as they arrived, met by a wave of warm air from inside and the low howls of the guarding wolves. No one spoke, but every eye followed Aria

CHAPTER 46 — FRAGMENTS OF TRUTHThe air at Silverwood ranch still carried the scent of herbs and antiseptic from Dr. Hayes' clinic that clung to my clothes. After a long conversation with Aaron about ancient rituals and the possibility of Luna being used as a catalyst, my body felt heavy with the burden of endless worry. My feet dragged as I walked toward the small room Kael had prepared for me—a simple space with a wooden bed and a small window facing the pine forest.The wooden door closed with a soft click behind me. Finally, after days of being surrounded by crowds, worries, and voices filling my head, I found the silence I needed. Silence to think. To search for answers.I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my right hand still wrapped in thin bandages. Beneath the white cloth, a silver crescent moon tattoo glowed faintly—traces of Moon Witch power flowing through my blood. Since the incident at the clinic, the tattoo felt warmer than usual, as if reacting to something I could

CHAPTER 48 — STRENGTHENING BONDSThe journey to the northern forest took longer than expected. The usual path was now blocked by undergrowth and fallen tree branches from the storm a few days ago. Kael's motorcycle had to turn repeatedly, searching for safe alternative routes through rocky terrain and small ravines that gaped darkly.The sun had reached its peak when they finally arrived at the edge of the old forest—a territory that even the Silverwood wolves rarely set foot in. The air here felt different, thicker, as if it contained ancient energy that had slept for centuries. The trees towered high with trunks so massive that even four adults couldn't wrap their arms around them."We have to walk from here," said John, getting off the motorcycle with stiff movements. Age and worry were clearly visible on his wrinkled face. "The motorcycle won't be able to get past tree roots that big."Dr. Hayes took his medical equipment

CHAPTER 50 — THE WAY HOMEThe journey back from the ruins of the ancient temple felt nothing like the trek that had brought them there. The sun was already dipping toward the west, pouring warm golden light through the gaps in the leaves. The forest air that had felt so oppressive before was now cool and refreshing, as though nature itself were celebrating their success in rescuing Luna.Luna walked between Aria and Kael, her steps still a little unsteady from the effects of the Soul Liberation ritual. Yet her brown eyes were clear again, radiating the warmth that had been missing for so long. Every so often she glanced at Aria with a small smile, as if she still couldn’t believe the nightmare that had haunted her for days was finally over.“How do you feel now?” Aria asked, matching her pace to Luna’s slower rhythm.Luna drew a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. “Like… like wakin