They were counting forward. Together.The first light of Day Twenty-Two hit the stone floor before Damon opened his eyes. Aria was already awake, curled against his chest, her hand over his heart like she was listening to it.“Seven days,” she whispered. “Seven,” he repeated. His voice was rough with sleep, but it didn’t shake. The fear was gone. In its place was something harder. Purpose.---*5:45 AM. The Healing Tent.*Lyra’s fever was worse. Healer Elara looked up when they entered, and the exhaustion in her eyes said everything. The girl’s skin was pale, the black veins now crawling up her neck like roots. “It’s accelerating,” Elara said. “The blood moon is pulling harder because it’s close. If we don’t anchor her to the pack before the ritual, she won’t survive it.”Damon stepped forward. “Then anchor her.”“You don’t understand,” Elara snapped. “I need your blood. Fresh. And hers. Mixed. A temporary bond. It will hurt. Both of you.”Aria was already rolling up her sleeve. “
Last Updated : 2026-07-03 Read more