《Eclipsed Destiny》


 Shadows of the Past

    The forest was silent. An unearthly quiet had fallen over the woods, punctuated only by the faint rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. Celia stood at the edge of the trees; her breath visible in the cold night air. The moon hung high in the sky, a pale orb casting silver light across the darkndscape. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest; each beat a painful reminder of everything she had lost.


    Her hand gripped the ne she wore, its cold metal biting into her skin. It was the only thing her mother had left her before she disappeared. The mysterious woman in her dreams-her mother, her true bloodline had whispered of a prophecy, a destiny that Celia could never fully understand.


    "Celia..."


    The voice came from behind her, low andmanding, sending a shiver down her spine. Her head snapped around, her senses on high alert. Standing there, emerging from the shadows like some kind of phantom, was a man-tall, broad- shouldered, and dressed in dark leather, his presence overpowering. His eyes glowed faintly, like the embers of a dying fire. Aziel.


    The Alpha. The man she had been running from for weeks.


    You have been running long enough," Aziel said, his voice dark and smooth. He stepped closer, his piercing gaze never leaving hers. "I have been patient, Celia. But the time hase for you to ept what you are. What you have always been.


    She backed away instinctively, her breath catching in her throat. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she stammered, but her body trembled with an energy she couldn''t control. Something about his presence, something in his eyes, made her feel like she was being pulled toward him, as if a maic force was drawing her closer.


    "You''re not just a runaway Omega," Aziel went on, his tread even as he paced before her. "You''re more. You always were."


    Celia''s chest spasmed with the familiar fear eating away inside her. "I am not " she cut off her protest. She''d heard the stories. She had sensed the odd, otherworldly energy inside herself, but she refused to give any credence. She was just Celia. The girl without a pack. Without a family. Nothing.


    "Don''t lie to me," Aziel growled,ing up in front of her,manding presence. "You feel it, don''t you? The pull. The bond." He stepped closer still, his eyes glowing with something darker. "You''re my mate, Celia. You always have been. And I''ll make sure you understand your ce."


    Her knees nearly gave way beneath her. The word *mate* echoed in her mind, an ancient and terrifying concept that she had tried to avoid for years. She had heard the legends-how the bond between mates was unbreakable, how it bound souls together in ways that couldn''t be undone.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    But that wasn''t what scared her. What scared her was the power she felt coursing through her. Her bloodline. Her mother''s secrets. The truth that had been kept from her for so long. "I-I don''t want this," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I didn''t ask for this.


    "You don''t have a choice." Aziel''s voice was cold, but beneath it, there was something softer. A warning. Amand. "You were never meant to run. You were meant to stand by my side."


    Before she could answer, the earth beneath her feet trembled, and the faintest rumble echoed through the forest. Aziel''s eyes narrowed, and he took a step back, his hand resting on the hilt of a dagger at his side. "This isn''t over, Celia," he said, his voice low and dangerous.


    A faraway howl had echoed through the trees, then heavy footsteps were heard as they drew near. Tension was building in the air, and Celia''s heart pounded. She should run. She needed to get out of here. But it was a pull she''d felt all too recently-a pull that, raw and undeniable now, held her where she was.


    Aziel looked at her again, his eyes with something deeper than desire in them. It was. possession. A im.


    And before she could even take all that in, he vanished again, disappearing back into the darkness as quickly as he appeared. The moonlight shuddered as the howling of wolves came into the wind, the hunt renewing again. And Celia, still shaking, felt inside that the worst was yet toe.


    As the distant howls draw closer, the shadows around Celia seem to close in on her. She looks down at the ne, a faint glow of her mother''s emblem now burning brightly against the darkness. She can feel it-the power she had denied for so long-rising within her.


    Was she ready to face what wasing? To face the truth of who she truly was?


    The sound of footsteps far away interrupted her mind. The Alpha''s pack was close. And they weren''t here to only im her.

 The Alpha’s Return

    Celia''s heart mmed against her chest as the howls grew nearer, louder. She had to get out. She had to run. But her legs felt like they were concrete, her feet rooted in the earth. The small glow from the ne burned hot against the dark fabric of her shirt, pulling on her like a lifeline into something ancient and dangerous. She clutched the thing tightly as if it could protect her. It was the only thing her mother had left behind, the only clue to the truth of her past. The only clue to her future.


    Her breath was shallow, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth, the weight of the looming danger pressing down on her chest. The wolves were getting closer. She could feel it-*sense* it. They wereing for her.


    She took a hesitant step backward, eyes darting between the shadows, searching for any sign of movement. Aziel''s words echoed in her mind: You''re my mate. It was almost too heavy for her to handle. She never wanted to be a mate to anyone, least of all to someone like Aziel. He was an alpha of a very strong pack, ruthless and unyielding. He had taken what little was left of her calm and reced it with fear, uncertainty, and something else something she was not willing to acknowledge.


    Before she could think further, a figure emerged from the trees. Tall, broad-shouldered, and confident-his presencemanding the very air around him. The Alpha himself.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Aziel.


    His piercing eyes found hers immediately, glowing with an intensity that made her stomach churn. She instinctively took a step back, only to feel the coolness of a nearby tree pressing against her back. There was no escape. He was too close, and she was too vulnerable.


    "Celia," he said, his voice like a low growl, both dangerous and maic. "You''ve been hiding long enough."


    The words were simple, but the underlying threat was clear. Her pulse quickened as she met his gaze. She had always been taught to never back down from an Alpha, to never show weakness. But in that moment, standing in the moonlit forest, facing Aziel, she felt small-insignificant in the face of his power. She tried to steady her breath, but it came out in shaky bursts.


    "I-I''m not who you think I am," she said, her voice barely a whisper.


    Aziel took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as if he could see right through her. "You''re more than you think you are," he replied, his voice low but firm. "The bond between us is undeniable. You *are* my mate, whether you ept it or not." Words struck her like a punch in the stomach. *Mate.* She tried to shove it aside, tried to pretend it didn''t mean anything, but it was growing harder to do. Her heart pounded in her chest and the ne that hung against her chest throbbed to keep time. As if alive, it was calling to something greater.


    I don''t want this," she whispered, her voice rising with a mix of defiance and fear. She had always known there was something different about her, something *other*. But a mate? Her mind rejected the thought. She couldn''t be tied to someone like him, someone who had so much power, so much control. She didn''t belong in his world.


    Aziel''s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He stopped right in front of her, close enough that she could feel the heat from his body. His gaze softened, but something dark lurked behind his eyes. "You don''t get to choose this, Celia," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I''ve waited for you for so long. And now, I''ll wait no longer.


    She flinched as his hand rose, his fingers tracing the edge of her jaw in a surprisingly gentle caress. But even gentle felt like branding,ying im to her. She drew back, taking a step away from him, breathing in sharp, ragged gasps. "No," she said this time stronger. "I won''t be controlled by you. I won''t be your mate.


    Aziel''s eyes darkened, his expression hardening. "You don''t have a choice. The bond is already there, Celia. You can feel it, can''t you?" He stepped forward again, this time grabbing her arm with a strength that left her no room to pull away. "It''s time you epted it.


    Celia''s heart thudded in her chest as the pressure of his grip tightened around her, sending shivers of electricity throughout her body. It wasn''t physical; it was something deeper, something primal. She could feel it-this pull, this connection she''d worked so hard to ignore. But it was undeniable. She was connected to him in a way she couldn''t escape.


    "I don''t want this," she repeated, her voice desperate. "I don''t want any of this. I just want to be left alone."


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and for a fleeting moment, she saw something there that wasn''t just control or power. It was. pain. He was hiding something. Something deeper than the Alpha fa?ade he wore so carefully. But it was gone in an instant, reced by the cold, unwavering determination that had defined him for years.


    You will want this, Celia," he said quietly, his voice almost tender. "Whether you ept it now orter doesn''t matter. The bond is unbreakable."


    He didn''t let her protest; a distant roar was echoed through the trees: loud and chilling. Aziel''s head snapped to the side, his eyes shing with anger. The pack was close.


    "They''reing," he said, his voice steely. "And you can''t hide from them, Celia. You can''t hide from your own destiny."


    She shook her head, trying to back away again, but the weight of his words held her in ce. The howls grew louder, and the pack-Aziel''s pack-was closing in on her, their scent heavy in the air.


    Celia, you are not running anymore," Aziel dered, his voice low andmanding. "This is where you belong. Whether you like it or not."


    Then, everything shifted. A figure appeared from the darkness, tall and looming. His eyes red red, glowing as if he had swallowed mes from hell. It was the rogue Alpha Aziel had been tracking for so long.


    "Aziel," the rogue growled, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you''ve won? Think again."


    Aziel''s grip on Celia tightened as he stepped in front of her, positioning himself between her and the rogue. "This is not your fight," Aziel said coldly, his voiceced with authority. "Leave, now."


    The rogue snarled, taking a step forward. "I don''t take orders from you, Alpha."


    As the rogue lunged at Aziel, the ground quivered beneath his feet for being of unimaginable size and ferocity, and a wolfish battle was about to be ignited, right in front of Celia. She could feel the power inside of her yearning to be released. But she was fearful. What if she was not able to control it? What if she lost herself to the beast inside?


    Aziel''s eyes hold hers, his gaze a silentmand. *Trust me*, they seem to say.


    She didn''t know if she could, but she had no choice. With the rogue bearing down on them, there was no turning back now. She had to decide then-remain hidden or embrace the truth of her bloodline.


    Just like how Aziel and the rogue were locked in battle, a surge of power went tearing through Celia''s veins. But as the rogue ws were crashing toward Aziel, Celia''s vision became quite blurred. She had no idea what was toe her way- whether she should embrace the power unfolding in her or if it is to consume her.

 Fated Meeting

    The battle between Aziel and the rogue was fierce, but Celia did not take her eyes from the Alpha. Every movement on his part was precise as well as his control on the wolf form. The rogue let out snarls as he moved through the forest, warning anyone daring enough to challenge him. Aziel was unrelenting, but Celia felt a deep sense of foreboding in the pit of her chest.


    She hadn''t chosen this life, this destiny, but fate seemed bent on dragging her into it. She couldn''t even look away. Even in the chaos, there was something maic about Aziel''s presence. She felt it-the undeniable pull-the bond that was slowly but surely forming between them. And it terrified her.


    Having downed the rogue, Aziel shifted back into his human form, the sh of the battle between them still resonating through the air. He was wheezing for breath; his chest was rising and falling with the effort of being. The roguey still, defeated, but something in Celia made her feel that this was a long way from over.


    In one swift move, Aziel towered and walked to her, never breaking the piercing, unnerving stare into his. However, now his gaze softened, became a morn; it wasn''t entirely about the power behind this stare. It''s because he was gazing upon her as if everything important in his life relied solely on her.


    She took a step back, her heart pounding. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "I didn''t ask for any of this. I''m not your mate, not even part of your world!


    Aziel stopped in front of her, his eyes searching hers as if weighing her words. The forest seemed to fall silent around them, with the only sound being that of quiet rustling of leaves in the wind. He looked different now, not like the ruthless Alpha who had dered their bond a while ago, but more like a man who seems to be conflicted and uncertain.


    You are part of my world whether you ept it or not," Aziel replied, his voice quiet but firm. "Your bloodline, your power-it''s all tied to this world. You were never meant to live in the shadows, Celia. You were meant to lead.


    Celia shook her head, disbelief clouding her thoughts. "I can''t lead anything. I''m just. just a girl who''s been running her whole life. A girl who doesn''t know anything about who she really is.¡± Her voice broke on thest words. She was so tired of running, of hiding from the truth.


    Aziel took another step closer, and Celia instinctively took another step back. His presence was overwhelming, even now. But his eyes softened, and for a moment, the tension between them seemed to fade.


    "You don''t have to run anymore," Aziel said softly, his voice smoother than she''d ever had it. "I''m not your enemy, Celia. Never was. You were never meant to be lonely. I''ve been taking care of you, keeping watch over you, just waiting for you to find it out."


    Celia looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat. The words hit her harder than she could have imagined. She didn''t want to hear it. She didn''t want to be swept into his world. But the bond, the strange connection that she could no longer deny, was undeniable.


    She wanted to fight it; she wanted to push him away, but she couldn''t. The pull between them was too strong, too consuming. And worse, she didn''t know how to fight it.


    I don''t understand," she whispered. "You say you have been watching over me. All this time, you have been. what? Waiting for me to ept this?" She gestured around them, the invisible threads that bound them. "How can you expect me to just *ept* this? I''m not. I''m not like you, Aziel.


    You''re more like me than you think," Aziel said, his voice low, almost tender. "Your power-it''s been dormant, but it''s waking up. You feel it, don''t you?


    Celia felt it skip a beat inside. She felt it-the peculiar electricity that ran through her system each time Aziel is nearby. It was a sense she felt, too-deeper, more elemental and primal, yet it scares the life out of her. For now, she could hardly grasp and master it.


    "I can''t do this," she breathed softly. "I am not ready for this."


    Aziel reached for her, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "You don''t have to be ready," he said, his voice full of quiet authority. "I''m here, and I''ll help you. I''ll protect you."


    Celia''s breath hitched as she felt the warmth of his hand against her skin. His touch ran over her like a caressing ice cube, but this wasn''t fear alone she could feel. It was something more, something harder. She could feel them locking into each other more solidly, a bonding, and she couldn''t wriggle free of it.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Before she could answer that, a noise broke out into the moment-loud steps approaching from behind. She turned around to see several wolves emerging from the shadows as their eyes gleamed abnormally in the dark. Aziel''s face hardened. He stood tall, his body rigid, as the pack members moved into formation around him. They were all Alpha-level wolves, their power evident in their every movement. The tension was palpable, the air thick with anticipation.


    One of the wolves took a step forward. His fur was a dark silver; his eyes were cold, calcting. "Alpha," the wolf said, bowing his head slightly. "The pack is in position. The rogue''s followers are on the move. We need to make our move before they get too close.


    Aziel nodded once, his gaze never leaving Celia. "We move now. Keep her safe." His eyes flicked to the wolves around him, his voicemanding. "If anything happens to her, you''ll answer to me."


    Celia gulped, panic rising up from her chest. She never wanted to be a part of this. She did not want to be the one to cause this; the fight that was to explode soon. But the wolves were closing in and nothing was to be done; she was caught in the middle of a world in which she had no acquaintance, and her only remaining option was to face that head-on.


    "Aziel, I." she started, but her voice trailed off as the pack moved forward, surrounding them like an imprable wall.


    "Stay close," Aziel said, his hand gripping hers firmly. "You''re not alone anymore."


    But as they moved deeper into the forest, the haunting howls of the rogue wolves echoed in the distance, and Celia couldn''t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.


    The pack moved forward, but Celia''s mind ran. She was no longer just a girl running from her past. She was someone''s mate, tied to a world she didn''t understand. And as the wolves closed in, she knew the truth: there was no turning back now. But as they approached the battlefront, the sound of a new, more menacing howl filled the air-one that sent a cold chill through her spine.

 Secrets Beneath the Moon

    The moon hung heavy in the sky, silvery light drenching the forest with long shadows. The quiet of the night was deceptive; tension crackled in the air. Celia followed Aziel reluctantly, her instincts yelling at her to turn back, but there was no turning now. Not after what she had seen, not after what she had felt.


    Automatically, her hand reached up to the pendant that rested against the hollow of her corbone. It seemed to have warmed, even seemed alive, since the rogue attack. The tender glow of the emblem pulsed to the beat of her racing heartbeat, as if urging her on. Whatever secrets it may be hiding, she wasn''t sure she really wanted to know. But she didn''t have a choice. Not now.


    Aziel moved forward, pacing deliberately. The pack followed her at a distance, their presenceforting yet suffocating. Their eyes on her made her acutely aware of the curiosity and suspicion that apanied her every move. Celia did not belong here in their world, but she had no way to leave it.


    "Where are we headed?" Celia asked finally, breaking the silence.


    He nced over his shoulder, unreadable behind a mask of neutral expression. "There''s something you need to see," he said tly. The tness of his tone left no openings to debate.


    Celia clenched her fists, frustration churning beneath the surface of her face. "You can''t just drag me into this without telling me anything," she snapped, her voice sharper now. "I deserve to know what''s going on.


    Aziel stopped short, his back to her. Moonlight caught his features, and the sharp shadows cast upon them made him look even more fearsome. "You will have your answers," he said low and firmly. "But not here. Not yet.


    Celia opened her mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped her. There was something there-something dark and unyielding. She swallowed hard, biting back her words. Whatever Aziel was hiding, it was clear he wasn''t ready to reveal it. Not yet.


    They ventured further into the woods. The trees were thicker at every step. The air became cold and the silence more oppressive. Celia couldn''t shake off the feeling that they were being watched. She nced over her shoulder and caught her heart beating when she thought she saw something moving in the shadows. But when she looked again, there was nothing.


    Aziel took them to a clearing wherein, centering at it, was an ancient stone archway. Weathered with age, the surface of the structure held shallow etchings of glimmering symbols beneath the silvery light of the moon. Celia gazed on it, unease creeping over her body.


    "What is this ce?" she whispered herself.


    Aziel stepped forward; his eyes fixed on the archway. "This is where it all began," he said. "Where your bloodline, your power, was first forged."


    Celia''s frown seemed to deepen as confusion and disbelief wrestled inside her. "What are you talking about?


    Aziel faced her, his face stern. "Your family was not just a pack, Celia. They were the guardians of an old power-one that was supposed to protect our kind. But that power was destroyed when your mother disappeared."


    Her breath hitched in her throat. "My mother.?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Aziel nodded. "She was one of thest keepers of the moon''s blessing. And that blessing flows through your veins now, whether you want it or not.


    Celia shook her head, her mind reeling. This couldn''t be true. It couldn''t. She had spent her whole life running from her past, trying to escape the pain of losing her family. And now, Aziel was telling her that her bloodline held the key to something greater? It didn''t make sense. It couldn''t make sense.


    "You''re lying," she said, her voice shaking. "You have to be."


    Aziel stepped closer, his eyes not wavering. "You felt it, haven''t you? The power within you, the bond between us? You can deny it all you want, but that changes nothing.


    Celia clenched her hands into fists at her sides. She wanted to scream, to run, to do something to release the suffocating load of his words. But inside, she knew he was right. She *did* feel it. That strange, inexplicable force that seemed to grow stronger with every passing day that Aziel had been alive. It existed, in her blood, her bones. And she was afraid of it.


    Aziel turned back to the archway, his face unreadable. "This ce is sacred to our kind," he said. "It is where the moon first bestowed her blessing. And it is where your destiny will be decided.


    Celia''s chest constricted as she followed his gaze. The glowing symbols on the archway seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat, their light growing brighter with every passing second. She took a hesitant step closer, her instincts screaming at her to turn back.


    As she approached the archway, the ne around her neck grew warmer, its glow intensifying. Celia froze, fear gripping her. "What''s happening?" she whispered.


    Aziel stepped beside her, his presence steady. "The blessing is responding to you," he said. "It knows who you are.


    Just before Celia could reply, the air around her seemed to change. The archway''s symbols red alive with light, illuminating the clearing with a silvery glow. Air hummed, growing louder every second. Celia felt a pulse in her veins coursing power and relentlessness: her heart.


    And then, came the visions.


    The forest blurred and twisted out of sight, disappearing into the dark. Images flickered through her mind her mother, standing under that very archway, raising her hands to the moon as its rays consumed her. A fierce battle raged with wolves, their snarls through the night as blood spilled to the ground. Then came the shadowy figure emerging, dressed in darkness, but burning in malice from their eyes.


    The visions wereing too fast; they overwhelmed her senses. She caught glimpses of her childhood, of the pack she had never known, of secrets her mother had hidden from her, and she felt the weight of the power inside her-they had tried so hard to deny.


    When the visions finally faded, Celia copsed to her knees, breath ragged. Her mind was whirling, her body trembling from the intensity of what she''d seen. She looked up at Aziel, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "What was that?" she breathed.


    Aziel went down on his knees beside her, his face sombre. "The truth," he said, no more words needed for exnation. "Your mother gave her life to protect the blessing, to keep it out of wrong hands. And now, that responsibility falls to you." Celia shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I can''t," she said, her voice breaking. "I am not strong enough.


    Aziel reached out, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "You''re stronger than you think," he said. "But you can''t do this alone. You need the pack. You need me."


    Before Celia could respond, a deafening howl pierced the night, shattering the fragile silence. Aziel''s head snapped up, his body tense. "They''re here," he said, his voice low and urgent. "The rogues."


    The pack moved immediately, forming a protective circle around the clearing. Celia scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as the sounds of wolves approaching filled the air. She could see their glowing eyes in the darkness, snarling, growing louder with every second that passed.


    Aziel stood in her way, power and determination pouring from him like a fluid. "Stay close to me," he said levelly, undaunted by the chaos around them. "No matter what happens, don''t let go.


    Celia nodded, her fear blending with a strange sense of resolve. She did not know if she was prepared for this but could not have a choice. The battle wasing, and at its center stood she.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    A first rogue wolf jumps into the clearing, its teeth bared, and eyes filled with malice. Aziel plunges forward to meet it, shifting fluidly into his wolf form while letting out a snarl that resonates through the forest. The other pack members move in behind, their fluid movements dancing to the tunes of shing bodies.


    It was at this time that Celia watched around her in horror and awe as the battle unfolded. Growls and sh of ws, she could smell the blood sharp in her nose. She clutched the ne tightly, its warmth a smallfort in the turmoil that surrounded her.


    But just as the fight was getting into full swing, a dark figure appeared from out of the darkness. It chilled her spine to see it.


    The rogue Alpha. His eyes fixed on hers, and he had the worst sort of smile stered on his face.


    "Well, well," he sneered. "The keeper''s daughter. What a lovely surprise.


    Before Celia could even react, the rogue Alpha lunged toward her with ws out and eyes zing dark intent. Aziel roared, jumping to intercept, but the rogue''s speed was unmatched. Her heart racing with every beat, Celia felt the power inside her bursting to life in ways it had never done before, but would that be enough?

 Rogue Encounters

    It was a night that had not gone even close to silent. The calm of hours earlier, which had gradually fallen over the forest, had broken into sheer pandemonium. Growls and snarls echoed off the trees, punctuated by the thud of rolling bodies, making Celia shudder with gooseflesh. She gripped the tree trunk against her back, panting in short, harsh intakes of breath as the rogues ripped through Aziel''s pack.


    Aziel was right in the middle of it, his great wolf forms a blur of strength and fury. His ws iled through the air and bit into flesh and fur as he defended the clearing with unrelenting force. Around him, his pack moved like a well-oiled machine, fending off the rogue wolves that had ambushed them.


    But there were too many.


    Celia''s fingers curled into fists as she watched, her instincts screaming at her to do something. Anything. She had spent her life running, hiding from her past and the power she didn''t understand. But now, cornered and outnumbered, she realized there was no escape. Not this time.


    A rogue wolf lunged at her, its teeth bared, and its eyes filled with malice. Celia stumbled back, her heart hammering in her chest. The wolf''s snarl grew louder as it closed the distance between them.


    "No!" Aziel''s roar cut through the chaos, and in an instant, he was there, his massive form mming into the rogue with bone-crushing force. The two wolves tumbled to the ground, snarling and snapping at each other.


    The ws rent apart, in the rogue''s side the rogue let out a wounded howl. He moved backward, his glowing eyes resting on Celia. Although he was in wolf mode, his presence wasmanding his gaze was filled with angry heat tempered somehow else something protective.


    Aziel growled low with his voice rough and guttural. "Hold close!".


    Celia nodded, her body shaking as she pushed against the tree. She wanted to tell him that everything was okay, that she needed no help. But in reality, she was frightened. And then she felt it.


    The ne against her skin warmed and then pulsed with the beat of her heart. A flow of energy through her veins she had never felt before; it was raw, primal, and terrifying.


    The world around her became a blur; the sounds of battle faded into the background. She could only hear the pounding of her heart and the hum of power building inside her. She didn''t know what was happening, but she couldn''t stop it. Another rogue wolf lunged at her, its teeth snapping inches from her face. Celia''s hand shot out instinctively, and before she knew it, the wolf was sent flying backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. The forest fell silent.


    All eyes turned to her, the pack and rogues alike staring in shock. Celia''s chest heaved as she looked down at her hands, her fingers still tingling with the aftermath of the power she had unleashed. "What. what did I just do?" she whispered.


    Aziel shifted back into his human form, his eyes narrowing as he stepped toward her. "You tapped into the blessing," he said, his voice low.


    "The blessing?" Celia''s voice was filled with confusion and fear. "I don''t even know what that is!"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Before Aziel could respond, a low growl rumbled through the clearing. The rogue Alpha stepped forward, his red eyes glowing with malice. He wasrger than the others, his presence radiating dominance and danger. "Well, well," the rogue Alpha said, his voice dripping with mockery. "The keeper''s daughter. I''ve been looking for you."


    Celia''s blood ran cold as the rogue Alpha''s gaze fixed on her. There was a hunger in his eyes, twisted satisfaction, that made her skin crawl.


    "You don''t know what you can do, do you?" he said, speaking as if in pity. "Don''t worry about that, however. I''ll teach you.


    Aziel stepped in front of her, his body tense and ready for a fight. "You won''t touch her," he growled, his voice filled with authority.


    The rogue Alphaughed, a deep, sinister sound that echoed through the forest. "You can''t protect her forever, Aziel," he said. "She''s part of something much bigger than you or your pack. And I will have her."


    The tension in the clearing was palpable, the air heavy with the promise of violence. Celia''s heart raced as she looked between Aziel and the rogue Alpha, her mind spinning.


    "Celia," Aziel said, his voice softer now. "You need to leave. Now."


    Celia shook her head, her fear giving way to defiance. "I''m not leaving you," she said, her voice firm despite the trembling in her hands.


    Aziel turned to her, his expression conflicted. "This isn''t your fight," he said. "Not yet."


    By the time Celia could find an argument, the rogue alpha was lunging forward; his massive form was barrel-faster toward them. Aziel shifted back into his wolf to meet the attack head on.


    The clearing erupted into chaos once again as the pack shed with the rogues, all teeth and ws tearing into each other. Celia stood frozen, mind racing to process everything. And then, again, she felt it.


    The force within her grew, far stronger. It was like a zing fire in her blood, devouring the fear, recing it with something else something fierce, unstoppable.


    She could not stand idly by and do nothing anymore.


    She took a deep breath, stepping forward. Her fists clenched tight, warmth emanating from the ne inside her chest and giving her this odd feeling of purpose. She didn''t know what she was doing, but she didn''t care. The rogue wolves turned toward her, their eyes narrowing as they sensed the shift in her energy. Celia raised her hands, and the power erupted from her, a blinding light that sent the wolves sprawling to the ground.


    The clearing fell silent once more, the air heavy with the aftermath of the battle. Celia''s chest heaved as she looked around, her body trembling with the effort of what she had done.


    Aziel shifted back into his human form, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern. "Celia." he said, his voice trailing off.


    The rogue Alpha rose to his feet, a look of fury twisting his features. "This isn''t over," he snarled, venom dripping from the words. "You can''t protect her forever."


    With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, his pack at his heels.


    Celia sank to her knees, her body trembling as the adrenaline wore off. Aziel knelt beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.


    You are stronger than I thought," he said, his voice quiet.


    Celia looked up at him, her eyes brimming with fear and uncertainty. "I don''t know what''s happening to me," she whispered.


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and for the first time, she saw something in his that wasn''t dominance or control. It was understanding.


    "You''re bing who you were meant to be," he said. "And I''ll help you every step of the way."


    Celia''s heart raced as she met Aziel''s gaze. She wanted to believe him, to trust him. But deep down, she knew the truth: this was only the beginning.


    As the light of the ne began to fade, a voice echoed in her mind, faint but unmistakable: Find the truth, or lose everything.

 Whispers of Destiny

    The forest was eerily quiet except for the rustling leaves beneath one''s feet and, once in a while, a howl carried away on the wind. Celia walked beside Aziel, with thoughts all muddled, mixed emotions of fear and confusion. It had taken her a good long time to forget the rogue Alpha''s final words, soced with malice.


    "You can''t protect her forever."


    Aziel had told her not to worry, to trust in him and the pack, but Celia wasn''t sure she could. She barely knew these people barely knew him. And yet, there was a part of her, deep and instinctual, that wanted to believe him. To trust the bond that tied them together.


    The pack had dispersed to patrol and ensure the rogues really were gone. Aziel had insisted on taking her back to the pack''s territory, saying it was the safest ce for her. Celia wanted to argue, demand answers, but the weariness in his eyes and the tension in his shoulders halted her. He carried more weight than she couldprehend.


    "Are you always this stubborn?" Aziel asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence.


    Celia blinked, startled. "What?"


    Aziel nced over his shoulder at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You''ve been frowning since we left the clearing. If you have something to say, say it."


    Celia crossed her arms, taking a faltering step back. "I don''t even know where to start," she admitted. "You keep throwing all these. these truths at me, and I''m supposed to just ept them? My whole life has been turned upside down, Aziel. I think I''m allowed to be confused.


    Aziel stopped, turning his body to face herpletely. The smirk was gone, reced by a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat. "You''re right," he said, surprising her. "You deserve answers. And I''ll give them to you. But first, we need to get back to the pack. It''s not safe out here.


    Celia''s temper red, but she gulped down her retort. He wasn''t wrong. The forest felt more ominous than ever, shadows stretching longer, darker as if something watched them.


    They reached the edge of the pack''s territory just as the moon reached its zenith. Celia hesitated, her gaze sweeping over thendscape before her. The pack''s settlement was nestled in a hidden valley, surrounded by dense forest. The houses were simple but sturdy, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.


    But it wasn''t the buildings that caught her attention it was the people.


    Wolves in human shape walked through the vige, moving with an ethereal grace and intent. Some raised their eyes toward her, some of their features indistinguishable, while others ignored her, as if she didn''t exist at all. It was thick with tension; Celia couldn''t believe she didn''t belong here, either.


    Azielid his hand on her back and urged her forward. "They''lle around," he said, as if reading her thoughts. "You''re new, and this world is. different. But they''ll ept you in time.


    Celia bit back on her lip, her mind racing. She wasn''t sure she wanted to be epted. She didn''t even want to be here. But there was no denying the pull she felt toward this ce, this pack. It was as if something inside of her recognized it as home.


    Aziel took her into the central hall, a massive wooden affair, the heart of the pack. Inside, the air was warm and inviting, redolent of woodsmoke and herbs that filled her senses. An older woman came out toward them, silver hair drawn up in a braid behind her sharp eyes raking over Celia, sending shivers along her back.


    This is Luna," Aziel said respectfully. "She is a pack''s healer-and one of the very few people Ipletely trust."


    Luna''s lips turned into a faint smile. "It is wonderful finally to meet you, Celia," she said in soft but firm tone. "You''ve certainly had it tough, haven''t you?


    Celia nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to say. Luna''s gaze seemed to pierce straight through her, as if she could see every thought, every fear, hidden beneath the surface.


    "You''re stronger than you think," Luna said, her smile widening slightly. "The moon wouldn''t have chosen you if you weren''t."


    Celia frowned, confusion flickering across her face. "The moon?"


    Luna exchanged a nce with Aziel, who sighed and gestured for Celia to sit. "It''s time you learned the truth," he said.


    Over the next hour, Aziel and Luna exined the history of the pack, the blessing of the moon, and Celia''s connection to it all.


    Long ago, the moon had chosen certain bloodlines to carry its blessing-a powerful gift intended to protect the bnce between shifters and the natural world. Celia''s mother had been one of thest keepers of that blessing, tasked with guarding its secrets and ensuring it did not fall into the wrong hands.


    "But why me?" Celia asked, her voice shaking. "I don''t even know how to use this. this power. I don''t even want it."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Luna''s expression softened. "The moon doesn''t choose lightly," she said. "You may not feel ready, but the blessing is part of who you are. Denying it won''t change that. Celia looked down at her hands, her mind spinning. She had spent her whole life running from the truth, trying to be normal. But she wasn''t normal. She never had been. Aziel leaned forward; his gaze intense. "The rogues know who you are now," he said. "They''lle for you again. And they won''t stop until they have the blessing." Celia''s stomach curled in on itself. "Why? What do they want with it?"


    Aziel''s jaw mped down. "Power. Control. If they get their hands on the blessing, they''ll use it to dominate the packs and destroy anyone who opposes them."


    Heavy silence fell over the room as Celia soaked his words in. She was trapped between a world she didn''t understand and danger she couldn''t escape.


    "I didn''t ask for this," she whispered, her voice breaking.


    "I know," Aziel said quietly. "But you''re not alone. You have me. You have the pack. We''ll stand with you, no matter what."


    That night, Celia spent in one of the guest rooms, her mind awake, thinking. The warmth on the ne was a persistent reminder of the power she carried, her sense of responsibility that wouldn''t let her go.


    During these moments of drifting off between wakefulness and sleep, the faint whisper was buzzing about. It was quite low, almost inaudible but gave her a chill from top to bottom.


    Celia.


    She sat up with a jolt, her heart racing. The room was empty, the shadows still. But the whisper came again, louder this time.


    Find the truth. beneath the moon.


    Celia''s breath caught as the ne warmed to her touch, its glow faint but steady. She clutched it hard, her mind racing. What truth? What was she supposed to find? Before she could think further, a soft knock sounded at the door.


    "Celia?" Aziel''s voice was low, but there was an urgency to it that made her heart race.


    She opened the door to find him standing there, his expression grim.


    "We have a problem," he said. "The rogues. they''re moving again. And they''re closer than we thought."


    Celia''s grip on the ne tightened as the weight of Aziel''s words sunk into her. The whisper once more echoed in her mind-a cryptic warning that sent chills down her spine: Beneath the moon, the truth awaits. But will it save you-or destroy you?

 A Hidden Legacy

    Celia clutched the edges of the jagged wooden table in Luna''s cabin, her knuckles going white with the strain of it. The pack healer sat across from her, calm and deliberate as she brewed the odd herbal concoction, she imed would help Celia "connect" with that hidden bloodline. Shadows danced on the walls from a singlentern''s dim, flickering light.


    "I don''t think I can do this," Celia whispered, her voice trembling. She had spent thest hour hearing more about her mother than she''d learned in her entire life, but the weight of it all felt unbearable.


    "You can," Luna replied softly, her gaze locking with Celia''s in an intensity that made her chest tighten. "You must. The answers you seek lie within you but unlocking them will require courage. This brew will help bring rity."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Celia looked at the small bowl in front of her, the thick liquid swirling like molten silver. She swallowed hard, her nerves jangling. "What if I see something I can''t handle?"


    Luna reached out, resting a weathered hand on Celia''s trembling fingers. "You''re stronger than you know, Celia. The moon wouldn''t have chosen your bloodline if you weren''t capable of bearing its blessing."


    The moon. Always the moon.


    Celia had grown tired of hearing about it, as though its light somehow dictated the course of her life. But despite her resentment, a part of her small but growing-felt the truth in Luna''s words. She had felt the pull, the warmth in her ne, and the power coursing through her veins. Denying it hadn''t made it go away.


    She gulped deep down the air and raised the bowl to her lips, swallowing from it. The liquid burned the back of her throat while passing through, sending cold shivers down her back. Nothing seemed to happen in that moment. Then she felt as if a dam were breaking within her, but it was so powerful, pushing her to gasp once again.


    The room around her blurred, and Celia clutched at the table for support as her vision twisted and warped. The world faded, but was reced by an expanse of silver light so vast that she could no longer see its edges. She was floating, weightless, surrounded by a warmth both foreign and familiar.


    And then she saw her.


    A woman with flowing silver hair stood before her, her presence radiating an otherworldly glow. Her eyes, the same shade of piercing blue as Celia''s, were filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Mother?" Celia whispered, her voice trembling.


    She smiled, though it was a sad smile, a smile that failed to find her eyes. "You have be a beautiful young woman," she said in a soft voice yet somehow resonant. "I waited so long for this."


    The woman''s appearance was a stabbing ache to Celia''s heart. She had longed to know this woman but had only glimpsed her in fragmented memories. "Why did you leave me?" she asked, tears streaming down her face. "Why didn''t youe back?"


    Her mother''s face had grown dark, and the pain in her eyes was profound. "I did not leave you by choice, Celia. I was taken from you, from our pack, because of what I carried."


    "The blessing," Celia said, the word feeling heavy on her tongue.


    She''s looking at her mother as her mom nods. "It is both boon and bane-the blessing-both gift and curse grants power beyond imagination but casts a target on the brows of those who wear it. The rogues-they wanted to take it away from me. No, I had no other option: I had to save it-even at all costs."


    Celia''s chest tightened as the weight of her mother''s words sank in. "But why me?" she asked. "Why do I have to bear it now?"


    "Because you''re my daughter," her mother said simply. "And because you''re strong enough to handle it, even if you don''t believe it yet."


    She hadn''t even got the chance to answer, though, as the vision started fading away, the silver light receding until she found herself sitting once more in Luna''s table. Her body was heavy, her head reeling from everything that she had seen. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Luna asked in a soft voice.


    Celia nodded slowly, her eyes afar. "I saw her. My mother. She told me. she told me I''m strong enough to handle this."


    Luna''s smile was soft but knowing. "She''s right, you know. You''ve already proven that."


    That evening, Celia was standing outside the main hall of the pack, staring up at the moon. Its silvery light drenched the clearing, and for the first time, she felt it, not as a foe but as an ally.


    Aziel appeared by her side. His presence wasmanding, as it had always been. "You have been quiet," he said, his voice breaking the silence.


    Celia looked at him; her face was at odds. "There is so much to think about," she said. "I saw my mother tonight. She said things to me about the blessing, about why she had to leave."


    Aziel''s jaw flexed, and he looked away, his eyes glued to the horizon. "She gave up everything for you," he said quietly. "And now it is your turn to carry on her legacy."


    Celia frowns, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Why does everyone keep saying that? I didn''t ask for this legacy. I didn''t ask for any of this."


    Aziel turned to her, his eyes intense. "None of us asked for the roles we''ve been given, Celia. But that doesn''t mean we can run from them. Your mother believed in you. I believe in you. But you have to believe in yourself." Celia''s breath caught at the conviction in his voice. She wanted to argue, push him away, but the bond between them pulsed, stronger than ever. It was a constant reminder that they were connected, whether she liked it or not. "Do you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Do I what?"


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and he came closer, his voice low but firm. "I do. More than you know."


    Their moment was cut short by a distant howl, low and haunting. Celia stiffened, her instincts screaming danger.


    Aziel''s face darkened, and he turned toward the sound, his body tense. "The rogues," he said, his voice a growl.


    Celia''s heart raced as the howls grew louder, closer. The pack sprang into action, their movements swift and coordinated as they prepared for the attack.


    Aziel turned to her, his eyes zing. "Stay here," he ordered. "You''re not ready for this."


    But Celia shook her head, her fear giving way to defiance. "I''m not hiding anymore, Aziel. Not from them, and not from myself."


    Aziel hesitated, his face pulled in two directions, but before he could argue, the first rogue broke through the treelined.


    The clearing erupted into chaos with snarls and growls filling the air. Aziel shifted seamlessly into his wolf form, meeting the rogues head-on. Celia watched as her heart pounded in her chest with every movement around her. And then she felt it again: the power inside her, rising like a tidal wave. The ne burned against her skin, its light growing brighter with every passing second.


    A rogue lunged at her, its teeth bared, but Celia didn''t flinch. She raised her hand, and the power exploded from her, sending the wolf flying backward.


    The clearing fell silent as they all turned to stare at her. Aziel shifted back to his human form; the shock clear on his wide-opened eyes.


    "Celia." he opened his mouth but was shunned by the chilling sound ofughter.


    The rogue Alpha stepped into the clearing, his red eyes glowing with malice. "Impressive," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But raw power won''t save you, little keeper."


    Celia''s breath caught in her throat as the rogue Alpha''s gaze locked onto her. The shadows seemed to twist and writhe around him, his presence radiating darkness.


    "You''lle with me eventually," he said, his smile twisted. "It''s only a matter of time."


    Before Celia could respond, the rogue Alpha disappeared into the shadows, hisughter echoing through the clearing. Celia''s body trembled, the weight of his words pressing down on her like a suffocating force. But deep inside, something shifted. The blessing pulsed, its warmth a steady reminder of her mother''s words: You''re stronger than you know.


    And Celia realized that if she was going to survive this, she would have to be the legacy she had spent her life running from.

 The Mark of the Mate

    The moon shone down upon the pack''s clearing, casting everything in silvery light. The battle against the rogues had left scars-not just on thend, but on the hearts of those who had fought. Celia sat on a wooden bench near the healer''s quarters, staring at the bloodstains on her trembling hands.


    Power hade out of her during the skirmish, something she hardly understood. Her attack saved lives but brought fear to the eyes of the pack. The glowing marks on her arms that briefly red during the skirmish were still faintly pulsating like embers, making her feel like an outsider even more.


    Aziel crept out of the darkness with his broad shape silhouetted against the moonlight. His movement was slow and cautious. Standing before her, he expressed nothing. "You should not be alone out here," he said.


    Looking up at him, Celia''s eyes had been dulling with defiance. "It''s a little hard to feel alone with the whole pack watching as if I am going to blow up again."


    Aziel didn''t smile, though a flicker of amusement crossed his face. He crouched down to meet her gaze. "They don''t understand yet. That power. it''s a gift, Celia. Not a curse."


    "A gift?" she scoffed, her voice rising. "A gift that makes everyone afraid of me. That draws rogues to us. I didn''t ask for this, Aziel."


    Aziel''s jaw set. "No one asks for the roles they''re given. You think I wanted to be Alpha after losing my family? That I wanted this responsibility? But we don''t get to choose Celia. We can only decide what we''ll do with the hand we''ve been dealt."


    She was going to tell him that, she really was. Open her mouth, say what she wanted, but his eyes stopped her. A vulnerability she had never seen before softened the edges of his face, made her hesitate.


    "Do you ever resent it?" she asked, soft and low.


    Aziel paused, looked out at the horizon. "Every day," he admitted. "But resentment doesn''t change the fact that my pack needs me. Just like the blessing needs you."


    Celia''s breath caught at the weight of his words, settling over her like a heavy cloak. She wanted to argue, to deny the connection she felt to this ce, to him, but she couldn''t. The bond was there, humming beneath her skin like a song she didn''t yet know the words to.


    Aziel stood and held out his hand to her. "Come with me," he said. "There''s something you need to see."


    Celia hesitated, but she put her hand in his. His warmth spread through her skin, steadying her frayed nerves. Together, they walked through the quiet settlement, the sounds of the night filling the spaces between them.


    Aziel led her into the heart of the pack''s sacred circle, hidden away in a de surrounded by ancient trees. Here stood a stone altar and, weathered with time, full of intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. Celia halted, her chest tightening as she took it in. "What is this ce?"


    "This is where our pack''s bonds are sealed," Aziel said, his voice full of reverence. "It''s where the moon blesses mates."


    Celia''s pulse raced as she tried to keep her thoughts straight. "Mates?"


    Aziel nodded, drawing closer to the altar. "When two wolves are fated, the moon marks them as one. It strengthens their bond, connecting them on every level-mind, body, and soul."


    Celia''s hand went to the ne at her throat as if drawn by instinct. The metal was warm, and its glow was faint but steady. "Why am I seeing this?" she asked.


    Aziel turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Because you''re my mate, Celia."


    The words hung in the air like a thunderp, echoed through her mind. She''d known it deep down; she''d felt it when her body reacted to his, in the unspoken pull that drew them together. But hearing it said makes it real in a way she never was prepared for.


    "No," she said, shaking her head. "I didn''t agree to this. I didn''t ask for this bond."


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and he stepped closer. "The bond isn''t something you can agree to or deny. It just. is. You feel it, don''t you? The connection between us."


    Celia''s breathing hitched as he closed the gap between them, his nearness overwhelming. She should deny it, push him away, but the fact was undeniable. She felt the link-every time he was within reach, every time her eyes met his. A constant thrum beneath her skin was a maic force that simply could not be ignored.


    "I don''t know if I can do this," she whispered, her voice trembling.


    "You can," Aziel said softly but firmly. "Because you''re stronger than you think. And you''re not alone in this."


    Aziel reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against hers. The moment their skin touched, a jolt of energy surged through Celia, and the world around them blurred. She gasped as images flooded her mind, not her own but his. She saw Aziel as a boy, running through the forest with carefreeughter, his parents standing a few feet away. She saw him as a young man, standing over the bodies of his family, the blood on the ground staining from the fire that engulfed their home. She felt the ache in his chest, his anger, his determination to rebuild what had been taken from him.


    When the visions faded, she found herself gripping his hand tightly, tears stream-ing down her face. "Aziel."


    He met her gaze, his expression raw. "Now you see why I fight so hard to protect what''s mine. Why I won''t let the rogues take you."


    His heart was aching for him, the boy who had lost everything and the man who had risen from the ashes. She didn''t know what to say, so she squeezed his hand, letting the gesture speak for her.


    Aziel stepped back, his expression hardening. "There''s one more thing I need to show you."


    He pointed to the altar where the carvings began to seem brighter. "The mark is what would unlock the moon''s blessing entirely, which proves strength and bond, something no rogue could ever survive. If you ept the bond, the mark will finish it all."


    Celia gazed at the altar as her chest tightened. "What if I don''t?"


    Aziel''s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening. "So, then the blessing is notplete. Weak."


    The weight of his words seemed to settle, and the ne grew warm against her skin. She stepped closer to the altar, her hands shaking.


    As she ced her palms on the stone, energy shed through her, and carvings red up with light. The air around her seemed to be charged with power, and her bond with Aziel began to grow stronger, moreplex. But it wasn''t just that bond she felt it was the blessing itself, an ancient and powerful one weaving itself into her being.


    The light grew stronger and then Celia cried out, her forearming to her attention as a swirling pattern seemed to emerge like the liquid silver of a river at sunrise.


    Aziel caught her by the elbows, steadying her. "You did it," he said, his voice full of awe.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Celia looked up at him, her vision blurred but clear enough to see the pride in his eyes. "What happens now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Now," Aziel said, his tone serious, "we fight for what''s ours."


    Before Celia could respond, a distant howl shattered the stillness of the night. Aziel stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the sound.


    "The rogues," he growled.


    Celia''s heart pounded in her chest as the howls grew louder, closer. The bond between her and Aziel pulsed with urgency, and she felt his resolve like a steady drumbeat in her mind.


    "We need to move," Aziel said, his grip on her tightening.


    As the pack prepared to make their attack, Celia felt the mark on her arm pulsing with power. She did not fully understand what it was or what it meant, but she knew this much: she wasn''t running anymore.


    As the first rogue burst into the clearing, its eyes zing with malice, Celia stepped forward, her power surging to life.


    The rogue snarled,unching himself at her, but Celia raised her hand, her mark ring to a brilliant light. The energy that burst from her wasn''t just a defense; it was a warning.

 Through the Veil

    The forest was full of whispers, as if the wind conveyed secrets between the trees. Celia moved carefully by the side of Aziel, her newly marked arm hidden under the sleeve of her jacket. The pulsing glow on her skin had ceased, but she could still remember the electric sensation in her veins with peculiar rity. It felt both exhrating and terrifying.


    "Where are we off to this time?" Celia asked, breaking the silence with a question.


    Aziel looked at her, his face stern. "To the Veil," he said, as if that was all that needed to be said.


    "The Veil?"


    "It''s a barrier," he said, his voice clipped. "A border between our world and the realm of the rogues. It''s where the blessing''s power is strongest-and where its secrets are hidden.


    Celia''s stomach churned at the mention of secrets. She had learned enough in the past few days to make her head spin. Each revtion seemed to pile onto thest, creating a tangled web she didn''t know how to navigate. But she also knew there was no turning back. Whatever waited beyond this so-called Veil, she had to face it.


    The pack spread out in a protective formation, their movements coordinated and silent. Marcus walked at the rear, his keen eyes scanning the forest for any sign of danger. Luna had stayed behind to tend to the injured, but her parting words echoed in Celia''s mind: *Trust yourself, and trust the bond.*


    Celia didn''t know what to do with those words. Trust wasn''t something that came easily to her, especially when it was something as overwhelming as the bond she shared with Aziel. It was there, humming beneath her skin like a live wire, pulling her toward him even when she wanted to pull away.


    "Stop," Aziel said suddenly, raising a hand.


    The pack froze, their ears perked and their bodies tense. Celia held her breath as she strained to hear what Aziel had sensed. There it was a faint rustling in the distance, followed by the unmistakable growl of a rogue. "They''re close," Marcus said, his voice low.


    Aziel nodded, his jaw tightening. "We don''t have much time. Celia, stay close to me."


    Celia opened her mouth to argue but stopped. Now was not the time for stubbornness. She nodded and fell into step alongside him as they moved forward.


    The forest grew denser with each step. The air grew colder with each step. It seemed as though the trees were closing in on them, the twisted branches forming some sort of canopy that blocked all moonlight. Celia felt a shiver run down her back, and she pulled her jacket closer around her.


    Is it always like this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Aziel nced at her, his expression unreadable. "The closer we get Easier said than done, Celia thought, but she kept her mouth shut.


    the Veil, the stronger its influence bes. It feeds off fear and doubt. Stay focused, and don''t let it get to you."


    When they finally reached the Veil, Celia couldn''t help but gasp. It wasn''t a physical barrier, like a wall or a gate. Instead, it was a shimmering curtain of light that stretched between the trees, its surface rippling like water. The air around it crackled with energy, making the hairs on Celia''s arms stand on end.


    "This is the Veil?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.


    Aziel nodded, his eyes fixed on the barrier. "It separates our world from the rogue realm. To pass through it isn''t easy, but it is the only way to find out about your blessing.


    Celia''s stomach curdled. She hated walking into a world of viins, but she knew what she had to do. No other choice existed. If she wanted answers-if she wanted to exin the power inside her-then she had to walk across the Veil. Aziel turned to the pack, his voicemanding. "Marcus, you and the others stay here and guard the perimeter. If the rogues try to cross, hold them off."


    Marcus scowled, his eyes flicking to Celia. "You''re taking her in there by herself?"


    "She''ll be safer with me," Aziel said firmly.


    Celia wasn''t so sure of that, but she didn''t argue. The packplied reluctantly, forming a defense line near the Veil as Aziel stepped forward, holding out a hand to Celia. His expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Ready?" he asked.


    "No," she admitted, but she took his hand anyway.


    The instant their fingers touched, the link zed to life, stabilizing her nerves. Hand in hand, they passed through the Veil.


    There was a jarring, disorienting sensation to it. One moment Celia was standing in the forest, and the next, she was wrapped up in light. It surrounded her, filling her senses with warmth and sound-whispers, faint and indistinct, like voices carried on the wind.


    When the light faded, Celia found herself in a ce she had never seen before. The rogue realm was a twisted mirror of the forest they had just left. The trees were gnarled and ckened, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air was thick with fog, and the ground beneath her feet felt soft and spongy, as if it were alive.


    "What is this ce?" she whispered, voice shaking.


    Aziel squeezed her hand harder. "It''s the rogue realm," he said grimly. "A corrupted version of our world. This is what happens when the blessing is twisted and used for power instead of bnce.


    Celia shivered, the oppressive atmosphere weighing down on her. She wanted to turn back, to run as far away from this ce as possible, but the bond with Aziel kept her grounded.


    "We have to hurry," Aziel said, his voice urgent. "The rogues won''t take kindly to us being here."


    Celia nodded, following him as they walked deeper into the realm. The whispers grew louder as they walked, words growing clearer but no less mysterious.


    The keeper''s blood. the blessing''s power. fate awaits.


    "What are they saying?" Celia asked, her voice shaking.


    Aziel didn''t answer, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned their surroundings.


    They had walked for what felt like hours before finally arriving at a clearing with a huge stone monolith in the center. The surface of this one was etched in carvings like the ones on the altar in the pack''s territory, but these were darker and more chaotic.


    "This is it," Aziel said softly. "The heart of the rogue realm.


    She stared at the monolith, her chest constricting. The ne around her neck grew warm, its glow intensifying. She took a hesitant step forward, pulled to the stone despite the fear wing at her.


    As her fingers touched the surface of the monolith, she felt a burst of energy, and the whispers became a deafening roar. Images flooded her mind-visions of the past, present, and future she couldn''t yet understand.


    She saw her mother, standing before the monolith with a determined look. She saw the rogue Alpha, his eyes burning with malice as he reached for the blessing. And she saw herself, standing at a crossroads, her hands glowing with power as the fate of the packs hung in the bnce.


    When the visions faded, Celia stumbled backward, gasping for air.


    "What did you see?" Aziel asked, his voice tight with worry.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Celia shook her head, her mind a whirlwind. "I saw. a choice. A future I don''t understand."


    Just as Aziel was opening his mouth to speak, a low growl rumbled through the clearing.


    The rogue Alpha entered the clearing, his red eyes glowing in the dim light. He smiled, his face twisted into a grotesque grin that sent shivers through Celia''s body.


    "Wee, little keeper," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You''vee a long way to meet your destiny."


    Aziel stepped in front of Celia, his body tense and ready for a fight. "Stay behind me," he growled.


    But the rogue Alpha''s gaze was fixed on Celia, his expression smug. "You can''t protect her forever, Aziel. The blessing belongs to me."


    "It will never be yours," Aziel snarled, his voice filled with authority.


    The rogue Alphaughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. "We''ll see about that."


    7---


    Before Celia could react, the rogue Alpha lunged at them, his speed and strength unlike anything she had seen before. Aziel met his attack head-on, but the sheer force of the collision sent shockwaves through the clearing.


    As the two Alphas shed, Celia could feel the monolith''s pulse behind her, as if its power was calling her. She knew with a sickening feeling that the choice she saw in her vision wasn''t simply a possibility far off, but it was happening. Would she take the blessing and risk everything?


    Or lose herself to the power that sought to consume her?

 Ties that Bind

    The sh of Alphas was a thunderous storm that echoed through the rogue power. Aziel and the rogue Alpha shed with raw ferocity, their movements a blur of strength and speed. Each snarl and growl reverberated in the clearing, shaking the ground beneath Celia''s feet. She stood frozen, torn between the instinct to run and the pull of the monolith behind her.


    The monolith pulsed again, and its dark energy beckoned her. It wasn''t just power-it was something more, something ancient and demanding. Celia''s ne grew hot against her skin, its glow intensifying with each beat of her heart. She took a hesitant step forward, her trembling hand reaching for the monolith once more. But before her fingers could touch the stone, Aziel''s voice cut through the chaos. "Celia, don''t!"


    It was a warning that was sharp and full of urgency that forced her to hesitate. She turned to see him battling for life with the rogue Alpha; their ws and teeth were tearing at each other as blood stained the ground under them, but Aziel''s eyes remained steadfastly upon her in the heat of battle.


    "You don''t know what it''ll do to you," he growled through a strained voice.


    Celia''s heart thudded as she looked from Aziel to the monolith. She didn''t know what it would do either, but something deep within her-something primal-told her that this was the key to everything. The visions she had seen, the whispers that haunted her, the bond she shared with Aziel-it all led back to this moment.


    Her hesitation was all the rogue Alpha needed.


    With a brutal shove, he sent Aziel crashing to the ground, his massive formnding with a sickening thud. Celia''s breath caught as the rogue Alpha turned toward her, his red eyes zing with triumph.


    "You''re mine now," he said, his voice dripping with malice.


    The rogue Alphaunched himself towards Celia with his ws spreading out. She automatically held up her hand, and the mark on her forearm red to life; energy spilled from her body, mming into the rogue alpha, who was hurled back into the darkness.


    The clearing fell silent, the power lingering in the air like static. Celia stared at her glowing arm, her chest heaving. She had felt the bond between her and Aziel strengthen in that moment, like a lifeline tethering her to him.


    Aziel struggled to his feet, blood dripping from a gash on his shoulder. His gaze locked on Celia, his expression a mix of awe and relief.


    You did it," he murmured, his voice low.


    But the rogue Alpha was not done.


    He sprang to his feet with a snarl, eyes aze with fury. "You think your little trick is going to save you?" he spat. "The blessing is mine, and I''ll take it from you one way or another.


    Before Celia could respond, Aziel stepped between them, his body tense and ready for another fight. "You''ll have to go through me first," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. The rogue Alpha smirked. "dly."


    The battle didn''t end with fists and ws; it ended with Aziel dragging Celia through the Veil, his grip on her arm firm as the rogue Alpha''sughter echoed behind them. The transition was just as disorienting as before, but Celia barely noticed. Her mind was racing, her body trembling with adrenaline.


    The pack was waiting for them on the other side. Marcus pushed ahead, his eyes scanning Aziel and Celia for injuries.


    "What happened?" he demanded.


    "The rogue Alpha," Aziel said, voice grim. "He''s stronger than we thought."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Marcus''s jaw tightened, and he exchanged a worried nce with Luna, who had joined the group. "We need to regroup," he said. "If he''s after Celia, we can''t afford to let our guard down."


    Aziel nodded, his hand still gripping Celia''s. "Double the patrols. No one goes anywhere alone."


    Celia could hardly hear them talking. Her mind had been stunned by what went on in the rogue realm. She could feel the unleashed power and the connection through the monolith, now also feeling a bond through Aziel, and it just was all too much to process.


    "Celia?" Luna''s voice cut into her thoughts.


    Celia looked up, seeing the healer watching over her with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Are you all right?


    "I don''t know," Celia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Luna''s face rxed, and she reached out, cing aforting hand on Celia''s shoulder. "Come with me," she said. "We need to talk."


    In the quiet of Luna''s cabin, Celia sat by the fire, her hands sped tightly in herp. Luna moved around the room, preparing tea with the same calm efficiency she always had.


    "What you felt in the rogue realm was no ident," Luna said, handing Celia a steaming cup. "The monolith is somehow connected to the blessing, ways that we don''t fully understand. It is a gateway, a conduit to the power inside of you." Celia furrowed her brow, tightening her fingers on the cup. "But why would it call me? Why does it feel. as though it is a part of me?


    Luna''s face was thoughtful. "Because it is. The blessing is woven into your very being, Celia. It''s not just a gift-it''s a responsibility. And the monolith is a reminder of that."


    Celia''s chest tightened as Luna''s words sank in. She had spent so long running from her past, from her heritage, but now there was no escaping it. The blessing was hers, whether she wanted it or not.


    What happens if the rogues get their hands on it?" she asked, her voice shaking.


    Luna''s eyes grew dark. "They would twist it, corrupt it, just as they have corrupted the rogue realm. The bnce would be shattered, and our world would be plunged into chaos."


    Celia swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her responsibility bearing down on her. She wasn''t ready for this. She wasn''t strong enough.


    "You''re not alone in this," Luna said gently, as if sensing her thoughts. "You have the pack. And you have Aziel."


    Celia looked away, her heart racing at the mention of his name. The bond between them was stronger than ever, but it was also confusing, overwhelming. She didn''t know how to navigate the feelings that came with it.


    Later that night, Celia found herself standing outside Aziel''s cabin, her hand hovering over the door. She wasn''t sure why she hade. Maybe it was the bond pulling her here, or maybe it was the lingering fear from the rogue realm. She didn''t have time to question herself because the door opened, and Aziel stood before her, his expression unreadable.


    "Couldn''t sleep?" he asked.


    Celia shook her head, drawing her arms around herself. "I just. needed to talk."


    Aziel stepped aside, gesturing her to enter. The cabin was simple but warm. Flickering shadows yed across the walls from the fire. Celia sat on the edge of a worn leather couch, her fingers ying nervously.


    I don''t know what I''m doing," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I''m drowning in all of this-the blessing, the bond, the rogues. It''s too much."


    Aziel sat across from her, his eyes steady. "You are stronger than you think, Celia. I have seen it. You just need to trust yourself.


    She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "How do you do it? How do you carry the weight of being Alpha without falling apart?"


    Aziel hesitated, his expression softening. "I don''t have a choice," he said quietly. "My pack depends on me. And now, so do you."


    The vulnerability in his voice surprised her, and she found herself feeling guilty for having doubted him. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his.


    "I don''t want to be a burden," she said.


    "You''re not," he replied firmly. "You''re my mate, Celia. That means we carry this burden together."


    The next morning, Aziel brought the pack together in the central clearing. The air was charged with tension as he spoke to them, his voice carrying authority and resolution.


    "The rogues are getting bolder," he said. "They hear about the blessing, and they won''t rest until they get it. But we are not going to let them."


    The pack murmured in unison, showing their absolute loyalty to Aziel.


    "We stand together," Aziel continued. "As one pack, one family. And we will protect what is ours."


    Celia stood at his side, her heart swelling with a mixture of fear and determination. She didn''t know what the future held, but for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope. Together, they might just stand a chance. Just as the pack cheered into the clearing, a messenger wolf stumbled into their midst with his body battered and panic in his eyes.


    "They''reing," he panted. "The rogues. they''re already here."

 The Unseen Enemy

    The pack''s cheers died instantly as the bloodied messenger copsed at Aziel''s feet. Celia''s heart skipped a beat as the wolf shifted painfully into his human form, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The sharp scent of blood and fear filled the air, making her stomach churn.


    "They''re close," the messenger gasped. "The rogues. they''ve found the outer perimeter."


    Aziel knelt beside the man; his expression grim. "How many?"


    The messenger shook his head, his voice weak. "Too many to count. They''re not hiding anymore-they want us to see theming."


    Marcus stepped forward, his face a mask of anger. "They''re testing us. Trying to make us panic.


    Aziel stood, his authoritative presence silencing the murmurs that had begun to ripple through the pack. "We don''t panic," he said firmly. "We hold our ground. Marcus, double the patrols. Luna, tend to the injured. I want every able wolf ready to fight.


    The pack sprang into action, moving quickly and efficiently. Celia stood there, frozen in her mind. The rogues were closer than ever; their threat was no longer abstract. This was real, and it was terrifying. Aziel turned to her, his eyes intense. "Celia,e with me.


    She trailed behind him in silence as he ushered her into his cabin, the force of his need pressing upon her. She stepped inside with him and shut the door behind them. Turning to face her, he looked both determined and tortured. "You are not going out there," he said emphatically.


    Celia blinked, taken aback. "What?


    "You heard me," Aziel said, his voice low but resolute. "The rogues are after you. If you go out there, you will be putting yourself-and the pack-at risk."


    She felt her frustration re. "I''m not going to hide while everyone else fights! I have the blessing, Aziel. I can help.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Aziel closed the distance between them, his jaw clenching. "You have no idea what you are facing. That rogue Alpha won''t give up on getting to you, and if you go out, you be a mark."


    Celia set her arms crossed. The sense of challenge had just ignited inside her. "And what''s the scenario if he prates through? You told me, after all-this gift is linked with me. And if I don''t struggle, then we are all lost.


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and for a moment, she saw the conflict within him. "I can''t lose you," he said quietly. "Not now. Not ever."


    Her breath hitched at the vulnerability in his voice, but she didn''t waver. "You won''t lose me," she said. "But I won''t sit by and do nothing."


    By nightfall, the pack was gathered in the central clearing, their faces grim but resolute. Aziel stood at the front, his presencemanding as he addressed them.


    "The rogues think they can break us," he said, his voice steady. "They think they can take what''s ours. But they underestimate us. They underestimate *you*."


    A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, growing louder as Aziel continued.


    We fight not just for survival, but for each other. For our pack. For our future. And we will not let them take it from us."


    It mattered little that the pack saw none in its usually well-toned form. The mark shone bright beneath her sleeve, burning with a steadily hot warmth. Celia stooks strong beside Aziel, carrying this added weight of their gazes into their Alpha- and thusly her.


    As the pack dispersed to take their positions, Marcus approached, his expression serious. "The scouts spotted movement near the eastern border," he said. "It won''t be long now."


    Aziel nodded, his eyes narrowing. "We hold them at the border. No one crosses into the inner territory."


    "What about her?" Marcus asked, ncing at Celia.


    "She stays close to me," Aziel said firmly.


    Celia opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. She knew better than to argue with him now. The battle was too close, the stakes too high.


    It came before midnight, as they did this stealthy work in moving so swiftly and silent under the dark shadows of the forest. The first indication that the wolves hade was when there came the low growl followed by that howl that chilled one to death like Celia''s veins were chilled.


    It was a pack.


    Wolves transitioned from their human forms without any awkwardness, their bodies prepared and poised for fighting. Celia kept close to Aziel, her heart hammering as the first wave of rogues broke through the trees. The clearing exploded into chaos.


    Aziel was a force of nature, his massive wolf form tearing through the rogues with brutal efficiency. Marcus fought beside him, his movements precise and calcted. The rest of the pack moved as one, their unity a stark contrast to the chaotic frenzy of the rogues.


    She felt in wonder and terror, her hands trembling as the mark on her arm came to life. She could feel the blessing coursing within her, yearning to be let loose. But fear restrained her. What if she could not control it? What if she hurt someone she cared for?


    A rogue wolf lunged at her, its teeth bared and its eyes filled with malice. Instinct took over, and Celia raised her hand, releasing a wave of energy that sent the wolf flying backward. The force of it left her breathless, but she didn''t have time to recover. Another rogue was alreadying for her.


    Aziel intercepted it, his ws raking across its side as he snarled in warning. "Stay behind me!" he growled.


    "I can handle myself!" Celia shot back, but the truth was, she wasn''t so sure.


    As the fight continued, Celia noticed something odd. The rogues were not attacking wildly; they seemed to have a purpose. They aimed at the pack''s most powerful members, as if to break the very heart of the defense.


    She knew she was right when she saw that rogue Alpha enter the clearing; malice seemed to drip from his very being. He did not enter the fray, instead observing as his red eyes tracked through the chaos until they met her gaze. Celia''s blood froze at the twisted grin which crossed his lips, raising a hand as he seems to silentlymand the rogue army''s attention toward her.


    "They''reing for me," she thought, her voice trembling.


    Aziel turned to look at the same, his face darkening. "Marcus!" he yelled. "Perimeter! Don''t let them through!"


    Marcus nodded, rallying his pack as Aziel positioned himself in front of Celia, his previous wordsing a repetition. "Stay close to me," he growled.


    The rogues rushed toward them, eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Aziel met them head-on, his movements a blur of strength and precision. But for every rogue he took down, another seemed to take its ce.


    Celia felt the fear rising within her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the power that burned within her. She raised her hand, releasing another wave of energy that sent several rogues sprawling. The effort left her dizzy, but she didn''t stop. She couldn''t.


    Amid the chaos, Celia saw something odd. The rogue Alpha wasn''t fighting; he was chanting. His guttural words were low and rhythmic, and the air around him seemed to ripple with dark energy.


    "What is he doing?" Celia asked, her voice full of unease.


    Aziel''s eyes narrowed as he fought off another rogue. "He''s using dark magic," he said, his voice strained. "He''s trying to corrupt the blessing."


    Celia''s stomach twisted. "What if he seeds?"


    Aziel didn''t say a word, but the dark look in his eyes was enough.


    The rogue Alpha''s chanting grew louder, and Celia could feel the mark on her arm burning painfully. The power inside of her reacted to the dark energy emanating from the rogue Alpha, pushing back but also threatening to overwhelm her. She knew what she had to do.


    "I have to stop him," she said, moving forward.


    "No!" Aziel barked; his voice sharp. "It''s too dangerous."


    But Celia didn''t listen. She couldn''t. The fate of the pack-and possibly the blessing itself was at stake. Summoning every ounce of courage she had, she pushed through the chaos, her gaze fixed on the rogue Alpha.


    The rogue Alpha''s eyes glowed as she approached, his twisted smile widening. "Ah, the little keeper," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Come to join me, have you?"


    Celia''s hands trembled, but she stood her ground. "You''ll never take the blessing," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her.


    The rogue Alphaughed, a deep, sinister sound that sent chills down her spine. "We''ll see about that."


    He raised his hand, and the dark energy around him surged toward her. Celia braced herself, the mark on her arm ring as she summoned her own power to counter it. The sh of energies was blinding, the force of it sending shock waves through the clearing.


    For a moment, everything was still.


    When the light faded, she was on her knees, her body shaking. The rogue Alpha was nowhere to be seen; hisughter remained in her head. And so was Aziel.

 Blood and Oaths

    The clearing was oppressively silent, as if the very attack and aftermath had hung a shadow across the pack. Wolves took on their human forms tended to the wounded, a quiet sobriety filling their step. Celia stood at the edge of the battlefield in frozen indecision, drawing shallow breaths as if her mind had gone blind to the just past.


    The rogue Alpha''s dark energy had swept through the clearing like a tornado, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake. When the blinding light of their sh had faded, Aziel was gone, and still echoing in her mind were the sinisterughs of the rogue Alpha.


    "Celia!" Marcus''s voice cut through her haze as he ran toward her, his face pale and etched by worry. "Are you hurt?"


    Celia shook her head dully. "He''s gone," she whispered, her voice shivering. "Aziel. he''s gone."


    Marcus''s jaw firmed, and heid a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We''ll find him," he said grimly. "But now, for now, we need to regroup. The rogues may return."


    Celia''s chest constricted as she scanned the clearing. The pack was battered and bloodied, their faces etched in exhaustion and fear. She felt the weight of their gazes, the unspoken question hanging in the air: What happens now? She did not know.


    At the pack''s settlement, tensions ran high. The casualties were taken to Luna''s cabin, where the pack healer continued to work through the night with determination. Marcus called the remaining warriors into the central hall, his voice calm as he gave them instructions for the emergency.


    Celia stood there in the edge of the room; her arms wrapped tightly about herself as she watched. She felt like a guest in a world she didn''tprehend, an intruder perhaps in a world that belonged not to her. The burn on her arm persisted weakly, reminding her not to turn away.


    "Celia." Marcus pulled her out of her trance by his voice. Now, he was standing right before her, his expression severe. "We have things to discuss.


    She followed him to a quieter corner of the hall, where the murmurs of the pack faded into the background. Marcus leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he regarded her.


    "You''re the keeper of the blessing," he said bluntly. "That makes you more important than you realize.


    Celia frowned, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I didn''t ask for this," she said. "I didn''t ask to be the keeper, or to have this. this power."


    "I know,¡± Marcus said, his tone softening. "But like it or not, you''re part of this now. The pack needs you, Celia. Aziel needs you.¡±


    Her breath hitched at Aziel''s mention, and she looked away. "I don''t know what I''m supposed to do," she admitted. "I don''t even know where to begin."


    Marcus''s eyes went soft, and he set a hand on her shoulder. "You begin with trusting yourself," he said. "You''re stronger than you think. Aziel saw that in you and so do I.


    Celia swallowed hard, a weight of his words settling down over her. She really wanted to believe him; but still, doubt flickered in the back corners of her mind, making her question whether she might actually be the leader this pack needed. Later that night, Celia found herself standing outside Aziel''s cabin, her heart heavy with uncertainty. The bond between them was still there, faint but present, like a thread stretched thin. She closed her eyes, focusing on the connection, willing it to guide her to him.


    But there was nothing.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Frustration and fear bubbled to the surface, and she clenched her fists. "Where are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.


    The bond remained silent.


    The next morning, Marcus called the pack together in the central clearing. The air was heavy with tension as the wolves gathered, their faces grim but determined.


    We suffered a defeat," Marcus began, voice unshaken. "Yet we are far from broken. Aziel''s vanishing is one loss too high of a price we can''t allow, but the rogues will not be able to im victory for themselves today. We shall fight on for him, for our pack, and for the lives we want for ourselves.".


    You are the keeper of the blessing," he dered, his voice carrying over the howling of the pack. "And as long as you stand with us, we stand a chance."


    Celia''s breath caught at the pack''s attention turned toward her; hope and trust filled their eyes, the weight of their expectations a thing that felt oppressive but strong, too-they were offering their support instead of waiting for hers. "I will do whatever it takes," she said, her voice steady now though the fear was running a rampant through her. "We will bring Aziel back. Together." Panting, the pack burst into cheers, regenerating the fire of desire inside them. For the first time since the attack, she had felt a spark within Celia.


    As pack preparation began for the soon confrontation with the rogues, Marcus approached Celia with proposition:


    "There''s someone who might be able to help us," he said. "But it''s a risk."


    Celia frowned. "Who?"


    "An old ally of Aziel''s," Marcus said. "He''s. unorthodox, but he knows more about the rogue Alpha than anyone else."


    Celia hesitated. "Can we trust him?"


    Marcus''s expression darkened. "That''s the risk.


    Celia was not too enthusiastic, but she agreed to see this unknown ally. The walk to his hideout was heavy; the forest felt suffocating with each step taken. When they reached his ce, a man awaited them who looked equal parts deadly and handsome.


    "Marcus," the man said with his voice smooth and full of mockery. "Long time no see."


    "Cut the crap, Ss," Marcus said gruffly. "We need your help."


    His eyes drifted to Celia, and his expression furrowed with curiosity. "And who is she?"


    Celia straightened her back and faced him. "The guardian of the blessing."


    His expression changed, with his amusement giving way to something darker. "Well, well," he said. "This just got interesting.


    Despite his gruff exterior, Ss was a good ally. He told her everything she needed to know about the rogue Alpha: his association with the monolith and his end game: corrupt the blessing to take over the packs.


    "If he seeds," Ss said, "he''ll be unstoppable."


    Celia''s stomach twisted as the weight of his words sank in. She couldn''t let that happen. She wouldn''t.


    Dayster, Celia''s feeling for Aziel grew even more significant. The bond pulsed softly in the line, simr to a heartbeat, driving her closer to him. She hung onto it like a rope, not letting go of it.


    One night by the fire, she was filled with energy. This time, the bond jumped to life, stronger than ever and more urgent.


    "Aziel," she said, her heart racing.


    She closed her eyes, felt for the link, and got a flicker of him: he was wounded, alive but imprisoned in an awful dark ce, his voice barely audible. She knew without words.


    "Please." Celia began.


    Just the vision did enough for the pack, with Marcus directing them, as to infiltrate this stronghold. They had little hope left; it would be theirst act, but their only.


    Celia stood at the pack''s center as they geared for battle, her will afire stronger than ever before. She wasn''t doing it for Aziel anymore; she was doing it for the pack, for the blessing, and for herself. Moving into the night, Celia and Aziel maintained a steady rhythm to the bond between them-a guidingntern through the darkness.


    The air was heavy as they reached the rogue''s den. The pack padded noiselessly, their bodies in sync, a fluid movement. Celia followed Marcus, her mark alive and throbbing with promise. They found Aziel in a dark,rge cavern, bound and bashed but alive. It was when they were closer that the rogue Alpha appeared out of the shadows, his eyes glowing red with malice. You should have hidden," he sneered menacingly. "Now, none of you will leave alive."


    Closing in on her, Celia felt the blessing strengthen within her to a powerful degree. The battle would soon be underway, and the stakes were higher than ever.

 The Prophecy Unfolds

    The pack moved quietly through the forest, their steps silent, their senses attuned to every rustle of leaves or snap of a branch. Aziel led the group, his movements precise and purposeful despite the lingering pain from his injuries. Celia stayed close behind him, the mark on her arm tingling faintly as if reacting to the tension in the air. The weight of the prophecy weighed heavily within her mind, and the cryptic words would not let her be in peace.


    She looked over at Aziel, his broad shoulders a reassuring presence in front of her. Most of the injuries inflicted by the rogue Alpha had healed, but she could still see the tension in his movements, the cautious way he carried himself. It reminded her of everything he bore: not merely the physical scars, but the load of responsibility in protecting the pack and guiding them into an uncertain future.


    The forest grew darker as they ventured deeper into the rogue territory. Trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the faint sound of whispers seemed to echo through the shadows.


    "Aziel," Marcus said quietly, falling into step beside him. "Are we sure this is the right way?"


    Aziel nodded, his face grim. "The energy of the monolith remains. The rogues may have retreated, but they left traces behind. We must know what they were doing and why.


    Celia''s stomach churned at his words. The rogue Alpha''s disappearance hadn''t felt like a victory. It had felt like the beginning of something far worse. And the mark on her arm-the blessing-seemed to agree. Its faint glow pulsed in time with her racing heart, a constant reminder of the power she carried and the responsibility that came with it.


    As they crested the rise and reached the clearing, the whispers grew louder and began to take on a faint form that made shivers crawl up Celia''s spine. The choice is not yet made. The bnce hangs in the hands of the keeper.


    She froze, her breath caught in her throat. The pack turned to look at her, concern etched on their faces.


    "Celia?" Aziel said, his voice low and steady. "What is it?


    She shook her head, trying to push the whispers aside. "I. I don''t know. It''s the blessing. It''s reacting to something."


    Aziel''s gaze hardened as he stepped closer to her, his presence aforting anchor. "Stay close," he said. "We don''t know what we''re walking into.


    A huge stone altar dominated the clearing, upon which in dim light had been carvings of all sorts: Celia felt somehow drawn towards it, she thought a feeling from within, as her blessing realized something that emanated from within the


    stone.


    "This is it," said Aziel, filled with foreboding in his tone. "This is where prophecy began.


    Celia stepped forward, brushing her fingers over the carvings. As she touched it, energy bolted through her, and everything around her melted into light.


    7---


    The view started clearing once and found Celia in open space under silverly colored lights. The grounds upon her steps were smooth and cold; in time, air was very sensitive and felt timeless. Taking slow turns, heart raced looking ahead of what she can take.


    "Celia, she heard a low gentle voice.".


    She turned to see a figure approaching, its form shifting and glowing like moonlight made flesh. As it drew closer, she saw it was a woman, with silver hair flowing like liquid light, her eyes filled with a wisdom that seemed to pierce through Celia''s very soul.


    "Who are you?" Celia asked, her voice trembling.


    The woman smiled, a sad but understanding expression that made Celia''s chest tighten. "I am a guide," she said. "A remnant of the blessing''s origin, left to ensure that its keeper understands the weight of their role." "The prophecy," Celia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What does it mean?"


    The woman''s face grew dark, and she swept her hand toward the air around them. The silver light flexed, taking on forms that hung in the air like photographse alive. Celia saw wolves fighting, their forms vague in shadow and light. She saw the rogue Alpha standing before the monolith, his eyes zing with power. And she saw herself, standing at a crossroads, the blessing radiating from her like a beacon.


    The blessing is a gift and a curse," the woman said. "It holds within it the possibility of great good-or unseen destruction. The choice is yours now, Celia. You are the holder, and it will be your decisions that determine the fate of all who live in your world.


    For Celia, the words of the woman weighed heavy. "But what if I choose wrong?" she spoke through a voice that trembled. "What if I end up failing?


    The woman stepped closer, her eyes firm and filled withpassion. "You will find trials, Celia. You will be tested in ways you cannot yet imagine. But remember this: the blessing chose you for a reason. Trust in yourself and trust in those who stand beside you.


    The silver light dissipated, tugging Celia back to the waking world. She stretched out, desperation wing at her chest. "Wait! What do I do? How do I choose?"


    The woman''s voice echoed faintly as the vision dissolved. "The path will reveal itself in time. Trust the bond."


    7---


    Celia woke with a start, her body quivering and her heart pounding. She was once again in the clearing, with the pack surrounding her, concern etched in their faces. Aziel knelt beside her, his hands steadying her shoulders. "Celia," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "What happened?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    She took a deep breath, the memory of the vision still so fresh in her mind. "The prophecy," she said. "It''s real. And it''s tied to the blessing in ways we don''t understand."


    Aziel''s jaw tightened, and he helped her to her feet. "Then we need to move quickly," he said. "If the rogues know about this ce, they won''t stop until they''ve exploited it.


    Marcus moved forward, his jaw grim. "The scouts reported an anomaly at the northern border, could be a rogue team."


    Aziel nodded, his eyes glinting with a dark aspect. "We will divide into two, Marcus. Take half the pack and secure the border. The remaining half will stay here guarding the clearing." "What about him?" Marcus asked, his face swinging toward Celia.


    Aziel''s expression softened as he turned to her. "I''m staying with Celia," he said firmly. "If the prophecy is tied to the blessing, then she''s the key to all of this. And I''m not leaving her side." Celia''s chest tightened at his words, the bond between them pulsing with a steady rhythm. She felt a flicker of hope despite her fear and uncertainty. Whatevery ahead, she wouldn''t face it alone. As the pack spread out, Celia and Aziel remained by the altar, the light of the carvings illuminating in dim patterns in the floor. The forest was silent; however, a tinge of tension settled in the air. "Do you think this prophecy is to be true?" Celia asked, low and quietly, keeping her eyes fastened to the altar.


    Aziel shrugged, his features unreadable. "I believe in you, and that''s all that matters to me."


    She looked up to him, her heart full of thanksgiving and determination. She had no idea what tomorrow brought, but she knew one thing: the blessing wasn''t going to be given to the wrong hands. 7---


    The moon climbed above the forest, and howls echoed in the distance. Celia felt chills run down her spine as Aziel''s body tensed beside her. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the shadows.


    They areing," he said, his voice low but steady.


    Celia''s mark red with heat and she clenched her fists; there was no room for her fear anymore. The time for hesitation was over as the prophecy unfolded.


    She would fight-for the blessing, for the pack, and for the bond that tied her to Aziel.


    1---


    As the first rogue emerged from the shadows, with red eyes glowing with malice, Celia felt the blessing surge within her, more powerful than ever. The whispers of the prophecy echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the choice she would soon have to make.


    Would she embrace the light-or sumb to the darkness?

 When Fates Collide

    The forest seemed to hold its breath as Celia and Aziel moved through the dense trees. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves underfoot. Celia could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest. The prophecy, the blessing, the rogue Alpha-all of it was converging into something that she couldn''t fullyprehend. What was that thing the prophecy really talking about? What was she supposed to do?


    Aziel walked beside her; he was a steadying influence in all this turmoil rolling inside her head. His nce was fixed ahead, slow movements as if every step is getting them closer to an inevitable meeting.


    Aziel," she said softly, her voice carrying more of a question than a statement. "How much of this is a choice? The prophecy, the blessing. I don''t feel like I have any control over it.


    Aziel stopped before her, his eyes unyielding yet soft with understanding. "None of us ever chooses the role we''re given. Not as alpha, not as keeper of the blessing. But this choice you make will determine all that follows. The power is yours tomand.


    Celia shook her head, frustration boiling in her chest. "It doesn''t feel like it''s mine to control. It feels like it''s controlling me."


    Aziel came a step closer, lowering his voice. "Celia, you are not alone in this. You never will be. You''re part of the pack. The bond we share. that''s your strength.


    Celia''s heart was racing at the words, at the depth of the tie that bound them. She felt his sincerity, his trust, but she could not help but hold on to her doubts: how could she wield such power without sumbing to it?


    The wind shifted and brought a distant howl through the trees. It was followed by another, and then another-closer this time.


    "They''re here," Aziel said, his expression hardening. "Get ready."


    \---


    The clearing ahead was still, the trees around it twisted in unnatural shapes as if nature itself were warping in response to the rogue Alpha''s growing influence. Celia felt a chill run through her as they approached. This ce, this moment- everything seemed to point toward something bigger than just a battle. The rogue Alpha wasn''t just a threat; he was part of something deeper, something ancient.


    Aziel moved quickly, motioning to the pack that it was time. The wolves transformed into their animal forms, their bodies rippling with muscle as they took positions around the clearing. Celia stayed beside Aziel, her hands shaking, her mind filled with the echoes of the prophecy: Light cannot exist without darkness.


    The first one stepped out of the dark, its eyes glowing red in the gloomy light. Then another, then another, until the clearing echoed with snarling sounds and the flicker of glowing eyes in the dark. Celia''s heart pounded hard within her chest, and the mark on her arm began throb in response to the heightening tension.


    The pack moved with precision, circling the rogues as they advanced. Celia felt the pull of the bond; Aziel''s presence beside her was like an anchor, steady and unyielding. She raised her hand, feeling the power surge within her, but she held back. She wasn''t sure if she was ready to unleash it, or if she even could.


    With the first rogue lunging toward her, Celia raised her hand automatically. The energy inside her detonated in a st of light, and the rogue hurtled backward with a deafening roar. The power was nothing like she had ever felt it was raw, untamed, and deadly. She took a step back, her vision blurred by dizziness, but she felt the pack surging forward around her, their power supporting hers.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    "Celia, focus!" Aziel''s voice broke through her foggy thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He was already engaged in battle with another rogue, his wolf form a blur of power and fury.


    She nodded, forcing her mind to clear. She wasn''t just a spectator in this battle she was part of it. The blessing was hers to wield, and she had to learn to control it.


    7---


    In the battle, the time was lost in chaos. However, the pack fought bravely, but the rogues were relentless. She could sense the tide of the battle shifting, the rogues were gaining ground despite their losses. And it was only when she heard the deep, resonating growl that she came to know the rogue Alpha was among them.


    He stepped into the clearing, his massive form towering over the other rogues. His red eyes fixed on Aziel, and the air seemed to crackle with dark energy. Celia''s stomach tightened as she felt the rogue Alpha''s gaze fall on her. She didn''t need to be told that she was his true target.


    Aziel quickly intercepted his path, his wolf shape being an indistinct blur of power and speed, but he was faster. Swinging with his ws, the rogue Alpha sent Aziel tumbling to the ground. Hey sprawled there, body curled under the impact of his hit. The pack''s rallying roar of defiance drowned under the cold cackling of the rogue Alpha.


    "Foolish," the rogue Alpha sneered, his voice deep and menacing. "You thought you could protect her? She belongs to me."


    Celia''s heart was racing now as the rogue Alpha advanced. His eyes were focused on her; she felt the power within her, calling out to the blessing urging her to im it. It was a temptation-one that would bring her strength, control, victory. But what was the price?


    "No," she breathed, the word barely above a whisper.


    The rogue Alphaughed louder, his ws scraping against the ground as he moved closer. "You have no choice, Celia," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "The blessing will be mine, whether you want it or not.


    The ground trembled beneath her feet, and Celia''s mark red with blinding light. The energy within her surged, almost too much to contain, but she forced it into focus, allowing it to flow through her like a river of power.


    "I will choose," she said, her voice stronger now, filled with conviction.


    With a fierce cry, Celia released the energy within her. A wave of light exploded from her, a force so strong that it sent the rogue Alpha stumbling backward. The clearing seemed to tremble as the energy collided with the rogue Alpha''s dark aura, shing in a blinding explosion of power.


    For a moment, everything went still.


    7---


    When the light finally faded, Celia stood alone in the center of the clearing. Her breath wasing in ragged gasps as she stood over the area where the rogue Alpha had stood. His body was ash, reduced by the power she had unleashed. The pack was still, their eyes wide with disbelief.


    Aziel slowly stood up, his form shifting back into human shape. He was covered in bruises and blood, but there was a look of awe in his eyes as he regarded Celia. "You did it," he said, his voice filled with reverence.


    She looked down at her hands, which were still quivering with the remains of the fight. "I didn''t want to," she said, her voice breaking. "But I had no other choice." Aziel drew closer to her, his expression easing. "You made the right decision, Celia. This power is not a curse it is your strength.


    She looked up at him, her heart swelling with a mixture of fear and hope. The battle was won, but the war wasn''t over. The rogue Alpha was gone, but his forces were still out there. And now, Celia knew that the hardest part of the prophecy was yet toe.


    7---


    As the pack surrounded them, a low howl echoed through the trees, distant but unmistakable. The sound was full of sorrow and rage, a warning that the rogues weren''t finished yet.


    Aziel''s expression hardened. "This isn''t over," he said, his voice filled with determination. "The rogue Alpha''s death has only made them more desperate."


    Celia felt a shiver run down her spine. The prophecy was far from over and the choice she had made was just the beginning.

 The Alpha’s Decision

    The pack convened in the central hall, their voices low and husky with tension. Celia sat at the far end of the room, her eyes fixed upon Aziel as he stood before the group. He stood every inch the Alpha, with broad shoulders squared and piercing blue eyes that scanned the room in amanding presence. But Celia knew him well enough by now to see the tension in his stance, the strain hidden beneath the surface.


    The rogue Alpha was gone, but the danger of his followers hung over them like a dark cloud. Victory in the clearing had been theirs, but it hade at the cost of much. The pack was wounded, both body and soul, and the safety they had once taken for granted was now a fragile thing.


    "We can''t assume this is over," Aziel said firmly but measuredly. "The rogue Alpha may be dead, but his forces are not. They have tasted blood and will not stop until they take everything from us."


    Murmurs spread through the group, and Celia could feel the fear in their voices, the uncertainty that clung to them like a shadow. She wanted to stand up, say something that would ease their minds, but the weight of her own doubts held her back. What could she possibly say to reassure them when she didn''t even know if she could trust herself?


    Marcus stepped forward; his face set but determined. "We have to make borders stronger," he said. "We have to double the patrols. Keep the weak inside territories. If roguese, we''ll be ready." Aziel nodded his head, gritting his jaw. "Agreed. This isn''t just about defending. We have to find out what they want. Blessing is central to all this, and till we understand why, we are fighting blind. All eyes turned to Celia, and her breath caught in her throat. The mark on her arm seemed to pulse with the attention, a reminder of the power she held and the responsibility that came with it. "The blessing chose her," Luna said, her voice calm but firm. "It''s tied to her in ways we don''t yet understand. If we want answers, we need to look to Celia.


    The room fell silent, and Celia felt the weight of their expectations settle over her like a heavy cloak. She looked at Aziel, hoping to find some reassurance in his gaze, but his expression was unreadable.


    "I. I don''t know what the blessing wants," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I''ll do whatever it takes to protect the pack."


    Aziel''s eyes softened, and he gave her a small nod. "You''re not alone in this, Celia. Whateveres next, we''ll face it together."


    \---


    The meeting ended with the pack dispersing to prepare for the days ahead. Marcus took charge of organizing patrols, while Luna tended to the wounded. Aziel remained in the hall; his gaze distant as he stared at the map spread out before him.


    Celia entered the room hesitantly, her footsteps echoing through the quiet space. "Aziel," she said softly.


    He looked up, his face rxing at the sight of her. "Celia. You should be resting."


    "I could say the same to you," she replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You have been pushing yourself too hard."


    Aziel sighed, tugging his dark hair back as he said, "I haven''t a choice. Every decision makes its impact on the pack. If I fail, then they do."


    Celia advanced another step, her heart contracting at the weariness in the sound of his voice. "You''re not carrying this alone," she said. "The pack looks to you for strength but trusts you to lean on them when you need to do that. And I am here too.


    Aziel met her eyes, the connection between them vibrating with a soft intensity. "You''ve done more than I could ever ask," he said. "The blessing, the prophecy. it''s too much for one person to handle. But you''ve dealt with it with more courage than anyone could have expected.


    Celia''s cheeks flushed at his words, yet she did not look away. "I''m not brave, Aziel. I''m scared to death. But I know I can''t run from this. The blessing chose me and I have to see it through.


    Aziel reached out, his hand brushing against hers in a gesture that wasforting and yet electrifying. "You are stronger than you think, Celia. And I will stand by you, no matter what."


    \---


    Following that came preparation days as each trainee worked to harden their defenses. The pack tried to reinforce their defense on different levels, while Celia made sure to master the energying from the blessing. Practiced under Luna''s tutge, she learned to channel such energy with precision instead of brute force. It is really exhaust work, but with every passing practice session, she felt herself bing stiffer.


    Aziel was a constant presence during her training, offering quiet support and encouragement. His faith in her was unwavering, and it gave her the strength to push through even when doubt threatened to consume her.


    But as the weeks passed, tensions within the pack built. The rogues were being uncharacteristically quiet, and theck of activity was amplifying the unease. It felt like the quiet before the storm, a lull promising great devastation when it broke. One evening, when the sun had dipped below the horizon, Aziel called Celia to his cabin. She found him standing by the window, the fading light framing his silhouette against the ss. He turned at her entrance, his face grim. "We need to talk," he said.


    Celia''s stomach contracted. "What is it?"


    He gestured for her to sit, his movements uncharacteristically hesitant. "The pack depends on me to make the hard decisions," he said. "But this one. this one''s different."


    "What do you mean?" Celia asked, her voice tinged with unease.


    Aziel took a deep breath, his eyes steady. "The prophecy speaks of a choice," he said. "A decision that will shape the future of the blessing-and the pack. I don''t know what that choice is, but I know it''sing. And I know it involves you." Celia''s heart pounded as his words sank in. "You think. you think I''ll have to choose between the pack and the blessing?


    Aziel nodded, his jaw tightening. "I don''t know what the rogue Alpha''s endgame was, but I know it''s tied to you. If we''re going to face this, we need to be ready for whateveres."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Celia felt a surge of frustration and fear. "How am I supposed to make that kind of decision? I don''t even know what the prophecy wants from me!"


    Aziel took a step closer, his voice soft but firm. "You''re not alone in this, Celia. Whatever happens, you have the pack. You have me."


    She looked up at him, her eyes searching his for answers. "What if I fail, Aziel? What if I make the wrong choice?"


    He reached out, his hand cupping her face in a tenderness that took her breath away. "You won''t fail," he said. "Because you''re not fighting for yourself. You''re fighting for all of us. And we believe in you.


    The bond between them pulsed with a steady rhythm, a quiet reassurance that spoke louder than words. Celia felt a flicker of hope, a small but growing belief that she could face whatevery ahead. \---


    That night, as the pack gathered around the fire, Aziel made his decision known. He stood before them, his presencemanding, his voice steady.


    "We''ve faced impossible odds before, and we''ve alwayse through stronger," he said. "The rogues want us to believe that we''re weak, that we can''t stand against them. But they''re wrong."


    He looked at Celia, his eyes full of trust and determination. "The blessing chose Celia, and we stand with her. Whateveres next, we face it together.


    The pack erupted into cheers, their unity a palpable force that filled the night with hope. Celia felt the weight of their trust settle over her, but for the first time, it didn''t feel like a burden. It felt like a promise.


    As the firelight danced against the dark sky, Celia knew that the fight was far from over. The prophecy was still unfolding, and the hardest battles were yet toe. But with Aziel and the pack by her side, she felt ready to face whatever fate had in store.


    7---


    Just Then as cheers started to fade, the scouts broke into the clearing of face paled and voice began quaking, "The rogues." Those words cut through any of the celebration like a sharp knife. "They''re on their way. And it appears they areing straight here."

 Hunted by Shadows

    The night closed heavy over the pack, like a hood, with darkness hanging in a thick veil over the forest. The breathless warning from the scout sent ripples of fear over the gathering, extinguishing the brief flicker of hope Aziel''s words had lit. Celia stood there unmoving by the fire, which did little to counteract the cold dread coiled in her chest.


    "They''re on the move," the scout repeated, his voice hoarse from the run back to the settlement. "Dozens of them. Maybe more."


    Aziel was the first to respond, hismanding presence slicing through the growing panic. "How far out are they?" he asked, his tone sharp but measured.


    "Half a day''s run at most," the scout replied. "They''re not hiding their movements. It''s as if they want us to know they''reing."


    Aziel''s jaw tightened, and he turned to Marcus. "Double the patrols along the borders. I want scouts keeping constant eyes on their position. Everyone else prepares for a fight."


    The pack sprang to action; fear turned into grim determination as they set off. This was different from their earlier encounters with the rogues. The death of the rogue Alpha had made them more fierce, and their strength appeared endless. Celia felt the mark on her arm throb faintly, a persistent reminder of the blessing''s presence. She wanted to help, to contribute in some way, but doubt gnawed at her resolve. She had unleashed the blessing''s power before, but each time it felt like she was walking a razor''s edge, one misstep away from losing control.


    Aziel came closer to her and his blue eyes softened as their gazes met. "Celia," he murmured low enough that she alone could hear him. "I know what you feel, but we need you badly now."


    She swallowed with difficulty, trying to settle her hands that were shaking precariously. "What if I cannot control it?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "What if I make things even worse?


    "You won''t," Aziel dered. "You''re stronger than you realize. The pack believes in you. I believe in you."


    Some warmth filled her at his words, but the weight of all this pressed down on her and forced her to nod curtly. She met his eyes as best she could manage, even forcing a smile with a hard mouth. "I''ll do my best." "That''s all anyone can do," Aziel said softly.


    Hours passed in tight preparation. The pack worked hard at reinforcing the settlement, building barricades and reinforcing weak points along borders. Celia joined Luna in preparing for the wounded; her hands trembled as she sorted through bandages and salves.


    The rogues were nearby. She could feel it in the air, a stifling pressure that seemed to weigh heavier with each passing moment.


    As dawn broke, the scouts returned with grim news. "They''re less than an hour away," one of them reported, his face pale. "And they''ve brought reinforcements."


    Aziel''s expression darkened, but he didn''t hesitate. "Get everyone into position," he ordered. "We meet them at the outer boundary. If they break through, we''ll fall back to the settlement."


    Celia followed him as he moved to the front lines, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see the tension in his jaw, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.


    "Aziel," she said, her voice trembling. "If something happens-"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Nothing will happen," he interrupted, his tone firm. "We''ll get through this, Celia. Together."


    The connection between them pulsed faintly, steady and reassuring, even as fear threatened to consume her. She nodded, taking strength from his confidence. The pack waited at the edge of the forest, scanning the horizon for signs of their enemy. Tensiony heavy in the air, punctuated only by the distant song of birds rising into flight.


    Then came the rogue group.


    The rogues crested out of the darkness like a tidal wave, with glowing red eyes full of malice. They ran at unnatural speed, growling and snarling their way toward the pack.


    Aziel let out a fierce howl, and his body changed into wolf form. The pack moved simrly, rippling through strength as they prepared to take the onught.


    Celia hung back, her heart pounding as she watched the two groups collide. The clearing became a blur of ws and teeth as the pack fought to keep the line.


    She raised her hand, feeling this entity''s power surge within her. But before she could let it loose, a shrill cry caught her attention.


    Luna was surrounded, her usually calm demeanor reced with fierce determination as she fought off the rogues closing in on her. Celia didn''t think she acted. She released a wave of energy that sent the rogues flying, the force of it leaving her momentarily dizzy.


    Luna turned to her, her eyes wide with surprise. "Celia, you shouldn''t-"


    "I couldn''t let them hurt you," Celia said, cutting her off.


    Before Luna could respond, a new sound cut through the chaos-a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers down Celia''s spine. She turned to see a massive rogue stepping into the clearing, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. "It''s a trap," Aziel growled, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "They''re drawing us out."


    The rogue let out a bone-chilling howl, and the forest seemed toe alive with movement. More rogues poured in from every direction, their numbers overwhelming.


    "Fall back!" Aziel ordered, his voice filled with urgency. "Regroup at the settlement!"


    The pack began to retreat, but the movements were coordinated, almost choreographed, in spite of the chaos. Celia clung to Luna, her heart racing as they moved back toward the settlement.


    But the thieves did not relent; they pursued the pack with viciousness that caused waves and waves of fear to race through Celia. And she felt the blessing burning up inside of her, urging her to fight, but this was one thing she didn''t know if she could achieve.


    By the time they arrived at the settlement, the rogues caught up right behind them. The pack hardly had the time to assume their posts before the attack wasunched.


    The settlement was thrown into chaos as the rogues broke through the outer defenses. The pack fought valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies threatened to overwhelm them. Celia stood at the center of it all, her mark glowing brightly as she struggled to control the blessing''s power.


    "Celia!" Aziel''s voice cut through the noise, drawing her attention. "Now''s the time. We need you!"


    She took a deep breath and centered herself. The blessing surged within her, and she unleashed it in a controlled burst, the energy spreading out in a wave that sent the rogues reeling back in.


    The pack rallied around her, renewed by her disy of power. Together, they started to push the rogues backward, unity and determination stronger than ever.


    But just as triumph seemed within reach, a deafening roar shattered the air. Celia turned to see a massive figure emerging from the shadows-a rogue unlike any she had seen before. Its form was twisted and monstrous, its eyes burning with a dark, unnatural light.


    The pack froze, their earlier momentum faltering, as the rogue advanced.


    "It''s him," Aziel said, his voice full of dread. "The rogue Alpha''s second-inmand."


    Celia felt her stomach drop. This was no ordinary enemy. This was a force of pure darkness, and it wasing straight for her.


    7---


    As the monstrous rogue came charging towards her, the blessing sprang to life inside Celia. Energy, now burning brighter than it ever had before, cried to be released.


    She lifted a hand, her heart beating wildly as she steeled herself to face the foe head-on. But she could not act when a shadow loomed over her, sending the world into darkness.

 Crossing Boundaries

    The morning after the battle dawned in uneasy silence. Pack moved with grim determination, their faces etched with exhaustion and resolution as they worked to rebuild the settlement. Celia sat on the edge of the central clearing, her body aching from the strain of the blessing''s power the night before. Her hands quivered slightly as she wrapped her arms around her knees and stared out at the trees.


    Aziel had been gone for hours. He had left before sunrise, leading a small group to scout the perimeter for signs of lingering rogues. Despite his reassurances that he would return by midday, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at Celia. She couldn''t shake the memory of the rogue Alpha''s monstrous second-inmand, a figure that seemed to embody pure malice. Though they had shoved the rogues back, she knew the fight was far from over.


    A hand on her shoulder startled her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Luna standing over her, a small smile on her face despite the dark circles under her eyes. The healer looked as worn as Celia felt, but her presence steadied Celia. "You should eat something," Luna said, her voice soft. "You won''t do anyone any good if you copse."


    Celia nodded, though the idea of food made her stomach turn. "I''m not hungry."


    "You still need to take care of yourself," Luna said, sitting beside her. "The blessing takes a toll, Celia. You can''t ignore that."


    Celia looked down at the mark on her arm, where the faint glow told her that power was inside of her. "It''s not just the blessing," she admitted. "I keep thinking about what''s next. The prophecy, the rogues. it feels like no matter what I do, it''s never enough.


    Luna sighed, her eyes rxing. "No one expects you to know everything. The prophecy chose you for a reason, but that doesn''t mean you have to carry everything on your own.


    Celia didn''t reply, but Luna''s words stayed with her as the healer stood and returned to her work. She watched the pack moving about their tasks, their unity and resilience a quiet source of strength. Even in the face of uncertainty, they kept fighting, rebuilding. It was a reminder she wasn''t alone in this.


    She turned at the sound of hoofbeats; Aziel rode into the settlement, his face grim. Behind him rode Marcus and the rest of the scouts, each face tight with tension. The pack assembled rapidly, hope and dread intermixed in their hasty movements.


    Aziel slid from his saddle and swept his blue gaze around the assembly, until they locked on Celia. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood up, feeling her way to him.


    "What did you find?" Marcus asked, the question cutting through the mumbled words of the gathered wolves.


    Aziel''s jaw hardened into a line, and with a deep breath, he began his report. "The rogues are regrouping, he said. "We tracked them to the north valley edge. They''re gathering more forces and mustering up for another attack". A shiver ran through the crowd. Celia''s stomach twisted inside her. The north valley was so close to the core of theirnd. If the rogues broke through, the pack would have nowhere to go to in case of retreating. "We cannot let them take a step forward," Marcus said, his voice firm. "If they have reached this point, we should strike before they can advance.


    Aziel nodded. "I agree. But this isn''t just a matter of defense anymore. The rogues are after something specific-something tied to the blessing. We need to find out what it is and we must halt it before it''s toote." Celia felt the weight of his words settle over her like a heavy cloak. She didn''t need to ask what he meant. The blessing was at the center of all of this, and by extension, so was she.


    "I''ming with you," she said, her voice steady despite the fear curling in her chest.


    Aziel turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Celia¡ª"


    No," she broke in, her eyes fixing on his. "This battle isn''t just yours, Aziel. It''s mine too. If the rogues areing for the blessing, then I need to be there."


    The tension between them was almost palpable in that moment. Then Aziel exhaled, his shoulders rxing just a little. "You are right," he said softly. "But you stay close to me. No exceptions.


    Celia nodded, relief and apprehension flooding her in equal measure. She didn''t know what they would find in the northern valley, but she knew she could not stand by, allowing others to fight her battles for her.


    The pack prepared quickly, their movements efficient and well-coordinated. Aziel''s leadership was evident in the way they followed hismands without even a flicker of hesitation, his trust in him unwavering. Celia watched him closely as he moved among them, his presence steady and unyielding, though she knew the weight he carried. She wondered if he ever allowed himself to feel the weight of it or if he had simply learned to bear it without faltering.


    As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting long shadows over the forest, the group set out. Celia rode beside Aziel, her heart pounding as they made their way toward the northern valley. The forest grew darker about them as they travelled- the trees closing in around them like silent sentinels-and the air was heavy with tension with every rustle of leaves and snap of a branch.


    The journey was long and arduous, weighing on their mission with every passing mile. Celia found herself constantly looking at Aziel as if he was a source of strength. The danger ahead did little to ease her nerves but he radiated a sort of calm determination that was steadying.


    When they reached the edge of the valley, Aziel signaled for the group to halt. They dismounted silently, their movements careful as they approached the ridge overlooking the rogue encampment. Celia crouched beside Aziel, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the scene below.


    The rogues had set up camp in a wide clearing, and their numbers were far more than she had anticipated. Dozens of them moved about the encampment, their forms shadowy in the fading light. At the center of the clearing stood a massive stone structure, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the dark.


    Celia felt the mark on her arm burn, a searing heat that made her wince. The blessing was reacting to the structure, its energy resonating with the runes in a way that left her breathless.


    "What is that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Aziel''s expression darkened. "It''s an altar," he said. "One of the old ces of power. The rogues must be trying to harness its energy."


    "Or corrupt it," Marcus added grimly.


    Celia''s stomach twisted as she watched the rogues moving about the altar, their movements precise and deliberate. Whatever they were doing, it was clear that they had a purpose-a purpose tied to the blessing. "We can''t let them finish," Aziel said, his voice low but firm. "If they seed, it could tip the bnce in their favor."


    Marcus nodded. "Then we strike now, before they get any chance to react."


    Aziel turned to Celia, his eyes fixed. "Stay close to me," he said. "Whatever happens, don''t let them separate us."


    Celia nodded, her heart racing as she dug her hand into the dagger at her side. The blessing burned hotter now, the energy within her surging as if in anticipation of the battle ahead.


    Aziel indicated to the group, and they moved quickly down the ridge, making no sound whatsoever, with precise steps. Celia followed Aziel, who breathed shallowly, as they drew closer to the edge of the encampment.


    First was a sh of impact. Aziel led it, his form bing merely a whirlwind of fur and motion, as he thrust himself through the nearest throng of rogues. The rest followed, not in disorganization, as the rogues were behaving, but as one movement, with no room in their unity or precision.


    Celia raised her hand, letting loose a burst of energy that sent a rogue flying backward. The power surged through her, wild and unchained, but she fought herself to concentrate, to throttle it into controlled strikes.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The battle continued on, the air full of snarls and growls as the two sides shed. Celia stayed close to Aziel, her mark glowing brightly as she fought to keep the rogues at bay. But as the minutes stretched into what felt like hours, the tide of the battle began to shift.


    The rogues never ceased, their count endless. Celia could feel her strength dwindling; the energy of the blessing ran like wildfire through her veins. She stumbled, vision blurring with exhaustion threatening to consume her. Aziel was beside her in an instant, his presence steadying her as he took the rogue''s blow meant for her. "Celia!" he bellowed over the mayhem. "Hang on!


    She nodded weakly, pushing herself to stand as the bond between them pulsed with renewed strength. She couldn''t give up. Not now.


    The battle was at its peak, a deafening roar echoing through the valley. Celia turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows, its form shrouded in darkness. The rogues parted as it approached, their movements reverent as the figure advanced toward the altar.


    It was the rogue Alpha''s second-inmand, his presence radiating an aura of power and malice. His red eyes locked onto Celia, and she felt the mark on her arm sear with pain. Aziel stepped in front


    of her, his stance protective as he faced the monstrous rogue. "You won''t touch her," he growled, his voice filled with defiance.


    A low, menacingugh exploded from the rogue Alpha''s lieutenant as he spoke. His voice rumbled like thunder. "You can''t stop me, Alpha. This blessing is ours now."


    Celia felt the blessing surge within her, building to a peak as the figure advanced. The battle around them faded into the background as she faced the rogue, her heart pounding with equal parts fear and determination.


    This was it. The moment the prophecy had been leading up to. The line between light and darkness was blurred as the power of the blessing reached its peak, and Celia knew that the choice she made here would shape the future of them all.

 The Forbidden Bond

    The hush in the valley was crushing, only broken by the faint rustle of leaves and distant howls of wolves still locked in a tangle of battle. Celia''s heart pounded as she stared at the lieutenant of the rogue Alpha, a monstrous figure shrouded in an aura of darkness. His red eyes gleamed with malice, locked onto her as if she were a caught prey in a trap. On her arm, the mark burned strongly; its heat was almost unbearable, a reaction of the blessing to the evil so overwhelming before her.


    Aziel moved in front of her protectively, his broad shoulder acting as a shield against the rogue''s piercing gaze. "You cross ournd for thest time," he growled low with fury.


    The lieutenantughed darkly, the bulk of his frame seeming to exude an unnatural menace. "Yournds? How quaint," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Thesends belong to no one but the strong, and you, Alpha, are losing your grip."


    What Celia saw was the lieutenant''s gaze flicking to her. The air seemed heavier, charged with a tension that made it impossible to breathe. "And the keeper of the blessing," he went on, his tone turning almost reverent. "You''re the reason we''re here. Do you even know the power you hold?


    Aziel''s eyes hardened, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. "She''s not yours to take," he said coldly.


    The rogue''sugh echoed through the valley, making Celia shiver inside. "Ah, but she''s not yours, is she?" he said, his eyes glinting with a wicked amusement. "The bond you share is forbidden. An Alpha tied to the keeper of the blessing-it''s unnatural. Dangerous.


    Her stomach dropped at his words, her gaze jolting to Aziel. The bond between them throbbed faintly, a steady rhythm that was reassuring even as doubt slipped quietly into the crevices of her mind. Was the bond truly forbidden? Had they unknowingly crossed a line that would damn them both?


    Aziel''s growl deepened, his anger palpable. "You don''t know anything about us.


    The rogue tilted his head, his expression mocking. "Don''t I? The blessing chose her, and it''s tied to her fate. But you, Alpha. you''re nothing more than a distraction. A weakness."


    But the rogue was quicker, lunging at Aziel with his massive ws slicing through the air. Aziel met him head-on, their collision sending shockwaves through the ground. Celia stumbled back, her hands trembling as she watched the two titans sh. This battle was brutal as every impact in the valley rippled like a thunderp.


    "Aziel!" she screamed, her voice cracking. She could feel the power of the blessing building inside her, screaming to be set free. But fear held her back - the fear of losing control, losing herself, and worse, causing more damage than good. "Celia, run!" Aziel barked, his voice strained as he dodged the rogue''s powerful swipe. "Get to safety!"


    No," she eximed, her mark brightening as the energy of the blessing reached a crescendo. She couldn''t leave him. Not now. Not ever.


    Summoning every ounce of courage she possessed, Celia stepped forward, her hand raised and releasing a burst of light. The energy shed with the rogue, forcing him to stumble backward with a snarl. Aziel used the chance to strike him with a powerful blow that made the rogue crash to the ground.


    The pack surged around them, its cohesiveness a stark contrast to the mad chaos of the rogues. The battle was turned; the rogues retreated under the pack''s strength and the blessing''s power.


    And yet, even so close to victory, Celia''s heart sank. The rogue lieutenant slowly rose, his red eyes zing with fury. "You think this is over?" he hissed. "This is only the beginning."


    1---


    At the time the battle had died down, the valley was eerily silent, but it was over for the rogues. They were gone with the faint stench of their presence, leaving only the weight of their threat behind. The pack began regathering, moving with an air of weariness but determination to tend to their wounds, strengthen their defenses.


    Celia stood at the edge of the clearing, her hands still shaking from the battle. The mark on her arm pulsed with weak energy, spent but not gone. She could sense Azieling before she saw him, his presence a steadying force that calmed the storm inside her.


    "You shouldn''t have stayed," he said quietly, his voice a mixture of anger and relief. "I told you to run."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    She faced him, her eyes running with tears she held back. "I couldn''t leave you," she said. "I couldn''t just stand by and do nothing."


    Aziel''s face softened. He reached out to stroke a lock of hair back from her face. "You''re braver than I deserve," he said. "But you can''t put yourself in danger like this. The blessing-"


    The blessing is part of me," she said, her voice strong. "I won''t run from it. And I won''t run from you."


    The tie between them felt stronger than ever, a steady rhythm that seemed to echo the beating of their hearts. For a moment, the world around them faded into nothing as the two of them stood in the quiet flurry after the battle had subsided. But the moment was fleeting. For Marcus approached, his face grim. "We must talk," he said, his eyes darting from Aziel to Celia. "What that thief said. about the bond. Is it true?"


    Aziel''s jaw clenched, and he looked at Celia before speaking. "The bond exists," he admitted. "But it''s not what they think. It''s not a weakness.


    Marcus frowned, his concern evident. "The pack won''t see it that way. They''ll question it, Aziel. They''ll question you."


    Celia''s chest tightened at his words. She hadn''t considered how the bond might affect Aziel''s leadership, how it might be perceived by the pack. "This isn''t his fault," she said quickly. "If anyone''s to me, it''s me."


    Aziel shook his head. "No one''s to me," he said firmly. "The bond is what it is. And if the pack has questions, I''ll answer them."


    Marcus hesitated, then nodded. "They trust you, Aziel. But this is new territory. Be careful."


    1---


    The following days were stifling with tension. The packbored tirelessly to rebuild, but whispers about the bond pped their tongues like wildfire. Celia sensed their eyes on her wherever she went, their curiosity and suspicion a persistent heaviness on her shoulders. She avoided their gazes, concentrating instead on learning the blessing''s power under Luna''s tutge.


    Aziel also suffered the weight of uncertainty carried in the pack. Although he remained strong and decisive, Celia could see that it was taking its toll on him. He was spending long hours in the central hall, meeting with Marcus and other pack leaders toe up with a strategy and n for the rogues'' next move.


    One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aziel found Celia sitting alone near the edge of the forest. She looked up as he approached, her expression weary but grateful. "Couldn''t sleep?" he asked, sitting beside her.


    She shook her head. "It''s hard to sleep when half the pack thinks you''re a liability."


    Aziel frowned, his gaze softening. "They don''t think that."


    They do," she said, her voiceced with frustration. "And I don''t me them. The blessing, the bond. it''s all so much bigger than me."


    Aziel reached out, his hand covering hers. "You''re not a liability, Celia. You''re part of this pack. Part of me."


    Her breath hitched at his words, and she looked at him, her eyes searching his. "Do you ever regret it? The bond, I mean.


    He shook his head without hesitation. "Never," he said. "The bond isn''t a weakness, no matter what anyone says. It''s what gives us strength. And it''s what will see us through this."


    The bond pulsed between them, a steady rhythm that seemed to echo their unspoken connection. For the first time in days, Celia felt a flicker of hope. Whatever challengesy ahead, she knew she wouldn''t face them alone.


    But when the first stars twinkled in the ck darkness of night, a lonely howl pierced the quiet. Aziel''s face set in a look of severity, and he sprang upright, standing stiffly on his feet.


    "Theye," he whispered.


    Celia stood beside him, her heart racing. The rogues hadn''t given up. And now that the bond had been exposed, the risks were greater than ever.


    7---


    The forest around them seemed to be holding its breath, because the howls grew louder and closer. Celia felt the blessing stirring within her, energy building as if anticipating what was toe. She nced at Aziel, their bond thrumming with silent determination.


    "Together," he said, his voice steady.


    "Together," she repeated, her mark glowing faintly as they prepared to face what was toe.

 An Unexpected Alliance

    The pack remained quiet as they geared up for the impending storm. The forest, full of the gentle rustle of leaves and far-off chirping of birds, seemed oddly still. Celia stood close to the center fire, her thoughts a maelstrom of confusion and resolve. The rogue attacks had gotten bolder with each passage; they were clearly not working alone - there was a force at work behind them, a shadow manipting them.


    Aziel had summoned the inner circle of the pack. Marcus, Luna, and a few chosen warriors were gathered in the central hall, their faces somber as they debated their next course of action. Celia stood on the sidelines, her arms crossed as she listened.


    "We can''t keep fighting like this," Marcus said, his voice cutting with frustration. "The rogues outnumber us, and every battle leaves us weaker. We need reinforcements.


    And precisely where do you n to draw our reinforcements?" Luna countered; voice thick with weariness. "We''re already at the edge, and there is no one to fall back on." "There is," Aziel said tly but calmly.


    Eyes moved to him as a sudden chill ran over Celia''s spine.


    "You don''t mean this," Marcus began with raised brows. "You mean, invite them to rescue us?


    Aziel''s eyes were steady. "The ck River pack is our only choice. They have the numbers and the resources we need to turn the tide. If we are going to survive this, we will need their help."


    Celia''s breath caught in her throat. The ck River pack was infamous, their reputation shrouded in tales of ruthlessness and betrayal. They were powerful, yes, but they were also dangerous. They''ll never agree," Marcus said, shaking his head. "And even if they do, what''s the cost? The ck River pack doesn''t do favors out of the goodness of their hearts."


    Aziel''s expression darkened. "I know the risks. But if we do nothing, the rogues will tear us apart. I won''t let that happen.


    Luna''s expression softened, but her voice stayed cautious. "Aziel, if you go to them, you''re risking both yourself and the pack. Are you sure this is what you should do?"


    "It''s the only choice," he said inly.


    Celia moved forward, her heart racing. "I''ming with you."


    Aziel turned toward her, his blue eyes narrowing. "Celia¡ª"


    "No," she interrupted, voice firm. "I''m part of this too. If the ck River pack is as dangerous as they say, you''ll need someone to watch your back. And if this is about the blessing, I need to be there." Aziel hesitated, his jaw tightening as he considered her words. Finally, he nodded. "All right. But you stay close to me. No exceptions.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    The journey to the ck River territory was tense. Aziel, Celia, and Marcus traveled in silence, their senses on high alert as they made their way through the dense forest. The trees grew darker and more imposing as they neared the border, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the ground.


    A mark faintly burned on Celia''s arm-a constant reminder of the blessing''s presence. She looked at Aziel, his face inscrutable as he led her forward. There was something dangerous ahead, yet a core of unshakeable confidence that gave her a small measure of reassurance, he did possess.


    When they reached the border of ck River, they were greeted by a group of sentries. The wolves were big and their ck fur shone under the moonlight as they looked at the newers with suspicion.


    "What business does the Crescent Moon pack have here?" one of them demanded in a low menacing voice.


    "We are here to see your Alpha," Aziel said calmly but firmly. "Tell him Aziel ckwood requests an audience.


    The sentry''s eyes narrowed, but after a tense moment, he nodded. "Follow me."


    They walked through the forest to the ck River settlement, an expansive encampment of high walls and guarded by fierce warriors. Tension was palpable as they entered the pack''s den, its wolves gazing at them warily.


    The Alpha of the ck River pack was waiting for them in the central hall. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing green eyes and an air of authority that demanded respect. He looked at Aziel with both curiosity and amusement as they approached.


    "Aziel ckwood," he said with smooth, calcting voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"


    "We need your help," Aziel said without preamble. "The rogues are growing stronger, and we can''t fight them alone. We''re asking for an alliance."


    The ck River Alpha raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smile. "An alliance? That''s a bold request, considering our history."


    "I''m not here to dredge up the past," Aziel said, his tone steady. "I''m here because our survival depends on it. If the rogues win, they won''t stop with us. Your pack will be next."


    The Alpha''s smile vanished, and he leaned back in his chair, his green eyes focused intently on Aziel. "You make a very good argument. But an alliancees at a cost. What do you propose to offer in return?" Aziel hesitated; his jaw clenched. "Name your terms.


    The Alpha''s eyes fell on Celia, and she felt a shiver dance down her spine. "Blessing keeper," he said softly but with great curiosity. "That mark upon your arm. it cannot be some ordinary gift given to you, surely?" Celia''s breath caught up in her throat as Aziel automatically stepped forward in front of her. "She is not involved," he stated firmly.


    The Alphaughed, the sound dark and menacing. "Rx, ckwood. I have no interest in taking her from you. But the blessing is powerful, and its presenceplicates things. If we agree to this alliance, I''ll need assurances that your pack won''t be a liability."


    Aziel''s face hardened. "We can take care of ourselves.


    "Can you?" the Alpha asked, his tone challenging. "Because from where I stand, it seems like you''re already in over your head."


    Celia stepped forward, her mark glowing faintly as she met the Alpha''s gaze. "The blessing is tied to me," she said, her voice steady despite her fear. "But it''s also tied to the survival of all wolves. If we fall, you fall. This isn''t just about our pack- it''s about all of us.


    The Alpha looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, in a move that surprised her, he nodded. "You''re brave, I''ll give you that," he said. "Very well. I''ll agree to the alliance, but on one condition." "What condition?" Aziel asked, his voice wary.


    "The next time the rogues attack, we fight together," the Alpha said. "If your pack falters, the deal''s off."


    Aziel nodded resolutely. "Agreed.


    It was tense as they journeyed back into Crescent Moon territory but full of renewed purpose; Celia could feel a small spark of hope for the first time in days, an alliance with the ck River pack. The risk was always there, but it also represented her one shot at turning their luck and bringing the rogues down from power.


    As they drew nearer to the settlement, Aziel fell into step beside her, his presence a reassuring anchor. "You handled yourself pretty well back there," he said.


    Celia cast him a nce, her smile growing faint. "So did you. I wasn''t thinking they''d agree."


    Aziel smiled softly. "Neither were they. But sometimes the most unexpected alliances can surprise you.


    Celia could feel the connection between them thrum faintly, steady like a heartbeat that reassured her even when the challenges ahead seemed big and daunting. She had no idea what the future would bring, but she was ready to face it as long as Aziel and the pack were with her.


    As they approached the settlement, a distant howl echoed through the forest, filled with a chilling mix of anger and desperation. Celia felt the mark on her arm burn, its energy surging as though in response to the cry.


    Aziel''s expression darkened, and he turned to her with a grim determination. "They''reing," he said. "And this time, we''ll be ready."

 Echoes of the Past

    The woods seemed to go on forever, a dark blue sea of whispers and shadows beneath the moonlit sky. Celia stood by the edge of the clearing; her arms wrapped around her torso as she looked out at the darkness. There was a small smoldering mark on her arm, its glow barely perceptible beneath the sleeve.


    She could feel it''s quiet thrum all day, a constant reminder of the blessing-and of the prophecy that hung on it.


    The settlement behind her was alive with the faint sounds of the pack preparing for yet another confrontation. Reinforcements from the ck River pack had arrived earlier that afternoon, their presence a strange mix of reassurance and unease. Aziel had worked tirelessly to integrate them, their leader, Kael,manding his wolves with the same ruthless efficiency that had made his pack infamous.


    Celia didn''t trust him.


    She couldn''t quite put her finger on why-not exactly, but there was something about Kael that made her edgy. His easy smile and smooth words hid something darker, something she wasn''t sure even Aziel could see.


    The rustling of leaves caught her attention, and she turned to see Aziel approaching. He moved silently, his steps measured and deliberate, but there was a tension in his posture that betrayed his unease.


    "You''re not supposed to be out here alone," he said, his voice low but firm.


    Celia managed a weak smile. "I needed some air. Everyone''s so. tense."


    Aziel stepped closer, his blue eyes scanning the treelined before settling on her. "For good reason. The rogues haven''t made a move yet, but they''re out there. Waiting." She nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground. "It feels like everything''s waiting," she said quietly. "Like we''re all caught in this. limbo, waiting for something to happen." Aziel didn''t respond right away, but his presence was steadying. She could feel the bond between them pulsing faintly, a quiet reassurance in the midst of her uncertainty. "They''lle," he said finally. "And when they do, we''ll be ready."


    Celia looked at him, her heart aching at the burden he bore. Heined not of the safety of the pack, the weight of leadership, nor now with the uncertainty of an alliance with a pack they barely trusted. She wished she could remove some of that weight off his shoulders, but did not know how.


    I believe in you," she said, soft-voiced, the tone just above a whisper.


    Aziel''s eyes had gentled, and he touched her hair to remove the offending strand from her cheek. "That means more to me than you''d know," he said.


    \---


    Next morning the world was gray and overcast, with the air so heavy that rain would doubtlesse. The pack stood in the center clearing, their movements economical but tight as they geared up for patrols today. Celia watched from the periphery of the group, her mark slightly tingling as she swept the faces before her.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Kael and his wolves stood apart from the others, their dark uniforms and sharp features a stark contrast to the Crescent Moon pack''s more subdued appearance. Kael himself was the picture of confidence, his green eyes gleaming as he surveyed the clearing.


    "Quite the operation you have here," he said, his tone smooth as he approached Aziel. "Efficient, disciplined. butcking in numbers."


    Aziel''s expression remained neutral, though Celia could see the flicker of irritation in his eyes. "We make do with what we have," he said simply.


    Kael''s smile widened, though it didn''t reach his eyes. "And that''s why you called us, isn''t it? To fill in the gaps?


    Celia bristled at the tone, but Aziel did not rise to the bait. "We called you because we need allies," he said. "It isn''t about pride-it''s about survival."


    Kael''s gaze flicked to Celia, and her stomach twisted. There was something predatory in his expression, something that made her want to step back even as she forced herself to hold her ground.


    "And the keeper of the blessing," he said, his voice taking on a curious edge. "I must admit, I''ve heard stories but seeing it for myself. it''s impressive."


    Celia didn''t respond, but the mark on her arm burned hotter, as if reacting to his presence.


    Aziel stood between them; posture protective. "Celia''s not in this," he said firmly. "She''s here to help the pack, nothing more."


    Kael''s eyebrow shot up, but his smile didn''t waver. "Of course," he said smoothly. "I wouldn''t dream of interfering. But you can''t deny that she''s a. unique asset.


    Aziel''s face darkened, but before he could say anything, Marcus came up to him, his face grim. "Scouts reported activity on the northern border," he said. "Could be rogues."


    Kael''s smile faded, and a sharp interest crossed his face. "Then it seems we have work to do," he said.


    7---


    The patrol to the northern border was tense, the group moving through the forest with careful precision. Aziel was leading, every movement giving off a sense of authority and focus. Kael and his wolves were following closely; their presence a constant reminder of the uneasy alliance he had formed.


    Celia stayed close to the center of the group, her mark smoldering faintly as she scanned the trees for any sign of movement. The forest was eerily silent, the usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves reced by an oppressive stillness. As they approached the border, the smell of smoke reached her nose, faint but unmistakable. She nced over at Aziel, who nodded grimly.


    "They''re close," he said, his voice low.


    Kael stepped forward; his green eyes gleaming. "Shall we?" he said, his tone almost eager.


    Aziel didn''t respond, but his stance shifted, his body tensing as he prepared for a fight.


    The attack came without warning. Rogues emerged from the shadows, their red eyes gleaming as they charged toward the group. The air erupted into chaos, snarls and growls filling the forest as the two sides shed.


    Celia raised her hand, the power of the blessing surging within her. She let out a burst of energy, sending a rogue flying backward with a deafening roar. The power was wild and untamed, but she forced herself to focus, to control it. Aziel and Kael fought side by side, their movements a blur of strength and precision. Not for all their differences were they not able to cooperate together; theirbined strength managed to turn the tide of battle.


    But as the rogues retreated, an eerie feeling crept up over Celia. Marking her arm was burning, and its energy pulsed with a force that made her chest feel tight.


    "Something''s not right," she said, her voice barely audible over the sound of shattering.


    Aziel swung towards her his expression keen. "What do you mean?"


    She wasn''t able to get her answer out before the earth moved beneath them, this low rumbling that seemed to vibrate through the woods. The mark on her arm spiked with hot energy, and she breathed sharply, her fingers locking around it as it grew.


    Get back!" Kael yelled, his voice piercing the din.


    The earth cracked apart, the darkness spreading like a stain across the clearing. And from this darkness emerged a figure so shrouded in shadow that its presence seemed to exude an aura of malevolence that chilled her blood.


    The rogue Alpha''s lieutenant stepped forward, his red eyes zing with hatred that seemed to pierce her very soul.


    "This isn''t over," he said, his voice a low, menacing growl.


    Celia felt Aziel''s hand on her shoulder, steadying her as the bond between them pulsed with a fierce determination.


    "We''ll end this," Aziel said, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.


    It was far from being over, but for the first time, Celia sensed a little bit of hope. Together, they would face whatever came next.


    \---


    The figure raised a wed hand, and the air cracked with dark energy. "You can''t stop what''sing," he said, echoing like some sinister promise.


    Celia''s mark zed brighter as the blessing within her began to surge with fight.


    "We''ll see about that," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins.

 Storms Approaching

    Dark, churning clouds reflected the unease gripping the pack over the Crescent Moon territory, and the skies seemed heavy with them. The lieutenant of the rogue Alpha had retreated back into the shadows after his ominous warning, but the presence lingered like a foul taste in the air.


    She stood outside on the outer balcony of Aziel''s cabin, the mark on her arm tingling faintly as she watched the storm gather. It whipped through her hair, a cold touch that failed to ease the turmoil inside of her. The pack was preparing for the worst, and while she wanted to help, a gnawing doubt had held her back.


    The door creaked open behind her, and Aziel stepped out onto the balcony. He walked as he normally did, with his characteristic swagger, but Celia could see the tension in his shoulders, the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. "Do you ever feel like the storm is. alive?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.


    Aziel stepped beside her; his eyes were glued to the horizon. "Sometimes," he admitted. "It feels like it knows. Like it''s waiting for the perfect moment to strike."


    Celia nodded, her hand unconsciously brushing over the mark on her arm. "That''s how the blessing feels sometimes. Like it has a mind of its own."


    Aziel looked at her, his eyes so full of quiet determination they were blue. "It doesn''t control you, Celia. You control it. You''re stronger than you think."


    She gazed at him, heart aching at the surety in his voice. "I''m not so sure I believe that," she said softly.


    "I do," Aziel said firmly. "And I''ll keep believing it, even if you can''t."


    \---


    The storm broketer that night,shing rain raking over rooftops as the pack gathered in the central hall, tension palpable, air alive with scent of damp earth and fear. Kael and his wolves sat on one side, dark uniforms melting into the shadows. Too fragile was the alliance, reminding them constantly of an uneasy truce.


    Aziel stood at the head of the room, his presencemanding as he addressed the pack. "The rogues won''t wait for us to make the first move," he said, his voice steady despite the storm raging outside. "We need to be ready. Patrols will double, and no one moves alone. If you see anything-anything out of the ordinary-you report it immediately.".


    The pack murmured its eptance, though their tension was unmistakable. Celia sat back, her fists clenched in herp as she listened. The mark on her arm throbbed dully, its energy a constant reminder of the prophecy that hovered over all of them.


    "We have also to expect that the rogues do not want just territory, and that is a reality Aziel continued as he looked about the room. "Their leader is dead, but still, their movements are organized, and someone, or something is working behind the curtains."


    Kael leaned back in the chair, his mouth sporting a faint smirk. "A shadowy figure pulling the strings? How fabulously dramatic, said the man with the tone mockingly.


    Aziel''s jaw clenched, but he didn''t take the bait. "This isn''t some game," he said quietly. "If you''re not here to assist us, you can leave."


    Kael raised his eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Ease up, ckwood. I''m on your side, remember? At least for now.


    Celia''s stomach churned as she watched the exchange. The tension between Aziel and Kael was so palpable that she felt it in her bones and couldn''t help but wonder when it would all blow up. After the meeting, Celia stood in the hallway, thinking, trying to string together all the pieces of the prophecy. The storm had abated; the rain only pattered against the windows now.


    She turned the words over and over in her mind, looking for meaning, rity. "Penny for your thoughts?Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    She looked up to see Luna approaching, her expression curious. The healer sat beside her, a warm presence in the otherwise empty room.


    "It''s the prophecy," Celia admitted. "I can''t stop thinking about it. The choice, the blessing. it feels like I''m missing something important."


    Luna nodded; her gaze thoughtful. "Prophecies aren''t ever clear-cut," she said. "They mean to guide us, but sometimes don''t give us the actual answers we seek." Celia sighed, slumping. "I don''t feel guided; I feel. lost".


    Luna ced aforting hand on her arm. "You''re not lost, Celia. You''re exactly where you''re meant to be. The answers wille when you''re ready for them."


    Celia nodded, but Luna''s words were afort more than a solution. She nced out the window, where rain blurred the world outside. The storm was still out there, waiting.


    1---


    The first signs of trouble came the following morning. A scout returned to the settlement, his face white and short gaspsing from his mouth.


    "They have breached the southern border," he said, quivering. "The rogues. they''re inside our territory."


    Aziel did not hesitate. He grabbed the rest of the pack, barking outmands with a cold calmness that belied their desperation. Kael and his wolves moved in immediately, every movement sharp and channeled.


    Celia''s heart pounded like a hammer as she fell in behind Aziel, marching toward the front. The mark on her arm throbbed intensely, as if to respond to the danger threatening their borders.


    When they came at the southern border, she found things were worse than what she had imagined. ckened trunks of the trees with lush greenery all around made it an absolutely dismal scene. Smoke and ash filled all her senses thick in the air as grounds covered all the remains of dead wolves.


    Aziel''s face turned darker, and he stepped forth. His presence was authoritative. "We have to push them back," he said, his voice still level. "Celia, stay close to me."


    The battle was total chaos, a blur of motion and sound as pack and rogues shed with one another. Celia struggled to keep the flow of the blessing''s energy from overwhelming her, releasing tiny spurts of energy into enemies that sent them toppling but left her all too drained.


    Through it all, Aziel was a constant presence, his strength and determination a beacon in the chaos. Kael fought beside him, his movements ruthless and efficient. She couldn''t deny that he was a formidable ally, even if she did distrust him. But as the fight continued, Celia felt her difort mounting. These bandits were coordinated; their movements almost too precise. The action seemed to be under the direction of an unseen hand.


    The storm above them was growing in ferocity now: lightning streaked the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance. Within Celia, the blessing was building up; its power gathering and gaining momentum to a head as she prepared herself for another round of assants.


    And then she saw him.


    At the edge of the battlefield, his lieutenant stood. Rogue Alpha, red-eyed and with malevolent intentions. He held up a wed hand, and it seemed the very air itself cracked with dark energy.


    "Celia!" Aziel bellowed above the noise, his voice cutting through it all. "Back!


    But it was toote. Energy burst from the lieutenant''s hand, a wave of darkness that swept across the battlefield. Celia raised her own hand, the power of the blessing meeting the darkness in a blinding sh of light and shadow. The impact sent her flying back, her vision spinning as the world spun on its side. She was caught by Aziel''s arms, his presence solidifying her even as the storm continued to rage.


    "Stay with me," he said, his voice steady amidst the chaos. "We are not done yet.".


    Celia nodded weakly, her mark burning with a soft intensity as the blessing surged inside of her. The storm was outside and inside of her, a maelstrom of light and darkness that threatened to consume her. But she was not alone.


    As the battle crested, Celia felt that tie between her and Aziel grow, steady beat that sounded out with their hearts beating as one. Together they would ride out the storm. Together, they would find a way through.


    The rogue Alpha''s lieutenant raised his hand once more, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "You can''t fight the inevitable," he said, his voice echoing like a dark promise.


    Celia''s mark red with searing light, and she met his gaze with newfound resolve. "We''ll see about that."

 The Alpha’s Challenge

    The aftermath of battle was a grim tableau of destruction. The southern bordery in shambles, the former vibrant forest charred and barren. Wolves from both the Crescent Moon pack and the ck River pack ran through the wreckage, tending to the wounded and gathering in their fallenrades. The air was heavy with the acrid scent of smoke and blood, a bitter reminder of the cost of survival.


    Aziel stood at the edge of the battlefield; his eyes nk as he took in the destruction. His shoulders were knotted with tension, his jaw clenched as he acknowledged the weight of their loss. Celia watched from afar, her body screaming within her - it was painful to maintain such a strain on wielding the force of the blessing. The mark remained upon her arm: a ghostly glow, an almost constant reminder of what she bore inside her.


    "You should rest," Luna said softly as she approached, her hands stained with the blood of those she had tended to. "You''ve done enough for now."


    Celia shook her head, her eyes fixed on Aziel. "He hasn''t rested," she said. "How can I?"


    Luna followed her gaze, softening. "He''s the Alpha. He feels every loss, every failure, like it''s his own. You''re not him, Celia. You can''t carry his burdens and yours at the same time."


    Celia did not answer, but Luna''s words stayed with her as she walked toward Aziel. He did not look at her; he just kept staring ahead, lost in the distance. When she finally reached him, she reached out to touch his arm, her touch light but grounding.


    "Aziel," she said softly. "Talk to me.


    He turned toward her, his blue eyesden with weariness. "Nothing to say," he murmured. "We have won the battle, but are losing the war."


    It ached Celia''s heart with the defeat in his voice. "You needn''t do this alone," she said softly. "We all share in this."


    Aziel let out a defeated sigh. His gaze softened now, looking at her with sorrowful eyes. "I know, but that doesn''t help it any.


    For a moment, they stood in silence, the bond between them pulsing faintly. Celia could feel his weariness, his frustration, and his determination. It was a heady mix, one that left her both awed and terrified. "We''ll find a way," she said, her voice steady despite her doubts. "We always do."


    Aziel nodded, but the weight of his responsibilities did not lessen. He turned back to the battlefield, his expression hardening. "We need to regroup," he said. "The rogues won''t wait for us to recover. They''ll strike again, and next time, they''lle for the heart of our territory."


    The days that followed were grueling preparation. The pack was tireless in rebuilding their defenses; they worked hard, their unity unbroken. The ck River wolves were indispensable, their strength and numberplementing the Crescent Moon pack''s efforts. Though the two groups did not get along so well, a fragile camaraderie was born.


    Celia threw herself into her training, being determined to master the power of that blessing. Luna guided her through exercises in meditation, teaching her to focus and control the energy within. It was a slow and torturous process, but with each exercise, Celia felt herself gaining strength.


    Aziel spent many hours in the center hall with Marcus, Kael, and other leaders discussing what they will do next. The rogue Alpha''s lieutenant was still out there and their every move seemed to darken the presence of this rogue lieutenant as a looming threat.


    One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aziel called for a gathering of the pack. The central hall was full of wolves, their faces grim as they waited for him to make the announcement. Celia stood near the back, her heart pounding as she watched him take his ce at the head of the room.


    "We''ve faced impossible odds before," Aziel began, his voice steady andmanding. "And we''ve alwayse through stronger. But this is different. The rogues aren''t just after territory-they''re after something far more dangerous. And they won''t stop until they''ve taken it."


    He turned his eyes toward Celia, his blue peering back with a quiet intensity. "It''s all about the blessing, though," he said. "Our greatest strength, but a bullseye on our back as well. If we''re to take this war, we must learn it. We must understand why they want it and how to prevent it.


    The pack murmured their eptance, yet unease ran deep among the masses. She could feel their eyes, could feel the weight of what they hoped for like a weighty cloak against her. Her fists flexed inside of her clothes, the sense of purpose settling upon her.


    "I will do whatever it takes," she dered, steady despite a twisting fear that churned inside of her.


    Aziel nodded, his gaze softening. "You''re not alone in this, Celia. We''re with you. All of us."


    7---


    As the meeting dispersed, Celia found herself lingering in the hall, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and determination. Aziel approached her, his presence a steadying force as he ced a hand on her shoulder. "You were brave tonight," he said. "I know how hard this is for you."


    She looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. "It''s not about being brave," she said. "It''s about doing what''s right."


    Aziel nodded, his face reflecting a quiet admiration. "And that''s what makes you stronger than you realize.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    For a moment, their bond beat with an easy cadence, a wordless promise they would face whatevery ahead side by side. But it was short-lived. A scout entered the hall, his face ashen, his voice shaking. "They areing," he said. "The rogues. They are on their way."


    Aziel''s features set. He turned to the scout. "How many?"


    Celia felt her stomach twist at the burning mark on her arm. The rogues waited no longer. The storm was at hand.


    7---


    The pack moved to mobilize with speed, every movement efficient and coordinated as it prepared for theing attack. Celia was near the front lines, watching Aziel issue orders with calm authority that belied urgency. "We hold the line," he said, his voice carrying over the din of preparations. "No one fights alone. If we work together, we can push them back."


    The pack nodded, their resolve unwavering despite the fear in their eyes. Celia felt a surge of pride as she looked around at them, their unity a testament to Aziel''s leadership.


    But as the first howls echoed through the forest, she was shaken out of her pride, ovee by a cold dread. The rogues were closer than she had expected. A heavy, suffocating pressure hade into the air, making it hard to breathe. The battle erupted in a blur of motion and sound. The rogues came out of the shadows, their red eyes aglow with malice as they charged toward the settlement. The pack met them head-on, their strength and determination a formidable force. Celia fought with them, the blessing''s power coursing within her as she released waves of energy to drive back attackers. Yet the rogues seemed relentless, their sheer numbers overwhelming despite the pack''s efforts.


    Amidst the chaos, Celia saw the rogue Alpha''s lieutenant. He stood at the edge of the battlefield, his red eyes locked onto her as he raised a wed hand. The air crackled with dark energy, and the mark on her arm burned brighter than ever. "Celia!" Aziel shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. "Stay with me!"


    She turned toward him, heart racing, with the bond that pulsed between them burning with such a fierce intensity. The battle was not only about survival but it was a test of strength, unity, and will.


    And so the storm continued to rage within and around her, Celia knew that what would happen during this battle was going to determine their future, and she was set to fight with everything in her. Here are three additional paragraphs added before the cliffhanger in **Chapter 22: The Alpha''s Challenge**:


    \---


    Celia felt the earth beneath her shudder as the rogue lieutenant''s energy started to peak, a dark aura spreading from him like a poison. The sky above darkened, the storm gaining in strength as if responding to the evil force he wielded. The pack fought hard, but the rogue lieutenant''s power seemed to hold them at bay, forcing them to retreat inch by inch.


    Aziel fought through the rogues with a blur of strength and motion, precision of a leader. Yet Celia could see the marks of strain etched on his face; she could see how this battle was costing him. The bond between them pulled at her, urging her to act, to fight with him. But the blessing''s energy was raging out of control within her, every heartbeat leaving her breathless and poised to consume her if she was not careful.


    Suddenly, the rogue lieutenant''s red eyes locked onto hers, and Celia froze. She could feel his gaze digging into her, his words swirling in her mind like a whisper. "You''re stronger than you know, Celia.". But it''s not your strength that will break you-it''s your weakness." The words struck her like a physical blow, and the pain from the mark on her arm intensified, its burning heat a stark contrast to the cold fear creeping through her chest. 7---


    The rogue lieutenant smiled, his voice a low, menacing growl. "You can''t escape fate," he said, his red eyes gleaming.


    Celia raised her hand, and the energy of the blessing swelled inside her. "I don''t believe in fate," she said, her voice steady despite the fear running through her veins.

 A Dangerous Encounter

    The air in the settlement was unnervingly still, usual hum of activity subdued as tension rippled through the pack. Wolves moved with careful precision; every step, every movement underscored by the looming shadow of another rogue attack. Celia paced near the edge of the central hall; her thoughts scattered as she tried to focus on the restless energy of the blessing throbbing under her skin.


    The mark on her arm had been strangely silent after the skirmish at the southern border, but now it pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat that was out of rhythm with her own. Not pain-it was a warning. She felt it in her chest, a low hum of something waiting just beyond her reach.


    Aziel came out of the hall, his blue eyes surveying the clearing with a leader''s keen sharpness as though trusting nothing to chance. At sight of him, the turmoil of Celia''s racing mind steadied. He''d not stopped for an instant in the days following the attack, striving to build their defenses and to rally the pack. She admired the strength even as she worried for what it was doing to him.


    "Anything out of the ordinary?" Aziel asked, his voice smooth butced with the weight of his responsibilities.


    "Not yet," Celia said, though her fingers brushed instinctively over the mark on her arm. "But it feels. wrong. Like something''sing."


    Aziel nodded his head, his expression hardening. "The rogues aren''t finished with us. We need to remain vignt."


    Celia hesitated before speaking, her voice softer this time. "What if it''s not just the rogues? What if there''s something else something bigger-driving them?"


    Aziel''s jaw tightened, but he didn''t dismiss her concerns. "Then we''ll face it. Together."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    7---


    That night, uneasiness was at a deeper level still. Celiay wide awake in her small room and shadows cast by the dim glimmer of candlelight wandered upon the walls. Her own sense was restless, like that pulse which kept the blood running with some unyielding tension; she could hardly get into sleep.


    Her thoughts returned to the rogue Alpha''s lieutenant and his taunting words echoing in her mind like a specter: Weakness. It was a bitter taste that filled her mind-a sharp reminder of her own doubts. She had fought to prove herself, protect her pack, but his words had etched a crack in her resolve.


    A sudden noise outside pulled her out of her thoughts. It was faint-a rustle of leaves, the snap of a branch-but enough to set her on edge. She slipped from her bed, her movements careful as she made her way to the window. The moonlight cast a pale glow over the clearing, illuminating the trees that surrounded the settlement.


    At first, she saw nothing. Then, a shadow moved a figure darting between the trees with an inhuman speed.


    Celia''s breath caught. She wanted to call for Aziel, but something restrained her. The mark on her arm red with heat, the energy surging through her like a wave. Whoever or whatever was out there, it was connected to the blessing. Grabbing her cloak, she slipped out of the room and into the cool night air. The settlement was quiet, the wolves asleep or guarding the perimeter. Celia moved cautiously, her heart pounding as she followed the figure into the forest. The trees closed in on her, their twisted branches sending strange shadows upon the earth. The figure moved ahead, out of her reach, but the power of the blessing guided her, tugging her forward like a string she could not ignore. She came to a halt because suddenly a figure appeared. The shape of a man existed beneath his dark cloak when he pivoted around to face her. Shadows obscured his facial features as the wind whipped back through the folds of fabric from behind him.


    "Celia," he said. Low, rough, such was his voice, which boomed out like distant thunder.


    She stiffened, her mark ring with heat. "Who are you? What do you want?"


    The man stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. "You already know who I am," he said. "And you know what I want. The blessing belongs to me."


    The realization hit her like a blow. This wasn''t just another rogue this was something far more dangerous.


    The blessing isn''t yours," she said, her voice shaking but firm. "It chose me."


    The manughed, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. "And what makes you think you''re worthy of it? You can barely control its power."


    Celia raised her hand, the blessing''s energy crackling around her fingers. "I don''t have to control it to stop you.


    He nodded, red eyes shining as he advances upon her. "You don''t even know what you''re fighting for, do you? The blessing isn''t a gift-it''s a curse. One that''ll destroy you and everyone you care about."


    Celia''s breath caught, but she steeled herself, standing her ground. "You''re lying.


    Am I?" the man said in almost mocking tone. "You''ve felt it, haven''t you? The way it eats away at you, piece by piece. How long do you think you can hold it before it consumes you?


    The words struck a chord of fear deep within her, but she didn''t let it show. "I won''t let you take it," she said, her voice steady. "Whatever it is, it''s mine to bear." The man''s smile widened, and he raised a wed hand. "Then let''s see if you''re strong enough to keep it."


    The attack came without warning. The man lunged, his movements blindingly fast as he struck at her with ws that gleamed like obsidian. Celia released a burst of light, the blessing''s energy mming into him and forcing him back. But he recovered quickly, his red eyes narrowing as he circled her like a predator. "Not bad," he said. "But you''ll have to do better than that."


    Celia''s heart pounded in her chest as she dodged his next attack, the blessing surging within her as she countered with another burst of energy. The light struck him, but this time he absorbed it, the glow dimming as it disappeared into his form.


    "You still don''t understand," he said, his voice calm but menacing. "The blessing doesn''t belong to you. It belongs to me. And I''ll take it, one way or another."


    Celia stumbled back, her mark burning like fire as she struggled to contain the blessing''s power. She felt it slipping, the energy wild and uncontroble as the man advanced.


    Just as he would have gotten to her, an ear-piercing sound broke through the air. Aziel ran into the clearing with his wolf form - a blur of strength and fury - and ran at the man. The two of them shed in a tangle of ws and teeth, too fast for Celia to follow.


    Aziel reverted back to his human form. Anger zed in his blue eyes, and he positioned himself between Celia and the man. "If you want her, you''ll have to go through me," he said in a low voice, filled with danger.


    The man let out a loud chuckle. His red eyes were glinting in amusement. "dly," he said.


    The battle was vicious, the clearing filled with snarls and the sh of power. Celia watched, her heart pounding as Aziel fought to protect her. But even as he held his ground, she could see the strain in his movements, the toll the battle was taking on him.


    The man was strong-stronger than any rogue she''d ever met. But Aziel was relentless, his determination unwavering as he pushed the man back step by step.


    Finally, with a roar that shook the ground, Azielnded a blow that sent the man crashing into a tree. The force of the impact splintered the trunk, and the man slumped to the ground, motionless.


    Aziel turned to Celia, his breathing heavy but his eyes filled with concern. "Are you all right?" he asked.


    Celia nodded, though her hands trembled as she lowered them. "I''m fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Aziel''s gaze softened, and he reached out to steady her. "Come on," he said. "Let''s get back to the settlement."


    \---


    As they turned to leave, the man''sughter boomed through the clearing, low and sinister. "You think this is over?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "This is only the beginning." Celia froze, her mark burning with renewed intensity as the man''s red eyes glowed brighter. The battle wasn''t over-not yet.

 Fury of the Moon

    The sky was an ocean of blood.


    Celia stood at the center of the Crescent Moon camp, her pulse pounding as she gazed upon the ominous red moon hanging heavy in the sky. The blessing burned against her skin, the mark on her arm alive with a searing energy she could barely contain. It felt like it was trying to speak to her, to tell her something she couldn''t quite understand.


    Around her, the pack was a whirlwind of activity-wolves dashing between tents, weapons being sharpened, orders being bellowed. The battle wasing, and everyone knew it. Even the air seemed to hum with anticipation, a thick, electric charge that made the hairs on her arms stand on end.


    Aziel''s voice cut through the chaos, smooth and insistent. "Marcus, take the scouts along the west perimeter. Kael, your wolves head out the east. The rogues are going to hit us hard, but we aren''t giving them a fraction of ground. Kael stood a short distance away, lips creasing into a smug smile, and Celia couldn''t help but distrust them. "And what of you, ckwood?" he questioned mockingly. "Where would you be?"


    Aziel turned, his blue eyes sharp as ice. "Wherever I am most in need. And once lieutenant appears, I will be able to ensure that thisd never leaves alive".


    Kaelughed, but his merriment didn''t reach his eyes. "I''ll hold you to that.


    Celia clenched her fists, a flicker of unease coiling in her stomach. The alliance between the Crescent Moon pack and Kael''s ck River wolves was still tenuous at best, a fragile truce built out of necessity rather than trust. She knew Aziel didn''t like it-none of them did but they had no choice. The rogues were too many, and their forces too strong.


    A hand touched her shoulder, jolting her from her thoughts. She turned to find Luna standing beside her, her face lined with worry. "The moon''s blood tonight," Luna said softly. "It''s a bad omen."


    Celia swallowed hard, her gaze returning to the sky. "It''s more than that," she murmured. "I can feel it. The blessing. it''s responding to something."


    Luna''s eyes narrowed, her hand tightening on Celia''s arm. "You need to be careful, Celia. The blessing''s power is tied to you, but it''s also tied to them. If they find a way to twist it¡ª"


    "I won''t let them," Celia said, though her voice was shaking with uncertainty. "I can''t."


    Luna studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Then you need to be ready for what''sing. Because tonight. everything changes."


    7---


    As the first howl echoed through the trees, time seemed to stop.


    The sound was deep and guttural, a cry that sent chills racing down Celia''s spine. She looked to Aziel, who stood at the edge of the clearing, his posture rigid as he scanned the forest. Around him, the pack shifted into their wolf forms, their growls low and menacing as they prepared to meet the enemy.


    "They''re here," Aziel said, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Celia''s mark burned hot, the blessings'' energy surging through her as if by fire. Clenching her fists hard, her breath came only in shallow gasps as the wave of rogues began stepping out from the shadows.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    They were monstrous-wolvesrger than any she had ever seen, their red eyes glowing with unnatural malice. They charged forward in a ck wave, their snarls tearing through the night as they crashed into the pack''s lines.


    The battle broke out into cacophony and fury, and wolves shed with crushing power, their ws sliced across flesh and their teeth were tearing apart in brutal precision. The air was reeking of blood and smoke and the cries of the injured got lost in the din of fighting.


    Celia stood there, frozen for a moment, her heart hammering in her chest as she took it all in. Then Aziel''s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and clear. "Celia, now!"


    The blessing red to life inside her, its energy zing like a sun. She raised her hand, the mark on her arm glowing white-hot as she released a burst of power that sent a group of rogues flying backward. The light illuminated the clearing, blinding in its intensity, but it wasn''t enough to turn the tide. There were too many.


    Aziel went forth, his movements slick, slick like a knife being ripped from the sheath through those rogues in rippers, ws, and gnashers. Though his opponent was strong even, so was the tidal wave crashing through the pack against all those riddled defenses.


    Celia went to his side, her power bursting forth in jagged spurts as she sought to keep the rogues at bay. The blessing red with every strike, wild and untamed energy as if it had its own mind.


    "Stay with me!" Aziel screamed as he swung at yet another rogue. His voice was hoarse. "Don''t let them split us up!


    But even as he spoke, the earth seemed to lurch up at Celia''s feet. A darkness had stepped up onto the rim of the clearing, and its very aura was thick enough to make her skin crawl. She turned toward it, heart stopped in her chest as the rogue lieutenant stepped into view.


    He was taller now, his body wreathed in shadow that seemed to bleed from his skin. His red eyes locked onto Celia, and he smiled, a cruel, predatory grin that sent ice racing through her veins.


    "Did you think you could stop me?" he asked, his voice echoing unnaturally in the clearing. "Did you think this little light of yours would be enough?"


    Celia''s mark red in pain as the blessing responded to the lieutenant''s presence. "You won''t win," she said, though her voice quivered. "I won''t let you."


    The lieutenantughed, the sound like shattered ss. "Toote, Celia. The blood moon has risen, and its power is mine.


    He lifted his hand, and the darkness swirling about him coalesced, rushing forward like a great wave. Celia thrust her arms up into the air as the blessing''s light sprang out in a despairing sh that hit the shadows. The two impacts struck each other in a dazzling explosion, and she felt herself tumbled from her feet by the shock wave.


    "Celia!" Aziel shouted, fighting through his way to her, panicking with fear.


    The lieutenant moved forward, his gait slow but purposeful as Celia fought to get to her feet. Her mark burned hotter than ever, the energy inside her threatening to spin out of control.


    "Let it go," the lieutenant said softly, his voice almost hypnotic. "Give in to the blessing. Let it consume you."


    Celia shook her head, tears running down her face as she fought to keep herself together. "No. I won''t."


    "Celia!" Aziel just made it to her when the lieutenant hit, shadows coiling around them like manacles. Celia let out a cry as the blessing burst within her, a blinding light that tore through the darkness.


    Everything was silent for a moment.


    Then the shadows broke, and the lieutenant recoiled with his face twisted in hatred. "You can''t stop what''sing," he sneered. "This is only the beginning."


    Celia fell against Aziel with her body shaking as if the light inside her went out. The battle could rage on around them, but she couldn''t move now, couldn''t fight back.


    Aziel held her close, his voice rough with worry. "Stay with me, Celia. We''re not done yet."


    Celia''s mark flickered faintly, its glow weak but steady. She looked up at Aziel, her voice barely audible. "It''s not over. He''s right. it''s not over."


    The rogue lieutenantughed through the clearing, low and haunting. Then he turned into the darkness, his parting, chilling words sinking behind him as he left Celia standing alone. "The rage of the moon has hardly started."


    Aziel''s grasp on Celia did not loosen one inch as his eyes remained upon the forest from where the rogue had gone to disappear into the shadows. He had won the battle, but the war was very much alive.

 The Hidden Truth

    Celia floated in darkness.


    There was no pain, no light, no sound-only the odd weightlessness of nothingness. It felt as though she''d been untethered from her body, floating in a void with no beginning and no end.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    But slowly, voices began to reach her. Faint at first, like whispers carried on the wind. One voice rose above the others-strong, familiar, and desperate. Celia,e back to me." Aziel.


    His voice was a pull on her, like the stitching of a thread that brought her back into herself. The weight of her body was returning, the thrumming of the blessing in her veins now nothing more than a smoldering ember. With a strangled gasp, Celia''s eyes snapped open.


    The world had been a blur at first, shapes and colors swimming before her vision finally settled. Aziel''s face materialized before her, and his blue eyes were crisscrossed with the relief and exhaustion she had glimpsed in his voice. "You are awake," he breathed with a thick emotionless.


    Celia tried to rise from bed but her body screamed in protest. "What. what happened?


    Aziel helped her gently, steady hands guiding her to lean against him. "You saved us," he said. "But you pushed yourself too far. The blessing.it nearly consumed you.


    Memories flooded back-of the blood moon, the rogue lieutenant, and the moment she unleashed the blessing''s power. She shuddered, her fingers brushing over the mark on her arm. It still glowed faintly, but the light was weaker now, as though the blessing itself was recovering.


    "And the rogues?" she asked softly.


    Aziel''s jaw clenched. "They''re gone this time. The lieutenant retreated, but not before delivering a message." Celia looked up at him, her stomach twisting in dread. "What did he say?" Aziel hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the camp beyond. Wolves moved among the clearing, tending to the wounded and repairing what could be salvaged. The weight of the battle still hung heavy in the air.


    "He said the blood moon was only the beginning," Aziel said finally. "And that something far worse ising."


    Celia''s heart sank. She had felt it too-beneath the chaos and violence, there had been something more. A dark presence, waiting just beyond the edges of her understanding. "Luna," Aziel called softly.


    The healer appeared a momentter, her face lined with concern as she knelt beside Celia. "You need rest," she said firmly, though her voice was gentle. "You nearly burned yourself out. Whatever the blessing did to you it''s going to take time to recover."


    "I don''t have time," Celia murmured. "The rogues. the lieutenant. they''ll be back.


    Luna looked at Aziel, and something unsaid passed between them. "Then we''ll make time," Aziel said firmly. "You''re no good to us if you push yourself into an early grave.


    Celia''s mouth worked to protest, but exhaustion tugging at her limbs would not let her ignore it. Sinking back against Aziel was the best she could muster, her body shaking with effort. "Fine," she whispered. "But we need answers. We can''t fight something we don''t understand."


    Aziel nodded, his eyes steady on hers. "Then we''ll get answers."


    ---


    Celia woketer that night into the soft glow ofntern light. The camp was quieter now and the chaos of the day reced with a heavy stillness. She pushed herself up, wincing with body protest.


    The mark on her arm was tingling faintly, as if in response to her thoughts. It had always been a part of her, a constant hum beneath her skin, but now it felt different-sharper, more aware. "Finally awake again?


    She looked back to see Marcus standing at the entrance to the tent, his arms crossed over a chest as broad as the back of a wagon. Yet she could see relief in the eyes behind the faint smirk on his face. "I''m fine," she said, though the words sounded false even to her own ears.


    Marcus snorted. "Sure, you are. You nearly lit up half the forest."


    Celia smiled weakly, but the full impact of what had urred sank heavily into her chest. "Where''s Aziel?"


    Marcus nodded his head toward the edge of the clearing. "He''s waiting for you. Said something about answers."


    Celia''s pulse ran a little faster. "Answers?"


    "Don''t look at me," Marcus said, holding up his hands. "I just work here.


    Ignoring the protest of her aching muscles, Celia slipped out of the tent and into the cool night air. The camp was bathed in moonlight now, the blood-red hue of earlier gone. Wolves moved quietly among the shadows, their voices low as they attended to their duties.


    She spotted Aziel near the tree line, his silhouette against the glow of a small fire. He turned toward her as she approached; the expression on his face rxed into a softer one when he saw her.


    "You should be resting," he said.


    "I''ll rest when we figure out what''s going on," Celia said, her voice firm. She stopped a few feet away, her gaze meeting his. "You said something about answers.


    Aziel nodded, his face grave. "After the battle, we found something," he said. "Or rather, the blessing led me to it."


    He gestured for her to follow, and Celia''s mark red faintly as they made their way deeper into the forest. The trees closed in around them, the air growing colder with every step. Finally, they reached a small clearing, and Celia''s breath caught. In the center of the clearing, an ancient stone shrine stood, surface cracked and weathered with time. Faint runes etched across its surface pulsed with the same light Celia''s mark did.


    "What is this?" she whispered, stepping closer.


    "The truth," Aziel said softly.


    Celia knelt beside the shrine, her fingers brushing over the glowing runes. The moment she touched them, the blessing within her red to life, and the runes zed brighter. Images shed in her mind-visions of an ancient war, of darkness consuming thend, and a great power that rose to fight it.


    The blessing wasn''t a gift at all. It was a weapon, and one created to bnce the light and the shadows. And the bnce was breaking.


    Celia gasped, pulling back her hand as the light dimmed. She gazed up at Aziel. Her chest heaved. "The blessing. it''s meant to stop what''sing. But it''s also tied to it."


    Aziel''s face grew dark. "What do you mean?


    Celia swallowed hard, the weight of the revtion pressing down on her. "If I use it, I can stop them. But if I lose control. I''ll unleash something worse."


    Aziel knelt beside her, his hands closing over hers. "Then we won''t let that happen," he said, his voice steady. "You''re not alone in this, Celia. Whateveres, we''ll face it together. Celia looked at him, the bond between them pulsing like a heartbeat. The truth was out now, and the path ahead was clear-but it was also terrifying.


    The rogue lieutenant had been right about one thing. This was only the beginning.


    1---


    The runes on the shrine red again, and a low rumble echoed through the forest. Celia''s mark burned hotter, the light spilling across her skin.


    "The shadows are already moving," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They''reing."


    Aziel stood, his expression fierce as he drew his sword. "Then we''ll be ready."

 Revelation of the Mate Bond

    Celia''s pulse raced as she sat in Aziel''s cabin, the air between them taut with unspoken words. Ever since the shrine revealed the truth about the blessing, something had changed-shifted in a way she couldn''t define. Aziel had been quieter, his sharp gaze watching her with a mix of caution and something deeper, something she dared not name.


    But the tie-whatever it was-was unmistakable.


    Celia could feel it now, pulsing like a second heartbeat under her skin, holding her to him. It wasn''t the blessing; this was something else, something raw. "Tell me what''s wrong," she said finally, breaking the silence.


    Aziel sat across from her, his shoulders tense as he stared into the flickering fire. "Nothing''s wrong," he said, but the strain in his voice told her otherwise.


    "Don''t lie to me." Celia pushed, leaning forward. "You''ve been acting strange ever since the battle. What aren''t you telling me?"


    Aziel''s eyes locked onto hers, and in that moment, the depth there stole the breath from her body. "You wouldn''t understand".


    "Try me," she said steadily, her voice only shaking inside of her.


    Aziel''s jaw set tightly, his fists clenched against his knees. "It''s the bond, Celia."


    She was confused and blinked, her brow furrowing together. "What bond?


    Aziel turned around and stood up, his back to her as if the words he was about to say were too much to bear. "You feel it, don''t you?" he asked, his voice rough. "The connection between us."


    Celia froze her mind to the racing. The connection, she reasoned. The pull she''s felt since the very moment that she met him, this steadying of a presence by which nothing seemed to give way, as well as the response of the mark about him. It was one thing she just kept herself from giving more mind.


    "I feel it," she admitted softly. "But what does it mean?"


    Aziel turned to face her, his blue eyes burning with a mix of anger and longing. "It means we''re mates."


    The word hung in the air like a thunderp, shattering the fragile silence between them. Celia''s breath caught, her heart mming against her ribs as she tried to process what he had just said. "Mates?" she breathed.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Aziel nodded, his face grim. "It''s not often for an Alpha to bond this strongly with someone-especially with someone who isn''t fully a member of the pack. But the bond is true. I can feel it. and so can you." Celia shook her head, rising to her feet. "No, this. this doesn''t add up. I''m not like you, Aziel. I''m not a wolf."


    "That doesn''t matter," Aziel said, moving closer. His presence filled the room and overwhelmed her senses as the bond pulsed stronger between them. "The blessing chose you, and now. so have I." Celia took a step back, reeling in her mind. "You think this is a choice?" she snapped. "I didn''t ask for this, Aziel. I didn''t ask for any of this."


    "Neither did I," Aziel said, his voice low but steady. "But we don''t get to choose the bond, Celia. It''s bigger than us."


    She turned away, her hands trembling as she gripped the edge of the table. "This isn''t fair. How am I supposed to carry this? The blessing, the prophecy, and now. this?"


    Aziel paused before speaking. His voice was low and soft. "You''re not carrying it alone."


    Celia nced at him over her shoulder. Tears prickled in her eyes. "You say that, but I feel so alone. Every day, I feel as though I am drowning, and no one sees it. No one understands.


    "I understand," Aziel said firmly, stepping closer. "Because I feel it too. This bond-it''s not just a connection. It''s a promise. You''re not alone, Celia. Not anymore."


    His words cracked something deep inside her, something she hadn''t realized she''d been holding back. The tears she had been fighting slipped free, and she sank into a chair, her shoulders trembling.


    Aziel stood beside her, his solidity an anchor in the turbulent sea. He did not touch her, but he did not need to. The bond between them throbbed, a quiet beat that spoke of trust, strength, and something she couldn''t yet name. "I don''t know if I can do this," she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    "You can," Aziel said, his voice firm. "You''re stronger than you think, Celia. And when you can''t fight, I''ll fight for you."


    Celia gazed up at him, her heart breaking at the honesty in his eyes. For so long, she had been running-running from the blessing, from the prophecy, from herself. But Aziel wasn''t going to let her run anymore.


    "What happens now?" she asked, her voice soft.


    Aziel''s expression grew serious, his gaze never leaving hers. "We fight. Together."


    The weight of his words settled over her, but for the first time, it didn''t feel crushing. It felt like a lifeline. She nodded, a small spark of resolve lighting in her chest. "Together," she echoed.


    7---


    The next morning, the camp was full of activity as the pack prepared for whaty ahead. Celia stood at the edge of the clearing, watching the wolves gather their weapons and supplies. The rogue lieutenant was still out there, and the blood moon''s warning hung in her mind like a dark shadow.


    Aziel moved toward her, his nearness a steadyfort. "You are sure about this?" he asked softly.


    Celia met his eyes, the mark on her cheek stirring faintly at the silent pulse of their bond. "I am sure," she said. "Whatever lies ahead, we face it together."


    Aziel nodded, a flicker of pride crossing his face. "Good. For this is only the beginning.


    Celia looked toward the forest, where the shadows seemed deeper than usual, as though they were hiding something just out of reach. She knew he was right. The battle wasn''t over. The prophecy hadn''t yet been fulfilled. But for the first time, she wasn''t afraid. The bond was real. And she wouldn''t face the darkness alone.


    As Celia turned back to the camp, a faint whisper echoed in the wind, chilling her to the bone. "The bond will save you. or destroy you." Her mark red with sudden heat, and she gasped, clutching her arm as the energy within it surged. Aziel was at her side in an instant, his gaze sharp with concern. "What is it?" he demanded.


    Celia stared at him, her voice shaking. "Something''sing."

 The Heart’s Betrayal

    The silence seemed to have a weight around Celia, as she crept along the dim-lit hallway toward Aziel''s strategy room. Something was different in the air today-it felt more oppressive, somehow. And the warning that the night before had been imnted within her brain still echoed.


    "The bond will save you. or destroy you."


    Since then, her mark had been silent. And that didn''t soothe her. If anything, it made her even more apprehensive. It was as if the blessing waited-for what, she did not know.


    "Celia," Luna called softly from behind her. Celia turned to see the healer standing in the corridor, her expression guarded.


    "Something wrong?" Celia asked, already suspecting the answer.


    Luna hesitated before stepping closer. "Aziel doesn''t want you at this meeting."


    Celia blinked, confusion knitting her brow. "What do you mean?"


    "He thinks it''s too dangerous for you to be involved right now. The bond. the blessing. itplicates things."


    Celia''s heart twisted. Aziel had been the one to insist they face everything together, but now he was shutting her out? She shook her head, determination ring in her chest. "No. If this meeting involves the pack, then I have a right to be there."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Luna sighed, but she didn''t argue. "Then tread carefully," she said softly. "Something feels off today."


    She nodded, pressing on and putting aside the unease creeping up in her stomach.


    \---


    The strategy room pulsed with tension as she stepped inside. Aziel stood at the head of the table, Marcus at his side. Kael was there too, leaning against the far end of the room, the smirk twisting his face a bitter counterpoint to the somber air that permeated the room.


    "What''s this about?" Celia asked, stepping into the room.


    Aziel''s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as they met hers. "You shouldn''t be here, Celia."


    "I deserve to know what''s happening," she countered, her voice steady. "I''m part of this fight."


    Aziel exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated, but Marcus intervened. "We''ve received news," he said, his voice low and tense. "One of our scouts has returned-wounded. He brought a message." Celia''s heart stuttered. "From whom?"


    Kael backed away from the wall, his smirk expanding. "From the renegade lieutenant."


    The room went silent as the words dropped like rocks into still water. Celia gulped down a hard swallow as her fingers brushed against the mark on her arm.


    "What does he want?" Aziel demanded, his voice icily remote.


    Marcus hesitated before he spoke. "He ims he is willing to bargain."


    The word hung in the air, heavy with suspicion. Celia frowned, her instincts screaming that this was a trap. "Negotiate?"


    Aziel''s jaw clenched. "They''re buying time. That''s all this is."


    "Maybe," Marcus admitted. "But there''s more. The scout said the lieutenant wanted to speak to Celia."


    The room erupted in chaos.


    "Absolutely not," Aziel spat, his voice as cutting as a de. "I won''t let it happen."


    Kael raised an eyebrow, his toneced with mockery. "You can''t ignore it, ckwood. They requested her specifically. What are you so afraid of?" Aziel spun on him, his blue eyes afire with anger. "That''s enough."


    Kael smiled, but he said nothing, obviously pleased at the reaction he''d provoked.


    Celia stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Why me?"


    Marcus shook his head. "The scout didn''t know. He said the lieutenant mentioned something about ''the truth.""


    "The truth about what?" Celia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Aziel''s expression darkened. "It doesn''t matter. You''re not going."


    Celia looked at him, frustration and hurt ring in her chest. "You don''t get to decide that for me."


    "Yes, I do," Aziel said sharply. "You''re the key to all of this, Celia. The blessing, the bond-you. If they get their hands on you, it''s over."


    "They won''t," she insisted. "You said it yourself: we fight together."


    Aziel watched her a moment, unreadable. "This is no fight, Celia. It''s a trap."


    "Well, let''s spring the trap," she said then, looking into his face. "We''ll face it together. I''m not helpless."


    "No,


    The word was final, slicing the air like a knife. Celia''s chest hurt with the force of it, the way he refused even to consider that she could be part of the answer. This isn''t fair, she said, her voice shaking. You keep saying that I am strong enough, that we''re in this together, but when it matters, you shut me out.


    Aziel''s expression had a falter, for only a moment. "I am trying to protect you."


    "I don''t need you to protect me!" she snapped. "I need you to trust me."


    The silence was heavy and unbearable. Kael chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "Well, this is awkward. If you two are done, maybe we should decide whether or not to let the rogues y messenger.


    Aziel shot him a re but didn''t respond. He turned back to Celia, his voice softer now. "I can''t lose you."


    Celia''s anger ebbed slightly, reced by something closer to heartbreak. "You won''t," she whispered. "But you have to let me fight."


    Aziel exhaled slowly, the fight leaving his shoulders. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "We''ll go together. But you stay close to me. No heroics." Celia nodded, relief flooding her chest. "Agreed."


    Kael smiled, seeming to be enjoying this exchange. "Finally. Let''s see what the rogue lieutenant has to say."


    7---


    The meeting was arranged to take ce at dusk in a clearing just above the forest''s tree line. The tension of leaving is palpable, with the quiet efficiency of wolves preparing themselves for whatever trapy ahead by arming themselves. Celia stood beside Aziel, her mark tingling faintly as though it sensed the danger ahead. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, his voice low.


    She nodded. "As ready as I''ll ever be."


    Aziel''s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded, his expression softening. "Stay close. If anything goes wrong"


    "We''ll handle it," Celia interrupted, meeting his gaze. "Together."


    Aziel''s lips curled up into the faintest smile. "Together."


    1---


    They arrived in a clearing shrouded in mist, air thick with tension and a faint acrid scent of rogues. Celia''s heart was racing as they moved into position, the pack fanning out behind Aziel. Kael''s wolves lingered at the edge, their eyes sharp as they watched the tree line.


    Momentster, the rogue lieutenant stepped out of the shadows, with his usual predatory grace. His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, a cruel smile twisting his lips.


    "You came," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "How. brave."


    Aziel stepped forward, his posture rigid. "State your message."


    The lieutenant''s gaze fell to Celia, and the air chilled. "Not you," he said. "Her."


    Aziel growled, his wolf close to the surface. "You speak to me."


    The lieutenantughed. "Very well. But know this everything you think you know is a lie. The blessing, the bond, her ce in all of this-it''s all a game, Alpha. And you''re losing." Celia''s stomach twisted as the lieutenant''s gaze pinned her in ce. "Ask yourself, girl," he said softly. "Who stands to betray you first?"


    The words sent a chill racing down her spine. Aziel''s growl rumbled louder, but before anyone could react, the lieutenant vanished into the mist, hisughter echoing behind him. Celia turned to Aziel, her voice shaking. "What did he mean?"


    Aziel''s jaw was clenched, his expression unreadable. "He''s trying to divide us."


    But inside, Celia couldn''t shake the feeling that the rogue''s words carried a grain of truth.


    7---


    As they turned back towards camp, Celia''s mark red with sudden heat and a single word whispered through her mind: "Betrayal."


    She stumbled, clutching her arm as Aziel steadied her.


    Celia?" he asked, with a concernced tone.


    She turned to face him, her heart beating rapidly. "Something is wrong.

 Cracks in the Shield

    Celia sat on the edge of her cot, staring at the mark on her arm as it pulsed faintly, a steady rhythm that felt both alive and taunting. Betrayal. The word echoed in her mind, like a splinter digging deeper with every thought.


    The rogue lieutenant''s warning refused to leave her alone. It had been two days since the meeting in the clearing, and the tension within the camp had only grown. Wolves avoided each other''s eyes, whispers ran through the ranks like poison, and everyone seemed to suspect everyone else. The cracks were spreading.


    Celia rubbed her temples, the weight of exhaustion on her shoulders. She had barely slept, her dreams filled with glimpses of shadows and blood, of faces she couldn''t identify calling her name. Every time she woke, the mark on her arm was burning, as if the blessing itself was warning her of something unseen.


    "Celia?"


    Aziel''s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see him standing in the doorway, his silhouette framed against the early morning light. His face was tight, his blue eyes shadowed with the same exhaustion she felt. "You''re up early," he said softly.


    "Couldn''t sleep,¡± she admitted, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. "You?"


    Aziel came into the room, and his bulk seemed to steady the little space he filled. "Sleep can wait," he said, but his tone was as telling as the lines etched on his face of how much theck of sleep was beginning to wear on him. He sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders brushed. "The pack is restless. The lieutenant''s words are getting to them."


    Celia swallowed hard, her throat tight. "And to you?"


    Aziel hesitated, his eyes glued to the floor. "It doesn''t matter what he says. We can''t let him divide us."


    "But what if he''s telling the truth?" Celia whispered. "What if someone really is going to betray us?"


    Aziel looked at her hard. "No. He''s trying to break us down, Celia. Making us paranoid. If we give in to his words, he has already won."


    Celia wanted to believe him. She wished to believe that their bond would hold through it all. But this feeling of unease in her chest refused to dissipate. Something was wrong. She could feel it.


    The instant broke as a knock was made on the door. Marcus entered, his face dark. "Aziel, you need to see this."


    Aziel shot from his seat, instinctively he drew his hand to rest his finger across his de. "What''s that?"


    "Trouble. Southern camp." Marcus voiced barely above a whisper.


    \---


    They finally arrived as chaos broke around them within the camp at the southern borders. Wolves hollered insults at one another, the growls like the thunder right before an early morning storm begins to blow in. He stalked into their middle, speaking over their row. "Halt," his voice crackling like ash.


    The crowd was silent, although the tension was palpable. Wolves retreated, their gazes darting toward the two figures locked in a standoff at the center of the clearing. Celia recognized them - Toran and Garrick were two of Aziel''s most trusted fighters.


    Toran''s face was contorted by rage, his chest bucking hard as he pointed a spasmodically shaking hand in Garrick''s direction. "He''s been slipping out of the camp. I caught him making off right at daybreak. Tell me that isn''t betrayal!" Garrick sneered in response, his anger threatening to boil over. "You are lying! I have not done nothing!


    "Enough," Aziel said again, this time his tone sharp. He studied both men, saying nothing. "Toran, what did you see?"


    Toran''s hands curled into fists. "I saw him go into the forest. Alone. And this isn''t the first time. He''s been missing camp for days now."


    Aziel turned to face Garrick, his blue eyes cold. "Is that true?"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Garrick''s eyes jumped between Aziel and Toran, his shoulders rigid with tension. "I wasn''t sneaking out," he said finally. "I was scouting. I''ve been keeping an eye on the edges of the forest for signs of rogue activity." "Alone?" Aziel asked, his voice hard.


    Garrick nodded. "Yes. I didn''t want to cause unnecessary panic, so I kept it quiet. But I''m not a traitor, Aziel. I swear it.


    The crowd murmured uneasily, suspicion hanging in the air like a fog. Celia could feel it-doubt spreading through the pack like a slow poison.


    Aziel studied Garrick for a long moment before speaking. "Marcus, take some scouts and verify his story. If he''s telling the truth, we''ll know soon enough." "And if he''s lying?" Toran growled.


    Aziel''s gaze turned icy. "Then I''ll deal with him myself."


    7---


    As the pack dispersed, Celia lingered at the edge of the clearing, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. Aziel approached her, his expression carefully guarded. "What do you think?" she asked softly.


    Aziel shook his head. "I don''t know. I''ve known Garrick for years. He''s loyal. But Toran. Toran wouldn''t lie about something like this."


    Celia bit her lip, her fingers brushing against her mark. "It''s starting, isn''t it? The cracks. The division."


    Aziel exhaled, his shoulders slumping slightly. "That''s what the lieutenant wants. He wants us to turn on each other."


    "But what if he''s right?" Celia pressed. "What if someone is betraying us?"


    Aziel looked at her, his expression softening. "Then we''ll deal with it. Together."


    Celia nodded, but deep down, she couldn''t shake the feeling that something worse wasing. The blessing pulsed faintly in her arm, a quiet warning she didn''t yet understand.


    7---


    Night fell over the camp like a shroud, a silence that unnerved her; the forest was still. Celia sat outside her tent and stared into the darkness, and the firelight flickered on around her. She wouldn''t sleep-her mind was too filled, her nerves too


    raw.


    "Can''t sleep either?"


    Celia looked up to see Marcus approaching, drawn with exhaustion. He dropped beside her, staring into the fire.


    "What did you find?" Celia asked.


    Marcus sighed. "Garrick''s trail led to the edge of the forest. We didn''t find anything out of ce, but." He hesitated. "Something feels wrong out there. Like we''re being watched." Celia shivered, the fire suddenly not warm enough. "Do you think Garrick''s lying?"


    Marcus shook his head. "I don''t know. But the pack can''t afford to unravel right now. If there is even a hint of betrayal." He left the sentence iplete, his face set in grim lines. Celia''s mark red, the heat piercing and burning. She gasped, clutched at her arm as the energy pulsed through her like a warning bell.


    "Celia?" Marcus asked, his voice sharp with concern.


    She looked up, her eyes wide. "Something''sing."


    A howl echoed through the forest, long and low, sending chills racing down her spine.


    Marcus was on his feet in an instant, his posture tense. "Wake the others. Now.


    Celia stood, her heart pounding as the pack sprang to life around her. Wolves poured from their tents, their eyes sharp as they turned toward the forest.


    Shadows moved among the trees in the distance, red eyes gleaming in the darkness.


    The rogues were here.


    And this time, Celia knew they weren''t justing for blood.


    They wereing for her.


    Celia''s mark zed with searing light, and a voice whispered through her mind-low and haunting.


    "The shield is breaking."


    She turned to Aziel, her voice trembling. "They know. They know about the bond.

 Unmasking the Enemy

    The forest was alive with shadows.


    Celia was standing in the very heart of the camp, illuminated with a soft light cast off her mark from beneath her feet. Rogues let out their howls which had grown louder each and every second that passes, while wolves run toward the set positions. Commands sharp with Aziel resound as they await the attack to follow:


    Stay with me," Aziel said firmly, his hand brushing her arm. His blue eyes were intense, the bond between them pulsing like a tether of light and energy. "Whatever happens, Celia, don''t let them separate us. She nodded, her hands clutching the cloak tighter around her shoulders as she forced herself to remain calm. The mark tingled faintly, an ominous rhythm that seemed to mimic the pounding of her heart. Marcus approached, his sword gleaming in the firelight. "The patrols report movement on all sides. They''re surrounding us."


    Aziel''s expression darkened. "They''re trying to force us into a corner. Marcus, take a small group and hold the southern perimeter. I''ll take the north."


    "And what about Celia?" Marcus asked, his gaze darting toward her.


    Aziel didn''t hesitate. "She stays with me."


    Marcus nodded and disappeared into the chaos, barking orders to the wolves as they spread out through the camp. Celia turned to Aziel, her pulse quickening. "You don''t think this is just another attack, do you?"


    "No," Aziel admitted, his voice low. "They''re after something or someone."


    Celia swallowed hard, her mark ring in response. They''reing for me.


    7---


    Minutester, the rogues appeared.


    They came like a shadow wave, emerging from the forest to red eyes gleaming and night air split by snarls. The Crescent Moon pack wolves rushed forward as the battle began, a chorus of defiance howls.


    Celia stood next to Aziel, her mark zing as she released bursts of energy to push the rogues back. The blessing''s light cut through the darkness like a de, blinding and deadly, but with every rogue she struck down, two more seemed to take its ce.


    Aziel fought beside her, a blur of ws and steel as he tore through the enemies. His moves were deadly and precise; his presence was like an anchor that kept Celia steady amidst the chaos.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "Stay close!" he shouted, his voice carrying above the din.


    Celia nodded; her breath came in gasps as she unleashed another st of light. But then-


    A figure emerged from the shadows.


    At first, Celia thought it was another rogue, but as the figure stepped closer, her mark red painfully, the energy surging through her like a shockwave. The rogue lieutenant stood at the edge of the clearing, his red eyes locked onto her, his expression calm amidst the storm of battle.


    "Celia," he said softly, his voice carrying across the chaos.


    Aziel spun to face him, his teeth bared. "You''re not getting anywhere near her."


    The lieutenant smiled faintly, his gaze never leaving Celia. "You can''t protect her forever, Alpha. Sooner orter, she''ll see the truth."


    Celia''s hands shook as the mark on her arm burned hotter, the energy ring wildly in response to the lieutenant''s presence. "What truth?" she demanded, her voice trembling.


    The lieutenant tilted his head, his red eyes narrowing. "You don''t know yet, do you? Poor little Celia. They''ve been keeping secrets from you."


    Aziel stepped forward, his sword raised. "Enough."


    The lieutenant''s grin expanded, but he neither stirred nor moved. "You are wasting your time, Aziel. The bond will snap. And when it does she''lle to me willingly."


    "Over my dead body," Aziel sneered and lunged forward.


    The lieutenant raises a hand, and darkness surges up from the earth, encasing him. Aziel''s blow cracks into the shadows; power crackles, the two impacts sending shockwaves into the clearing. Celia steps back, her mark burning brighter with the reaction of the blessing to their sh of power.


    "Celia!" Aziel shouted sharply into the urgency. "Go!"


    "No!" she cried, but the energy within her surged violently, knocking her off bnce. The shadows around the lieutenant swirled, growing darker and more oppressive as hisughter echoed through the clearing.


    "You can''t fight me forever," he said, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "The truth wille out. And when it does, you''ll see who your real enemy is."


    Celia''s vision began to blur as the brand on her arm red to burn with a searing fire. The blessing surged to life inside her, trying to break free.


    "Celia, stay with me!" Aziel''s voice cut through the haze, grounding her in the present.


    She gulped, the energy retreating a little as she strained her mind to focus. She could see the lieutenant''s shadows coalesce as he stepped back. The red eyes glowed like embers. "This isn''t over," he said softly, his gaze lingering on Celia. "Soon, you''ll see the truth for yourself."


    With that, he disappeared into the darkness, his presence fading like smoke.


    The battlefield fell silent.


    Celia fell to her knees, her body shaking as the blessing''s energy finally settled. Aziel was at her side in an instant, his hands steadying her as she struggled to catch her breath. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice rough with concern.


    Celia nodded weakly, though her chest still ached. "What did he mean?" she whispered. "What truth?


    Aziel''s face grew set, his jaw locked tight as he looked out into the forest. "I don''t know," he said finally. "But I swear to you, we''ll find out."


    Later that night, the pack gathered around the fire, their faces lined with exhaustion and worry. They had won the battle, but it hadn''t felt like a victory. The rogue lieutenant''s words hung over them like a dark cloud, sowing seeds of doubt that no one could ignore.


    Celia sat beside Aziel, her hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea Luna had given her. The warmth helped, but it did little to ease the chill that lingered in her bones.


    "What do you think he meant?" Marcus asked, breaking the silence.


    He shook his head, his expression grim. "Whatever it is, it''s intended to split us. He wants us to doubt one another."


    "And it''s working," Marcus said, darkly scanning the pack. "People are frightened. They''re starting to question each other."


    Aziel''s jaw went taut. "Then we remind them who we are. We stand together or we fall apart. That''s how it is.


    Celia looked at him, her heart breaking with the weight he carried. He was trying so hard to keep them together, but cracks already were showing. "Aziel," she said softly, getting his attention. "We have to find out what he''s talking about. The truth. We can''t fight this blind.


    Aziel met her eyes. Blue, hesitant flicker there, and then, he nodded finally. "You are right. But we''ll do it careful. Rogues y their games and I will not give in to that.


    Celia nodded, but part of her could not dismiss the feeling that the renegade lieutenant''s words had already done their damage. The pack was divided, trust was fraying, and the truth-whatever it was-felt closer than ever. 7---


    As the mes crackled, Celia''s mark red suddenly, a sharp burst of heat that made her gasp. The world tilted, and for a moment, she saw it-


    An entity shadow-sited, watching her. It can be seen that her eye-lids opened, and that Aziel''s voice could pull her back. "Celia? What is it?" She peered at him, quivering. "We aren''t alone."

 The Luna’s Decision

    The fire in the middle of camp had burned down to just embers, sending flickering shadows over the tired faces of the pack. Celia stood on the edge of the clearing, her mark still twitching faintly since the rogue lieutenant left. But although the battle was over, the air felt tight and charged, stifling.


    We are not alone.


    The words hung in her mind, refusing to let her sleep. Aziel had put additional patrols around the periphery, but it did nothing to calm the tempest brewing inside of her. Someone-or something-was watching them. "Celia."


    Aziel''s voice broke into her thoughts, steady and grounding. She turned to see him approaching, his expression hard but unreadable.


    "The council wants to see you," he said.


    She blinked. "The council?"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Aziel nodded, his sharp blue eyes. "There is unrest in the pack. With the lieutenant''s warning, they''re asking for answers-on you, on the bond, and the blessing."


    Celia''s stomach twisted. "They me me."


    "Not exactly," Aziel softened. "But they''re frightened. The blessing is attached to you now, and now the rogues are targeting you head on. People are beginning to wonder.


    Celia swallowed hard, weighed down by his words. "What do they want me to do?"


    Aziel hesitated, looking away. "They want you to make a decision. They want you to officially step into the role of Luna."


    Celia stared at him, her heart thundering in her chest. "What?


    "You''re already bonded to me," Aziel said carefully. "The pack sees that. They see your power, your connection to the blessing. But they need reassurance. They need someone to follow."


    Celia took a step back, shaking her head. "I can''t do this, Aziel. I''m not a Luna. I''m not even part of the pack."


    You''re more a part of this pack than you realize," Aziel said firmly. "They''ve seen you fight. They''ve seen what you can do. They trust you, Celia even if you don''t trust yourself."


    Her chest tightened, her breathing in shallow gasps. "This isn''t fair," she whispered. "I never asked for any of this.


    He takes one more step nearer to her, his presence steady. "Neither did I," he says softly. "But it doesn''t matter what we asked for. The pack needs you, Celia. I need you."


    The bond glows faintly between them, warm and reassuring, but it isn''t enough to quell the doubts screaming in her mind.


    "What if I fail?" she asks him, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "You won''t," Aziel said, his voice unshakeable. "You''re stronger than you think."


    Celia looked up at him, searching his face for answers. For the first time, she saw something other than strength in his eyes-she saw trust, belief, and something deeper that she couldn''t yet name. "Will you stand with me?" she asked, her voice shaking.


    Aziel nodded, his face softening. "Always."


    7---


    The council sat in Aziel''s cabin, the faces etched with suspicion and weariness. Marcus stood by Aziel''s side, silent in his show of support, but Kael lingered near the door, his face unreadable.


    Celia stood in the middle of the room, every eye on her as if waiting for her to crack. The weight of their gazes was suffocating, but she made herself stand tall, even as her heart pounded in her chest. "Why are we here?" one of the elders asked, his voice sharp.


    Aziel stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the room. "Wee to reunite this pack. The rogue lieutenant seeks to drive us apart, and we can''t allow him to seed."


    "And what of her?" another elder demanded, pointing a gnarled finger at Celia. "The rogues came for her. They''ve said as much. How do we know she''s not the reason we''re being targeted? Celia flinched, but Aziel''s voice rang out, strong andmanding. "Celia is not to me for this. The blessing chose her-it''s our greatest weapon against the rogues. Without her, we''d already be lost." The room fell silent, the truth of his words hanging in the air.


    "And yet," Kael drawled, breaking the silence, "it''s the blessing that''s putting us at risk. Maybe we''d be better off without it."


    Aziel''s eyes narrowed. "Watch your words."


    Kael shrugged, his smirk infuriatingly calm. "I''m only saying what others are thinking. The rogues aren''t attacking us fornd or power-they''re attacking us for her. The girl with the blessing. And you expect us to pretend that''s not a problem?" Celia''s fingers curled into fists at her sides, the heat of anger ring in her chest. "I didn''t ask for this," she said, her voice steady even though there was a slight tremble beneath it. "But I''m here. And I''m fighting for this pack just as much as any of you."


    Kael''s smirk began to fade, but his gaze remained sharp. "Fighting isn''t enough. If you want us to trust you, prove it.


    Enough," Aziel growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Celia has already proven herself. She''s risked her life for this pack."


    Kael turned to Aziel, his smirk returning. "Then make it official. Dere her as Luna."


    The room fell into a tense silence, every face turning to Celia.


    Her breath caught, her pulse thundering in her ears. This was what they wanted to tie her to the pack, to make her a symbol of unity. But it wasn''t unity she felt in the room. It was doubt, fear, and suspicion.


    Aziel looked at her, his gaze steady. "Celia?"


    Celia''s heart ached as she looked around the room. These were the people she was supposed to protect, the people she was supposed to lead. But how could she lead them when they didn''t trust her? When didn''t she even trust herself? "I''ll do it," she said finally, her voice soft but firm. "If that''s what the pack needs, I''ll step into the role of Luna."


    The tension in the room shifted, but Celia could still feel the doubt lingering in the air. Aziel stepped forward to stand beside her, his presence a quiet reassurance as he turned to the council.


    "You have your Luna," he said, his voice calm butmanding. "And we will stand together, no matter whates."


    The council nodded reluctantly, though Kael''s smirk remained. Celia met his gaze, and for the first time, she saw something dangerous lurking behind his eyes-something she couldn''t quite name.


    7---


    Later that night, Celia sat alone outside her tent, the cold air biting at her skin. She stared at the mark on her arm, the blessing''s faint glow a constant reminder of the weight she now carried. "You did the right thing," Aziel said softly, sitting beside her.


    "Did I?" Celia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "They don''t trust me, Aziel. I could see it in their eyes."


    "They''lle around," Aziel said. "Once they see what you''re capable of, they''ll follow you."


    Celia looked at him, her heart aching. "What if I fail?"


    "You won''t," Aziel said, his voice steady. "Because you''re not alone."


    The bond between them pulsed softly, a quiet reassurance that settled in her chest. Celia nodded, though the unease still lingered. The council had epted her, but Kael''s words gnawed at the edges of her mind. Prove it.


    A rustle in the distance drew her attention, and her mark red suddenly, its heat sharp and searing. She turned toward the shadows, her breath catching as she felt it-


    Someone was watching them.


    \---


    Celia rose to her feet, her voice tense. "Aziel, we''re not alone."


    Aziel was by her side in a heartbeat, his eyes keen as he scanned the tree line. "Show yourself," he growled, his voice carrying through the darkness.


    For a long moment, there was silence. Then, a figure stepped into view-one Celia never expected to see.


    "Hello, Celia," Kael said, his smirk colder than ever. "We need to talk."

 Torn Allegiances

    The camp was eerily quiet once Kael stepped into the clearing, his figure a dark silhouette against the bright backdrop of the moonlit forest. The only thing that seemed to have broken the stillness was the whispering of the wind, leaving little to drown out the tension hanging in the air while rustling the leaves in its wake.


    Celia stood stock still, her heart thundering in her chest, while Kael''s eyes shed with hers. Aziel shifted to stand by her, his strength making her feel slightly safer, but even it couldn''t remove the iciness running up her spine. "What do you want, Kael?" Aziel''s voice was low, dripping with restrained fury.


    Kael''s smirk never wavered as he took a slow step forward, his red eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a game he''d been ying for far too long. "We need to talk, Aziel. About Celia."


    Celia''s stomach churned. She could feel the weight of his words even before he spoke to them. "About me?" she asked, her voice unsteady.


    Kael''s gaze slid from Aziel to Celia, the mocking smile still in ce. "Of course," he said smoothly. "We should discuss how the newest Luna is handling the pack."


    Aziel''s jaw clenched, his body tensing beside her. "You''re crossing a line, Kael," he warned.


    Kael raised his hands in mock surrender. "I''m just curious. Celia''s new role is. interesting. She''s tied to the blessing, tied to the pack, and now she''s tied to you." He looked at Celia, his eyes cial. "But the question remains, Celia: how long will thatst?"


    Aziel stepped forward, his presence practically radiating warning. "That''s enough. You have no ce here.


    Celia held up her hand, cutting Aziel off. Her voice was soft but firm as she spoke to Kael. "What are you really after, Kael?


    He chuckled, sending a shiver down her spine from the sound. "Simple. I am after what''s best for the pack, for their good. Aziel seems to think that making you Luna is the answer; how can you lead them, Celia? You are an outsider. You will never truly belong.


    The words stung, cutting through the fragile confidence Celia had only just started to rebuild. She swallowed, the weight of her doubts pressing down on her. "I''m not an outsider. I''m doing my best to protect this pack."


    Kael''s eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh, I have no doubt about that. But you have to understand something no matter how much you fight, the bond between you and Aziel, the blessing-it won''t protect you when the pack turns against you.


    Celia clenched her fists, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the power of the blessing stirring within her, her mark ring with sudden intensity. The words Kael spoke were like poison, and they were beginning to take root in her mind.


    "You''re wrong," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I''m not weak. I''ll never let anyone tear this pack apart."


    Kael''s smile widened, but there was no humor in it-only cold calction. "We''ll see. Trust is fragile, Celia. And once it''s broken, it''s nearly impossible to rebuild."


    Aziel moved to stand in front of her, his body blocking Kael''s view of her. "Leave. Now."


    Kael''s gaze flickered to Aziel, and for a moment, something dangerous shed behind his eyes. "This isn''t over," he said quietly. "I''m not going anywhere. And neither are the rogues. You''ll all see soon enough-everything will fall apart. The pack will turn on you."


    Before either Celia or Aziel could respond, Kael turned and disappeared into the night, his form swallowed by the shadows of the forest.


    Celia stood in the silence that followed, her heart still racing. The weight of Kael''s words lingered, like a dark cloud that refused to disperse. She felt Aziel''s presence beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder.


    "Don''t listen to him," Aziel said softly, his voice full of reassurance. "He''s trying to manipte you."


    "I know," Celia said, but even as she spoke the words, doubt gnawed at her. What if he was right? What if the pack couldn''t ept her as Luna?


    "You''re strong, Celia," Aziel said, his voice firm and decisive. "You''re more than this bond. The pack sees you as I do they''ll follow you. They''ll believe in you."


    "I.I don''t know if I believe in myself," she whispered, the words shaken out of her by waves of uncertainty. "What Kael says.he''s right on one point. I am not them. I never can be.


    Aziel''s grip on her shoulder tightened. "You are like them, Celia. More than you know. And no one can take that away from you."


    She nodded, though the unease still lingered. The bond between them pulsed quietly, a steady warmth that reassured her at least for now.


    But in the back of her mind, Kael''s words echoed like a warning.


    7---


    Later that evening, the air in the camp was thick with distrust. The pack was edgy following the confrontation with Kael, and the air felt almost suffocating as the wolves moved through their duties, wary nces exchanged in every direction. Celia stood with Aziel, observing the pack. The tension was palpable, and Celia''s heart twisted with each nce she caught from the wolves. She could feel the weight of their eyes on her-some of them hesitant, others doubtful. "This is what he wants," Aziel muttered beside her. "He wants to see us torn apart.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Celia nodded, though it did little to rx the constriction in her chest. The weight of responsibility felt too heavy tonight.


    "There is no way to stop the fear," Aziel said, his tone resigned. "The rogues are pushing us to our limits, and now we have Kael stirring the pot. It''s not just the rogues we need to fight anymore.


    Celia turned to face him. "What do we do, then?"


    Aziel met her gaze, his eyes fierce. "We hold the line. We remind them of what we''re fighting for. If we give in to doubt, we''ll lose. The pack will fall.


    The words hit her like a punch to the gut, and she realized just how much was riding on her shoulders. She wasn''t just leading them into battle; she was holding them together. She had to find a way to silence the doubts-her own and theirs. "I won''t let them break us," she said, her voice firm.


    Aziel nodded, his lips twitching upwards. "I know you won''t."


    7---


    The night dragged on, the fire crackling in the center of camp, but Celia found nofort in its warmth. She walked to the edge of the clearing, her thoughts spiraling as she tried to make sense of the lies Kael had nted. The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps and Celia turned to see Luna approaching, her face drawn and serious.


    "You look troubled," Luna said softly, standing beside her.


    "I am," Celia admitted. "Kael''s words-they''re getting to me."


    Luna''s eyes softened. "He''s good at that, isn''t he?"


    I''m not even sure what is and what''s not anymore," Celia whispered, her voice breaking. "The pack''s split and I have no idea if I can keep it intact. What if Kael is right? What if they can never truly trust me?


    Luna ced a hand on her shoulder, steady in her grip. "You will never make everyone trust you, Celia. But you can make them believe in you. You''ve proven yourself in battle. You''ve proven yourself to Aziel." Celia''s gaze met hers, and the pain in her heart ached at the sight. "What about the rest of them?


    "Trust is earned, not given," Luna said softly. "And you''re earning it every day. You don''t need their full belief right now. You need enough to get through this war. The rest wille."


    Celia''s heart tightened at the kindness in Luna''s words. "Thank you," she whispered.


    Luna gave a small smile. "No, thank you. You''re exactly what we need, Celia. You just have to believe it yourself."


    \---


    Just as Luna turned to leave, Celia felt a familiar, terrifying presence behind her. A sharp gust of wind whipped through the clearing, carrying with it a low, guttural growl. She spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. In the darkness, a shadow moved a figure, cloaked and silent, standing just outside the firelight.


    The rogue lieutenant''s voice echoed in the stillness:


    "You can''t outrun fate, Celia. You''ll betray them before it''s over."

 The Blood Moon Rising

    The night had fallen dark and heavy, thick with silence that wrapped around the forest like a fog. Celia''s breath caught in her chest as if she could feel a chill reaching into her very bones. Those words of the rogue lieutenant haunted her. They lived in the back of her mind like a shadow she could never shake.


    "You will betray them before it is over."


    Words twisted in her gut, hard to breathe, hard to think. Betrayal. It wasn''t a word, but it was a nightmare.


    "Celia?" Aziel''s voice was soft but urgent, cutting through her whirling thoughts. He came forward, his presence a solid anchor that pulled her back to the present.


    She turned to face him, her heart still racing. "I don''t know if I can do this," she confessed, her voice strained with fear. "I can''t shake what he said."


    Aziel''s gaze softened, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "Celia, listen to me. He''s trying to get inside your head. The lieutenant knows exactly where to strike to weaken you.


    "But what if he''s right?" Celia''s voice trembled, the doubt threatening to overtake her. "What if I am the weak link?"


    Aziel reached out, cing a firm hand on her shoulder. "You''re not weak. You''re the strongest person I know. The pack believes in you, and I do too. We won''t let him turn you against us."


    The bond between them pulsed with a steady, reassuring rhythm as if echoing through her heart. It was a smallfort, but it was enough to quell the panic that started rising.


    "I just feel like I''m drowning," Celia whispered, looking away from the distant horizon. "This is all happening so fast, and I don''t know if I am strong enough to stop it."


    Aziel''s voice was steady, grounding her. "We''re all in this together, Celia. You''re not alone in this fight. I''m with you, and so is the rest of the pack. We face this darkness together."


    For a moment, Celia let herself believe him. The weight of the doubt lifted, just slightly, and she drew in a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs.


    "I won''t let him win," she said, her voice steady. "I won''t let Kael divide us. I''ll fight for the pack-fight for you."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Aziel smiled, his eyes warm. "That''s my Luna."


    1---


    The fire at the heart of the camp crackled, sending long shadows dancing on the wind. The pack had assembled in the clearing, their faces tense, their movements sharp. Everyone could feel it-the promise of battle hung heavy in the air. Aziel stood at the front of the group, his authority as he spoke to the wolves was almostmanding. "Word''se from the southern perimeter," he said, his voice carrying across the gathering. "The rogues are on the move again. This time, they''re not going anywhere without a fight.


    She stood next to him, beating fast in her chest while watching the wolves stare into the faces around them. Respect shone in their eyes -ced with fear and hesitation- yet she met that unblinking stare as cool as ice. No use to have doubts


    now.


    "This isn''t just survival fighting," Aziel pressed further. "This is fight for our future and that pack.


    The wolves growled in agreement, their voices rising in a chorus of solidarity. Celia felt her chest swell with pride as she stood beside Aziel, ready to face whatever came next.


    "We''ve been through worse," she said, stepping forward. "And we''vee out stronger. Together, we''ll face this."


    Her words carried across the clearing, their impact rippling through the pack. The energy shifted, the air charged with a sense of unity, a renewed strength. She was no longer just Aziel''s Luna in name-she was his equal, his partner in every


    sense.


    Aziel''s


    7---


    gaze met hers, his expression softening. "Together," he echoed, his voice low. "We''re stronger than they think."


    As the night drew to a close, the pack finalized their preparations. Celia went through the camp, making sure the wolves were ready and that everyone was prepared. The moon hung heavy and low in the sky, casting pale light on the clearing. It was almost time.


    She was standing at the edge of the camp, gazing up at the sky, heart thumping in her chest. It felt different tonight. Something. It wasn''t just battle; the air seemed thick with the feeling that the world was holding its breath. And then she saw it.


    The moon: red, stained as if by blood of the fallen. The blood moon.


    Celia''s mark red with sudden heat, the pain shooting like a stab of sharp, searing knives up and down her arm. She gasped, clutching at her wrist as the energy shot through her, the blessing reacting to the moon above it with power-power too huge. She felt it inside her bones, as if the whole reality was shifting around her, moving.


    "Celia."


    Aziel''s voice was frantic as he rushed to her side. "What''s happening?"


    The pain was unbearable, the blessing ring within her, threatening to break free. "The blood moon," she whispered. "It''s. it''s reacting to me.


    Aziel''s eyes widened, and he took her by the shoulders, steadying her as her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. "This isn''t just rogues," he said urgently. "Celia, fight it. Don''t let it in control you.


    But the energy within her was rising, swelling, and overwhelming her; she could feel it threatening to consume her. She needed to hold on-needed to maintain control-but this energy was too much to handle.


    The pack was beginning to collect around her. Their eyes fixed on her, their tension palpable, Celia could feel the weight of those gazesbined with the fear and the hope they carried.


    "Celia, listen to me," Aziel said, his voice shaking with urgency. "You control the blessing. Don''t let it control you."


    She nodded, forcing herself to focus, to ground herself in his words. But as the blood moon reached its peak, the blessing roared within her, and for a moment, it felt as though the power would tear her apart. "I can''t do this," Celia whispered, her voice husky, the energy leaving her unable to think clearly.


    Aziel''s grip tightened on her shoulders. "Yes, you can. You are the Luna. The pack believes in you."


    Celia closed her eyes, focused on his voice, on the steady rhythm of their bond. She slowly pushed back against the power, forcing it to obey her will.


    It was the same sh of brilliance, this light, followed by an absence and slowly dissipating agony, with an un-resonant hum lingering inside of her chest. Opening her eyes, she found the blood moon had passed away; however, the energy remained within her.


    Aziel''s face was half amazement and half relief. "You did it," he said. "You mastered it."


    She let her breath out shakily, her body shuddering at the exertion. "For now."


    She knew that it wasn''t over. The rogues woulde, and when they did, they''d bring the truth of the blessing with them.


    \---


    As the fire crackled low, a howl cut through the darkness of night. Not the sound of a rogue, but something older-something more ancient.


    The pack tensed and Celia''s heart skipped a beat when a voice bellowed across the clearing:


    "The blood moon is but only the beginning. The test really begins now.

 A Wolfs Vow

    The night was chillier now, the feel of the blood moon still clinging to the air. Though the red light of the moon was dying above, its power, which Celia had touched, continued through her like a living force. She could feel it deep within her bones, that constant hum beneath her skin, as if the very earth itself were alive with it.


    Are you sure you''re all right?" Aziel''s voice was low but concerned as he took another step closer, and his hand gently brushed against her arm.


    Celia looked at him. Her breath still came out shakily, a product of the effort of containing the power of the blessing. "I''m fine," she lied. "It was just. overwhelming. The power. The moon. I don''t even know how I did it.


    Aziel stretched out for her, his fingers closing around hers with a sure, soothing hold. "You had no say in it," he said quietly. "The moon heightened everything the blessing, the link between us. But you held it in check. You restrained it. The energy of the blood moon still lingered in her, so strong it was like a flood breaking over a dam. For an instant, she had feared that she wouldn''t be able to stop it. She wasn''t even sure now how she had.


    "I didn''t feel like I had control," she admitted quietly. "It felt like I was being pulled in a thousand different directions.


    Aziel''s gaze eased, filled with something indescribable. He looked at her as he said softly, "You held it, Celia. You are stronger than you could ever have conceived. The blessing-it''s meant for you, and you are learning to hone it. The pack believes in you, and I do.


    The sincerity in his voice enveloped her like a shield, but the unease in her chest didn''t dissipate. The rogue lieutenant''s words kept echoing in her mind. "The true test begins now." What did that mean? What wasing? "Aziel," she began, her voice tight, "the rogue lieutenant, his warning-it feels like there''s more to it. Something bigger than just this battle. Do you feel it too?


    Aziel''s expression darkened, his jaw clenching. "I do. There''s something off about this entire situation. The rogue''s attacks, the way he''s trying to tear us apart-he''s ying a game, and we''re just pawns."


    Celia''s heart knotted in her chest. She yearned to believe in the strength of the bond, in the power of the pack, but the doubt lingers. What if the lieutenant was right? Maybe everything they thought they knew was a lie? Aziel, I don''t know if I can hold all of this together," she confessed, the weight of her responsibility pressing down on her. "What if the pack turns on me? What if they betray us?


    Aziel reached closer to her, his hand grazing her cheek in a gesture offort. "They won''t," he said firmly, his voice unflinching. "You are stronger than this, Celia. The pack needs you. They trust you. And I trust you.


    She swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over her. She had to be strong, for him, for the pack. But fear of failure clung to her like a shadow, haunting her every step.


    "I''m scared, Aziel," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What if I fail? What if I can''t protect them? Protect you?"


    Aziel''s eyes softened and his fingers cradled the curve of her chin, lifting her face up to meet his. "You won''t fail, Celia. I know that. The bond between us-it''s stronger than you think. We''ll face whateveres together. You don''t have to carry this alone.


    For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into his touch, the warmth of his presence offering her a fleeting moment of peace. But the weight of the responsibility she carried still lingered in the back of her mind, like a storm on the horizon, waiting to strike.


    "I won''t let you go," Aziel said suddenly, his voice raw with emotion. "I''ll protect you, Celia. You''re mine. And I swear to you, I''ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."


    The vow in his voice sent a shiver through her, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to feel something other than fear. It was a vow, a promise she could believe in. And that was enough to calm her heart.


    \---


    The day after the blood moon, everything felt different. The camp had sunk into a grim stillness, but the atmosphere was charged with expectation. The rogues hadn''tunched another attack-at least, not yet but something loomed over the pack like an unspoken threat. The council had met once again, their faces etched with concern, their voices low as they debated what to do next.


    She sat at the table, hands clenching together in herp as she listened to the murmurs that arose. She could feel the eyes of the council on her, weighing heavy upon her shoulders with the pressure of their expectations. The blood moon fear had gone away, but the tension remained, woven into the camp itself.


    "They''lle again," Marcus said, his voice low and grim. "We''re being hunted. We know it, they know it. The question is, when?"


    Aziel stood at the head of the table, his expression tight, his gaze fixed on the mapid out before them. "We don''t wait. We make the first move."


    Celia''s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"


    Aziel turned to her, his eyes burning with determination. "We take the fight to them. We don''t let them control this anymore. We''ll find where they''re hiding and destroy their forces before they can strike again.


    The council murmured their agreement, but Celia''s chest seemed to tighten. She could sense the unease radiating off the others; she sensed that the pack was divided, uncertain. Not even Aziel''s n to take the fight back to the rogues could remove the doubt that had settled into the air.


    "We need to be ready," she said, her voice level though the turmoil inside. "We can''t afford mistakes.


    Aziel looked at her, a sh of pride in his eyes. "Exactly. We''ll move swiftly, together."


    But Celia could feel the cracks in the shield, the doubt, the unease that no amount of battle ns could erase. The rogue lieutenant had already nted the seed of suspicion within their hearts. And no matter how many victories they won, that seed would continue to grow.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    "I''ll go with you," she said quietly, her resolve hardening. "We do this together."


    Aziel''s gaze softened, but his nod was firm. "Together."


    \---


    The tension in the pack only grew stronger as the days passed. Celia and Aziel led the charge, rallying the wolves for what would likely be their final stand. The southern perimeter was still under threat, but there were whispers-whispers that perhaps the rogues were preparing for something much bigger than just another attack. They wereing for the pack, for the blessing, for Celia.


    And the question hung in the air like an insidious fog: Would she betray them, or would they betray her?


    7---


    The camp was starting to gear up to make their next move, when Celia stood at the edge of the forest alone with her hand resting on the hilt of her de, looking up into the sky, her breath shallower than ever before a figure emerged in the distance-the silhouette slipping silently out from behind the trees.


    It was him. The rogue lieutenant.


    And he was holding something in his hand-something that glittered in the moonlight.

 The Price of Loyalty

    The pack was restless.


    Celia stood on the edge of the clearing; the cool night air bitten at her skin, doing little to cool the mes burning within her. She hadn''t seen the rogue lieutenant since the day she decided to take matters into her own hands. His reappearance was not an empty threat this time, it was a deration of war. The pack was setting up for battle, yet the tension in the air was almost palpable. She could feel it in the tightening of her chest, the weight of responsibility pressing harder with each passing hour.


    The blessing within her surged faintly, a constant reminder of the power she wielded-and the danger it brought.


    Aziel appeared beside her, his steps silent as he moved to stand at her side. "You''re upte," he said quietly, his voice carrying a tinge of concern.


    Not immediately; the dark horizon drew her. "I cannot sleep, she said tight-lippedly; she was thinking of the rogue lieutenant, out there: and the pack was unprepared. They do not quite believe in me.


    Silence wasn''t needed; Aziel seemed like an imprable mass, but she saw into his eyes, his soul. She knew he, like everyone else, wasn''t sure about their intentions or loyalty. It felt as if the pack is torn, and with these leaders, there is that thing inside that ys greater than what the lieutenant can achieve with her. After all, it''s beyond wanting her; it''s loyalty and trust, aspects a little too hard to preserve.


    "Do you believe in me, Aziel?" she asked suddenly, her voice soft but filled with an ache that she couldn''t mask.


    Aziel''s eyes lost their chill, and for one moment in time, there existed nothing beyond the quiet drone of night, the sounds of the pack moving in the distance. "I do," he dered firmly, steady and strong. "I''ve seen what you''re capable of. You are stronger than you think, and you will get through this, and we''ll get through this together.


    Celia turned to him, chest tight as she looked him in the eyes. "But what if I fail? What if the pack does not follow me? What if I am not what they need?"


    Aziel advanced a step forward. He kept his handid softly over her arm. "You won''t fail. The pack needs you more than at any other time. And if you ever doubt, remember that I''m standing beside you."


    The power of his words should have been soothing, but Celia could not help feeling that something was amiss. The lieutenant''s cryptic words-the warnings, the threats haunted her. And worse, she could feel the pack''s growing distrust, even though they tried to hide it. Loyalty was a fragile thing, especially when there was so much at stake.


    "Aziel."


    Celia looked up to see Marcus walking towards her, his face somber. "We''ve got trouble."


    Aziel''s face set, and Celia''s heart faltered. "What is it?" Aziel cut through the air with sharp tone. Marcus''s gaze passed over Celia as he spoke in a hushed tone. "The rogue lieutenant. he isn''t alone."


    The words to Celia were akin to a punch to the gut. "What do you mean?


    The rogue army isrger than we thought," Marcus exined, narrowing his eyes. "We''ve been tracking them for hours. There''s more of them, and they''re moving fast."


    Aziel''s jaw locked, cold blue eyes raking in the information. "How many?"


    Too many," Marcus said, his eyes darting to Celia. "We need to prepare, and we need to prepare now. They areing for us, for you. They are no longer waiting."


    Celia''s stomach churned. She had known the day woulde-the day the pack would face the rogues head-on. But this. this was different. This wasn''t just an attack. This was a deration of war.


    "We can''t let them tear us apart," Aziel said, his voice a quiet fury. "Celia, we need to stand united.


    She gazed at him, his words echoing in her mind. *United*. The word seemed more fragile now than ever. The pack had been fractured by the rogue lieutenant''s lies, by their doubts, by their fear. And Celia knew that loyalty, once broken, was difficult to restore.


    But she wasn''t about to let fear win. She couldn''t.


    "I''m ready," Celia said, her voice steady. She turned toward the pack, her chest swelling with determination. "I''ll fight. For the pack. For you. We''ll stand together, or we''ll fall apart trying."


    \---


    The camp was rife with bustle as the wolves readied to go to battle. Shrapnel whetted against stone sharpened all those weapons to fine, precise edges. The armor suited its wearers to a glistening fit. In contrast, one couldn''t argue that no matter the work put in, one feels a hint of feariness. End.


    She stood there by the edge of the clearing, watching the pack assemble. Her heart hammered, her mind going in two directions at once-fear and determination. The bond, the blessing, the pack''s loyalty crushed down on her like a sea tide that would not yield.


    "Celia."


    She turned to see Aziel approaching, his expression concerned and determined. "Ready?" he asked softly.


    Celia nodded, though the knot in her stomach refused to loosen. "As ready as I''ll ever be." She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she steadied herself. "We can''t afford to doubt ourselves now."


    Aziel ced a hand on her shoulder, a firm, grounding touch. "We won''t. You''ve got this."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Celia met his gaze, her heart steadying at the unwavering trust she saw in his eyes. She had forgotten how much she needed him believing in her until now-hearing how much she actually needed to believe in the pack and in this future being fought for. The question was still there, lodged in the back of her mind. The rogue lieutenant''s words had been such a blow, and there was no way the hurt would be easily erased.


    As the pack prepared to move out, Celia took onest look at the camp. The wolves were ready, but she could feel the tension between them. Trust wasn''t something that could be rebuilt overnight, and the cracks that had formed in the shield couldn''t be mended so easily.


    She stepped forward, her steps resolute, ready to lead.


    7---


    The night feels colder still as they progress through the forest. Now the rogue''s forces draw near, and Celia''s senses pick up on all the nervous energy of her pack as they approach that final confrontation. Every stride is heavy, like thisst march toward the darkness. They have to win, for they have nothing else to lose.


    And as they approached the clearing where the rogues were supposed to make their stand, Celia''s mark burned, reminding her of everything at stake.


    It was no battle fornd or survival. It was a battle for loyalty for the future of the pack, for the trust that held them together.


    "We fight together," Aziel''s voice rang out, pulling her from her thoughts. "And we win together."


    The pack responded with a chorus of fierce howls, their voices echoing through the trees. Celia''s heart surged with the sound.


    And then, the first rogue stepped into the clearing.


    \---


    A shadow darted across the trees, and the air grew colder still. A single figure emerged from the darkness-the rogue lieutenant. And he was not alone. Behind him, a dark army of rogues emerged, their red eyes glowing with hunger and intent.


    The battle had begun.

 Betrayal from Within

    The battle started with howls. Deep, primal, furious, the sound sent a ripple throughout the forest. The battle around them was palpable and seemed to be waiting on one side to unfold in earnest. Celia''s heart hammered in her chest as she stood beside Aziel, while the rest of the pack encircled them, forming a defensive perimeter. The rogue lieutenant was close now, bringing an army of wolves hungry for malice in their eyes.


    But something felt off. The air was too still, the weight of the forest pressing down on them like a suffocating shroud. Celia''s mark pulsed against her skin, hot and sharp, as though it could sense the impending danger that lurked in the shadows.


    "Stay close," Aziel''s voice was low and steady, amand that Celia knew better than to ignore. "We can''t let them divide us."


    "I won''t leave your side," Celia said, her voice filled with determination, though the unease coiling in her stomach refused to loosen.


    The rogue lieutenant stepped into the clearing, his form looming menacingly in the moonlight. His red eyes locked on Celia, and a knowing smirk curled his lips. "You are a fool, Celia," he said, his voice carrying over the still air. "You think you can fight us? You think you can control the pack with that fragile bond? I told you, the truth will alwayse out.


    Aziel pushed forward, his back shielding her from his position. "Your games end tonight, lieutenant."


    The rogue never broke his stare to look at Celia. "It''s not just the rogues you have to be concerned with," he spat into Aziel''s face. "The real enemy is already standing inside your walls. The pack is split, Aziel. And Celia is blind enough not to realize that.


    A chill ran down Celia''s spine, her pulse racing as she scanned the faces of the pack surrounding them. There was a flicker of uncertainty in some of the wolves'' eyes, a doubt that hadn''t been there before. Her chest tightened. The rogue lieutenant''s words were working their influence. They were nting seeds of suspicion-fear that she could see in the eyes of the pack.


    "Enough!" Aziel''s voice rang out, his power unmistakable. "You''ve said your piece. Now, leave. Or fight. But know this-the pack stands with me."


    The rogue lieutenant''s smirk widened. "You think it''s that simple, Alpha? Very well. Fight it out, then. Let''s see who really stands with you." Suddenly, a shout rang out from the edge of the clearing. "Look out!"


    Celia turned just in time to see a shadow lunge towards them. A wolfunched at Aziel, its teeth bared, its eyes wild with madness. Instinctively, Aziel blocked the attack, but Celia''s heart stopped as she recognized the wolf-Toran. "Toran?!" Celia''s voice cracked, the disbelief in her wordsced with growing fear.


    Aziel''s eyes narrowed. "Toran, what are you doing?"


    The wolf-Toran-snarled, his eyes glowing with a red hue. His fur bristled, and his movements were erratic, as though he were fighting against something inside him. "I''m sorry," Toran growled, his voice strained, almost pained. "I have no choice."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Celia''s stomach churned as she realized the truth: the rogue lieutenant wasn''t just ying a game; he had nted someone inside their own ranks. Toran had been working with the rogues from within, a traitor among them all. "No," Aziel said, his voice low but filled with a furious calm. "You don''t have a choice? You''ve made your choice, Toran."


    Toran''s eyes kept moving between Aziel and Celia, guilt shing in his nce. "I did not want this, but they... they threatened my family. They said they''d kill them if I didn''t help. I had no choice." He spoke with a cracked voice as the strain of his internal war was evident.


    Celia''s heart twisted with the conflicting emotions inside her-betrayal, sorrow, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound. A member of their own pack had been feeding information to the enemy. They''d been so close-so close to victory, to unity-and now, it was slipping through their fingers.


    "No one has to die tonight," Aziel said, his voice calm but heavy with unyielding authority. "Put down your ws, Toran. It''s not toote. You can still walk away from this."


    Toran paused, his body shaking with the internal struggle of his choice. "I can''t," he whispered. "I have done too much. I have betrayed you all.


    Behind him the rogues shifted their form, tense and prepared for the leap. "Do it, Toran, finish it," came Lieutenant''s voice from shadows. "Your loyalty is ours. There is no return from this.


    Toran''s eyes flickered toward the rogue lieutenant, and in that moment, Celia saw it-the desperation, the regret. He was fighting, trying to find a way out. But the fear in his eyes was unmistakable. He had been cornered, trapped between loyalty to the pack and the threats the rogue lieutenant had made against his family.


    Toran''s body trembled as he looked at Aziel and Celia onest time. "I''m sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I''m sorry."


    And then, without warning, Toran lunged at Aziel, his ws extended. The betrayal had been sealed. There was no going back.


    Aziel darted at the speed of lightning, his ws swiping through the air to strike Toran''s blow. The battle was over before it had even started. Toran''s body crumpled to the ground, eyes wide with shock, life oozing out of him. Celia froze, her breath caught in her throat, unable to move. She had seen so many battles, but this this was something she hadn''t been prepared for: the betrayal from within. Her own pack had turned against them.


    Aziel stood over Toran''s dead body, his face a mask of fury and sorrow. He had done what needed to be done, but the price of that decision was written in the pain behind his eyes. The betrayal was a wound that wouldn''t heal easily. The rogue lieutenantughed from the shadows, the voice cold and mocking. "So easily done. So easily broken." His eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction. "You can''t trust anyone, Aziel. Your pack is already crumbling." Aziel turned toward the lieutenant, his voice steady but packed with barely contained rage. "This ends tonight, lieutenant. You''ve broken one of us. But you won''t break the rest."


    The rogue lieutenant''s smirk faltered, reced by a cold calction. "We''ll see. The pack is already fractured, Aziel. How long can you hold them together?"


    With one final, mocking nce at Celia, the lieutenant turned and disappeared into the forest, his wolves retreating with him.


    The clearing was silent except for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Celia felt the weight of the moment press down on her chest. The rogue lieutenant''s words echoed in her mind: The pack is already fractured.


    And there was the weight of the betrayal over them, like a darkness falling. The mark on Celia''s neck red and the power within her was rebnced as if reacting to the splintering of the bond. Aziel regarded her with equal parts of rage and anguish.


    "Does he speak truth?" Celia breathed, hardly daring to be heard. "Are we broken already?


    Aziel''s face was set, but his grasp of her hand tightened. "No," he said then, his voice full of assurance. "We are not broken. We stand together. We always will."

 Into the Dark

    The forest loomed before them like an open maw, with shadows stretching endlessly under pale moonlight. Celia stood at the edge of the clearing, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her de as she felt the weight of night pressing down on her. His retreat only made her all the more uneasy. Every step they took was like walking into a trap, but she could not ignore the pull of the bond, the blessing driving her forward.


    "We shouldn''t be out here," Marcus said, his voice low but firm as he scanned the trees. "The pack needs us back at camp. If the rogues attack¡ª"


    "They won''t," Aziel broke in, his voice cutting short. He stood a few feet ahead, his tense posture unyielding. "The rogues are baiting us. If we do not push forward now, they will have the upper hand. We cannot give them that." Celia looked between the two men, her heart hammering in her chest. She got Marcus''s worries-turning their back on the pack felt haphazard, especially following Toran''s betrayal. But Aziel was correct. The rogues were not going to wait. They had one chance to stop the lieutenant and that was now.


    "I''m with you," Celia said, moving closer to Aziel. Her voice was steady, but the knot in her stomach tightened as she nced into the shadows ahead. "Whatever happens, we face it together."


    Aziel''s gaze softened for a moment before he nodded. "Together."


    Marcus sighed, his hand resting on the hilt of his de. "This better not get us killed."


    They all went ahead; the forest had stopped speaking save for the crunching leaves under their boots. The mark on Celia was throbbing faintly; she knew it was pulsing regrly, guiding her every step even as darkness enveloped them. She felt the blessing throb beneath her skin and grow stronger with every pace.


    "They are near," she whispered, barely making a sound.


    Aziel turned to look at her, his face grim. "How do you know?"


    "The blessing," Celia said, admitting. "It''s. drawing me. Like it knows where we need to go.


    Marcus said something under his breath, but he did not argue. They pushed on, tension in the air building at every second. The woods seemed to close in over them; the trees formed ominous shapes that threw jagged, long shadows around the forest floor.


    Celia''s breath hitched as she heard the rustle from the left. She halted, her heart racing while she searched the trees for a movement. "Did you hear that?


    Aziel''s hand shot up, and they stopped. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he listened intently. The forest was silent again, but the unease crawling along Celia''s skin refused to fade.


    "Stay close," Aziel said, his voice a low growl.


    They moved cautiously, their senses on high alert as they navigated the dense underbrush. Celia''s mark red suddenly, the heat sharp and searing. She gasped, clutching her arm as the energy surged through her like a shockwave. "Celia?" Aziel was at her side in an instant, his hands steadying her as she stumbled.


    "They''re here," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can feel them.


    Marcus drew his sword, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Where?"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Before someone could answer, a low growl echoed through the trees. The sound was deep and guttural, sending chills racing down Celia''s spine. Aziel stepped forward with his ws extended, preparing himself for the attack. "They''re surrounding us," he said, his voice tensed.


    The first rogue stepped out from the darkness, its red eyes glowing like embers. It snarled and bared its teeth as it leapt at them. Aziel intercepted, his ws slicing through the air in deadly precision.


    More rogues came forth, their forms flowing like shadows between the trees. Celia raised her de, the blessing within her ring as she battled to keep the enemy from separating them. The battle was a melee of snarls and shing des filling the air as they fought their way through the onught.


    "Don''t let them separate us!" Aziel shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.


    Heart in full palpitations, Celia leaped toward him, swinging her de and slicing away those rogues who moved a step too close. Blessing flowed through her and illuminated the surrounding gloom by the light she found upon her mark; building energy and threatening to unleash out of control.


    Aziel called to her, a warning call bringing Celia back to present thought as she pressed the rising energy beneath its rule again.


    The rogues pushed forward, an endless tide of faces. Celia''s arms screamed with pain, her breath tearing in ragged gasps as she fought to hold her own. She saw Marcus at her right side, the precision of his movements swift and efficient as he sliced down around him.


    It wasn''t enough. They were outmatched, and the rogues did not appear to be going anywhere.


    "Aziel!" Marcus''s cry snapped her attention to his face.


    She spun in time to see a great rogue sledge-hammering across the moonlit clearing. Its ws gleamed wickedly, and Aziel turned to meet the beast. However, the rogue was faster. It hit Aziel like a hammer, pounding him into the ground. "Aziel!" Celia''s voice cracked as she flung herself forward and the blessing within her red to life.


    The light from her mark exploded outward, blinding the rogue as she drove her de into its side. The creature let out a deafening howl before copsing to the ground, its body lifeless.


    Aziel struggled to his feet, his breathing heavy as he met Celia''s gaze. "Are you all right?"


    She nodded, though her heart was still racing. "You?"


    "I''ll live," he said, his voice rough.


    The other rogues backed off, their shapes melting into darkness as quickly as they appeared. Celia remained stock-still, her de quivering in her hand as she watched them leave. "Why did they run?" Marcus asked warily.


    Aziel''s face turned ck. "They got what they wanted.


    Celia''s stomach twisted up as the weight of his words settled over her. She looked around the clearing, her eyes scanning the ground for any sign of what the rogues might have taken. But there was nothing-no sign of victory, no sign of loss. "What did they want?" she asked, barely above a whisper.


    Aziel''s blue eyes met hers, welling with a mix of anger and sorrow. "This wasn''t just an attack," he said, his voice low. "It was a message."


    \---


    As the three turned back toward camp, Celia''s mark red for the third time, hot and sharp. She cried out, clutching at her arm as a single word repeated through her mind a breath that made her shiver. "Traitor."

 Unraveling the Truth

    It was heavy with silence as they made their way back to camp. Aziel led the way, his shoulders tense and ws extended as if he expected another attack. Marcus followed close behind, his de resting at his side but ready to strike if needed. Celia trailed behind them, her mind a whirlwind of questions and doubts.


    The word echoed in her mind, the blessing''s warning sharp and insistent: "Traitor."


    It couldn''t be. Not again. The pack was already broken from Toran''s betrayal. Another would shatter thempletely within their ranks.


    Then they see the camp looming, its fires burning low, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. The pack gathers as they approach, their faces creased with worry and exhaustion. The news of the rogue lieutenant''s return and the failed ambush has spread quickly, and the air is thick with unease.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Aziel stood in the middle of the clearing, sweeping his eyes over all the gathered wolves. "The rogues attacked," he began to say in a steady yet hard voice. "They''re getting bolder, showing off their numbers, their strength. But this isn''t a battle. This is a warning."


    Murmurs ran through the crowd, and tension built. Celia felt the weight of their eyes on her, their unease palpable. They looked to her, their new Luna, for answers she didn''t have.


    "They''re testing us," Aziel said. "Looking for weaknesses. But we won''t give them the satisfaction. We stand together, or we fall apart."


    The murmurs quieted, but the doubt in the air remained. Celia''s mark tingled faintly, a warning that set her nerves on edge. She nced at the faces of the pack, searching for something-anything-that might reveal the source of her unease. Marcus stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence. "The rogues didn''t attack without reason. They knew we''d be there. Someone tipped them off."


    The murmurs returned, louder this time,ced with suspicion. Celia''s stomach twisted as she watched the pack turn on each other, their trust fraying before her eyes.


    "That''s enough," Aziel growled, his voice sharp. "We won''t descend into chaos. We''ll find the truth, but we''ll do it together."


    Celia stepped forward, her voice shaking but unwavering. "We cannot let them divide us. The rogues want us to turn against each other. If we give into that, then they win."


    The pack fell silent, her words hanging in the air like a fragile thread. But the unease didn''t dissipate. The trust that held them together was already unraveling, and Celia could feel it slipping through her fingers.


    7---


    Later that night, Celia sat alone by the fire, her thoughts a tangled mess. The blessing''s warning reyed in her mind, over and over, until she felt like she might go mad. "Traitor." The word was a de, cutting deeper with every repetition.


    She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn''t let the doubt consume her. She had to find the truth-had to protect the pack from falling apart.


    "You''re upte," Aziel''s voice broke through her thoughts. He approached, his expression softening as he sat beside her. "You should be resting."


    "I can''t," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "The blessing... it''s warning me. There''s something wrong, Aziel. Someone here isn''t who they say they are."


    Aziel''s jaw tightened, his blue eyes darkening. "You think there''s another traitor."


    Celia nodded. Her chest tightened. "The blessing hasn''t been wrong before. It''s telling me to look closer. But I don''t know where to start.


    Aziel reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and stabilizing. "We will find a way. Together."


    She looked up to meet his eyes, finding sce in the strength they showed her. Still, doubt nagged at the fringes of her mind.


    7---


    The next day, Celia moved through the camp, sensing everything. She watched the wolves closely to see if any of them would betray her. Tension filled the pack-their movements sharp, and their conversations hushed. The fear was palpable and only a matter of time before it boiled over.


    As she passed a group of scouts, she caught a snippet of conversation that made her pause.


    "I saw him near the perimeter," one wolf said quietly. "He said he was scouting, but I don''t buy it."


    "Who?" another wolf asked suspiciously.


    "Kael."


    Celia''s blood ran cold. Kael had always been a thorn in her side, and his distrust of her obvious. But could he be the traitor the blessing warned of? The thought sent a shiver through her.


    She turned on her heel, her steps quick as she made her way toward Aziel''s cabin. She found him inside, bent over a map with Marcus, their voices low and urgent.


    "Aziel," she said, her voice cutting through the tension. "We need to talk."


    Aziel looked up, his expression darkening as he saw the look on her face. "What is it?


    "It''s Kael," she said, her voice trembling. "The blessing-it''s warning me. I think he''s the traitor."


    Marcus frowned, his gaze flicking to Aziel. "Kael''s been trouble for a while now. If he''s working with the rogues..."


    "We can''t jump to conclusions," Aziel said, his voice firm. "We need proof."


    Celia nodded, though her chest tightened with frustration. She wanted to act, to confront Kael and demand answers. But Aziel was right. Without proof, they risked dividing the pack even further.


    "I''ll keep an eye on him," Marcus said, his tone grim. "If he''s up to something, we''ll find out."


    7---


    That night, Celia ended up at the fringe of the camp, gazing out into the forest. The blessing throbbed feebly, its energy always reminding her of how deep the danger was. She felt like time was almost over, that the traitor would strike before they had a chance to stop him.


    "You''re not alone, you know."


    Celia turned to see Aziel approaching, his expression soft but tired. He stopped beside her, his presence steadying.


    "I know," she said quietly. "But it feels like it. The blessing... it''s like it''s alive, Aziel. It knows things I can''t exin, and it''s warning me. But I don''t know if I''m strong enough to stop what''sing."


    Aziel ced his hand on her shoulder, the warmth in his touch soothing. "You are strong enough," he said. "You have proven it time and time again. The pack believes in you. I believe in you."


    Celia looked at him, heart aching at the weight of his words. She wanted to believe him, to trust in her own strength. But she couldn''t help but have the fear of failure; it lingered, and she couldn''t shake that shadow.


    "I just want this to be over," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I want the pack to be safe."


    Aziel''s gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his hand brushing against her cheek. "We''ll get through this. Together."


    The bond between them pulsed, a steady rhythm that filled her with a small measure of hope. She nodded, leaning into his touch as the weight on her chest lifted, if only slightly.


    \---


    As the night darkened, Celia''s mark red suddenly, the heat sharp and insistent. She gasped, clutching her arm as the blessing''s energy surged through her.


    A single word echoed in her mind, louder this time, more urgent: "Kael."

 A War in the Making

    The camp buzzed in a quiet, uneasy energy; wolves moved through the clearing with purpose, their edges sharp, their faces drawn tight. The airy heavy with anticipation, feeling like a weight pressing in on her, suffocating by its intensity. The rogue lieutenant''s taunts, the blessing''s warnings, and growing distrust among the pack swirled in her head, refusing to settle. There was no denying it now-a war wasing. The only question was whether they would be ready. Aziel stood in the center of the camp, the council and key warriors about him. Spread out on a cloth before himy a map of the territory surrounding them, lines and symbols etched upon its surface, indicating the rogue movements which were known. Marcus bent over the map, his face grave as he traced one of the marks on it.


    "They''re consolidating their forces here," he said, voice low. "This valley gives them the high ground. If they attack from there, we''ll be pinned down."


    Aziel''s jaw set, his blue eyes scanning the map. "Then we don''t let them attack first. We take the fight to them."


    She breathed softly, her chest tightening in at the step forward. Are you sure that''s the right move? What if it''s a trap? she asked, her voice steady butced with concern.


    "It''s always a trap," Aziel said shortly. "But we cannot wait for them to take the initiative. The more time we spend sitting, the more time they can take to prepare their side.


    He''s right," Marcus said, though his face still wore a scowl. "We have to be first to make a move. Hit them hard, take out their leaders, and scatter their forces.


    Celia nodded, though the unease in her chest didn''t fade. She could feel the blessing pulsing faintly beneath her skin, its energy a constant reminder of the role she yed in all of this. The pack was looking to her and Aziel to lead them, to guide them through the chaos. But the weight of that responsibility was crushing.


    "Then we prepare," Aziel said, his voice firm. "Every warrior ready to move by dawn. This ends now." 7---


    The hours before the dawn were a blur of activity. Wolves armed themselves, sharpening des and testing bows as they prepared for battle. The tension in the air was palpable, a heavy weight that hung over the camp like a storm cloud. Celia moved through the camp, her presence a steadying force as she checked on the warriors and offered words of encouragement. But inside, her mind was a whirlwind of doubts and fears. The blessing was quiet now, its warnings subdued, but the memory of its voice still echoed in her mind. Kael.


    She found him at the edge of the camp, sharpening his de in slow, practiced strokes. His face, so tranquil, almost aloof, but Celia could feel the tension writhing from him like a living thing.


    "Kael," she said, the words steady in her throat, despite the nerves cramping her stomach.


    He looked up, his bright red eyes meeting hers. "Luna," he said, his voice toneless. "What brings you here?"


    She paused, staring at him. The warning had been clear in the blessing, but she had to be sure. "I wanted to check on you," she said finally. "We''re about to face one of the biggest battles this pack has ever seen. I need to know I can count on you.


    Kael''s face didn''t change, but something flickered in his eyes-something dark and unreadable. "I''m here to fight for the pack," he said simply. "Just like always."


    The words should have been reassuring, but they only made Celia''s unease grow. She nodded, though her chest felt tight. "Good. Because we need everyone to give their all. This war isn''t just about survival-it''s about protecting everything we stand for."


    Kael''s eyes remained on her for a moment, then returned to his sword. "Understood." 7---


    The sun was breaking over the horizon when the pack gathered at the forest''s edge. The warriors stood in lines, their weapons sharp in the early light. Aziel stood at the front, his presence demanding as he spoke to the pack.


    "This is it," he dered, his voice ringing above the assembled wolves. "The rogues think they can break us. Think they can take what is ours. But they are wrong. We are stronger than they know. We fight for each other, for our pack, for our future. And we will win."


    A chorus of howls rose from the warriors, their voicesced with determination. Celia stood beside Aziel as her heart pounded. Her eyes looked out over the pack, and she can see the fear, the resolve in their eyes. They will fight, stand side to side against the darkness.


    Aziel turned toward her, his blue eyes smoothing. "Are you ready?


    Celia nodded, though her stomach churned with nerves. "As ready as I''ll ever be."


    He reached for her hand, the bond between them pulsing with warmth and reassurance. "We''ll get through this. Together."


    She nodded again, her chest tightening as the weight of his words settled over her. Together. It was the only way they could win.


    ---


    The journey to the stronghold of the rogue was tense, each and every step with expectation in it. The forest they were walking in seemed all quiet, a kind of oppressive silence instead of a cacophony of chirping birds and rustling leaves; Celia''s mark vibrated faintly under that blessing''s energy.


    "They''re close," she breathed softly, voice hardly rising above a whisper.


    Aziel looked back at her, his expression sharp. "Stay alert."


    The pack moved cautiously, their movements silent as they approached the valley. The stronghold loomed ahead, its walls towering and imposing. Celia''s heart raced as she took in the sight. The rogues were ready for them, their forces gathered behind the fortified walls.


    Aziel raised his hand, signaling for the pack to stop. "This is it," he said, his voice low. "We hit them hard and fast. No mercy."


    The warriors nodded, their faces stern as they steeled themselves for the battle. Celia drew her de, its weight familiar in her hand. The blessing red within her, its power rising as she focused on the battle ahead.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Remember," Aziel said, his eyes sweeping over the pack. "We fight together. For the pack. For our future."


    Growls and snarls riposte to him, the wolves coiled to spring. Celia drew a breath, her nerves steadying as she felt the tie between her and Aziel strengthen.


    "Let''s be done," she said, voice firm.


    Aziel nodded; his eyes fierce. "Together."


    1---


    As the pack surged forward, the first wave of rogues appeared, their red eyes glowing like embers in the shadows. The sh of steel and snarls filled the air, the battle erupting with violent intensity.


    Celia''s mark red suddenly, the energy searing and sharp. She gasped, her vision blurring as the blessing surged through her, overwhelming and uncontroble.


    And then, amidst the chaos, she saw him-the rogue lieutenant, standing atop the wall, his eyes fixed on her.


    "Wee to the war, Luna.

 The Flame of Power

    The battlefield exploded into chaos.


    The ringing of steel and the snarls of wolves filled the air, a deafening cacophony that resonated through the valley. Celia charged forward, slicing through the first rogue in her path with her de. Her mark red with heat, the power of the blessing surging through her veins. Overwhelming, she couldn''t afford to think about it, not now. Not when the pack needed her.


    Celia, stay close!" Aziel''s voice sliced through the din, anchoring her.


    She turned to see him fighting off two rogues at once, his ws shing as he tore through their defenses. He moved like a force of nature, his strikes precise and deadly. Celia''s chest tightened as she watched him, her heart pounding with a mixture of awe and fear. This was the man she''d bonded with, the Alpha who would lead them to victory-or fall trying.


    "Focus, Celia!" Marcus yelled out, his de shing with a rogue''s weapon nearby.


    Celia snapped back to attention, her movements instinctive as she dodged an iing attack. The rogue lunged at her, its teeth bared, but she sidestepped and drove her de into its side. It let out a pained howl before copsing to the ground.


    The blessing red again, the heat almost unbearable as it surged through her. Her vision blurred for a moment, the power threatening to overwhelm her. *Control it, she told herself. Focus.


    She took a deep breath, grounding herself as the energy settled into a steady hum. She couldn''t let it consume her-not here, not now.


    "Celia, behind you!" Marcus''s warning came just in time.


    She spun around, her de meeting the ws of another rogue. The impact shot a jolt through her arm, but she held her ground, her movements swift and deliberate. The rogue snarled, its red eyes glowing with rage, but Celia didn''t falter. With a quick, precise strike, she took it down.


    The blessing pulsed, and with each defeated enemy, the energy built inside it. It was as though the power was feeding off the battle, growing stronger with every passing moment. However, strength brings danger; Celia could feel that thin line between control and chaos.


    "Celia!" Aziel''s voice called again, pulling her attention to herself.


    Turning she faced, seeing him stand in the middle of that battle ground surrounded by so many rogues that his blurs in the fighting could no longer keep them all from his grasp.


    Her heart clenched, and without thinking she moved toward him. The blessing red, its heat burning as she channeled the power of it into her de. The weapon glowed faintly, a fiery edge that sliced through the air with deadly precision. She arrived at Aziel just as one of the rogues lunged at him from behind. The blessing guided her movements, her de intercepting the attack with ease. The rogue let out a howl of pain before copsing, its body lifeless at her feet. Aziel turned to her, his blue eyes sharp but filled with gratitude. "I told you to stay close."


    "I am close," she shot back, the voice steady despite the chaos raging around them.


    He gave her a small, fleeting smile, and then turned back toward the fight. Together they moved as one, every passing moment strengthening their bond. The blessing surged. Its power flowed between them like a current, and guided their strikes and keeps them in sync.


    7---


    The battle was still going, the valley a mad whirlwind of motion and noise. Rogues did not let up-there seemed no end to them-but the pack didn''t yield; they kept their stance for home and future.


    Celia''s mark burned brighter with each passing moment, the blessing''s power growing stronger. She could feel it building, a fire that threatened to consume her if she didn''t find a way to control it. But she couldn''t stop-not now. Not when so much was at stake.


    "Celia, fall back!" Marcus shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.


    She swung her eyes to see him fighting the hulking rogue, which the rogue''s ws were now wing perilously close to his throat. Her heart was racing as she responded without thinking; she drew near to assist him. The blessing zed in response, and its power surged as she reached forward, her de slicing in true precision through the rogue''s massive body.


    Marcus stumbled backward, his chest heaving as he regarded her. "Thanks," he muttered, his voice strained.


    Celia nodded, her breathing in ragged gasps. "Don''t mention it."


    But the moment of reprieve was short-lived. A howl echoed across the battlefield, deep and guttural, sending chills racing down Celia''s spine. She turned toward the source of the sound, her eyes widening as she saw the rogue lieutenant standing atop a nearby ridge.


    He cast his cold calcting eyes upon the battlefields as red glinting appeared out of the corners. Celia, in turn, seemed locked within the full attention of those cold glints.


    A smile appeared upon his lips as his raised handmanded his legions to charge forward. In their newfound ferocity, the rogues seemed coordinated. It was deadly to view. The pack reeled from their push as formation faltered before them.


    "Keep your line steady," Aziel bellowed to pierce the disorganization of chaos.


    Celia''s chest tightened as she fought to hold her ground, her de cutting through the rogues that came too close. The blessing red brighter, its heat almost unbearable as she channeled its power.


    But the rogues kepting, their numbers overwhelming. For everyone they took down, two more seemed to take its ce. The pack was struggling, their movements growing slower, more desperate.


    Celia''s mark red with a burning intensity that made her gasp, as if the blessing inside of her had suddenly be more potent. It was too much, too strong; she felt herself dropping onto her knees, clutching at her arm as the energy threatened to consume her.


    "Celia!" Aziel''s voice sounded frantic as he rushed to her side. "What''s happening?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I-I can''t control it," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It''s too much."


    Aziel knelt beside her, steadying her hands as he gazed into her eyes. "You can. You''re stronger than this, Celia. You can control it."


    She met his gaze, breath shallow as she struggled to focus. The power of the blessing surged, but this time, she did not fight it. Instead, she let it flow through her, guiding it instead of resisting.


    There is settled energy now, its heat held tightly and evenly. Celia pushes to her feet, and this time her de is all alight with the magic of the blessing. Turning to Aziel, the girl''s chest expands upon a deep breath.


    "It''s over," she states firmly.


    Aziel''s nod is fierce. "Together.


    As they advanced toward the ridge, the rogue lieutenant''s smirk grew wider. He raised his hand once more, and the ground beneath their feet trembled. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its presence suffocating and powerful. Celia''s heart stopped as she realized what it was-something ancient, something stronger than any rogue she''d ever faced.


    The lieutenant''s voice echoed across the battlefield, cold and mocking.


    "The blessing won''t save you this time, Luna."

 A Forbidden Pact

    The shadow covered the battlefield, suffocating under the rogue lieutenant''s mockingughter in the valley. The ancient figure that emerged from darkness was nothing Celia had ever seen before. The eyes were deep, red, malevolent, and its hulking form seemed to radiate a power that made the air around it heavy and oppressive.


    Celia''s mark red with sudden, wild intensity, the heat seeming to sear her very arm as the blessing answered the creature''s existence in this ce. Back-staggering, Celia''s heart pounded. So fear coiled very snug in her chest. "What is that?"


    Marcus''s voice was ragged; his eyes were wide as he stared at the form standing in the center of his father''s study.


    "The Shadowbeast," Aziel exined curtly. "Old artifact of the rogues. Me thought it a myth.


    The rogue lieutenant''s voice rang out, cold and triumphant. "Not a myth, Aziel. A reminder of what your kind fears most. This war ends tonight, with the destruction of your precious pack."


    The Shadowbeast let out a guttural roar that shook the ground beneath their feet. The rogues surged forward with renewed ferocity, their movements coordinated and deadly as they pressed the attack.


    "We can''t fight that thing," Marcus said, his voice filled with despair. "It''s too strong."


    "We don''t have a choice," Aziel growled, his ws extending as he stepped forward. "If we don''t stop it, the pack is finished."


    Celia''s chest tightened as she watched the Shadowbeast advance. Its massive form was like cutting through the battlefield, this living storm that brought fear with it. The energy of the blessing swelled inside her, but she knew it would not be enough not against something like this.


    "There has to be another way," she said, her voice shaking and her eyes looking to Aziel.


    He turned to her, the blue of his eyes streaked with determination and sorrow. "If there is," he said, "we don''t have time to find it. We fight, Celia. Together."


    \---


    The battle continued, the pack struggling to hold the line against the relentless onught of rogues. Celia fought alongside Aziel, her de glowing with the blessing''s power as she cut through the enemies that came too close. But the Shadowbeast''s presence loomed over them, its strength turning the tide of the battle.


    Celia''s mark burned hotter with each passing moment; the blessing''s power grew more intense but unstable. She felt it building, this storm of energy that was ready to consume her should she not find a means of controlling it. And then, amidst the chaos of it all, she saw him-the rogue lieutenant, sneering at the edge of the battlefield. His crimson eyes locked onto hers. He raised a hand with an imperious gesture ordering the Shadowbeast onward. "No," Celia breathed, her heart jackhammering as the creature towered closer.


    The blessing red again, its energy searing and sharp as it surged through her. She gasped, clutching her arm as the power threatened to overwhelm her.


    Aziel was at her side in an instant, his hand steadying her as he looked into her eyes. "Celia, you have to focus. The blessing-it''s the only thing that can stop that thing."


    I can''t," she said, her voice quivering. "It''s too much. I don''t know how to control it."


    "Yes, you can," Aziel said with firmness in his voice, filled with conviction. "You are stronger than this, Celia. You have already proven it. The blessing chose you for a reason.


    His words steadied her, grounding her in the midst of the chaos. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus as she channeled the blessing''s energy. The heat settled, its power coalescing into a steady me that burned within her. But even as she prepared to face the Shadowbeast, a voice echoed in her mind a voice that wasn''t her own.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "There is another way."


    Celia froze, her breath hitching as the words reverberated through her. It was the blessing, speaking to her in a way it never had before.


    "What way?" she asked silently, her heart racing.


    "The pact. A bond with the ancient one."


    Her stomach churned as the meaning of the words sank in. The blessing was offering her a solution-a way to stop the Shadowbeast. But it came with a price. "What is it?" Aziel asked, his voice piercing through her thoughts.


    Celia gazed at him, her chest constricting as she considered her options. "The blessing-it''s saying there''s another way. But it''s risky. I don''t know what it will cost."


    Aziel''s jaw clenched as he searched her eyes. "Whatever it is, don''t do it. We''ll find another way."


    "There''s no time," Celia said, her voice trembling. "If I don''t do this, the pack won''t survive."


    Aziel''s grip on her arm tightened. "Celia, listen to me. You don''t have to do this alone. We''ll fight together. We''ll find a way¡ª"


    But his words were cut off as the Shadowbeast let out another deafening roar, its massive form advancing toward the pack. The rogues surged forward, their movements faster and more coordinated than before. Celia''s heart pounded as she made her decision. "I''m sorry, Aziel," she said, her voice barely audible.


    Before he could respond, she advanced, the blessing''s energy bing brighter than ever. Closing her eyes, she turned her attention to connecting herself with the ancient power dwelling within her.


    "I ept."


    \---


    The world around her shifted.


    Celia stood in the void. Darkness stretched out before her and to either side, immeasurable in every direction. A light pulsed, far off, calling her toward it. She stepped forward cautiously, her heart pounding, as she drew closer to the source of the glow.


    The light coalesced into a form: a being of pure energy, its shape indistinct but powerful. Its voice echoed in her mind, deep and resonant.


    "You wish to halt the beast.


    "Yes," she said, her voice steady through the fear curling up in her chest. "But I can''t do it alone."


    The thing looked at her in silence, its presence overwhelming. "A pact must be made. A bond which cannot be undone. Will you ept the cost?


    The cost still made Celia hesitate, weighing in with so much pressure. But it was something she must have done, for A pack couldn''t fall. Not Aziel.


    "I ept," said she finally, her voice set.


    The being touched, its power embracing her like a zing fire. She felt the agony, sharp and burning, as the power of the blessing joined with the old energy. Her mark zed brighter than it ever had before, and the light spread across her body in fiery patterns.


    "It is done."


    \---


    Celia''s eyes snapped open, the battlefielding back into focus. The blessing''s energy surged through her, stronger and more controlled than ever before. She could feel the bond with the ancient power, its strength flowing through her like a raging river.


    "Celia?" Aziel''s voice was filled with shock as he looked at her, his eyes widening at the sight.


    Her de zed with golden light as she turned toward the Shadowbeast. The creature hesitated, its red eyes narrowing as it sensed the shift in her power.


    "This ends now," Celia said, her voice steady and filled with authority.


    She charged forward, the blessing''s energy zing as she met the Shadowbeast head-on.


    7---


    As Celia''s de met the Shadowbeast''s ws, the air around them exploded with light and energy. The sh of power consumed the battlefield, and the pack and rogues were frozen in awe.


    In the middle of all this chaos, the voice of the rogue lieutenant rose, full of rage.


    "She''ll burn herself alive before this war is over.

 Chasing Shadows

    The battlefield was silent, for the sh was done. The rogues had run off, their forces broken up like leaves on a wind. The Shadowbeast, once the greatest symbol of fear, was nothing now but a crumpled, lifeless mass at the edge of the valley. Yet, there was still a sense that something was left unended, an aura of foreboding settling heavily over the pack.


    Celia stood in the middle of the clearing, her de glowing softly with thest dregs of the blessing''s power. Her mark was warm to the touch, a constant reminder of the pact she''d made and the cost that she was yet to understand. She could feel the bond with ancient energy thrumming in her, its presence both reassuring and terrifying.


    Aziel came near slowly, his blue eyes running over her as if scanning for something. "Celia," he whispered, his voiceced with concern. "What happened out there?"


    She turned to him, her chest squeezing at the look in his eyes. "I did what I had to do," she said steadily, despite the churning inside of her. "The blessing... it gave me a choice. A way to stop the Shadowbeast."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "At what cost?" Aziel''s voice was sharper now, his worry bleeding into frustration. "You''ve been different ever since. The pack can see it, Celia. I can see it."


    Celia turned away, her eyes going out to the horizon. The thing was, she didn''t know the cost of the pact. This being she''d bonded with had given her power, but taken something in return-something she couldn''t name, but could feel in the quiet moments, when it wasn''t a matter of power but simply being. She was changed, different in a way that made her feel stronger and more vulnerable at once.


    "I don''t know,¡± she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it was the only way to save us. To save the pack."


    Aziel''s expression softened, but the tension between them remained. "We''ll figure it out," he said, his tone firm. "Whatever it takes, we''ll face it together."


    She nodded, but the doubt in her chest refused to be shaken off. The connection between them pulsed faintly, a steady rhythm that anchored her amidst all the uncertainty.


    7---


    The camp was subdued when the pack returned since their victory had been left in the bnce of threat by the rogue group still atrge. The Shadowbeast was gone, yet the rogue lieutenant still lingered, casting his shadow over everything that they had fought for. Celia felt it in the air, that unspoken fear that ruffled over the wolves like a wave.


    Marcus appeared at Celia and Aziel''s side as they made it to the middle of camp, his face grave. "The thieves are rallying," he said, with no warning. "Our scouts have followed them to the north ridge. They aren''t fleeing, they''re plotting." Aziel clenched his jaw. "How many?"


    "Too bloody many," Marcus confessed, "for us to charge in headlong.


    "We don''t have to take them head-on," Celia said, her mind racing. "If we strike from the shadows, we can weaken their forces before they have a chance to regroup."


    Marcus hesitated, his gaze flicking to Aziel. "That''s a risk."


    "Everything about this is a risk," Aziel said, his voice sharp. "But Celia''s right. We can''t let them recover. If they regroup, they''lle for us again, and we won''t survive another battle like this."


    Celia''s chest tightened at watching the exchange. The pack was holding together but only by a thread. The cracks in their unity were expanding, and she felt the strain of the bond pushing on her, nudging her into action.


    "We need to be swift," she said with control in her voice. "Before they get any opportunity to consolidate their hold."


    Aziel nodded; his gaze met hers. "Then we prepare.


    The night was quiet as Celia and a small group of warriors moved through the forest, their movements silent and precise. The blessing''s energy pulsed faintly beneath her skin, guiding her steps as they approached the northern ridge. The rogues'' camp came into view, their fires burning low and casting flickering shadows across the clearing.


    Crouched behind a cluster of bushes, her heart pounding as she took in the scene, Celia looked around at the rogues. They were scattered; their movements disorganized but purposeful. She could see the rogue lieutenant standing near thergest fire, his red eyes glowing in the dim light.


    This is it," Aziel whispered, his voice low. "We hit them hard and fast. Take out as many as we can and retreat before they have a chance to react."


    Celia nodded, her grip tightening on her de. The blessing red faintly, its power steady and controlled as she prepared to strike.


    But then, as she moved, the shadow ran across the line of trees, fast and soundless. Her mark iced over suddenly, its heat sharp and insistent, the blessing responding to this presence. "Wait," she said, her voice just barely there. "There''s another one here."


    Aziel frowning, his eyes scanning over into the shadows. "Who?


    Before Celia could respond, the shadow revealed itself, a form known and unmistakable. Kael stepped forward into the clearing, the deliberate movements his approach to the rogue lieutenant. Celia took a sharp breath inside her throat as her chest tightened with the mix of anger and disbelief. "Kael," she whispered on a quivering voice.


    Aziel''s face contorted into darker lines; his ws crept further out as he prepared for movement. "He''s a traitor.


    Wait," Celia said,ying a hand on his arm. "We have to know what he''s doing. If we act now, we''ll lose the element of surprise."


    Aziel''s jaw clenched, but he nodded. Together, they watched as Kael approached the lieutenant, his voice low but urgent.


    "They''re nning a strike," Kael said, his tone sharp. "A small group, heading here tonight. You need to move your forces now.


    The rogue lieutenant smirked, his red eyes gleaming. "Good. Let theme. We''ll be ready."


    Celia''s stomach churned as she realized the truth-Kael wasn''t just a traitor. He was actively working against them, feeding the rogues information that could destroy the pack.


    Her mark burned hotter, the blessing''s energy surging as her anger red. She stepped forward, her movements silent as she approached the clearing.


    "Celia, wait¡ª" Aziel''s voice ended there as she stepped into the light, her de glowing with the blessing''s power.


    Kael''s eyes went wide as he saw her. "Celia-"


    "Traitor," she spat, a venom in her voice.


    The rogue lieutenantughed-a cold and mocking sound. "Well, well. The Luna herself. This should be interesting."


    Kael''s features set, his hand finding his de. "You don''t understand-"


    "I understand enough," Celia said, her voice steady despite the rage coursing through her. "You betrayed us. You betrayed the pack."


    Kael hesitated, his gaze flicking to the rogue lieutenant. "I had no choice."


    "There''s always a choice," Aziel growled as he stepped into the clearing, his ws gleaming in the firelight. "And you made the wrong one." 7---


    As the tension grew, the rogue lieutenant raised his hand to signal his forces to move. "Kill them," he said, his voice dripping with malice.


    The rogues surged forward, their movements coordinated and deadly. Celia''s mark red brighter, the blessing''s power zing as she prepared to face the traitor and the forces he had unleashed.

 Darkness Creeps In

    The rogue lieutenant''s order shook the clearing. The rogue horde surged forward, sharp steps calcted, eyes glowing red in the weak firelight. Celia''s breath caught in her throat as the weight of that moment pressed down on her. Her mark burned bright, the blessing''s power surging as she clenched her grip on her de. Heat flowed through her veins steady and strong, but the sheer scope of the battle before her threatened to crush her under its weight. "Stand your ground!" Aziel''s voice cut through the melee.


    Just at the edge of the perimeter, a small group of warrior escorts stood ready,shing open their arms to raise deadly weapons as they prepared to face the onught. Thick with tension, every breathing was heavy with the threat of violence. Kael stood motionless, his eyes moving between Celia, Aziel, and the approaching rogues. For a second, something flickered in his gaze-regret, perhaps, or hesitation-but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared. He drew his de, his stance tense as he faced them.


    "Kael, don''t do this," Celia said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. "You don''t have to fight for them."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    His face set, his hand clenching around his sword. "I made my choice, Celia. Just like you made yours."


    "You chose betrayal," Aziel growled, his ws extending as he stepped forward. "You betrayed your pack. Your family."


    "I did what I had to do," Kael snapped, his voice sharp. "You don''t understand what they were offering what they threatened."


    "Iprehend well enough," Celia replied, her chest tightening in ce as she met his gaze. "You let fear get a hold of you. You let it make you something you''re not."


    Kael''s jaw locked; his eyes narrowed. "Do not pretend to understand me, Celia," he said. "You are always the outsider-the person who doesn''t belong here.


    Her heart wrung itself, but she was determined to hold him off. She held her sword steady with a voice firm with a calm that threatened to split inside of her. "Though I am not a part of this pack, I''ll fight for it. And I''ll defend it from whatever and whoeveres along and destroys it-including you.


    Kael hesitated, his eyes darting to the rogue lieutenant. The man''s smirk grew wider, his red eyes glinting with amusement. "Touching," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But words won''t save you now, Luna.


    The rogues advanced, their snarls echoing off the trees of the clearing. Celia''s mark red bright, the blessing''s power zing as she readied for battle. The firelight danced on her de, illuminating the darkness around her with the glow of the blessing.


    Aziel stepped to her side, his presence steady as he faced the enemies advancing on them. "We take them together," he said, his voice low but full of determination.


    She nodded, her chestpressing against itself by both fear and resolution. "Together."


    \---


    The fight burst forth in violent crescendo.


    Celia''s de struck ws first with a jagged impact down her arm. She stepped with intent now, the power of the blessing fueling each strike in a struggle to keep back. Rogues were ferociously tenacious, relentless, coordinated and deadly.


    Aziel moved beside her, a blur of motion tearing ws into the enemies close enough. His movements fluid and powerful, every strike an expression of his strength and skill, Celia felt admiration for him, even as she remained in the heart of chaos.


    Marcus held the line with the other warriors, his de shing as he fought off the advancing rogues. It was a small force by the pack''s standards, but they were holding their own, their determination unyielding.


    But the rogues were too many. For each one they brought down, two more seemed to take its ce. The pack was being pushed back, and their defenses were cracking under the relentless assault. "Celia, fall back!" Marcus shouted, his voice strained as he fended off another rogue.


    She ignored him, her focus on the fight. The blessing''s power surged within her, the heat sharp and insistent as she channeled its energy into her strikes. The rogues fell before her, but the cost of the power was heavy. She could feel it draining her, the bond with the ancient energy taking its toll.


    "Celia!" Aziel''s voice came through clear against the noise, urgent sharp. "Behind you!"


    She had just turned time enough to see Kaelunching himself at her, the de shining in the flickering light of the mes. Her mark throbbed, the blessing kicking alive as she raised her de to knock his blow off course. The two bits of metal shed through the clearing with a sharp strike that left her staggering off-bnce.


    "Kael, stop!" she shouted, her voice filled with desperation. "This isn''t who you are."


    He didn''t respond, his movements sharp and calcted as he pressed the attack. Celia''s heart twisted as she fought him, her strikes precise but defensive. She didn''t want to hurt him-not if there was still a chance to save him. "Celia, don''t hold back!" Aziel growled, his voice filled with frustration. "He''s made his choice."


    Her chest tightened at his words, but she couldn''t bring herself to deliver a killing blow. Kael''s strikes were relentless, his attacks forcing her back with every step. The blessing red again, its energy surging as she blocked another strike. "Kael, please," she said, her voice trembling. "You don''t have to do this."


    He hesitated for an instant, the de halting. The rogue lieutenant''s voice tore through the time, cold,manding, "Finish her."


    Kael''s eyes snapped hard now, and once more he ran at her with his de intended for her heart.


    \---


    Celia''s mark red with blinding light, the blessing''s energy bursting forth as she raised her de. The clearing was consumed by the sh of power, the sound of steel meeting steel ringing out like a thunderp.


    When the light faded, Kael stood frozen, his de inches from Celia''s chest. His eyes flickered with confusion and pain as he looked down at her glowing de, pressed against his own throat.


    Why didn''t you kill me?" he whispered, his voice so soft that she could barely hear him.


    Celia''s voice was trembling as she answered, her chest heaving from the effort of holding it back. "Because there''s still good in you, Kael. And I won''t give up on you.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!