The night was heavy with crimson light.
Selene stood at the edge of the Sanctuary, her bare feet brushing against stone that seemed to pulse with life. The Blood Moon hung high above, full and fierce, bathing the world in its otherworldly glow. The air thrummed with energy, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Elias stood beside her, silent and watchful. His golden eyes scanned the dark forest beyond, his body tense with a predator's instinct.
"You feel it, don't you?" he murmured, his voice low.
Selene nodded. "The pull."
He smiled faintly, his eyes never leaving the shadows. "Good. That means the bond is deepening. The blood is waking."
Her chest tightened. "It hurts," she whispered. "Sometimes."
"That's the awakening," he said softly. "The blood has power, but it demands sacrifice. You will learn to embrace it."
She glanced at him, searching for something in his expression. He looked unreadable, but there was something beneath his calmness a tension, an urgency. Something dangerous.
Before she could ask, a sudden movement in the forest made her freeze. Shadows shifted unnaturally, and the air grew colder. A low growl echoed through the trees.
Elias stepped in front of her, his body coiled, every muscle ready to spring. "They're here," he said.
Selene's breath hitched. "Who?"
"The hunters," he said. "They know you're here. And they're coming for you."
Her pulse quickened. "Hunters?"
"They are rogue packs," Elias explained. "They have sworn to kill the Moonborn before she can awaken fully. And they will not stop."
Her heart pounded. "Why me?"
"Because your blood is power," Elias said simply. "They fear it. And they fear what it will mean for the clans."
A growl rose in the darkness, low and threatening. Selene felt the ground tremble beneath her feet. The shadows moved faster now, and shapes began to emerge wolves, larger than any she had seen before, their eyes glowing like embers.
Elias stepped forward, his body shifting fluidly. His skin rippled, bones cracking softly as fur sprouted along his arms and legs. In seconds, he was no longer fully human. He was wolf massive, black as midnight, with eyes that burned gold.
Selene gasped. The sight struck something primal in her chest. Her own blood pulsed, responding to his presence.
Elias growled, low and deep. "Stay behind me."
The hunters circled them, their growls deep and guttural. Selene's heart raced. Her instincts screamed to run, but her feet felt rooted to the stone. Something inside her — the bloodline stirred, urging her to stand her ground.
Elias stepped closer to her. "Listen to me," he said. His voice was rough but calm. "Focus on the bond. Call it. Let it guide you."
Selene's breath caught. The bond. She closed her eyes, placing her hand over her chest. The pull was there, fierce and undeniable, and she let herself give in to it.
A warmth spread from her chest outward, like a tide of light flooding her body. Her skin began to glow softly under the blood moon, and the air around her vibrated.
She opened her eyes. The hunters were still there, circling, but now they hesitated. One stepped forward, growling. But Selene didn't back away.
Elias's golden eyes fixed on her. "You're doing it," he murmured. "Good. Keep going."
Selene took a breath. Her vision sharpened. She could hear the heartbeat of the earth beneath her feet, the rhythm of the forest, even the faintest breath of the hunters. Power surged through her, and without thinking, she raised her hands.
A wave of light exploded outward, washing over the hunters. They howled in pain, retreating into the shadows.
Elias shifted back to human form instantly, his eyes blazing. He moved to her side, placing his hand gently on her cheek. "You did that," he said softly. "You awakened."
Selene stared at him, her chest heaving. "I… I don't know how."
"You don't need to," he said. "The bond will teach you."
She looked away, her heart pounding. The fear of the hunters was gone, replaced by something deeper. Something dangerous. She felt alive in a way she never had before.
Elias stepped closer, his breath brushing her cheek. "You're stronger than you know, Selene. And this… this bond between us is only the beginning."
Her breath hitched. She wanted to pull away, but she couldn't. Something inside her wanted to lean into him, to surrender to the pull she could no longer deny.
He smiled faintly. "Good. Because soon, there will be no turning back."
Aftermath
They returned to the Sanctuary, silent except for the sound of Selene's footsteps. The air between them was thick with unspoken words. Selene could still feel the warmth of the bond between them, pulsing under her skin.
She stopped before her chamber door, her hand trembling. "Elias…" she whispered.
He stepped close, his presence overwhelming. "Yes?"
She swallowed hard. "What happens now?"
He studied her for a long moment. "Now," he said softly, "you awaken fully. And we prepare for war."
Her chest tightened. "War?"
"Yes," he said simply. "The prophecy is coming true. And when it does… Selene, there will be no turning back."
She nodded slowly. Something deep in her stirred. Fear. Desire. Destiny.
And beneath it all the undeniable pull of the bond.
Elias reached out, brushing a lock of hair from her face. His golden eyes held hers. "I will protect you," he said softly. "Even if it means I have to destroy everything in my path."
Selene's breath caught. "And if I don't want to be bound to you?"
He smiled faintly, a dangerous curve of his lips. "Then you will fight me. But Selene… you already are mine."
The words hung between them.
Outside, the Blood Moon burned brighter, bathing the world in crimson light.
And Selene knew her life had changed forever.