The night was alive with fury.
Mooncrest wolves and rogue allies moved in unison, circling the enemy with precision and speed. Every movement I made felt amplified, every instinct heightened by the Silver Moonline pulsing in my veins.
Draven's wolf was a shadow of black lightning beside me. His presence alone demanded respect. Together, we were unstoppable.
The enemy Alpha lunged again, faster than before. I sidestepped, silver light streaming from my fur, blinding him momentarily. In one swift motion, I struck his flank, knocking him into the underbrush.
The pack faltered. Confusion spread like wildfire.
I didn't relent. I drew deeper from the ancient Silver Moon power, my howl resonating through the forest—not a normal wolf's call, but layered with ancestral authority. Wolves around me faltered instinctively, some stepping back, some frozen in awe.
Draven mirrored me, his growl harmonizing with mine. The bond between us pulsed visibly, silver and black interweaving like lightning across the battlefield.
I could sense the fear growing in the enemy ranks. Their confidence, built on the underestimation of Mooncrest and of me, crumbled.
"Focus on me!" I called, tail flicking. "Their Alpha is vulnerable!"
Draven shifted instantly, striking in perfect synchrony. Together, we flanked the enemy leader, pinning him between us.
"You should have left when you had the chance," I whispered, letting the Silver surge through my claws. "Now you face what you tried to destroy."
The Alpha's wolf froze mid-leap, eyes wide in shock as silver energy seared through his defenses. His own power, amplified by arrogance, was no match for ours.
And then I stopped.
I had the power to destroy him. To obliterate everything he was.
But I didn't.
Control, not vengeance, flowed through me. Instead, I bound him magically—Silver locking his strength, leaving him alive but humbled.
The remaining enemy wolves hesitated. Their leader incapacitated, their morale shattered. One by one, they either fled or surrendered.
Draven's hand found mine as we shifted back to human form in the center of the clearing.
"Powerful," he said softly, voice rough, eyes glinting with awe. "Stronger than I ever imagined."
I shrugged, silver aura fading slowly. "Stronger than you imagined," I corrected.
He smirked faintly, brushing dirt from his shoulder. "You've always been underestimated. I'm learning my lesson."
Cassian appeared beside us, rogue warriors flanking him, but he nodded at me with quiet respect. "You've earned every inch of Mooncrest," he said.
I met Draven's gaze. The bond pulsed between us—not overwhelming, not forced, but alive. Balanced. Powerful.
"I am no longer the girl you rejected," I murmured.
"And I will never forget it," Draven replied. His hand found mine, not in possession, but in partnership.
The clearing was silent now, the moon overhead bathing Mooncrest in silver light. Wolves glanced at us—some with awe, some with fear, but all with recognition.
Tonight, the Silver Moonline had spoken.
And its voice was clear:
I was here. I was strong. I was chosen.
Draven leaned close, voice low. "We've won this battle… but the war isn't over."
I smiled, silver eyes glinting. "No, but now Mooncrest knows who stands beside them—and who leads it."
He exhaled slowly, eyes darkening with admiration and something more dangerous. "And beside whom I fight… always."
The mate bond pulsed between us—finally unbroken, finally mutual, finally ready.
For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of destiny settle perfectly across my shoulders.
Not a burden.
A crown.
Silver.
And together, Draven and I would shape the future of Mooncrest.