Chapter 16
-Lena’s POV
The stone burns cold against my palm, its veins shimmering faintly in the fading light. It doesn’t look like a weapon–small enough to fit into my hand. smooth and unassuming–but I know better. I feel better. My wolf surges beneath my skin, stronger and louder than she’s ever been. The power hums between us, alive, like we’re two parts of the same storm.
The hall is too quiet. Too still. All eyes are on me, on him. Marcus’s voice cuts through the silence like a blade
His words are jagged barn from somewhere deep, somewhere raw. I wince, even though I don’t move. My heart pounds painfully, and I taste acid in the back of my throat
“You killed my father!” Marcus’s voice breaks on the last word, the grief turning into something darker. Something feral.
Sebastian stands between us, his presence as unyielding as store, but even he can’t contain Marcus’s rage.
“I didn’t mean to,” I whisper. The words sound small pathetic. I don’t expect Marcus to hear them, and when his furious gaze locks onto mine, I know The hasn’t. Or worse–he doesn’t care
“You think that matters?” he spits, his hands shaking at has sades. Hits wolf is close to the surface, his power flickering like flames around him. “My father is dead because of you, Elena Because of that—he points to the Crescent Stone, clutched tight in my hand.
I force myself not to look at it, though its pull rugs at me like a chain wrapped around my chest. I can’t let go of it. I’ve tried. The moment it touched me, it became part of me–of her, the wolf that’s no longer just mine.
Marcus takes a step closer, his eyes gleaming gold in the dim light. “My father died protecting you–from you–and you’re just standing there holding that damned stone like you’re proud of it
Tdn’t know what it would do My voice cracks, loud and desperate. The memory flashes in my mind like a jagged shard of glass; Joel, his hands raised in a plea, his face twisted with fear and understanding his voter a song – Elena, fight it! You are not yourself!-and then my wolf ripping free, the phver bursting from me in waves.
I don’t remember attacking I don’t remember killing him. I only remember the silence afterward. The way Joel crumpled into the dirt. The way they blood stained my fur
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And the Crescent Stone, glowing bright, nestled in the dust where I dropped at
Marcus’s lip curls into a snarl. “You knew you weren’t supposed to wield it, yet you did! You chose the stone over the pack Over my father’s life!”
“Thats eniigh.” Sebastian growls, bus voire a deep, rumbling warning. His wolf prowls behind his eyes, but Marcus doesn’t back down. Neither of them looks at me now–like I’m not even bere, like I’m just a weaponi at went off at the wrong time.
Instead, Sebastian turns his gaze to me, his voice calmer but no less sharp. “Elena. Walk with me
Marcus opens his mouth to protest, but one look from Sebastian stops him eld. I don’t dare meet Marcus’s eyes as I move past him, Sebastion leading me deeper into the woods. The Crescent Stone weighs heavy in my palm
“Do you know what you’ve done? Sebastian asks when we re far enough from the mansion that the packs whispers can’t reach us. His tone is soft, but I feel the steel underneath it
“I didn’t mean to,” I say again, my voice hollow
Sebastian sighs, running a hand through has dark hair. “Intent doesn’t matter, Elena. Not to them. Joel is dead, and Marcus is looking for someone to Mame Someone to punish.”
“I did’t ask for this.” I snap, heat flaring in my chest. My wolf stirs again, always ready now, always too ready. I squeeze the stone righter, brary the power beneath my skin. The stone overwhelmed me. I didn’t even know what was happening until it was too late.
Sebanya
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me for a long moment, his eyes unreadable.
Chapter 10
“The Crifeent Stenir lust just an object, Elena, Sebastian says, his voice low and steady. “It’s power incarnate. It amplifies your wolf–her instincts, her strength, everything that makes her will. It’s why parks have fought over it for centuries. Why so much blood has been spilled
lock down at the stone is my hand. It’s deceptively beautiful, smooth and cold like it was carved from the night sky. My wolf craves it. I can fool per circling ble me, restless, powerful, and unpredictable.
“Why me?” I whisper.
“With you, it’s different. You were born for the stone. Char bloodline has always protected and wielded the stone in times of need, but it abrays exacted wenst: blood. Duy ancestors were targeted because other packs wanted the Stone for limitless power.
When you suggested that we go seeking for the Stone, I was reluctant because I knew you weren’t ready to he exposed to it. I tried to warn you all hur you insisted. Frankly, I must admit I agreed to your plans because I was also curious to see how you would reart when you come in contact with the shone. We just never envisioned the attack by the Black Moon Pack That fucked up everything.
eets my gaze then, his expression sharp. “That’s the curse of the Crescent Stone, Elena. It doesn’t just amplify power. It amplifies destruction Blood follows it, always.”
“Then why not destroy it? My voice is tight. I’m gripping the stone so hard it digs into my skin.
herause destroying it severs the link to our wolves” Sebastian says. “Without it, we’re weaker. The rogues, other packs–they’ll sense that weakness and tear us apart.”
so I’m supposed to keep it?” My voice rises, my wolf growling low within me. “After what it did after what I did?”
Sebastian’s gaze is unrelenting. “That’s the choice you face, Elena. Destroy the stone and break the cycle, or keep it and learn to control in. But know this–power like this doesn’t come without a price.”
Abitter laugh escapes me before I can stop it. “There’s already been a price.
Joel’s face flashes in my mind again, and I close my eyes in pain, the weight of it all crushing me. My wolf claws at me, hungry for the stone’s power, but I push her down
Each time I think I am getting stranger, something just ruins at all. With this Stone, I know I can protect Lucian from Lyanna but it also means I could kill him just as I killed forl. How do I protect those I love from myself?
Sebastian watches me, silent…
“I don’t know how to fix this,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I don’t know how to control it.”
“You have to learn,” Sebastian says. “Before the power consumes you. Or the pack turns on
you,
I close my eyes, breathing deep, trying to block out the hum of the stone’s power in my palm. My wolf is stronger now, faster–but she’s a stranger to me, wild and dangerous in ways I can’t predict. In ways that killed Joel
Destroy it, I think. I could end this. Break the cycle. Protect them from me.
But the moment I even consider it, my wolf howls in protest, a sharp and furious sound inside my head. The Crescent Stone burns cold in my hand, itu power surging up my arm like hyaid lightning.
1 open my eyes and meet Sebastian’s gaze
“I need time.” I say, though we both know time is running out
Sebastian nods once, but his face is grim. “Don’t take too long. Elena. The pack’s patience won’t last forever. And neither will your control.
I watch him turn and disappear into the trees, leaving me alone with the Crescent Stone and the weight of everything I’ve done.
I clutch the stone to my chest, the hum of its power echoing through me, and for the first time, I wonder if I’ll survive w
what it’s turning me into.
Chapter 17
Chosen by the Moon Rise of Female Alpha (
Chapter 10
