Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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I stand at the edge of the grand dining hall, my fingers curling into fists at my rides. The tention in the room
My brother, Sebastian, stands in the renter, his tall, commanding frame radiating authority. His icy blue eyes, so his expression a mixture of distrust and simmering anger.
Lucian meets Sebastian’s pare, unflinching, but I can see the storm herwing behind his dark eyes. The guilt he tries in hard to made is
arbe of betrayal gnawing at my into every line of his face. I should feel satisfaction at his discomfort, but all
tou have a lot of nerve showing you see here, Lasian,” Sebastian says, his voice he and sharp as a blade “After what you did to my sin
Tarcish doesn’t flach. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here because Elena needs to bear the muth?
“And what truth is that Sebastians crosses his arms, his tone laced with venom. “That you broke her heart and now you’re back
“Though.” I say
say, my voice firm though my hands tremble. Both men turn to look at me, their tension momentarily broken. I don’t need you fighting over me. I can handle this myself.”
Sebastian’s eyes soften slightly when he looks at me, but the protective glint remains. “Elena, you don’t need to entertain his roses He deselve your time.”
Lucian takes a s stept toward me, h his presence commanding even when he’s subdued. “I know I don’t. But this isn’t just about us anymore?
I narrow my eyes at him, unwilling to let my guard down. “Then start talking.”
Sebastian lets out a low growl but says nothing, stepping back to give us space. Lucian’s gaze flickers to him, then back to me
“We’ve all been keeping secrets,” Lucian begins, his voice steady but laden with worry. “But it’s time you know the full story. My family has guarded a prophecy for generations, hidden in a scroll locked in our vaults. It speaks of a woman born under the blood moon–supprope destined to bring bars to our kind. That woman is you, Elena *
I scoff, though his words send a chill down my spine. “And why should I believe anything you say? You’ve done nothing but he to me.”
Lucian takes a step closer, his dark eyes searching mine. “Because it’s the truth. Your visions, your connection to the moon–in all points to you. bloodline was tasked with protecting you, but I failed. Tet Lyanna into our lives, and now she’s a threat to everything.”
At the mention of Lyanna, my stomach churns. Her face flashes in my mind–a rogue woll, dangerous and unpredictable. The sons I’ve been having ef her feel more like warnings now, their urgency clawing at the edges of my sanity.
Sebastian steps forward, his volen cutting through the air like a whip. “While we were watching Elena when she was still human, we accidentally discovered that Lyanna was also watching her. We’ve been watching Lyanna. She’s not just a rogue, she’s linked to the Black Moon Pack He’s working with them, she’s more dangerous than you realize.”
Lucian’s jaw tightens. “I know. That’s why I’m here. We need to stop her before she gains more power.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” I ask, crossing my arms. “Darius already has the Crescent Stone. It’s too late. If they ever wie
Lucian hesitates, his expression darkening. “There’s more. My lieutenant just called. Eleazar is dead. Lyanna has taken his place as 1
The room falls deathly sent, the weight of his words pressing down on us. My breath catches, the implications spinning in my mind. Lyannagi over one of the most powerful packs? It’s a nightmare I can’t wake up from.
Sebastian’s growl rumbles through the room, his wolf barely contained. “This is no coincidence,” he says, his voice low. “Your prophecy, her rise to power–it’s all connected”
I shake my head, my frustration boiling over. “You’re talking about fate and destiny as if we’re pawns in some cosmic game. But what about the What about the lives being destroyed because of all this?”
Lucians steps closer, his voice softer now. “Elena, I understand your anger. You have every right to hate me. But this it just about is anymore, don’t Hop Lyanna, she’ll tear everything apart.”
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Chosen by the Moon Rise of Female Alpha
Chapter 23
bis voore eatcher me off guard, but I refuse to let it soray me. “And whar
leaving me to park up the puerec? At the crook of her finger, you left me. You rinse led nee
His ence speaks volumes, and my heart racks a le
Sebastian places a hand on my shoulder, his presence grounding me “Well Wise on h
I nod, but the pain lingers, a constant reminder of everything Flo
“We need a plan” Sebastian says, turning his attention to Lorian pain working with Dark of Bark Boon hink the won’t sing mel taken everything. That includes Bena”
Lucian’s eyes darken, his wolf surfaring briefly “Then we make sure she does get these
three of us stand in uneasy alliance, the weight of our shared history and uncertai
fall, but I can’t afford to break now
As the moonlight fibers through the stained glass windows, castinga kaledoorope of esies arross the room, I
down on me. Whether I want it or not the prophecy binds me to this fight..
And I won’t let anyone–Lyanna, fate, or even Lucian–decade my future for me
The night air is cool Lucian walks beside me, his hands shoved deep the pockets of the memory of a song that once made you smile but now only brings
rest. His presence i
We don’t speak at first, the silence between us heasy but unbroken. The diet bowl of a wolf whows through the fores, and my de obras wolf stin, restless and attuned to the man beride me.
Finally, he stops a
sand turns to face, his dark eyes shadowed
I cross my arms, bracing myself. “Go ahead”
He exhales slowly, his breath vichle in the cold. “I have to go back to my pack. Lyanna is ring and I don’t op her the destroy everything we’ve built. I need to reclaim my title as Alpha. I went Rowan ahead when I got the call.”
My chest aches at his words, though I knew this moment was
ent was coming. “And what happens if the kill you. Loin? WÈNE COME?”
“She won’t,” he says, but the tension in his voice betrays him. “I have to do this. My park is my responsibility. It’s my day.”
Ishake my head, my voice trembling. “Your duty? Is that what this is about? What about me in What about?
His eyes soften and he takes a step closer. “Elena, I love you I always have, and I always will now I’ve you, and I do what’s been de But I swear to you. I will never betray you again.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but 1 blink them away. “You say that now, but how can I trust you? You’ve already broken mee
He reaches out, his hand grazing mine, and a spark flares between us. It’s not just physical is something deeper, something primal My wif shifts inside me, ber instincts pulling toward him.
“Elena,” he says, his voice low and raw, “I feel it too. This bond between us–it’s unbreakable. You’re my mate.”
The words hut me like a thunderclap, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. My wall howls in recognition, her longing echoing in my heart. I already thin the pull toward him, but hearing him acknowledge it makes it real, undeniable.
“But that doesn’t mean I can let you go.” I whisper, tears spilling over now. “My visions Locan–they’re warnings. I’ve seen you in danger. And Dans is after you too. If you go back to your pack, you might not survive”
He brushes a tear from my cheek, has touch sending shivers through me know the risks, but I have no choice. My pack needs Elena. And as mis as I want to stay, I can’t turn my back on them.”
The bond between us grows stronger, a golden thread tying our souls together. My wolf whites torn between wanting to protect him a hastogo
“Thats thin” Lashisper, my voice breaking. “I hate that you’re leaving ”
Chosen by the Moon Rise of Female Alpha
Chapter 23
That loo” he says, his voice thick with emotion. That I’ll come back i
k to you. No matter what it takes, I find my way back to you.”
We stand there, the moonlight bathing us in its glme, our tears mingling with the cold night air, When he finally pulls away, it feels like a part of the is being ripped away with him.
As he disappears into the dat koes, I left with nothing but the sound of my own heartbeat and the distant hood of the wolves. The bond between m pulses, a fragile yet unyielding connection.
And all I can do is pray that he comes back to me.
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