JUNE’S POV The weight of the man’s words crashed into me, making my heart skip a beat.
Then, as swiftly as the snap of a finger, he lunged at me with outstretched arms.
The smell of old blood left me momentarily dizzy and before I knew it, his blow struck me with such brutal force that sent me flying over the Moon-veil Blossom.
Pain exploded through my backside as I landed heavily on the forest floor, my head slamming against the trunk of a nearby tree.
My hand flew to my temple and I shook my head to remain conscious.
Through my hazy vision, I saw him stretch out his claws…
long, black claws as thick and deadly as that of an Eagle talon’s.
His footsteps pounded the shrubs and ferns beneath it as he charged toward me.
I rolled on my side just in time, leaving him scratching the tree trunk in a fierce strike.
It gave me a few seconds to spring to my feet and pose for a fight as I drew out Tristine’s sword.
But the moment his gaze fell on it, something within him snapped.
He roared.
His breathing grew loud and ragged as primitive rage consumed him, his orange orbs blazing with an hungry desire to kill and rip apart.
Although I didn’t want to hurt him, I had to protect myself.
Tightening my grip on the sword, I steadied my stance and watched his movement, aiming for a slash on his right hand that would incapacitate his ability for use.
He gritted his teeth, his arms spread apart, fingers curled into vicious claws.
The instant he lunged toward me, an agonizing growl rumbled from his throat as an arrow embedded into his arm, bringing him to an abrupt halt.
My head whipped toward the direction it came and I saw Tristine along with his Elite Wolves, rushing toward me in a fierce determination.
“Kira, are you okay?” Tristine’s voice echoed with concern as he stopped before me, searching my face.
He held my arms and turned me slightly checking for injuries.
A breath I didn’t know I was holding escaped my lips as I stared at his furrowed brows.
The elite wolves stood around us, five able bodied men, each aiming their swords at the man.
His growls grew heavier and louder with every ragged breath as he wrapped his hand around the arrow.
“This is not over yet.” The words rumbled from his throat, cracked and hoarse.
“I will return…” I watched as he gritted his teeth and tilted his head.
“And I’ll take your life,” he hissed.
“Blood for blood!” With a powerful leap, he scaled onto a towering tree, swiftly jumping onto a tree branch that sent its leaves falling from his impact.
His voice lingered, echoing around us in the cold, but those words filled my mind with a flood of memories.
Blood for blood!
Blood for Blood!
They kept replaying in my head.
They were my mantra, the only thing that had kept me alive.
Hatred flooded my veins like blood as I dwelled in the memory.
The cold I once felt was quickly consumed by a surging heat.
My breathing grew ragged, each breath harsher than the last.
My gaze fell to the sword in my hand, and the thought of driving it through his chest consumed my mind.
“Kira!
Kira!” His voice sounded distant, as though it had been shut out of my world.
Then I felt my body jolt.
The violent shake snapped me back to the present, and only then did I realize Tristine’s firm grip on my arms, then I became aware of how tightly my fists were clenched.
“Kira, are you okay?” Tristine asked, concern deeply etched into his words.
“Do you know him from anywhere?
I could sense your hatred.” The lines in his forehead etched deeper as he stared into my eyes.
His words somehow brought me back and I realized I almost gave myself away.
Fortunately he didn’t know those hatred was directed at him.
I swallowed hard, forcing my racing heart to settle before giving him a small nod.
The gesture eased some of the tension in his shoulders.
Tristine nodded in return, but suspicion lingered in his eyes.
I could tell he was trying to believe me but wasn’t completely convinced.
After a while, his lips slowly spread and a small smile tugged at the corners.
“You’ve found the Moon-veil Blossom,” he said, warmth wrapping his voice as he turned toward it.
“Congratulations, my Luna.” I followed his gaze, my heart completely rid of every attraction I once felt toward it.
‘I didn’t come here for this!’ “Go and claim it,” Tristine urged, excitement etched into his words.
“You’ve proven just how blessed we both are, and I’m proud of you.” Though the Moon-veil Blossom no longer held any meaning for me, I still had a role to play for the remaining two days, so I calmed it.
Outside the West Wood, the afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over the open field, and to my surprise, the elders were still waiting for me.
The knot between Elder Gerald’s brows eased, and his shoulders visibly relaxed.
Smiles spread across several of the elders’ faces, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Congratulations, Princess Kira.” Elder Gerald’s voice drew me back to the present.
“You’ve found favor in the eyes of the Moon Goddess,” he said, holding his hands in front of his chest as he lowered into a bow.
“Now we know this union was blessed and sealed by the Moon Goddess and your progeny will rule Red Moon Pack forever.” “Now we know this union has been blessed and sealed by the Moon Goddess, and your progeny will rule the Red Moon Pack forever.” The corner of my lips lifted in a faint scoff.
Who cared about that?
I gave a small nod and looked away from Elder Gerald, only for my gaze to land on Princess Cassy.
Her lips were twisted into a tight line, the veins in her neck standing out so prominently and from where I stood, I could see her chest rising and falling with barely restrained fury.
Then I turned toward Luna Amelia, who had a small smile on her face.
As if she just realized I was staring at her, the smile on her face deepened, and she walked toward me.
“I have always believed this union was blessed.
From the moment I learned of your pregnancy, I knew it was more than a peace pact.
I knew the Moon Goddess had chosen this path for the two of you.” Her voice was unbelievably soft and calm as she took my hands in hers, but her gaze was distant.
I saw right through the mask and I could tell she was surprised I had returned alive.
Somehow, a thought crept into my mind and I began to wonder if she really wanted me dead, or perhaps knew about the beast all along.
“In seven days, the pack will hold a feast to crown our Luna.” Luna Amelia’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
“Let it be known to every pack that the Red Moon Pack has found its Luna.”