Chapter 19 – The Storm Approaches
Celestia could still feel the hum of power in her veins as she stood at the edge of the training grounds, her silver eyes glowing faintly under the morning sun. Despite the aches from yesterday's brutal training, she felt… different.
Stronger. More aware.
The warriors gathered around her, their usual expressions of respect now mixed with something else—uncertainty, perhaps even awe. The display of her power had shifted their perception of her. She wasn't just their Luna anymore. She was something more.
Darius stood beside her, his golden eyes scanning the assembled warriors. His presence alone commanded authority, but today, there was a particular sharpness to him. He was on edge.
They all were.
"Today, we continue," Elder Mira announced, stepping forward. "Celestia has begun to grasp her power, but knowledge alone is not enough. In battle, instinct and control must become one."
Lucien smirked, cracking his knuckles. "So we push her harder?"
Celestia exhaled, already bracing herself. "Of course we do."
Mira nodded approvingly. "This time, it won't be a simple spar. This time, you fight as if your life depends on it."
A cold wind swept through the training grounds, as if nature itself understood the weight of those words.
Lucien was her first opponent, but this time, he wasn't playing around.
The moment the fight began, he vanished—his speed even greater than before. Celestia barely had time to raise her arms before he was behind her, his blade slicing toward her exposed side.
Her instincts roared to life.
She twisted, her silver energy surging around her arm, solidifying into a barrier just in time. The impact sent vibrations through her body, but she held firm.
Lucien grinned. "Good. But—"
He pivoted, feinting left before dropping low, sweeping at her legs.
Celestia jumped, flipping mid-air before landing a few feet away. Her power crackled around her fingertips, responding faster now.
But Lucien wasn't done.
Before she could react, Elias fired two arrows from across the field—one aimed at her shoulder, the other at her leg.
Celestia narrowed her eyes. They're working together now.
Fine. She could handle that.
She flicked her wrist, her silver energy shifting—solidifying into two small daggers. With a sharp motion, she deflected both arrows mid-air, the weapons dissipating into light upon impact.
Elias's eyebrows lifted. "Well, that's new."
Lucien used the distraction. He lunged, closing the distance in seconds. His blade came for her throat—too fast to dodge.
Celestia didn't flinch.
The moment his weapon touched her skin, her power pulsed. A silver wave burst outward, knocking him back before he could complete the strike.
Lucien landed in a crouch, panting slightly. "Okay," he admitted. "That really stung."
Mira watched silently before speaking. "Good. You're adapting."
Celestia exhaled. But it's still not enough.
She wasn't fast enough. Not strong enough. Not yet.
Darius must have sensed her frustration because he stepped forward. "One more round," he said. But this time, his golden eyes locked onto hers.
Celestia froze.
Was he suggesting—?
"Yes," Mira confirmed. "You will fight him."
A hush fell over the warriors.
Lucien let out a low whistle. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Celestia swallowed. Fighting Elias and Lucien was one thing. But Darius?
Her mate. Her Alpha.
The strongest wolf in the Saints Moon Pack.
She met his gaze. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only quiet determination.
Celestia took a deep breath. Alright, then.
The fight began without warning.
One moment, Darius stood before her. The next, he disappeared.
Celestia barely had time to register the shift in the air before a force crashed into her from the side. She was sent flying, rolling across the dirt before she managed to stop herself.
She coughed, shaking the dust from her hair.
He's holding back.
That realization was more frustrating than the hit itself.
Celestia got to her feet, silver energy swirling around her hands. "Don't go easy on me," she snapped.
Darius smirked. "I'm not."
He moved again—this time, she saw it.
His form blurred, but the silver light in her eyes sharpened everything. She could see the muscles tensing in his legs before he shifted, the faint ripple in the air before his attack landed.
She reacted just in time.
Their powers collided.
Gold met silver in a violent burst, the impact shaking the training grounds. Warriors took a step back as the sheer force of their clash sent waves of energy across the field.
Celestia grit her teeth, pushing back against him. But he was stronger.
Darius's power overwhelmed hers, forcing her to her knees.
She growled. No.
Something inside her snapped.
Her silver energy flared violently, pushing back with twice the strength. Darius's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before the force sent him flying.
The warriors gasped.
Darius landed smoothly, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop. His golden eyes gleamed with something almost feral.
And then—he laughed.
Celestia blinked. "What's so funny?"
Darius shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're finally getting serious."
She exhaled heavily. "I thought I was serious before."
His eyes darkened. "You weren't."
He straightened, brushing dust from his tunic. "That's enough for today."
Celestia frowned. "But—"
"You won."
She stiffened. "No, I didn't."
Darius smiled, stepping closer. "Yes, you did."
Her lips parted slightly, but before she could respond, a scout rushed into the training grounds, breathless.
"Alpha—there's news from the border."
Darius's expression hardened instantly. "Speak."
The scout hesitated before swallowing hard. "Aldric's forces… they've started moving."
A heavy silence fell.
Lucien's smirk vanished. Elias's fingers tightened around his bow. Mira's usually calm expression darkened.
Celestia's heart pounded. It's starting.
Darius turned to the warriors. "Everyone, prepare. We move at dawn."
Celestia clenched her fists. She had barely scratched the surface of her power. But there was no more time.
Aldric was coming.
And they had to be ready.
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End of Chapter 19