Chapter 21 - The Breaking Point

The halls of the Saints Moon Pack's war chamber were eerily silent as the last of the Alphas departed. The weight of their conversation still lingered in the air, thick with tension and unspoken worries. Celestia stood beside Darius, her mind racing with the implications of what had just been decided.

The pack was preparing for war.

She was at the center of it.

The weight of being Moonborn pressed down on her like an iron chain. Everyone expected her to be the key to victory, but what if she wasn't ready? What if she failed?

Darius must have sensed her unease because his voice was low but firm. "You did well in there."

Celestia glanced at him, her silver eyes searching his golden ones. "They're putting everything on me, Darius." She exhaled, tension creeping into her voice. "What if I can't control my power in time? What if—"

Darius cut her off, stepping closer. "You will."

She swallowed, trying to ignore the way his unwavering certainty made her feel both reassured and overwhelmed.

Before she could respond, Lucien and Elias entered the chamber. Lucien's expression was unusually serious. "We have a problem."

Darius straightened. "What is it?"

Elias hesitated, then handed Darius a bloodstained piece of parchment. "This arrived at the border. No scent. No trace of who left it."

Celestia felt her stomach tighten as Darius unfolded the letter. The moment his eyes scanned the words, his jaw clenched.

She stepped closer to read over his shoulder.

> Celestia Ace Saints,

You have something that belongs to me.

A Moonborn should not stand beside wolves.

Come to the Shadow Vale ruins alone before the next full moon.

Or watch them all burn.

— Aldric

A chill ran down Celestia's spine.

Lucien let out a low growl. "That bastard."

Elias shook his head. "He's trying to draw her out."

Darius crushed the parchment in his fist. "And he knows exactly how to do it."

Celestia clenched her fists. "I have to go."

Darius's head snapped toward her. "No."

Lucien scoffed. "Absolutely not."

Elias frowned. "Celestia, this is a trap."

She turned to face them. "Of course, it's a trap! But if I don't go, he'll attack the pack." She exhaled sharply. "I won't let that happen."

Darius's golden eyes darkened with anger. "We are not playing his game."

Celestia stepped closer. "This isn't a game, Darius. This is war."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was electric, neither willing to back down.

Finally, Darius exhaled, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Then we do this my way."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Meaning?"

Darius looked at Lucien and Elias. "We set the trap for him."

---

Two nights later, Celestia stood at the entrance of the ruins, her hood pulled up over her silver hair. The wind howled through the crumbling stones, carrying the scent of damp earth and something darker—something wrong.

Aldric was already there, standing amidst the ruins like a shadow made flesh. His golden eyes gleamed under the moonlight, his expression unreadable.

"You actually came," he mused, his voice smooth and amused. "I almost thought you'd be a coward."

Celestia stepped forward, keeping her breathing steady. "You threatened my pack."

Aldric smirked. "And you came running. Predictable." He tilted his head. "But then again… Moonborn always did have a weakness for their wolves."

She ignored his taunt. "What do you want?"

Aldric studied her, his gaze like a predator sizing up its prey. "To offer you a choice."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. "You mean an ultimatum."

His smirk widened. "You're learning."

He stepped closer, his presence an overwhelming force. "You don't belong with them, Celestia. You were meant for more than playing Luna to a dying pack."

Celestia's breath caught, but she refused to let his words shake her. "The Saints Moon Pack is far from dying."

Aldric chuckled. "For now." His expression darkened. "But when the Lycans march, when war comes crashing down on your lands, do you really think they can survive?"

He leaned in slightly. "Do you really think you can survive?"

Celestia clenched her fists. "I won't abandon my pack."

Aldric exhaled, almost as if he were disappointed. "Then you leave me no choice."

The air shifted.

Celestia felt it a second before it happened—the sudden drop in temperature, the crackle of energy—

Then the ruins exploded into chaos.

Lycans burst from the shadows, their hulking forms moving like wraiths in the moonlight. Snarls filled the air as they lunged toward her—

Only to be intercepted by a blur of motion.

Darius.

He moved like a storm, shifting mid-air and slamming into the nearest Lycan with bone-crushing force. Lucien and Elias weren't far behind, their weapons flashing in the dim light.

The ambush had begun.

Celestia wasted no time. She turned to Aldric, power crackling at her fingertips. "You wanted me?" she snarled. "Come and get me."

Aldric's smirk widened. "Gladly."

He moved faster than she expected. One moment he was in front of her, the next—

Pain exploded in her side as she was flung backward.

Celestia hit the ground hard, the impact stealing her breath. She barely had time to recover before Aldric was on her again, his claws swiping toward her throat.

She rolled at the last second, dodging by inches. Sparks of silver energy flared as she retaliated, a pulse of Moonborn power knocking him back.

But Aldric barely staggered. He grinned. "You're getting stronger."

Celestia's heart pounded. He wasn't even trying yet.

Darius and the others were holding their own against the Lycans, but they were outnumbered.

She had to end this. Now.

Summoning every ounce of power she had, Celestia let go of her restraint.

The ground beneath her glowed, ancient runes igniting in response to her presence. The power surged through her veins, untamed and electric.

Aldric's expression finally changed.

For the first time—he looked intrigued.

Celestia didn't hesitate. She unleashed her power in a wave of silver light, the force of it shaking the ruins.

The Lycans howled as the energy crashed into them, sending them sprawling. Even Aldric was forced back, his stance shifting.

For a heartbeat, there was silence.

Then Aldric laughed.

Low. Dark. Amused.

"You really are something special," he murmured.

Celestia breathed heavily, her hands still crackling with power. "Stay away from my pack."

Aldric tilted his head, a strange gleam in his golden eyes. "Not yet, Moonborn."

Before she could react, darkness swallowed him whole.

The Lycans that remained turned and vanished into the night, leaving only the ruins in eerie silence.

Celestia barely had time to process what had happened before Darius was at her side, his hands gripping her shoulders.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was rough with concern.

She shook her head, though her limbs trembled from the exertion. "I'm fine."

Lucien cursed. "That bastard was toying with us."

Elias exhaled sharply. "But now we know something."

Celestia met his gaze. "What?"

Elias's expression was grim. "Aldric doesn't just want you dead." He looked at her, silver eyes filled with unspoken warning.

"He wants you with him."

The words sent a cold shiver through her spine.

Darius's grip on her tightened. "That won't happen."

Celestia swallowed hard.

Because deep down, she knew—this was only the beginning.

And Aldric would never stop.

---

End of Chapter 21